tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29046327090008068542024-03-12T21:05:41.125-07:00Quilt, sew Happy!I'm a scrappy kind of gal; stitching life together with needle and thread!Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.comBlogger59125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-72420240482847108132015-06-17T13:08:00.000-07:002015-06-17T13:12:27.947-07:00COUNTRY VILLAGE QAL, PART 4: Adding sashings and sewing it all together!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did ya miss me??? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We have been having some really up and down weather from about mid-May to last week and that factor does some real damage to me in the form of multi-day migraines…I had several...NOT FUN…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The good news is that it looks like the good weather is now here to stay! YAY!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to Part 4(<i>finally!!!</i>) of the Country Village QAL, featuring <a href="http://bit.ly/MaisonDeProvence" target="_blank">Maison De Provence</a> by <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a>. Today we will be adding the sashings and sewing the quilt top together. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case you've missed them, you can find Parts 1 through 3 under the Country Village QAL tab across the top of my blog, under the header.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I managed to get all 25 quilt-a-long blocks completed last week, so hurray for me!!! I was overly ambitious, thinking that I could get all of the blocks completed within two weeks, groan...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I was laying out the blocks for the above photo, the sun was <i>not</i> in my favour. By the time I had arranged the blocks into the pretty fan above, the sun had moved and all I had was a small space in our front walkway that didn't have too many shadows. I guess you could say that I have used the sunlight and dark shadows to create an artistic photo…yea, I'll stick to that…hee hee!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So…here we go!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Collect your 60 x 15.5"-long sashing strips and 36 of the 1.5" squares we cut previously. You'll want to only use the darker-coloured squares, so that the cornerstones will be a 'pop' of colour amidst all the white/t-o-t sashing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can use the lighter-coloured squares in a different project, or as a border around your quilt label!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add one 1.5" square cornerstone to <i>one end</i> of <u>24</u> 15.5" sashing strips. Add a 1.5" square to <i>each end</i> of <u>6</u> 15.5" sashing strips. Press the seam toward the sashing strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is how I mark my blocks. As you know, we have 25 blocks set 5 x 5. I mark the position of my blocks in this way-the center block number is circled and the top, bottom and sides have lines which correspond to their placement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now here is the fun part!!! I already knew that the dark red block (#13, at center) would be the center block, as it is the same pattern as the inner border and I didn't want them to be near each other. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided that two pairs of eyes are better that one and got the Hubs to give me a hand! It took us about 15 mins. to decide which block would go where(making sure to align each block with the center fabric running downwards) and then we labelled them. I just use a straight pin to attach the marker to each block and when I'm done, I keep them pinned to the paper marker so that I don't use them for piecing etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now we will do the unusual part. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I <i>really</i> dislike working with long, skinny sashing strips as all sorts of things can go wrong. I attach the sashing strips <i>to</i> <i>the blocks</i> <u>before</u> sewing all of the blocks together! It only takes a little bit of preparation to do it this way and it has always worked out well for me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pin a plain sashing strip down the left side of each block, right side facing the block. Pin a plain sashing strip(right side down-you can assume that all of the directions mean to pin with the right side down) down the right side of blocks #5, 10, 15, 20 and 25. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We will look at row #1 as it is a bit different. I do it this way to limit the amount of time spent getting up from my machine to re-pin.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pin a one-ended(a strip with one 1.5" square stitched to it) strip across the top of blocks #1-4. Pin a one-ended strip across the bottom of blocks #1-4. You will have to stop pinning these strips about 2" before the left side of the block, as that side already has a plain strip pinned to it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pin a two-ended strip across the top of block #5. Pin a two-ended strip across the bottom of blocks #5, 10, 15, 20 and 25. You will have to stop pinning about 2" away from the left and right sides of these blocks as they are already pinned.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is block #10. You can see the plain sashing strips are pinned down the right and left sides of the block. Then the two-ended strip is pinned loosely across the bottom of the block, leaving room so that the side sashings can be stitched down first. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then all you have to do is flip all of the side sashings to the outside of the block and finger-press, making sure that the seam allowance falls towards the sashing. Then you can pin and sew the one-ended and two-ended sashing strips to each of the blocks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you are stitching the sashings to the block, it is much easier to stitch with the sashings on top so that you can ease a slightly larger block in. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do not pull the sashing to match the length of the block! This will make is very difficult to match up and piece all of your blocks together at the end.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once you have sewn all of the sashings to the sides of the blocks, you can start sewing your rows together. You don't need to lay them out in a row as they are all marked! I sew the #1 block to #2, then #3 to #4. I sew #5 to the #3-4 combo. The #3-4-5 combo is then sewn to the #1-2 pair and you have a row done! Follow this procedure for the remaining 4 rows. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give each row a light press, making sure that the seam allowances are pressed towards the sashings(away from the blocks).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once your rows are all sewn you can sew them together to make your quilt top. Remember to sew with the sashing strips on top. See how the first two rows look together? I really like the little 'pop' of colour that the cornerstones bring! Four blocks set 2 x 2 would look really nice on a table.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't pair up the rows at this step(ie: sew row #1 to #2 and #3 to #4 etc.). Instead, I sew each row subsequent to the next to make the quilt top. This allows you to continue easing in your blocks, if needed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the end of Part 4 of the Country Village QAL. I hope to have Part 5: Cutting and adding the borders, ready for next Wednesday, June 24.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!! </span></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</i></span><br />
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Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-68248360712093203442015-05-27T12:30:00.000-07:002015-05-27T16:24:11.323-07:00Country Village QAL, Part 4 will be delayed…sorry!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTS50daQmSI/VWT9iRdmDpI/AAAAAAAAByw/a2JTKjpIV8U/s1600/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VTS50daQmSI/VWT9iRdmDpI/AAAAAAAAByw/a2JTKjpIV8U/s400/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am <i>so sorry</i> to report that Part 4 of the Country Village Quilt-A-Long will be delayed by a week, and will be on June 3rd. This means that the rest of the QAL posts will all be delayed by one week as well. I will adjust the schedule to show the new dates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It seemed like the world was conspiring against me, when it came to my sewing time! I had 2 unplanned appointments, plus trips to go visit my Dad. We also had a few days of really hot weather, and I just cannot sew when it is hot like that as my kitchen table(where I sew) is hit with hot sun from about 11 AM till long after supper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have 13.5 blocks done so far and have got a bit of a system going! I probably mentioned before that I like to stop sewing with a half-completed block, so that when I start again, I can just jump in. It seems easier that way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just 11.5 blocks to go…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How is everybody doing with their blocks?</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Sharing is caring!!!
Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-59735072144551069802015-05-22T13:06:00.002-07:002015-05-22T13:06:26.574-07:00Follow-Up Friday: More Of My Quilts and Are You My Giveaway Winner?<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Hubs named this one "Mountain Dew & Grape Crush"!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I though I would continue on with showing you some of my quilts(the ones that <i>I own</i>-most of my big quilts were gifts and never got photographed as I didn't have a digital camera then).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This one is completely hand-pieced, including adding the borders. I was also experimenting with a high-loft polyester batting(ewww!!). As you can see, I had a bit of trouble machine-quilting the poly batting-things kept on shifting…grr! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the last time I used poly for anything!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zhpa1-4QTk/VV5TpUWaz2I/AAAAAAAABxg/-9LjY-E1HvM/s1600/5-1%2Bstarflower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2Zhpa1-4QTk/VV5TpUWaz2I/AAAAAAAABxg/-9LjY-E1HvM/s400/5-1%2Bstarflower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Starflower</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the Lion's Gate Quilting Guild(North Vancouver, BC) holds it's biannual quilt show, there is an interactive display where anyone can give hand-quilting a try. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A guild member makes the quilt top and it gets put in a large, standing quilt hoop. Then throughout the day, different guild members would stay and give pointers on hand-quilting techniques to anyone who was curious and wanted to try their hand at it(there were a lot of men and kids keen to try!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The partially-quilted quilt is then raffled-off…and one year I won it(above)! I finished all of the hand-quilting, then scoured my substantial stash; looking for the right binding fabric. I think the greyish-blue I chose fits in very well.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkIe3nL-1As/VV5Tt96bxmI/AAAAAAAABxo/IHas7KmIJXk/s1600/15-5-17%2BLIne%2BDried%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DkIe3nL-1As/VV5Tt96bxmI/AAAAAAAABxo/IHas7KmIJXk/s400/15-5-17%2BLIne%2BDried%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><b><i>Now to the giveaway winner!</i></b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I asked my Hubs to choose a random number between 1-119(the number of comments) and he chose:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#112 </span><cite class="user" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/07354033852499807242" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;">Sheila</a>, </cite><cite class="user" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; line-height: 22px;">who wrote:</cite><span class="datetime secondary-text" style="font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-left: 6px;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">Congratulations on your blogaversary . I follow your blog via email .thanks for the chance.</span></div>
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Sheila-look for an e-mail from Quilt, sew Happy! in your inbox!!!</div>
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Thanks so much to everybody who entered my 1st Year Blogiversary Giveaway and who signed-on to follow my blog! Stay tuned-there are more fun things on the way!*</div>
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*A big <i><u>THANK YOU</u></i> to <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> for supplying this great prize!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XW-lb0vQ1Wg/VV5TwjCDrMI/AAAAAAAABxw/J42VCa8LrsU/s1600/Craftsy-memorial%2Bday%2B%252715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XW-lb0vQ1Wg/VV5TwjCDrMI/AAAAAAAABxw/J42VCa8LrsU/s400/Craftsy-memorial%2Bday%2B%252715.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><i>Craftsy is Having a Big Long-Weekend Sale!!!</i></u></span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432319186696_37638" style="background-color: white; line-height: 21px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nothing beats a long weekend...except for a long weekend full of crafting fun! Get everything you need for a creative “stay-cation” with <u>Craftsy’s Memorial Day Sale</u>. Enjoy up to 70% off <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=269501&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">all kits</a>, <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=269501&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">fabric</a> and <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=269500&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">yarn</a>, up to 60% off <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=269501&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">sewing project kits</a> and up to 40% off <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=269495&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">art</a>, <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=269498&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">paper craft</a> and <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=269496&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">cake decorating</a> supplies. You’re sure to snag the items you’ve been eyeing at major savings. </span></span></div>
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<u><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">The sale runs from </span><span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1432319186696_37717" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;">5/21/15 through 5/25/15</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px;"> @11:59pm MT!*</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you are not already a member of Craftsy, you will have to join and create a basic profile of yourself. This is free and takes mere minutes and then you can shop your buns off! Hee Hee Hee…get it? You are sitting on <i>your buns</i> when you are internet shopping!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLtvmPhUNvs/VV5T2N7JalI/AAAAAAAABx4/7uoEoLjoJdU/s1600/Craftsy-Letters%2BHome%2BTea%2Band%2BBiscuit%2BTable%2BRunner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dLtvmPhUNvs/VV5T2N7JalI/AAAAAAAABx4/7uoEoLjoJdU/s400/Craftsy-Letters%2BHome%2BTea%2Band%2BBiscuit%2BTable%2BRunner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember a few months back when I was drooling about the RJR Letters Home Tea and Biscuit Table Runner(above)? Well, I can finally get it! It is now priced at $28.61(CA$)-about $24.00 US$*. That's 45% off the regular price! Yay!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Sorry about the CA$ to US$ price conversion…all of my Craftsy prices show in Canadian dollars only.</span></div>
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<i style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!!</i><br />
<i style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! <u>Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </u></i></div>
</header><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post. </i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-25910421623427855032015-05-20T12:13:00.002-07:002015-05-23T14:10:38.491-07:00WIP-IT Wednesday: Country Village QAL Blocks & Giveaway Reminder!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpXNDaBlqGE/VVzVOcQx36I/AAAAAAAABw0/fQBG0-F7qpU/s1600/5-1%2Bpigs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OpXNDaBlqGE/VVzVOcQx36I/AAAAAAAABw0/fQBG0-F7qpU/s400/5-1%2Bpigs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was the second quilt I made and my first try at hand-quilting. You'll notice that there is no close-up photo as I don't want you to see the "toe-catcher" hand-quilting stitches…they are truly awful!!! This one lives on one of my quilt racks, so no one can see it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The quilt started with a remnant of the cute pigs in pyjamas print, which is to the left and right of the center square, as well as the outer border.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXuH-dSNC_Y/VVzUzbh5nzI/AAAAAAAABwc/Xyyj2Tdph4Y/s1600/15-5-20%2B10%2Bblocks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TXuH-dSNC_Y/VVzUzbh5nzI/AAAAAAAABwc/Xyyj2Tdph4Y/s400/15-5-20%2B10%2Bblocks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How is everyone doing with their Country Village blocks for the quilt-a-long? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have ten finished and pressed, including the one block I had to take apart and swap the center out. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sorry about the drab lighting, the area where I sew has awful light and I have to sew with a bendy lamp that almost touches my face.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J512xsKnN4I/VVzU2I4MQ6I/AAAAAAAABwk/WLQRx8lhAYM/s1600/15-5-20%2Bcutting%2Bmat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="383" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J512xsKnN4I/VVzU2I4MQ6I/AAAAAAAABwk/WLQRx8lhAYM/s400/15-5-20%2Bcutting%2Bmat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have the eleventh block all ready for trimming. I like to finish my sewing day with an item that is already started, so that next time I can jump right in!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to show you my bag of selvedges from <a href="http://bit.ly/MaisonDeProvence" target="_blank">Maison De Provence</a>, the fabric collection by <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a>. They are so pretty! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Piecing with selvedges seem so be all the rage at the moment, so I'm thinking I should at least give it a try. So funny, when I started quilting in the early 1990's, the selvedge was considered waste and now it is a part of the blocks you can make.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-458g3ip4nrs/VVzU-6rrwdI/AAAAAAAABws/rAVDeTJwjDw/s1600/15-5-17%2BLIne%2BDried%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-458g3ip4nrs/VVzU-6rrwdI/AAAAAAAABws/rAVDeTJwjDw/s400/15-5-17%2BLIne%2BDried%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><u style="background-color: yellow;">*Giveaway has ended and the prize has been claimed*</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget to enter my <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/super-sunday-1st-year-blogiversary.html" target="_blank"><strike>1 year Blogiversary Giveaway</strike></a> for a chance to win the 29-piece fat quarter collection of Line Dried from <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a>! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strike>Comments close on Thursday, May 21 at 11:59 PM, PST. Comments <i><b>must</b></i> be on the actual <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/super-sunday-1st-year-blogiversary.html" target="_blank">giveaway post</a>. </strike></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Sharing is caring!!! </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </i></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post. </span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-54891245237684679862015-05-17T10:25:00.001-07:002015-05-23T14:11:22.512-07:00Super Sunday: 1st Year Blogiversary GIVEAWAY!!! Woo-Hoo!!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QoCt5sQPWE/VVfVQYtgxMI/AAAAAAAABuk/nRR85fnT-Ho/s1600/15-5-17%2BLIne%2BDried%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5QoCt5sQPWE/VVfVQYtgxMI/AAAAAAAABuk/nRR85fnT-Ho/s400/15-5-17%2BLIne%2BDried%2B1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you have probably guessed from today's title…today is my 1 year anniversary of starting to write the Quilt, sew Happy! blog!!! Wow! I never imagined what kinds of things would come my way just from writing a quilting blog!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My great sponsor, <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> is offering a 29-piece fat quarter bundle of their newest collection, called Line Dried, (shown above and below) to one lucky blog follower. This line, like most of their in-house fabric collections, is a great value too: Only $5.96/yard!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHVMXpnMi58/VVfVT5CbuZI/AAAAAAAABus/NzfeaiWcr-8/s1600/15-5-17%2BLine%2BDried%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cHVMXpnMi58/VVfVT5CbuZI/AAAAAAAABus/NzfeaiWcr-8/s400/15-5-17%2BLine%2BDried%2B2.jpg" width="356" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Line Dried collection reminds me of those lovely vintage aprons and table linens that you can come across while at the thrift store or country estate sales. So sweet! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> also shows you which of their "basics collection" and Essentials brand thread coordinate with this line when you go to the Line Dried page under the Fabric tab on their website.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><u style="background-color: yellow;">*Giveaway has ended and the prize has been claimed*</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><u><strike>Now for the GIVEAWAY:</strike></u></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am going to make it easy for you to enter to win this lovely fat quarter bundle;</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-just <i><u>follow this blog</u></i> <b>by email</b> or with <b>Bloglovin'</b> and <i><u>tell me how you do</u></i>. There are windows to follow by email and Bloglovin' just below my profile blurb.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #783f04; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Note</i>-If you choose to follow my blog via email you will receive a confirmation email from Feedburner(the email delivery company). <i>This is not spam</i>. You need to click the link in this email to activate your email subscription to this blog. If you don't, you won't get any of my posts and you won't be eligible to win this giveaway.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I only write 2-3 posts per week so I won't be clogging up your inbox!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That's it! Easy-Peasy!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><strike>The giveaway will be open from today, Sunday, May 17, 2015 to Thursday, May 21, 2015. I will have The Hubs draw a number(the comment number) on Friday, May 22nd.</strike></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Please, please make sure I have a way to contact you. Most people don't even know that they are a "no-reply blogger" which means that their email address is not visible to anyone. So, if you are not sure if you are a "no-reply blogger" or not, please leave me an email address so that I can contact you if you are my winner. You could type your email address out this way: </i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>youremail at yahoo dot com</b>, so that you won't get hit by scammers. I would never sell, share etc. your email address with anyone!</i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEJaOFwvSdM/VVfVWkpaCrI/AAAAAAAABu0/aajl1Jcw25I/s1600/16-5-16%2Bcv%2Bblock%2Bre-do.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="373" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEJaOFwvSdM/VVfVWkpaCrI/AAAAAAAABu0/aajl1Jcw25I/s400/16-5-16%2Bcv%2Bblock%2Bre-do.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Remember in the <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/country-village-quilt-long-part-3.html" target="_blank">Country Village QAL, Part 3</a> post where I made a boo-boo? …Well I did fix it and here's the photo. This is how your block should look; main fabric, then your center fabric and another fabric, for the center of the block.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIDn24jps9c/VVfVYYfydwI/AAAAAAAABu8/_5DxHwI_Qck/s1600/15-5-16%2Bcv%2Bpiles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIDn24jps9c/VVfVYYfydwI/AAAAAAAABu8/_5DxHwI_Qck/s400/15-5-16%2Bcv%2Bpiles.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After I got all of my block centers done, I laid out each pile of cut squares in the 25 different prints for the 25 blocks. Then I chose a center block to contrast with the main fabric and made little piles so I wouldn't mix them up like I did on the Part 3 post!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Sharing is caring!!! </i></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline </i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com121tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-37253580654455024152015-05-13T14:10:00.001-07:002015-05-13T14:24:56.094-07:00COUNTRY VILLAGE QUILT-A-LONG, PART 3: Piecing the blocks.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s1600/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s400/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to Part 3 of our Country Village Quilt-A-Long featuring the </span><a href="http://bit.ly/MaisonDeProvence" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Maison De Provence</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> fabric collection by </span><a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.** </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**A little birdie told me that they only have a small amount of the MDP fat quarter bundles left…so if you are wanting to make a quilt with the exact same fabrics as mine, you'll need to snap one up quick! You'll find the bundles under their Pre-cuts tab.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case you missed them, here are the links to <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/04/country-village-quilt-long-yay-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1</a> and <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/country-village-quilt-long-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a> of the quilt-a-long. You will also find links to each step under the Country Village QAL tab as they are published.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owbJeoCV-Ms/VVOgsf0hjtI/AAAAAAAABrA/0zasXbhhzzc/s1600/15-5-13%2BCV%2BDirectional.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-owbJeoCV-Ms/VVOgsf0hjtI/AAAAAAAABrA/0zasXbhhzzc/s400/15-5-13%2BCV%2BDirectional.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to talk a little about the difference between directional and all-over prints. The stripe on the left is definitely a directional print as the stripes run in one direction. You have to show more care when piecing a block using directional prints as you want the stripes to all run in the same direction(i.e.: up and down or side to side…but not both!).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is much easier to piece blocks using an all-over print(at right), as once cut into squares it will make no difference which way you orient your squares in the block.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought you would like to see my thread/fabric trimmings bowl! It is actually a dip bowl, but I when saw it at Value Village I had another use for it! I keep it at the side of my sewing machine so that I can put stray threads in it. I did have one of those thread-catcher bags that hang over the edge of the table, but I found it was more of a pain than a pleasure to use.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDlwOggRWWQ/VVOgcu9yLCI/AAAAAAAABqo/Tsu5oAf6ZmE/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-hst1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aDlwOggRWWQ/VVOgcu9yLCI/AAAAAAAABqo/Tsu5oAf6ZmE/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-hst1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><u>Here we go:</u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I wanted to start off with the block center, which is an Hourglass block(basically a quarter-square triangle block). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Now that all of your fabrics are cut and you have drawn the sewing lines on the backs of your 6.5" squares of center fabric, it should go very smoothly. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I used my Quick Quarter ruler(shown near the end of <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/country-village-quilt-long-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a>) from </span><a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"> do this and my sewing lines were nice and even. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I also wanted to show you how to orient(above) the one <i>pieced</i> square we have of the center fabric.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: My "center" fabric is the pale orange print.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lay your 6.5" square of <i>block</i> fabric(from one of your fat quarters) face up, being careful to orient the directional print so that it runs up and down. Put the pre-lined 6.5" square of <i>center</i> fabric on top, right sides facing. Place your center square so that your drawn sewing lines start at the top left, then end at the bottom right. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pin near each end and in the middle of the drawn lines. Sew along your right drawn line, then turn the sewn square 180 degrees and sew along the left drawn line. <i><u>Do not sew on the center line.</u></i> </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lr6WCIfTfbU/VVOgjDkgU8I/AAAAAAAABqw/b41pItbf2l4/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-hst2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lr6WCIfTfbU/VVOgjDkgU8I/AAAAAAAABqw/b41pItbf2l4/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-hst2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">*I am showing 2 block centers here*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut your sewn square in half, using the drawn center line as your guide. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will now have 2 half-square triangles.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Press your seams closed first, then open up these hst's and press the seam allowance towards the fat quarter fabric(away from your center fabric). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Draw your two sewing and one center line on the wrong side of <b>one</b> of these half-square triangles. When you pin the two hst's together, right sides facing, use your fingertips to help to align your upper and lower seam allowances so that they nest snuggly. As before, sew on your 2 sewing lines. <i><u>Do not sew on the centre line.</u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut your square in half using the center line as your guide. Press the seam, then open up your two quarter square triangles and press the seam allowances either up or down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take your 6" x 6" ruler and trim these squares to measure <u><i>5.5" square</i></u>. All you have to do is find the 2.75" mark on your ruler and place that at the center of your qst(see arrow). You want the diagonal line on your ruler to match up with one of your diagonal seam lines and do the same for each of the 4 sides. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Measure again to be sure that your block is 5.5" x 5.5". You only need <b>one</b> of these squares, so pick the best one and put the other one to the side for another project. I am thinking about sewing them into a strip and piecing them into my backing fabric.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OrfuHrSjmwo/VVOgxxVmCiI/AAAAAAAABrI/PT-zG02xZ2Y/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-requirements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OrfuHrSjmwo/VVOgxxVmCiI/AAAAAAAABrI/PT-zG02xZ2Y/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-requirements.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just as a reminder…for each block you will need your pieced HST in one specific print, 4-4.5" x 4.5" squares of another print, 4-3.5" x 3.5" squares in the same print as the 4.5" squares, 12-1.5" x 5.75" strips of tone on tone, 4-1.5" x 4.5" strips(t-o-t), 8-1.5" x 3.5" strips(t-o-t), and (not shown…oops, I forgot!!!) 4-2.5" x 2.5" squares(t-o-t).</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxvUgvNRLXE/VVOg4ZaWAUI/AAAAAAAABrQ/CK46bSDwbNA/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-laid%2Bout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lxvUgvNRLXE/VVOg4ZaWAUI/AAAAAAAABrQ/CK46bSDwbNA/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-laid%2Bout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Lay all of your squares out as they will look when sewn. You will have a 4.5" square at each corner, a 3.5" square in the top center, middle sides and bottom center, plus your pieced hst block center( I put the one with the same fabric there by mistake…sorry!). If you are using a directional print, please make sure your stripes are all running the same way as the above are.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bdcWNTOI5lg/VVOg-PkAGeI/AAAAAAAABrY/BnAIv7CM7mM/s1600/15-5-13%2BCV%2BDrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bdcWNTOI5lg/VVOg-PkAGeI/AAAAAAAABrY/BnAIv7CM7mM/s400/15-5-13%2BCV%2BDrawing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm a graph paper gal when it comes to designing! Please refer to this drawing when it comes to placing your "pathways" rectangle strips and flippy corners(tone-on-tone fabric for me).</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keu_uldj3T0/VVJhPcgnNiI/AAAAAAAABpc/-HJQi9l9srA/s1600/15-5-12%2Bp-add%2B4.5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-keu_uldj3T0/VVJhPcgnNiI/AAAAAAAABpc/-HJQi9l9srA/s400/15-5-12%2Bp-add%2B4.5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Place your 8-1.5" x 3.5" rectangles at the top and bottom of each 3.5" square, as shown. Now position your 4-1.5" x 4.5" strips on the side of each 4.5" square. It is very important that you place your strips as shown. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also put pins at the outer corners of the 4.5" squares and on the long edges where the 5.75" strips will go, for easy reference(so I don't get confused!). Pin well, stack and transport to your sewing machine.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65xNT9QBQYI/VVOhJGbmbYI/AAAAAAAABrw/6oFgyRiZqTg/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-chaining.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-65xNT9QBQYI/VVOhJGbmbYI/AAAAAAAABrw/6oFgyRiZqTg/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-chaining.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">I like to chain-piece as much as possible, reducing the amount of time that I have to get up from my machine. I start with the 3.5" squares, then sew the 4.5" squares without cutting in between each square. I cut the chain of the sewn 3.5" squares, bring them to the front of my machine, then sew the opposite sides.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-XBvWXUEe8/VVOhMZ5TYHI/AAAAAAAABr4/dE8_2DD6Sbg/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-snip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c-XBvWXUEe8/VVOhMZ5TYHI/AAAAAAAABr4/dE8_2DD6Sbg/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-snip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Cut the squares apart.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sKiaFJ8o_I/VVOhQ3Z7vSI/AAAAAAAABsA/f1JRS_btHjg/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-1st%2Bpress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0sKiaFJ8o_I/VVOhQ3Z7vSI/AAAAAAAABsA/f1JRS_btHjg/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-1st%2Bpress.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Press the squares as they lay to set the seams. Using the side of your iron, press the t-o-t rectangular strips to the side of the print square.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBwLuUjlM1U/VVOhUfNG_8I/AAAAAAAABsI/5liaHrUMbm8/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-1st%2Blayout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zBwLuUjlM1U/VVOhUfNG_8I/AAAAAAAABsI/5liaHrUMbm8/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-1st%2Blayout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lay your block out again, so that you can see where to add your next strips(refer to graph paper diagram above). As you can see, the pins you put in each corner and on one side of each 4.5" square make it easy to lay out your squares. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-brtrB-OhTPs/VVOhWB98HEI/AAAAAAAABsQ/wH82dQ7ogIA/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-add%2B5.75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-brtrB-OhTPs/VVOhWB98HEI/AAAAAAAABsQ/wH82dQ7ogIA/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-add%2B5.75.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;">Lay your 12-1.5" x 5.75" strips on top of the pins you placed earlier. Remove these pins carefully from the squares then pin your 5.75" long strips to the squares. You will notice that you have a bit of extra length in these strips. <i><u>Do not stretch your square to fit, you will trim the excess away later.</u> </i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILczKNoS_Gc/VVOhY9MRUkI/AAAAAAAABsY/ZV6p9Qdxvhw/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-add%2B2.5%2Bsq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ILczKNoS_Gc/VVOhY9MRUkI/AAAAAAAABsY/ZV6p9Qdxvhw/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-add%2B2.5%2Bsq.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pin your 2.5" squares to the outer corner of the corner squares. Stack and sew all 8 squares.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfnspEI4T9s/VVOhcupYNmI/AAAAAAAABsg/y2CzZBx-HNg/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-press.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BfnspEI4T9s/VVOhcupYNmI/AAAAAAAABsg/y2CzZBx-HNg/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-press.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring your 4 bordered squares like the one above, to the ironing board. Press to set all seams, then use the side of your iron to press the t-o-t fabric towards the outside edges of the squares. </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPVGaaC9JaY/VVOhm90b0oI/AAAAAAAABso/fTaeKP0dmdQ/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-trim%2Bcorner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPVGaaC9JaY/VVOhm90b0oI/AAAAAAAABso/fTaeKP0dmdQ/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-trim%2Bcorner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trim the flippy corners of your 4 corner squares, making sure that you trim just 1/4" to the right of the seam line. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Press to set the seams, then use the side of your iron to press the t-o-t corners and the 5.75" strips towards the outer edge of each print square.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kBadMFzNdiA/VVOhwSRPitI/AAAAAAAABsw/oikdkUJQbXk/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-trim%2Bedges.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kBadMFzNdiA/VVOhwSRPitI/AAAAAAAABsw/oikdkUJQbXk/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-trim%2Bedges.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trim all 8 squares, making sure that they measure 5.5" x 5.5". I position my 6" x 6" ruler so that the 1.5" line rests on the inner edge of the t-o-t strip, as seen above. Double check that your block measures 5.5" x 5.5" and is square.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92H8diKzmvk/VVOh1vzGePI/AAAAAAAABs4/gSQtwWDOd0o/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-2nd%2Blayout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-92H8diKzmvk/VVOh1vzGePI/AAAAAAAABs4/gSQtwWDOd0o/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-2nd%2Blayout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carefully lay out your blocks and center square, so that they match the above graph paper diagram and the photo of the block at the start of this post.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzp9Sr1fxtA/VVOh5QohzbI/AAAAAAAABtA/_A2piM9Y5Do/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-1st%2Bstack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="322" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gzp9Sr1fxtA/VVOh5QohzbI/AAAAAAAABtA/_A2piM9Y5Do/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-1st%2Bstack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Flip the three squares at the right over to the left, so that they are lying face-down on the squares on the center column. Pin down the right hand sides of each pair of squares, right-side-together. Stack then chain-sew each seam. <u><i>Do not cut the threads that hold the three sewn squares together.</i></u></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmkGswwpjnc/VVOh9gvYusI/AAAAAAAABtI/zPZjv8atBcw/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-1st%2Bcolumn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MmkGswwpjnc/VVOh9gvYusI/AAAAAAAABtI/zPZjv8atBcw/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-1st%2Bcolumn.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is how your partially-finished block should look.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUSacD-WTC4/VVOiB-DGMvI/AAAAAAAABtQ/9nwKZyPG3rY/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-3rd%2Bstack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUSacD-WTC4/VVOiB-DGMvI/AAAAAAAABtQ/9nwKZyPG3rY/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-3rd%2Bstack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do the same with the squares in the left column. <u><i>Do not cut the threads that hold the three squares together.</i></u></span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfh0_BUWrl8/VVOiFDvfacI/AAAAAAAABtY/ELjIhk8Xm34/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-3rd%2Blayout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Nfh0_BUWrl8/VVOiFDvfacI/AAAAAAAABtY/ELjIhk8Xm34/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-3rd%2Blayout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your block should now look like this.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNEmPnOghM8/VVOiH8I96AI/AAAAAAAABtg/pLsTFMmFr_c/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-top%2Bdown.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kNEmPnOghM8/VVOiH8I96AI/AAAAAAAABtg/pLsTFMmFr_c/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-top%2Bdown.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fold the top row over the middle row, right-sides-together. Pin well, especially at the seams, and sew, nesting the cross seams. Fold the bottom row up over the middle row, right-sides together. Pin well as before and sew.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-te9NMMPqc5s/VVOiJ_GA4tI/AAAAAAAABto/q1i36-_ez-E/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-back%2Bview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-te9NMMPqc5s/VVOiJ_GA4tI/AAAAAAAABto/q1i36-_ez-E/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-back%2Bview.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The back of your block should look like this. <i><u>Don't press yet!</u></i></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7SNQSpih5CI/VVOiPda3twI/AAAAAAAABtw/EPhUND5qOBw/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-loops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7SNQSpih5CI/VVOiPda3twI/AAAAAAAABtw/EPhUND5qOBw/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-loops.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will see little thread loops from when you joined the squares in the four inner corners. Trim these off now.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-UAWNEsY8c/VVOiSNsodTI/AAAAAAAABt4/lxcFZXUmsj0/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-measure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w-UAWNEsY8c/VVOiSNsodTI/AAAAAAAABt4/lxcFZXUmsj0/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-measure.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Put your quilt block on your ironing board and use your long ruler to check to see if it measures 15.5" x 15.5" square. If your block is a little short in an area or two, first measure across the top and bottom edges to make sure they are at least 15.5" long, pinning your block corners to your ironing board. Then measure through the centers, using your pins to stretch-block your quilt block in the same way that you would block a freshly-washed wool sweater before it dries on a flat surface. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Give your quilt block a spritz of water and let air dry for about 5-10 mins. Your quilt block should now measure 15.5" x 15.5" square. </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOMs2xOmLhg/VVOiUzbACLI/AAAAAAAABuA/qhWPW2ByXT4/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-pinwheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wOMs2xOmLhg/VVOiUzbACLI/AAAAAAAABuA/qhWPW2ByXT4/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-pinwheel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now you can press your quilt block. As you can see above, I open up the four spots at the inner corners so they lay flat, and then press one seam in the up position and the seam following in the down position. This is called "pinwheeling your seam allowances". You will have less bulk and distortion at your crossed seams if you do it this way.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCzRcjSV0qw/VVOiXyTi4eI/AAAAAAAABuI/gaBIQvgMY0g/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-striped%2Bblock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WCzRcjSV0qw/VVOiXyTi4eI/AAAAAAAABuI/gaBIQvgMY0g/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-striped%2Bblock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your finished quilt block should look <i>something</i> like this. I did a BIG boo-boo…can you see it??? The fabrics in the Hourglass block are supposed to be: center print AND a print that is DIFFERENT form the rest of the block! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh dear…in my defence, I was rushing to get this block done and the steps photographed as we were expecting rain the next day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will have to un-pick the top and bottom rows, then take apart the middle row to substitute the correct center block, then sew it back up again. These are the kinds of things I do when we are watching Netflix at night. Bleck!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P2u_qSOl1yg/VVOic2sMvuI/AAAAAAAABuQ/uxBXtNWmrmk/s1600/15-5-13%2Bp-pieced%2Bcenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P2u_qSOl1yg/VVOic2sMvuI/AAAAAAAABuQ/uxBXtNWmrmk/s400/15-5-13%2Bp-pieced%2Bcenter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oh, remember the 6.5" square of center fabric that we had to piece, at the end of <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/country-village-quilt-long-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2</a>? Well, this is it, and if you look very closely at the left corners of the center fabric, you will see the join, barely. It will be covered by the quilting and no one will ever know!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next post of the Country Village QAL will be </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">on May 27 for,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"> Part 4: Adding Sashing Strips and Layout. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">This </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">gives us 2 weeks to piece the 25 blocks needed for our Queen-sized quilt.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!! </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog.
*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post.
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</i></span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-27387748401896033342015-05-11T15:06:00.001-07:002015-05-13T14:24:33.957-07:00Are You My Giveaway Winner???<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQTfGHyZOFY/VUkW1Kv9WYI/AAAAAAAABhA/vOuTIy9ofQY/s1600/15-5-5%2BSMS%2Bgiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rQTfGHyZOFY/VUkW1Kv9WYI/AAAAAAAABhA/vOuTIy9ofQY/s400/15-5-5%2BSMS%2Bgiveaway.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, did you(if you are a mom) have a good Mother's Day? I sure did! The Hubs gave me a G/C for a pedicure at the local spa(easy to get to) and then surprised me and splurged on Chinese take-out!!! Woo-Hoo!!! I can't remember the last time we had restaurant food! What a sweet guy… The Kid brought home a dessert from work and I am saving it for tonight after supper as I had too many treats(the Chinese food) last night.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><i>Now for the winner of my bountiful giveaway!</i></u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had 402 comments(a record for me!) and asked The Hubs choose a number between 1 and 402. He chose #356…and the winner is: </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Frederique</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> from </span><b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">France</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(holey postage, Batman!!!)!!! I have emailed you and hope to hear back from you within 48 hours, or I will have to have The Hubs choose another number.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsCjpQaqo7I/VP9g0vJjY1I/AAAAAAAABZA/AahsuuDdfIg/s1600/2-5CTlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TsCjpQaqo7I/VP9g0vJjY1I/AAAAAAAABZA/AahsuuDdfIg/s400/2-5CTlogo.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just heard back from my lovely sponsor <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a>. They are offering a prize(you'll have to tune in on May 17 to find out what!!!) to one lucky blog follower to celebrate the 1-year blogiversary of Quilt, sew Happy! Isn't that great? YAY!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hop on over to <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> and show them some quilty love-they are having a sale on selected tools and books right now and have a new fabric collection too!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hvo7gPHM3A4/U7hlrLFfeMI/AAAAAAAAAqM/oFbu4C57LTc/s1600/Pile%2Bof%2BFabric.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Hvo7gPHM3A4/U7hlrLFfeMI/AAAAAAAAAqM/oFbu4C57LTc/s400/Pile%2Bof%2BFabric.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will leave you with a nice little pile of fabric…I have to go finish up the photos for my Country Village Quilt-A-Long, Part 3-piecing the blocks! </span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s1600/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s400/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are a new follower and are just finding out about my quilt-a-long, you can find <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/04/country-village-quilt-long-yay-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1 here</a>, and <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/country-village-quilt-long-part-2.html" target="_blank">Part 2 here</a>. Come join us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Sharing is caring!!! </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span></span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-35335098049512634392015-05-10T12:50:00.003-07:002015-05-13T14:24:15.225-07:00Super Sunday: Happy Mail and Giveaway Reminder!!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Py0u8QG8gcA/VU-oUqaD3PI/AAAAAAAABmI/dC7mDFkRxcA/s1600/15-5-10%2Bswap%2Bfqs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Py0u8QG8gcA/VU-oUqaD3PI/AAAAAAAABmI/dC7mDFkRxcA/s400/15-5-10%2Bswap%2Bfqs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are having amazingly beautiful weather this weekend…but I can't go out and enjoy it as I have a migraine starting to build…groan…so today's post will be shorter than normal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I received the above fat quarters in the Canada-only swap on Facebook I have mentioned <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/04/whats-up-wednesday-happy-mail-and-quilt.html" target="_blank">before</a>. April's theme was "April showers" and as you can see, there was a wide interpretation of the theme! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'm especially fond of the bright green fattie, as there are cute little umbrellas all over and words to a verse on spring rain.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWkvd_H9Zuw/VU-oW9sQTlI/AAAAAAAABmQ/ZotQ3LIcZS4/s1600/15-5-10%2Bswap%2Bfqs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AWkvd_H9Zuw/VU-oW9sQTlI/AAAAAAAABmQ/ZotQ3LIcZS4/s400/15-5-10%2Bswap%2Bfqs2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I belong to another Facebook swap with a Canadian pen pal from Newfoundland, which is a province at the other side of the country(a large island off the eastern coast of Canada). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the past couple of months she sent me these three mottled fatties! They are really great blenders and I am so happy to have them! She also sent the cute fridge magnet. It is already on my fridge!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGiAyG7TBpQ/VU-oYroq3hI/AAAAAAAABmY/pKlWz3lxnvU/s1600/15-5-10%2Bswap%2BRB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HGiAyG7TBpQ/VU-oYroq3hI/AAAAAAAABmY/pKlWz3lxnvU/s400/15-5-10%2Bswap%2BRB.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These items are also from the pal in Newfoundland-a crocheted hot pad/table protector, some embroidery floss(great for sewing buttons on quilts-<i>though not</i> <i>for babies!</i>). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a big bag of assorted lime green buttons(cool!), and the cute pack of Canadian symbols buttons, bottom right. I will have to make up a Canada-themed wall-hanging so that I can use those buttons! There is a maple leaf, RCMP hat, snowflake and others inside.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BC8zWaxMRfU/VU-oaijfVeI/AAAAAAAABmg/EvGWOTn6fh4/s1600/15-5-10%2BNC%2Bcharms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BC8zWaxMRfU/VU-oaijfVeI/AAAAAAAABmg/EvGWOTn6fh4/s400/15-5-10%2BNC%2Bcharms.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got these two charm packs from a Canadian seller's group on Facebook. I like buying 2 of the same charm packs as I rarely make really small quilts(except for baby quilts, table toppers and zippy pouches). I would need a larger amount of charms to make a lap or bigger sized quilt.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i style="background-color: yellow;">Giveaway is now closed and the prize has been awarded.</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>GIVEAWAY REMINDER!!!</u></i></b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIKbgzP-uAc/VU-ombGQ68I/AAAAAAAABm4/c6hMOABzz7w/s1600/15-5-5%2BSMS%2Bgiveaway.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TIKbgzP-uAc/VU-ombGQ68I/AAAAAAAABm4/c6hMOABzz7w/s400/15-5-5%2BSMS%2Bgiveaway.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are the prizes I will be sending to one lucky individual!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is <i>still</i> time to enter my Sew Mama Sew Giveaway(YAY!)! <u>Giveaway closes today at midnight, pst</u>. The Hubs will pick a lucky winning number tomorrow!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/sew-mama-sew-giveaway-is.html" target="_blank">Link to enter the giveaway post is here</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Comments for the giveaway must be on the "Giveaway" post(link above) to be eligible to win.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s1600/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s400/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case you missed it, Part 2 of my Country Village Quilt-A-Long, featuring a block I designed(shown above) was published this past Wednesday. You can head over to that post using <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/country-village-quilt-long-part-2.html" target="_blank">this link</a> and it is also located in the Country Village QAL tab just below my blog header!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Stay tuned for Part 3, this Wednesday, May 13th.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1htIpEtp-Sw/VU-oofXARlI/AAAAAAAABnA/B11JSSnTygg/s1600/15-5-9%2BMother's%2BDay.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1htIpEtp-Sw/VU-oofXARlI/AAAAAAAABnA/B11JSSnTygg/s400/15-5-9%2BMother's%2BDay.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last, but not least, I want to wish all of the moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day! I hope everyone has great weather and are able to spend time with their families.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Kid had to start work at 11 am, so I won't be able to spend any time with him till after supper. He did give me a kiss on the cheek as he was leaving…a huge surprise! Believe me when I say that teenage boys DO NOT give kisses to their moms anymore…sniff..!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Hubs gave me a much-needed gift certificate for a pedicure! Yay! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><u>Question of the Day:</u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Do you(if you are a mom) receive a Mother's Day gift from your child(ren)?…or does your Hubby give you one?</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!! </span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-22253819824816919912015-05-06T14:28:00.001-07:002015-05-13T14:23:20.919-07:00COUNTRY VILLAGE QUILT-A-LONG: PART 2-Cutting; Blocks, Cornerstones and Sashing Strips<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s1600/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s400/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At long last, here is a pic of my Country Village block! <i>Do you like it???</i> This block measures 15.5" x 15.5" now, and will be 15" square sewn in.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In case you missed it, here is the link to <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/04/country-village-quilt-long-yay-part-1.html" target="_blank">Part 1 of the Country Village QAL</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4cHdsUJEUA/VUpcaRPySfI/AAAAAAAABik/Xq7MpH2s7Aw/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-pressing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-v4cHdsUJEUA/VUpcaRPySfI/AAAAAAAABik/Xq7MpH2s7Aw/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-pressing.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know is seems silly to mention it, but do take the time to press your fabrics before cutting. It makes a world of difference for accurate rotary cutting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also starched my fat quarters and the 3-15.5" strips x WOF(see below) with my <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/03/wip-progress-springing-and-tutorial.html" target="_blank">spray starch recipe</a> just for ease of use.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji6V7R4OhOE/VUpcezoChtI/AAAAAAAABis/d3IYepSNiRI/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-rulers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ji6V7R4OhOE/VUpcezoChtI/AAAAAAAABis/d3IYepSNiRI/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-rulers.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are the rulers I used, along with my trusty ergo-handled rotary cutter. The large ruler is 8.5" x 24". I often need to cut strips that are wider than my regular 6" x 24" ruler, so this was a real find! The small square ruler measures 6" x 6" and you will use it a lot during cutting, and later for squaring up the 9 pieces of this block.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be sure to put a new blade in your rotary cutter as there is a lot of cutting following!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLQM7T1ghJo/VUpdjBWktVI/AAAAAAAABjM/LYTSOfRbj5Y/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-selvedge%2Bview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rLQM7T1ghJo/VUpdjBWktVI/AAAAAAAABjM/LYTSOfRbj5Y/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-selvedge%2Bview.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just had to show you how cute the selvedges are on the Maison De Provence fabrics.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Your cutting requirements are as follows. I wanted to put them in list form so that you can easily copy and paste into a Word document and then take the cutting list to your work table.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">WOF is the Width Of Fabric, which here is 42". If your fabric is narrower in width, you should buy at least a quarter yard more.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u><i>CUTTING LIST</i></u></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>-From each of your 25 fat quarters cut-</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1-6.5" x 6.5" square</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4-4.5" x 4.5" squares</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4-3.5" x 3.5" squares</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2-1.5" x 1.5" squares</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>-From your 4.5 yards of "background" fabric(see my tone-on-tone print) cut-</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3-15.5" x WOF strips, sub cut into 60-1.5" x 15.5" sashing strips*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2-2.5" x WOF strips, sub cut into 28-2.5" x 2.5" flippie squares*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11-5.75" x WOF strips, sub cut into 300-1.5" x 5.75" strips*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4-4.5" x WOF strips, sub cut into 100-1.5" x 4.5" strips*</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7-3.5" x WOF strips, sub cut into 200-1.5" x 3.5" strips</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*<i>please</i> follow the directions below, as there is very little waste here for this fabric and you need to use the remainders of some of these strips to cut other-sized pieces. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>-From your .75 yard of "center" fabric(see my pale orange print)</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4-6.5" x WOF(save the off-cuts to piece 1 square)</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdvTQkCRLpk/VUpdIds0gXI/AAAAAAAABjE/UuWtJP8j9Uc/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4%2Bfq%2Bstacked.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kdvTQkCRLpk/VUpdIds0gXI/AAAAAAAABjE/UuWtJP8j9Uc/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4%2Bfq%2Bstacked.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I carefully stacked 4 of my starched fat quarters on my large cutting mat. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: if you are a little unsure, or new to rotary cutting, I would suggest cutting just one fat quarter at a time.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eg8fzRWz66c/VUpdo1cP6dI/AAAAAAAABjU/Qa7FxoqlTJk/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-selvedge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eg8fzRWz66c/VUpdo1cP6dI/AAAAAAAABjU/Qa7FxoqlTJk/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-selvedge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trim the selvedges off and also trim one of the long sides of your stack(the 21" side) so that you have a nice, even edge to start cutting from. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do this for all 25 fat quarters.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWV-uTkVkfM/VUpdwdOBzEI/AAAAAAAABjk/rDWXTedsOCU/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4%2Bfq%2Bstrips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dWV-uTkVkfM/VUpdwdOBzEI/AAAAAAAABjk/rDWXTedsOCU/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4%2Bfq%2Bstrips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut your fat quarter stack(or single fq) into 1-6.5" x 21" strip, and 1-4.5" x 21" strip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The remaining strip(at top) is about 6.5" wide and you can put that away for another project(perhaps a matching pillow!).</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxsJdAJqxWc/VUpdy1e75VI/AAAAAAAABjs/8a4Yg9qwWsY/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4%2Bfq%2Bcut%2Bup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DxsJdAJqxWc/VUpdy1e75VI/AAAAAAAABjs/8a4Yg9qwWsY/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4%2Bfq%2Bcut%2Bup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sub cut your 6.5" x 21" strip(at bottom) into 1-6.5" x 6.5" square and 4-3.5" x 3.5" squares. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can put the remaining 3" strip aside(top row). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sub cut your 4.5" x 21" strip(middle row) into 4-4.5" x 4.5" squares, and also 2-1.5" x 1.5" squares(these are cornerstones and you can put them in a little basket for when we start adding the sashings. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The top of the photo shows what you will have left over; a 3" x 14"-ish strip, a 6.5"-ish strip and trimmings.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpo_mSD2rsg/VUpd1AiRXuI/AAAAAAAABj0/i3wtvPQ9Cqk/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4%2Bfq%2Byield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kpo_mSD2rsg/VUpd1AiRXuI/AAAAAAAABj0/i3wtvPQ9Cqk/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4%2Bfq%2Byield.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here you can see 4 stacks of each fabric cut for 4 blocks.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBJejs67N3A/VUpd_cxiv5I/AAAAAAAABj8/r5LIYEGh3JQ/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-fq%2Byield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vBJejs67N3A/VUpd_cxiv5I/AAAAAAAABj8/r5LIYEGh3JQ/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-fq%2Byield.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, from each fat quarter you have cut: 1-6.5" square, 2-1.5" squares, 4-4.5" squares and 4-3.5" squares. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is what is needed for each block.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGBiNXf4fxU/VUpeHgax4NI/AAAAAAAABkE/mk_9pEIcvwQ/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-15.5%2Bstrips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dGBiNXf4fxU/VUpeHgax4NI/AAAAAAAABkE/mk_9pEIcvwQ/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-15.5%2Bstrips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now we will look at the 15.5" x WOF strips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I prefer to fold my yardage in half so that you have your fabric fold on the right side and your selvedges together on the left side(in front of you on your cutting mat). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This way I am cutting 2 of everything at once AND I omit using the center fold of the fabric which always seems to be a pain to get rid of, no matter how hard I try to press & steam it out!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carefully fold your fabric in half, so that your selvedges are touching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Line it up on a line of your cutting mat, to keep your strip square. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut the selvedges off and start cutting your 1.5" x 15.5" sashing strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*IMPORTANT- for the FIRST 2 strips cut 28 strips(or 14 cuts if you have folded your fabric in half)each, which will give you 56-1.5" x 15.5" strips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut only 4 strips(or 2 cuts if your fabric is folded) from the THIRD 15.5" x WOF strip(=total 60 strips) and put the remaining 15.5" x 30" partial strip aside for just a moment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are your sashing strips.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stkHIiszbho/VUpeKu0eisI/AAAAAAAABkM/Sk5n5Q5wdNc/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-2.5%2Bfrom%2B15.5%2Bstrip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-stkHIiszbho/VUpeKu0eisI/AAAAAAAABkM/Sk5n5Q5wdNc/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-2.5%2Bfrom%2B15.5%2Bstrip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take the 15.5" x 30" strip you just put aside and cut 12(6 cuts if fabric is folded) that are 2.5" x 15.5(you can see all that I had left over is the center fold , at the left of the photo). </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sub cut each strip into 12(6 if fabric is folded) 2.5" x 2.5" squares, which will make 72 squares total with very little waste.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXDZovNmb6o/VUpeQvHdZmI/AAAAAAAABkU/rUD9X6q3Tx0/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-2.5%2Bstrip%3Asquares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zXDZovNmb6o/VUpeQvHdZmI/AAAAAAAABkU/rUD9X6q3Tx0/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-2.5%2Bstrip%3Asquares.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take your 2-2.5" x WOF strips and fold carefully in half lengthwise so that the selvedges meet. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Line up your strip on a line on your cutting mat, as you did last step. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trim the selvedges off and cut 16 squares(8 cuts if you fabric is folded) from each strip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will have a few extra. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you want to be exact-cut 16 squares from your first strip and 12 from your second strip. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You should now have a total of 104-2.5" squares, but you only need 100.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are your flippie corners.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zvDsGQhZbdQ/VUpeT4HzCwI/AAAAAAAABkc/ejlwBpqtT04/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-5.5%2Bstrips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zvDsGQhZbdQ/VUpeT4HzCwI/AAAAAAAABkc/ejlwBpqtT04/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-5.5%2Bstrips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are your 11-5.75" x WOF strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Using all strips, fold in half so the the selvedges are meeting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With <u>each</u> of the first <u>10 strips</u>, carefully lay across a line on your cutting mat, trim your selvedges and cut 28 strips(14 cuts) that measure 1.5" x 5.75".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now you have 280-1.5" x 5.75" strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take your 11th strip, lay on a line on your cutting mat, trim off the selvedges and cut 20(10 cuts if your fabric is folded) 1.5" x 5.75" strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will have 300-1.5" x 5.75" strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You should have a 6" x 5.75" strip left over.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Keep this left over strip handy, you may or may not need it.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5QtH1qvJvc/VUpeZssQZ7I/AAAAAAAABkk/pjvSeKGJ6gM/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4.5%2Bstrips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W5QtH1qvJvc/VUpeZssQZ7I/AAAAAAAABkk/pjvSeKGJ6gM/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-4.5%2Bstrips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will do a similar thing with the 4.5" x WOF strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You have four strips at this size.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fold all strips in half, lengthwise, so that the selvedges meet.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For each of the first 3 strips-lay near a line across your cutting mat and trim off the selvedges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut 28(14 cuts if you strips are folded in half) 1.5" x 4.5" strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will have 84 of these 1.5" x 4.5" strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take the 4th strip, lay across a line on your cutting mat and trim the selvedges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut 16(8 cuts if your fabric is folded in half) 1.5" x 4.5" strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will now have a total of 100 of these strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Save the 12" x 4.5" strip that is left over.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JLaxrQpbpCk/VUpegCWUC-I/AAAAAAAABks/w1H15ead6Ws/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-3.5%2Bstrips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JLaxrQpbpCk/VUpegCWUC-I/AAAAAAAABks/w1H15ead6Ws/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-3.5%2Bstrips.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are your 7-3.5" x WOF strips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As before, fold each strip in half carefully, making sure the selvedges meet up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With each of the first 6 strips, lay across a line on your cutting mat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trim the selvedges off. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut 28(14 cuts if your fabric is folded) 1.5" x 3.5" strips from each 3.5" wide strip.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will have 196 1.5" x 3.5" strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take the 12" x 4.5" strip left over from the last step.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trim so that it is now 3.5" wide.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lay your little strip across a line on your cutting mat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cut 4(2 cuts if your fabric is folded) 1.5" x 3.5" strips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will now have 200 of these strips.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWuSGDkQt2A/VUpenPaoE2I/AAAAAAAABk0/nfudSIVwEl8/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-center-square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XWuSGDkQt2A/VUpenPaoE2I/AAAAAAAABk0/nfudSIVwEl8/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-center-square.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is your centre fabric.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take your 4-6.5" x WOF strips now.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fold in half carefully so that the selvedges match.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lay across your cutting mat, carefully matching up to an across line on your mat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Trim off the selvedges.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sub cut each strip into 6(3 cuts if your fabric is folded) 6.5" x 6.5" squares.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reserve the end pieces of each strip where the fold is that you have just cut off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You will have 24 6.5" x 6.5" squares…but you need 25.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next step shows how to make your 25th square.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GlU_yJOu5E/VUpeqg8tBrI/AAAAAAAABk8/F2WzKImfs_M/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-center%2Bsq%2B%26%2Bpieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GlU_yJOu5E/VUpeqg8tBrI/AAAAAAAABk8/F2WzKImfs_M/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-center%2Bsq%2B%26%2Bpieces.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here you see a 6.5" x 6.5" square and 2 of the end pieces your kept from the last step.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sew these skinny 2 pieces together down the 6.5" side.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21IuNIl7Yxc/VUpevy0lhrI/AAAAAAAABlE/O8pNwq8lK1g/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-sewn%2Bcenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-21IuNIl7Yxc/VUpevy0lhrI/AAAAAAAABlE/O8pNwq8lK1g/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-sewn%2Bcenter.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Press the seam open then trim the square so that it is 6.5" x 6.5".</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we get to the piecing stage that requires this square, you will see that your seam is barely noticeable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For real!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This square and another(one of the fat quarter 6.5" squares) will be part of an Hourglass square.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*I am pretty frugal, so I chose to do this particular square in this way.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you don't want to piece one large square you could add 1/8th of a yard to your purchase of the center fabric(so you'd buy 7/8ths of a yard), then cut 5-6.5" x WOF strips and cut your one final square from the extra 6.5" strip.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwsgKLDlTIk/VUpe_UTlTbI/AAAAAAAABlM/AD4eMVP70lI/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-block%2Brequirements.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fwsgKLDlTIk/VUpe_UTlTbI/AAAAAAAABlM/AD4eMVP70lI/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-block%2Brequirements.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, finally, here are our requirements for <i>each</i> of the 25 blocks of this quilt:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4-4.5" x 4.5" squares, print fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4-2.5" x 2.5" squares, background/tone-on-tone fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4-3.5" x 3.5" squares, print fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">1-6.5" x 6.5" square, center fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1-6.5" x 6.5" square, different print fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8-1.5" x 3.5" strips, background/t-o-t fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4-1.5" x 4.5" strips, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">background/t-o-t fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12-1.5" x 5.75" strips, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">background/t-o-t fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We will also need:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">60-1.5" x 15.5" strips, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">background/t-o-t fabric</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">36-1.5" x 1.5" squares(cornerstones) print fabric*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*we actually only need 30 of these, but I cut more so that we have variety.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGNvjC1z0ao/VUpfFDYBcfI/AAAAAAAABlU/ULQ8IvO0-eU/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-drawing%2Blines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SGNvjC1z0ao/VUpfFDYBcfI/AAAAAAAABlU/ULQ8IvO0-eU/s1600/15-5-5%2Bc-drawing%2Blines.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a step that needs to be done before we can start assembling our blocks, so I thought you could get a head-start on these.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take your 25-6.5" x 6.5" squares of your center fabric and draw a diagonal line across the centre of the square, corner to corner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then draw 2 other lines a scant quarter inch to the right and to the left of your center line. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I use my Quick Quarter ruler for this and it goes by quite quickly!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These last 2 lines will be your sewing lines once we get to sewing up the blocks, next Wednesday.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now take your 100-2.5" x 2.5" squares of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">background/t-o-t fabric.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Draw one diagonal line through the center of each, corner to corner.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here ends our cutting session. YAY!!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Be sure to join me next Wednesday, May 13, 2015 for instructions on piecing the Country Village block.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">;-)</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #274e13;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: #660000;">PLEASE</span> <span style="color: #660000;">NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span></span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-6635381246175659502015-05-06T11:11:00.001-07:002015-05-13T14:20:00.711-07:00SEW MAMA SEW GIVEAWAY IS HERE!!!**INTERNATIONAL** YAY!!!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my giveaway package!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome fellow travellers, to my stop on the <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/" target="_blank">Sew Mama Sew Giveaway</a> train!!! Thanks for coming to my little blog, Quilt, sew Happy! ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For those of you who don't know, the Sew Mama Sew blog hosts a semi-annual(May and December) giveaway spree each year and that means there is lots of swag to be won!!! Woo-hoo!!! </span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMExNI5Ruu4/VUpUL360t2I/AAAAAAAABiI/4Ajo_mLT4ZU/s1600/15-5-6%2BSMS%2Blogo.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMExNI5Ruu4/VUpUL360t2I/AAAAAAAABiI/4Ajo_mLT4ZU/s1600/15-5-6%2BSMS%2Blogo.gif" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Sew Mama Sew blog allows us blog writers to post a photo of what we are giving away as well as a link to our blog, on their website. This helps all sorts of new people to get to know different blogs and hopefully the participating blogs will gain new followers…so it's a win-win situation for everyone! </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYEy69huvfI/VUpUSzhu_FI/AAAAAAAABiQ/_vDnn9a4Ylc/s1600/15-5-6%2BSMS%2BGIveaway%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYEy69huvfI/VUpUSzhu_FI/AAAAAAAABiQ/_vDnn9a4Ylc/s1600/15-5-6%2BSMS%2BGIveaway%2B.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We can choose to offer <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/05/giveaway-day-sewing-craft-supplies-fabric-patterns-etc-2/" target="_blank">quilting/crafting supplies</a>(like me) and/or a <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/05/giveaway-day-handmade-goods-2/" target="_blank">homemade</a> item like a quilted pouch or mug rug. There is a USA-only mailing section, for those who prefer to mail the winnings to USA addresses only, and an <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/05/giveaway-day-sewing-craft-supplies-fabric-patterns-etc-2/" target="_blank">International</a> section…which is where I am, as I am a Canadian blogger! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have won a few prizes offered by several individuals over the last few years, and this is the first time I am offering a prize! I hope you'll agree, it's a goodie!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93UZ4NNg2Qw/VUkorVe1BSI/AAAAAAAABhU/gyOu0M1taGc/s1600/5-1%2Bkitty%2Bcat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-93UZ4NNg2Qw/VUkorVe1BSI/AAAAAAAABhU/gyOu0M1taGc/s400/5-1%2Bkitty%2Bcat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my one and only award-winning quilt, called "Kitty-Cat Chat"; I won a third prize ribbon at our local fair! I bought the cute cat print while on vacation visiting an Aunt and Uncle.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought you might like to get to know a little about me: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am a late-40's Christian wife and mother who loves to quilt, cook, and go thrifting/garage-saling for vintage finds. We live in a small town about an hour east of Vancouver, BC and have 2 sons, aged 24 and 16. The eldest is going to University in Eastern Canada and my youngest is enjoying having his first job!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been blogging for just under a year(my 1st blog-iversary is May 17th!); I've made more than a few beginner mistakes! Eek! Would you believe that I actually started this blog without owning a digital camera??? Ha ha ha!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBLLabaXuxE/VUk5A41ZuDI/AAAAAAAABh0/ZFaFqtz0DbM/s1600/5-1%2Bhexi%2Briot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yBLLabaXuxE/VUk5A41ZuDI/AAAAAAAABh0/ZFaFqtz0DbM/s400/5-1%2Bhexi%2Briot.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Part of the over 4,000 x 1" hexies I made for a new quilt for my youngest son.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am really enjoying getting to know the people that I come into e-contact with through this blog and have already held several giveaways(there might be another one coming on May 17!!…hint hint!)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I guess you could say that my quilting style is Traditional-Modern. I love colour and have slowly begun to embrace solids, but my true love is scraps and scrappiness! I love all scraps equally; mine, from pen pals and scrap bags from thrift stores!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I like to make quick things, but am not deterred by a longer project. I have made so many quilts, including 6 full-sized ones for a women's shelter, but rarely photograph them(didn't have a camera). Everyone in my family and my in-laws have a bed-sized quilt that I made especially for them.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X77tkIFb2rc/VUk29i84TYI/AAAAAAAABhg/3QjgIz3aZX0/s1600/5-1%2Bsailboats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X77tkIFb2rc/VUk29i84TYI/AAAAAAAABhg/3QjgIz3aZX0/s400/5-1%2Bsailboats.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wall-hanging I made with blocks from a block raffle at the Lions Gate Quilt Guild(I made the top right one). I got the little red sailboat buttons from a pen pal in France!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come have a look around my blog! Under the various tabs you'll see I like vintage things, sharing recipes, thrifty tips and even have a few tutorials under my belt…yay! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s1600/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s400/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last Wednesday, I started my very first quilt-a-long, with a block I designed, above. I'm so, so excited that one of my designs will actually be published, even though it is only being self-published!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SiYsWtv9jkI/VUk4NTJ12UI/AAAAAAAABhs/UPROy1c2MA0/s1600/5-1%2BMDP%2Bstack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SiYsWtv9jkI/VUk4NTJ12UI/AAAAAAAABhs/UPROy1c2MA0/s400/5-1%2BMDP%2Bstack.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Maison de Provence…the prints are so beautiful in person that it was hard to cut them up!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here are <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/04/country-village-quilt-long-yay-part-1.html" target="_blank">part 1</a> and <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/05/country-village-quilt-long-part-2.html" target="_blank">part 2</a> of my <span style="color: #660000;"><b>Country Village Quilt-A-Long</b></span>, featuring the <a href="http://bit.ly/MaisonDeProvence" target="_blank">Maison de Provence</a> fabric collection by <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting</a> </span><a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Threads</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. You can also find all the steps as they are posted under the QAL tab just below my blog name header.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, without further ado, let's get to the giveaway!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND PRIZE HAS BEEN AWARDED</i></b></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Just to remind you!*</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><i><b>This is what one lucky individual will win from me:</b></i></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<b>half-yard of the pink/black floral fabric</b> with gold accents that is the background of the above photo,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<b>2 spools of Essentials-brand thread</b> by Connecting Threads(black &white),</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<b>Olfa-brand rotary cutter</b>(45 mm blade),</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<b>pack of Olfa-brand replacement blades</b>,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<b>6-pack of handy Craft Clips</b>(I use these to hang orphan blocks up in my sewing room),</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<b>mini screwdriver with a big, chunky handle</b>,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">and,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<b>pair of metal thread snips.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…gee, I wouldn't mind winning a prize like that!!! Hee Hee Hee!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u><i><b>Here's the rules:</b></i></u></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. I am always very curious as to where my blog-readers are located(especially which country)…so, for your <u>first entry</u>,<i> please tell me where you live, for ex: Vancouver, BC, Canada.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. For a <u>second entry</u>, you can <i>follow my blog via E-MAIL* or BLOGLOVIN'</i> <u><i>only </i></u>and <i>tell me how you do so</i>. There is a follow-me window to enter your e-mail address and a follow by Bloglovin' button near the top right area of this blog, just below my profile blurb. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Those who follow my blog elsewhere(G+, Tw, FB etc.) must sign up to either above-mentioned method, to gain this second entry. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you choose to follow me by e-mail, you will be sent a confirmation email from Feedburner(the e-mail sender). <i><u>This is not spam</u></i>. You must click on the link provided to activate you subscription to Quilt, sew Happy!, or you won't get my blog posts. I usually post only 2-3 times a week, so I won't be flooding your inbox!!!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(I know that most of you are here because of the SMS giveaway, but it would be great if you continue to be a follower of Quilt, sew Happy! even after the giveaway is over). ;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">****2 entries ONLY per person, please****</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This giveaway runs from Wednesday, May 6, 2015 to Sunday, May 10, 2015 at midnight, Pacific Time. My Hubs will choose a comment number as the winner on Monday, May 11, 2015. I will email you to let you know that you have won my prize and ask for your full name and snail-mail address.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***Please, please make sure I have a way to contact you, or you can't win. So many people are classified as a "no-reply blogger", which means there is no e-mail addy connected to their profile. If you are not sure, please include your email(I promise I will never use it, share it, sell it, whatever!!!). An easy way to type your email would be "your e-mail name (at) yahoo (dot) com", that way you shouldn't get anyone spamming your e-mail address.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for entering and good luck!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #0c343d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;"><i>Jacqueline</i></span> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com403tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-66389241553562745252015-05-01T13:47:00.003-07:002015-05-13T14:18:40.463-07:00Happy May Day!!! Foodie Friday and Country Village QAL Reminder!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought I would start some blog posts with photos of the quilts I have in my house. These three are "rescue" quilts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found the lighthouse one at a community services garage sale. They only wanted $2 for it, so I happily opened my change purse and walked away with someone's artwork. It is dated 2000 and has the initials of the maker on it too. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Santa wall-hanging is a small panel, and the maker had added 2 log cabin blocks on the top and bottom as well as a border. It even has 2 plastic rings sewn onto the backing for hanging! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The third quilt is a pretty Dresden Flower block in 1930's style reproduction prints. If you look closely at the centre, you can see she stitched a 9-patch block then trimmed it into a circle-very original! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found both the Santa and Dresden at Value Village(<i>of course!!</i>).</span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Do you remember back in <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/02/foodie-friday-recipe-free-stuff-and.html" target="_blank">this post</a> and <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/03/giveaway-giveaway-giveawayand-recipe-too.html" target="_blank">this post</a>, when I shared about making vegetable and meat/chicken stock? I extolled about the healthy benefits of consuming homemade stock/broth and showed a Vancouver business which sells cups of broth to drink. I even made a batch for my Dad to enjoy when he got out of the hospital a few weeks ago…and he has requested more!!!(He is doing very well, now that he is at home-thanks for your enquiries…huggs!)</span></span></h1>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, the above photo was in the Vancouver Sun today. Writing about this local company that has been making scratch-made stock-based soups and now sells it in the USA at Costco and Whole Foods. Even though they are located in the Vancouver area, they chose to start marketing their products in the USA and Japan. The soups are in the frozen section of the grocery stores and now they are about to start selling fresh soups in grocery deli's and local hospitals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the article, if you would like to read it:</span></div>
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Healthy soups boil down to big business for Richmond company</h1>
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Global Gourmet Foods banks on fresh ingredients, homemade stock</h2>
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<span style="font-family: arial, verdana, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 11px;">Read more:</span><span style="font-family: arial, verdana, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span><a href="http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Healthy+soups+boil+down+business+Richmond+company/11018257/story.html#ixzz3Yv2G0dXx" style="border: none; color: #003399; font-family: arial; font-size: 11px; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">http://www.vancouversun.com/life/Healthy+soups+boil+down+business+Richmond+company/11018257/story.html#ixzz3Yv2G0dXx</a> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJX8OAv-g7M/VUPUIJ8Gn5I/AAAAAAAABgQ/dnYCk4nmLcI/s1600/5-1%2BSalsbury%2BSteak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zJX8OAv-g7M/VUPUIJ8Gn5I/AAAAAAAABgQ/dnYCk4nmLcI/s1600/5-1%2BSalsbury%2BSteak.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other day, I tried a new recipe...and it's a hit! Yumm! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found it on my favourite recipe site: allrecipes.com and I thought I would share it with you here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Salisbury Steak with Mushrooms</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 lb lean ground beef</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/3 cup breadcrumbs(I used the seasoned ones)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 cup chopped onions</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 t. salt</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pinch ground black pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 cups beef broth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 lg. onion, thinly sliced</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup sliced mushrooms</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 T. cornstarch(I ended up using more as I had added more stock than required)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. Combine gr. beef, bread crumbs, chopped onion, egg, salt, and black pepper in a bowl until evenly mixed. Shape into 4 patties, about 3/4 inch thick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. Fry patties in a large frying pan until browned on both sides-about 10 mins. Add beef broth, sliced onion, and mushrooms, bring to a boil. Reduce heat to Low, cover and simmer until patties are no longer pink in the centre-about 10 mins. Transfer <u>patties only</u> to a platter and keep warm.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. Bring beef broth mixture to a boil. Mix cornstarch and water in a small bowl(this is called a slurry and I use a fork to do this) and stir into the broth mixture. Cook and stir until broth mixture is thickened like gravy, about 1 minute or so. Pop patties back into the pan and warm through, coating them in the beef/mushroom gravy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Serve with veggies(I served our with scalloped potatoes and corn niblets).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Makes 4 servings.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0lwlOlZF3Y/VUPUKjZXSWI/AAAAAAAABgY/HTIqBq-6uYQ/s1600/5-1%2BMDP%2Bstack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0lwlOlZF3Y/VUPUKjZXSWI/AAAAAAAABgY/HTIqBq-6uYQ/s1600/5-1%2BMDP%2Bstack.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just love, love this stack of fat quarters…deee-lish! It will be so hard to cut into them. </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s1600/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s400/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**Don't forget about my <b><span style="color: #990000;">Country Village Quilt-A-Long</span></b> featuring the above </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/MaisonDeProvence" target="_blank">Maison De Provence</a> fabric line from <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a>. Part 1 can be found <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/04/country-village-quilt-long-yay-part-1.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and you can also click the Country Village QAL, 2015 tab (found under the blog title) to find all the steps as they are posted (on Wednesdays). This tab will stay up </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">indefinitely, so if you miss a post or need to be reminded about something, you can go to the step with ease!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!! </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Jacqueline </span></i></span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: This blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review and/or tutorial. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This blog may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-33641504344325118822015-04-29T12:00:00.000-07:002015-06-24T12:35:44.203-07:00 COUNTRY VILLAGE QUILT-A-LONG! YAY!!! PART 1: Introduction, Schedule and Supply List ;-)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For blocks and cornerstones</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As promised in <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/04/whats-up-wednesday-happy-mail-and-quilt.html" target="_blank">this post</a> last Wednesday, today is the starting point for my Country Village Quilt-A-Long! Below is a hand-drawn example of the Country Village quilt block, designed by me(yay)! Sorry, I was not organized enough to have a sewn up a block for you beforehand…grr... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, please bear with me until next QAL post when there will be a real live block for you to see! I don't dare show you my own "test sample" block as it is made up with ancient, hideous, floral prints that I got in a scrap bag from Value Village!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am working with the <a href="http://bit.ly/MaisonDeProvence" target="_blank">Maison de Provence</a> fabric line(pictured above) by Connecting Threads. The photos don't do it justice at all, as the prints are so <i>much</i> more rich and vibrant. It is also economical-this line costs only $5.96 a yard!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Just so you know</i>-Connecting Threads has generously provided me with the Maison De Provence fabric, a spool of Essentials thread and the Hobbs batting needed for this QAL, at my request.</span></div>
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<u style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><i><b>Schedule(Wednesdays)...subject to change if I fall behind!!!</b></i></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1. <b>April 29</b>- Introduction, schedule of posts and supply list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2. <b>May 6</b>-Cutting fabrics for the Country Village blocks, cornerstones and sashing strips(we will cut the borders and binding strips in later posts).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3. <b>May 13</b>-Instructions for piecing the Country Village blocks.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***4 week break for piecing the 25 blocks***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4. <b>June 17</b>-Adding lattice strips, corner stones, laying out the blocks and sewing them all together. (I have a special way of doing this!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">5. <b>July 1</b>-Cutting and adding both borders.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6. <b>July 7</b>-Preparing the pieced backing and label.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">7. <b>July 14</b>-Spray-basting the three-layer quilt sandwich.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: yellow; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**Break now till mid-September/October. It is just too hot to machine quilt!**</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">8. <b>TBA</b>-Machine Straight-Line and Free-Motion Quilting.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***2+ week break to allow for machine-quilting the entire quilt***</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9. <b>TBA</b>-Cutting and sewing the binding to the quilt. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">10. <b>TBA</b>-View of the finished quilt after washing.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are the three fat quarters that I removed from the 28-piece Maison De Province fat quarter bundle. The print on the left will be used for part of the Country Village block centres and the middle print is the "background" print. I might use the print on the right as corners on the outer border, but that will have to wait till the blocks are put together into a flimsy!</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><u>Fabric Requirements and Basic Supplies</u></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*I have included the <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> fabric names and stock numbers so that you can make your quilt with <a href="http://bit.ly/MaisonDeProvence" target="_blank">Maison De Provence</a>, exactly like mine…or you could choose another of their lovely fabric collections!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<u>25 dark or medium-dark value fat quarters(for blocks)*.</u> <i>I used 25 of the 28-piece Maison de Provence fat quarter bundle, #7213.(A fat quarter is a 18" x 21"-22" cut of fabric). * you could use a linear quarter yard cut(9" x 42") of fabric instead of a fat quarter. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<u>0.75 yard of a contrasting medium to medium-light print(block centres).*</u> <i>French Medallion-Parchment, #7172, shown above on left. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>*you will have to piece one square from scraps if you have not also purchased the 28-piece fat quarter bundle…or you can always purchase 7/8ths yard of this fabric.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<u>4.5 yards of a light fabric(background)</u><i>-can be a tone-on-tone like mine, above centre and below). Colette-Parchment, #7165.*</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>*I don't pre-wash my fabrics, so if you do, please purchase 4.75 yards of this fabric. The same goes if you are unsure or new to rotary cutting(buy 4.75 Yds).</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<u>0.5 yard of a dark or medium-dark co-ordinating print(inner border)</u><i>, see burgundy print, second photo down. Feathered Sprigs-Rosewood, #7178.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<u>1.5 yards dark print,(outer border)</u><i>, see dk. green sprigged print in second photo below. Colette-Med. Mineral Green, #7163.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<u>1.25 yards dark co-ordinating stripe(bias binding).</u> <i>Cote d'Azur-Multi, #7157.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<u>2.5 yards wide backing.</u> <i>Amelie 104 Wide Backing-Lt. Mineral Green, #7191.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-<u>100% Cotton or cotton/poly blend thread</u>-<i>Essentials brand in Sandstone, #20950. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>-Batting-queen-sized, m</u></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>ust be at least 90" x 90".</u> <i>Hobbs Tuscany Cotton/ Wool Blend Batting, </i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>#21303. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Also:</u> Sewing machine in good working order, rotary cutter with new blade, various square and rectangular acrylic rulers, straight pins, new all-purpose needle in your machine, quilting needle, iron and ironing board.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PS: You can copy and paste these requirements(and the schedule as well) into a word document to make it easier to refer to.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**I will be putting all of the Quilt-A-Long posts under their own tab just under my title header. That way you can find a specific step with ease!</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z10iIlyH3vY/VT6YmAzJ08I/AAAAAAAABfE/u7o5NJgpHVs/s1600/4-27%2BMDP%2BBackground.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="336" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z10iIlyH3vY/VT6YmAzJ08I/AAAAAAAABfE/u7o5NJgpHVs/s1600/4-27%2BMDP%2BBackground.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is for the "pathways" or "background" of the blocks and lattice strips. It is difficult to see in my photo, but this is a tone-on-tone print.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wpg_sdGJNRU/VT6Yrb2umEI/AAAAAAAABfM/DCYMtDva-zA/s1600/4-27%2BMDP%2BBorders.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wpg_sdGJNRU/VT6Yrb2umEI/AAAAAAAABfM/DCYMtDva-zA/s1600/4-27%2BMDP%2BBorders.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From left: Centres, inner border, outer border and binding-to be cut on the bias.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ScIdAQ2WdE/VT6YvMSdAXI/AAAAAAAABfU/TMN3TstqqyQ/s1600/4-27%2BMDP%2BBacking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--ScIdAQ2WdE/VT6YvMSdAXI/AAAAAAAABfU/TMN3TstqqyQ/s1600/4-27%2BMDP%2BBacking.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Backing fabric and my thread choices for piecing and machine-quilting. For piecing, I always use two colours, one slightly darker than the other. For this project, I will be using my 5,000-yard cones of Sandstone, #20982, in the needle, and Taupe, #20980 in the bobbin. I find it easier to distinguish which thread is top and which is bottom this way. I got these two cones during a Connecting Threads sale and they last a super looong time!!!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HBmQG2MzuQ0/VT6Y0VhsMJI/AAAAAAAABfc/QsFNdrYzh_M/s1600/4-27%2BMDP%2BBatting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HBmQG2MzuQ0/VT6Y0VhsMJI/AAAAAAAABfc/QsFNdrYzh_M/s1600/4-27%2BMDP%2BBatting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Queen-sized cotton-wool blend batting. I am SOOO stoked to try this batting out! Has anyone used cotton/wool batting before? It is very light and soft and I think it would beautifully show off hand-quilting.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope that you are as excited as I am to get started on this Quilt-A-Long! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feel free to leave a comment or email me(my addy is on the "Drop me a line" page), if you need some assistance or even if you don't; I love hearing from you!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!! </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share with your friends…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please play fair and make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red "Pin-it" button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little square grey buttons at the end of this post. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Jacqueline</i></span><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: The writer of this blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This post may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of my links. Thanks so much!</span></div>
Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-2466354511933900642015-04-22T14:28:00.000-07:002015-05-13T14:32:44.738-07:00What's-Up Wednesday!: Happy Mail and a Quilt-A-Long Announcement!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcz0yhOBQnY/VTf8Y0gU_aI/AAAAAAAABdw/yiN1slUZJQU/s1600/4-22%2BCitrus%2BFMQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bcz0yhOBQnY/VTf8Y0gU_aI/AAAAAAAABdw/yiN1slUZJQU/s1600/4-22%2BCitrus%2BFMQ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did ya miss me??? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you can see above, I started free motion quilting the Citrus Batik Table topper. My Pfaff was also in the hospital, so I got out my old 1990's era Kenmore. It is a very basic machine, having only 14 different stitches, but it is a workhorse and can do the job. I decided to try the 12-weight Aurifil thread I have, in a yellow-gold colour and was going swimmingly when all of a sudden I started getting thread breaks and all sorts of bird's nests of thread on the back. Yeesh! I tried everything I could think of…rethreading the machine, changing the bobbin, changing the needle and cleaning out the dust and lint…but nothing seemed to work, so I put it aside. Then I got my Pfaff back and would you believe, I had the exact same problem. So I did all the same things to my Pfaff and still was having problems. Double-Yeesh!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have come to the realization that neither of my machines like 12-weight thread. I have unpicked loads of nasty stitches, but even though I will have to change threads and thread colour, I will not unpick the parts that came out looking okay. If this was to be a gift, that would be another story, but as this is just for us, I will let it go. I just have to keep repeating to myself "let it go, let it go". My Virgo self really dislikes things that aren't just right. Ah well….</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wk0Ok12Vijo/VTf8c_1PDFI/AAAAAAAABd4/vigerPCkGAw/s1600/4-22%2BMachine%2Bparts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wk0Ok12Vijo/VTf8c_1PDFI/AAAAAAAABd4/vigerPCkGAw/s1600/4-22%2BMachine%2Bparts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got some great Happy Mail over the past couple of months. I bought a bunch of machine parts off of Ebay for my 1948 Singer 15-91 including a quarter-inch foot, Singer branded needles, a walking foot, lightbulbs, magnetic seam gauge, a bunch of bobbins and an springed open-toe foot for FMQing. When they arrived, I was please to see that these parts will also fit on my Kenmore…bonus! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also <i>finally </i>invested in a quarter-inch foot for my Pfaff. Both quarter-inch feet have a little metal guide thing on the right hand edge of them that prohibits you from pushing too much fabric to the right of the foot, thereby allowing you to achieve a perfect quarter-inch seam allowance. Yay!</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyULbMsk9ts/VTf8gZYl4iI/AAAAAAAABeA/tJwaqrmOMpE/s1600/4-22%2BMassdrop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cyULbMsk9ts/VTf8gZYl4iI/AAAAAAAABeA/tJwaqrmOMpE/s1600/4-22%2BMassdrop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These two purchases were from <a href="https://www.massdrop.com/r/Q2XSMW" target="_blank">Massdrop</a>. The fat quarter bundle is called "Enchanted", and even though the bundle didn't include the 'main' all-over design that ties the whole line together, I got such a good deal that I couldn't pass it up. Plus, I can always find that main print at Fat Quarter Shop or Pink Castle(2 of my favourite USA-based online shops).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The 100-count boxes of Schmetz needles were also a steal on <a href="https://www.massdrop.com/r/Q2XSMW" target="_blank">Massdrop</a>. I got one box of #14 needles-these are my go-to needles for all-purpose sewing. I also got a box of #16 needles, which are my favourite machine-quilting needles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.massdrop.com/r/Q2XSMW" target="_blank">Massdrop</a> has very reasonable shipping charges(even to Canada!) and I was really pleased to find out that they combine shipping on multiples of the same item!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIliAX9vt3O_-WA1SPdKbzkt56AzFwUu2ctEotslMsl3e-7NCxUaTK4QwdAVJWZQ1hGrMOCQqjZkP9zKh-Z1vEekXKqJLdVBeVvRX2PaVXVzPlljPqp_25h7kMYagacFBj9U_5_HSAkmP/s1600/4-22+new+yardage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIliAX9vt3O_-WA1SPdKbzkt56AzFwUu2ctEotslMsl3e-7NCxUaTK4QwdAVJWZQ1hGrMOCQqjZkP9zKh-Z1vEekXKqJLdVBeVvRX2PaVXVzPlljPqp_25h7kMYagacFBj9U_5_HSAkmP/s1600/4-22+new+yardage.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I joined a Canadian De-stash group on Facebook and got these two 2-yard pieces for a bargain. I just love those happy purple flowers! I will be using the primary colours stripes for binding on kid quilts. I always cut my binding on the bias, as it is more sturdy. Stripes cut on the bias create a neat finish.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72HjYg4ZJzE/VTf8mKTeIWI/AAAAAAAABeQ/QPAmHDkL8_c/s1600/4-22%2Bcharm%2Bpacks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="283" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-72HjYg4ZJzE/VTf8mKTeIWI/AAAAAAAABeQ/QPAmHDkL8_c/s1600/4-22%2Bcharm%2Bpacks.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got these two Mary Engelbreit charm packs for about $10 each from the same Facebook group. The top print doesn't do the whole pack justice…there are so many cute prints in there, in reds, blues, greens and black. I am planning to make one of the free Fat Quarter Shop patterns for charm packs with them.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlXQ-XGbG_c/VTf8p3ZZUZI/AAAAAAAABeY/iHh1iL_GGiw/s1600/4-22%2BSwap%2BFQ's.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PlXQ-XGbG_c/VTf8p3ZZUZI/AAAAAAAABeY/iHh1iL_GGiw/s1600/4-22%2BSwap%2BFQ's.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also joined a couple of Canada-only swap groups, again on Facebook and these are the fatties I have received so far! The red one at the top right is a Pat Sloan print and I was so excited when it came as I have never had any of her prints and always thought they were super-cute! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I bought the Simplicity pattern print, bottom right(neat, eh?), and the multi lifesaver print-bottom left, from one of the swappers who was having a de-stash on the other group, and it came with my swap!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>So…now I have an exciting announcement!!!</b></span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s1600/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="362" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E5RMAML5VKM/VVOgXitCbUI/AAAAAAAABqg/ThQA5JDx1ww/s400/15-5-13%2BQAL%2BBlock.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be starting a Quilt-A-Long next week, here on the blog! I contacted Connecting Threads to see if they would like to supply the fabric for me to host a Quilt-A-Long, using a block <i>that I have designed</i>…and they said yes!!! Yippee!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFl_fNhiFtA/VVJhElCp2rI/AAAAAAAABpQ/tGxi3R9-2sM/s1600/15-5-10%2BCV%2Bdrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BFl_fNhiFtA/VVJhElCp2rI/AAAAAAAABpQ/tGxi3R9-2sM/s200/15-5-10%2BCV%2Bdrawing.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first post will be a photo of the block and fabric requirements for a queen-sized quilt. The blocks are nice and big, at 15.5" square, including seam allowances(15" sewn in), and you will only need 25 of these easy blocks, plus 2 borders, to make a comfy queen-sized quilt! The posts will be about two weeks apart, to allow everyone(myself included!) enough time to complete each step.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You do not <i>have</i> to make a queen quilt, but it would be great if you could participate…three of these blocks sewn in a row would make a nice table runner and four blocks set 2 x 2 will make a nice square table topper.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be putting a Quilt-A-Long tab at the top of the blog, to make it easy to find each week's post, in case you don't have the time to make one now, and for easy reference too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will be using the <a href="http://www.connectingthreads.com/cffabric/collection_list.cfm?ID=130&media=otherblog&utm_medium=SOME&utm_campaign=otherblog&utm_content=giveaways%20on%20external%20blogs&utm_source=NOT%20SET" target="_blank">Maison de Provence</a> fabric line by <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a>, check it out! Now that I have it in my hot little paws, the rich tones(so beautiful in person) kind of remind me of the spices brought back on the Silk Road by Marco Polo!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qdz6B8c61sI/VT6YdTenGYI/AAAAAAAABe4/lb36UHRptd8/s1600/4-27%2BMDP%2BSwirl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Qdz6B8c61sI/VT6YdTenGYI/AAAAAAAABe4/lb36UHRptd8/s400/4-27%2BMDP%2BSwirl.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The "COUNTRY VILLAGE" Quilt-A-Long will start on Wednesday, April 29, 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Come join us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been a long and stressful month with my Dad being in the hospital. He had 2 emergency surgeries and spent most of his stay in the Close Observation Ward, due to the nature of his medical situation. I am happy to report that he is now back home and enjoying a good night's sleep in his own bed! Thank you so very much for the comments and messages offering prayers…it really means a lot to me that you took the time to tell me you care. Big Huggs to you!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!!</span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please make sure your posts link back to this blog.
*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red Pin-it button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little grey square buttons at the end of this post. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Jacqueline</span></i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">PLEASE NOTE: The writer of this blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This post may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. Thanks!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-28205139373638227762015-04-04T12:44:00.001-07:002015-05-05T14:23:10.738-07:00Just an update<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just wanting to let everybody know why I've been silent here on the blog for the past 2 weeks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Dad had to have emergency surgery about 10 days ago. He was set to be discharged today or tomorrow, but has developed an infection at the incision site. He is to have a second surgery today, any time now. This, of course has pushed back his recovery time and discharge from the hospital.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My Dad lives over an hour drive from us and as I don't drive anymore, we have to rely on my Uncle for rides to the hospital and he lives even farther out than we do. This makes for a very long and nauseous ride for me as we can only visit my Dad for about 10 minutes and then we are right back in the car for the ride home.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I hope everyone has a very Happy Easter…and a prayer or two would be nice...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jacqueline</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-74805980567905684452015-03-23T15:07:00.001-07:002016-06-01T13:32:34.793-07:00WIP Progress, Springing and a Tutorial!<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #351c75;">Hi peeps!</span></b> </span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6bFfTTntsY/VRB62t2sQMI/AAAAAAAABbg/ptEiPy0g914/s1600/3-23%2BCitrus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6bFfTTntsY/VRB62t2sQMI/AAAAAAAABbg/ptEiPy0g914/s1600/3-23%2BCitrus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How is everybody doing today??? Did ya miss me? Laid low <i>again </i>with a weather-sparked migraine that lasted a week, eek! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Before I was incapacitated I managed to get my citrus batik table topper put together-border and all! I am still amazed at how pain-free the HST's were…guess I never bothered to measure and trim them before…ha ha ha...it had been <i>that long</i> since I worked with HST's! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have spray-basted it to some older-stash fabric and am good to go for quilting…but I am still undecided on which pattern to FMQ(free-motion quilt) with my Pfaff. It will be on our large coffee table and will get spilled on, folded over and generally well-used so I think it should be densely quilted. The one that is on the coffee table now was quilted with a fairly tight meander and while that is the easiest FMQ design to do, I am a little bored with it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This was made with two packs of Timeless Treasures charms I got from <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=259115&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">Craftsy</a> during their Boxing Week Clearance Sale. I actually bought 4 from them and don't know just yet what I'm going to do with the other two packs. I had a few squares left over from the above project as I was working with specific dimensions, so I'd like to work them into the next project as well.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-UGVU5zpMw/VRB65lyHfbI/AAAAAAAABbo/GuWgMsIi3Fo/s1600/3-23%2BSpring%2BBranch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T-UGVU5zpMw/VRB65lyHfbI/AAAAAAAABbo/GuWgMsIi3Fo/s1600/3-23%2BSpring%2BBranch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I took this picture early last week. This is part of the tree that is in our minuscule back area. This one usually grows so much in the summer months that it ends up touching our kitchen windows! Now, would you believe, the buds are fully open and little leaves are starting to grow.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrVlUYLODmk/VRB68MzSg9I/AAAAAAAABbw/er-QDOzCOLk/s1600/3-23%2BIngreds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DrVlUYLODmk/VRB68MzSg9I/AAAAAAAABbw/er-QDOzCOLk/s1600/3-23%2BIngreds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i><u>Home-Made Spray Starch Tutorial</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I don't really like to use the spray starch in a can as it has an icky slightly-sweet smell…and of course, the fumes and the ozone layer. This recipe is a mix of a couple I have seen online with a few personal tweaks!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">2 cups of cold tap water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">4 Tablespoons of cornstarch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 Tablespoon of vodka(yes, really…<i>very important</i>)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">5 drops of Lavender essential oil(or a favourite, just <i>not</i> a citrus-based one as even small amounts might cause a stain)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">1 spray bottle(got mine at the dollar store)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">-mixing bowl, measuring cup for liquids, measuring spoons, fork and a funnel</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">In your mixing bowl combine the water, vodka and cornstarch and mix well using a fork. <u>Don't add the essential oil yet!</u></span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXSUlSIrckc/VRB7RcrLi5I/AAAAAAAABcA/7zpAu02VdYg/s1600/2-23%2Badding%2Blavender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pXSUlSIrckc/VRB7RcrLi5I/AAAAAAAABcA/7zpAu02VdYg/s1600/2-23%2Badding%2Blavender.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">With the help of your funnel, pour the resulting liquid into your spray bottle. Remove the funnel and add your essential oil. I use lavender as it has a nice smell, but you could use a different oil such as peppermint or rosemary...<i>but no citrus-based oils as they can leave oil spots on your items!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now give your spray starch a hearty shimmy & shake. This helps to mix the essential oils in well. The reason I wait till the end to add the essential oils is that I don't want to waste any of it in the mixing bowl. Just mixing the oil in with a fork will not disperse the oil throughout the spray starch mixture and some of the oil will stick to the bowl's sides, which is a waste in my opinion.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkCDSVGVnGw/VRB7UnI0saI/AAAAAAAABcI/PwP0ua40h80/s1600/3-23%2Bfinished%2Bstarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CkCDSVGVnGw/VRB7UnI0saI/AAAAAAAABcI/PwP0ua40h80/s1600/3-23%2Bfinished%2Bstarch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Now, keep your spray starch near you ironing board and spray, spray, spray away, but use sparingly-a little will go a long way! Just remember to give it a good shake <i>before each use</i> as the cornstarch tends to settle to the bottom once the bottle is set down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">It should stay fresh for a month or two! When not in use, I put mine in the fridge and it lasts longer.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">If you find that you have some white residue on your fabric after the spray has dried, just give the area a little swipe with your fingers or a damp cloth. The white residue is just plain old cornstarch!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><i>Why the Vodka you ask?</i></b> Vodka(or any clear alcohol, but <i>not rubbing alcohol</i>) acts like a dispersant and a binder(emulsifier)-helps the essential oils mix with the water, and will also help the spray starch stay fresh, as it is a preservative.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4w1nVQrCfP8/VRB_rJwJiXI/AAAAAAAABck/NAoIxc1iG4g/s1600/3-15%2Bdecals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4w1nVQrCfP8/VRB_rJwJiXI/AAAAAAAABck/NAoIxc1iG4g/s1600/3-15%2Bdecals.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks so much to the peeps who commented about my new vintage Singer machine! I was directed to a couple different websites and can now say I know this about her:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Model#15-91</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Made in St. John's, Quebec, Canada in 1948</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">My model was one of the first of these models to come off the assembly line, as I noticed there are some things missing: the face of the stitch lever(on the right) doesn't have any numbers on it for stitch length and there is no gold "Made in Canada" decal situated on the top of the machine head.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I also now know that I put the needle in the wrong way...DUH! While on modern machines you put the needle in with the shank facing the back, this Singer must have the needle shank facing the left! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have also started looking on eBay and Etsy for a Walking Foot and a few other things I like to have. Someday I would like a wooden cabinet to store her in, so I could set her up in the living room and not have to move her on and off the kitchen table…Featherweight she is not!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHsrRWB8psI/VRB7cWoiWZI/AAAAAAAABcQ/qvPqS4Z1rIE/s1600/Craftsy-Spring%2B2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NHsrRWB8psI/VRB7cWoiWZI/AAAAAAAABcQ/qvPqS4Z1rIE/s1600/Craftsy-Spring%2B2015.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Today is the last day of Craftsy's Spring Blowout Sale! Scoot on over for amazing deals on <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=259115&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">fabric</a>, <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=259120&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">sewing kits</a>, and <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/u.cfm?d=259121&m=29190&u=983788" target="_blank">quilting kits</a>!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqv3mgneUyA/VRB7gAPe2tI/AAAAAAAABcY/UuJ_TK3KASU/s1600/Craftsy-Letters%2BHome%2BTea%2Band%2BBiscuit%2BTable%2BRunner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqv3mgneUyA/VRB7gAPe2tI/AAAAAAAABcY/UuJ_TK3KASU/s1600/Craftsy-Letters%2BHome%2BTea%2Band%2BBiscuit%2BTable%2BRunner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I have been looking longingly at this kit: <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~86fj" target="_blank">Letters Home Tea and Biscuit Table Runner</a> since Craftsy first shared it! When you use this link, just scroll down the page to see the kit. It is on sale HALF PRICE for $25.43(this is the price in CA$-it will be much cheaper in US$)!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">They even have a few of the lovely Aurifil thread sets…but these are going fast.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><u>Question of the Day: </u></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> How should I machine-quilt my citrus batik table topper? I really need some ideas peeps!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red pin-it button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little grey square buttons at the end of this post.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Jacqueline</span></i> </b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #660000;">PLEASE NOTE: The writer of this blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This post may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. Thanks!</span></span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-10673717783863396142015-03-15T16:06:00.001-07:002015-03-15T16:06:09.461-07:00A New Addition to the "Family" and a recipe!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #351c75;">Hi peeps!</span> </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HkUO9caPN-A/VQYFOP3cnuI/AAAAAAAABac/FR03dgzefu4/s1600/3-13%2Bcase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HkUO9caPN-A/VQYFOP3cnuI/AAAAAAAABac/FR03dgzefu4/s1600/3-13%2Bcase.jpg" height="256" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So…can you guess what I just got???</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVEr1VehPlI/VQYFWTjNV5I/AAAAAAAABak/3SyrooF5dOg/s1600/3-15%2BSinger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xVEr1VehPlI/VQYFWTjNV5I/AAAAAAAABak/3SyrooF5dOg/s1600/3-15%2BSinger.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found this vintage Singer on Craig's List, and my Uncle went to pick it up for me! She was a little bit dusty so I gave her a good clean. The wooden base has that slightly musty smell that wood gets when it is in storage for too long. That doesn't bother me so much, I can always stick a dryer sheet in there, to soak up the smell.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOviTHrrSSo/VQYFYTSdOQI/AAAAAAAABas/llDLrdI1vMs/s1600/3-15%2Bdecals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vOviTHrrSSo/VQYFYTSdOQI/AAAAAAAABas/llDLrdI1vMs/s1600/3-15%2Bdecals.jpg" height="273" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here you can see most of her decals...they are in excellent condition, and are quite pretty.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w8EsPO_ERPM/VQYFavEXhmI/AAAAAAAABa0/0D5yblGGe0A/s1600/3-15%2Bserial%23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w8EsPO_ERPM/VQYFavEXhmI/AAAAAAAABa0/0D5yblGGe0A/s1600/3-15%2Bserial%23.jpg" height="303" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a close-up of the decals and her serial number. I had a look online and found a site which can help you date your machine and find out the model number. I <i>think</i> this is a 15-90 model, made in 1948…but I am not totally sure, so I also emailed Singer to see if they could help date her for me.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aw6Xgpn1gW4/VQYFc3xHmOI/AAAAAAAABa8/en9H1N77r7g/s1600/3-15%2Bfoot%2Bpedal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aw6Xgpn1gW4/VQYFc3xHmOI/AAAAAAAABa8/en9H1N77r7g/s1600/3-15%2Bfoot%2Bpedal.jpg" height="357" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the bottom of the foot pedal it says "Made in Canada", but that is probably only where the foot pedal was made.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zvHCZuvVK9Q/VQYFfU-ScWI/AAAAAAAABbE/jh-GqeP0mO4/s1600/3-15%2Baccesories.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zvHCZuvVK9Q/VQYFfU-ScWI/AAAAAAAABbE/jh-GqeP0mO4/s1600/3-15%2Baccesories.jpg" height="215" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The box with the accessories in it also said "Made in Canada"…so the mystery deepens! I'm hoping Singer will be able to give me some info on where she was made.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I managed to get her threaded and popped in the bobbin, but the stitches are not completing, so I'm not sure if it is the new needle I put in it, or possibly I threaded it incorrectly. All in all, still a good deal for only $45!!! I don't mind putting some $$ on her to make her run like a dream. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So many people say how wonderfully these old cast-iron machines run. She sure is heavy though, the Hubs had to oomph a little to get her onto the kitchen table!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fePWz3yiaI8/VQYFh1XUv7I/AAAAAAAABbM/SbjlfU2ugi4/s1600/3-15%2Bbowl%3Atortillasoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fePWz3yiaI8/VQYFh1XUv7I/AAAAAAAABbM/SbjlfU2ugi4/s1600/3-15%2Bbowl%3Atortillasoup.jpg" height="370" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This recipe was in the Vancouver Sun this past Wednesday,though it is actually from the Portlandia Cookbook. We defrosted a small chicken overnight on Thursday and made the soup on Friday. We all ate a hearty bowl of this soup on Friday for supper and there was enough soup leftover to be an accompaniment to a sandwich on Saturday night for all 3 of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tortilla Soup with Chicken</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 T. vegetable oil</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 medium onion, finely chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 large Poblano peppers, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 large cloves of garlic, finely chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 t. ground cumin</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6 cups low-sodium chicken broth</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">kosher sale and black pepper</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 corn tortillas, cut into 1 inch strips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, plus more for garnish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 cups cooked & shredded chicken(we used a small chicken and it was fine)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 cup hominy, rinsed & drained**</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sour cream and broken tortilla chips for garnish</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*we used a small can of mild green chilies as there were no Poblanos in the store</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**There was no Hominy to be found so we subbed in a can of corn niblets</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In a large pot, heat the oil and add the onions, chilies, garlic, cumin and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until softened-about 5 mins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add the broth and tortilla strips, cover and bring to a boil. Simmer over low heat until the vegetables and tortilla strips are very soft-about 5 mins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add the 1/4 cup of cilantro and using a stick blender, puree the soup until smooth.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Add the chicken and hominy and simmer uncovered for 5 mins.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ladle the soup into shallow bowls and garnish with sour cream, cilantro and broken up tortilla chips.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note-I would not omit the tortilla chips at the end as they add some needed salt taste to the soup.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was a fast and easy soup to make and is now a favourite. I hope it will become yours too!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Question of the day:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Does anyone out there own a vintage seeing machine, and if so, which one?also, what shall I name my new-to-me vintage Singer?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red pin-it button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little grey square buttons at the end of this post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;"><br /></span></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Jacqueline</span></i></b> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PLEASE NOTE: The writer of this blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. </span><br />
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This post <i>may</i> also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. Thanks!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-75636172293807440932015-03-13T14:32:00.000-07:002015-03-13T14:32:01.201-07:00Follow-Up-Friday: What I've Been Up To!!!<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opyZP7mJ0Pk/VQNMhKVg1wI/AAAAAAAABZQ/GEg3XUoLv9o/s1600/3-13%2Bcitrus%2Btablerunner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-opyZP7mJ0Pk/VQNMhKVg1wI/AAAAAAAABZQ/GEg3XUoLv9o/s1600/3-13%2Bcitrus%2Btablerunner.jpg" height="200" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How's everyone doing today??? We are having crazy weather…sunny and up to 55 degrees one day, then cold and rainy the next!!! It's really doing a number on my migraines and the Fibromyalgia…grrr!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As promised in <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/03/a-charming-smile-tuesday-tip-and.html" target="_blank">this post</a>,I had some fun playing with my citrus HST's. I came up with the above placement and sewed them all together yesterday. I have to say that this is the first time <i>ever</i>, that my HST's have worked out! This time I was very careful to mark my sewing lines and I actually trimmed them too! What a difference that made!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPJGYNNXPDY/VQNMqQRhFOI/AAAAAAAABZY/TDe2Ocf-Qdo/s1600/3-13%2Bhexie%2Bpile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yPJGYNNXPDY/VQNMqQRhFOI/AAAAAAAABZY/TDe2Ocf-Qdo/s1600/3-13%2Bhexie%2Bpile.jpg" height="313" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also promised to show you what I get up to in the evenings while binge-watching Netflix(we are on season 4 of House, MD and season 3 of House of Cards). Well, I sew English Paper Pieced hexagons(1" sides)…a whole lot of them!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pictured is a pile of about 75% of the hexies I have already done for the Kid's quilt. These ones have already been sewn together in threes…which I call "triplets".</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCGQAKyjfcU/VQNMssaUn3I/AAAAAAAABZg/Ayoo7MShk2I/s1600/3-13%2Btrio%2Bof%2Btriplets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BCGQAKyjfcU/VQNMssaUn3I/AAAAAAAABZg/Ayoo7MShk2I/s1600/3-13%2Btrio%2Bof%2Btriplets.jpg" height="232" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I get all my "triplets" done, I sew three of them together, side by side, into "niners". Sew, sew, sew!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t21wa8soTEU/VQNM6dWa8-I/AAAAAAAABZ4/wWtse6ekbtw/s1600/3-13%2Bbox%2Bo%2Bhexies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t21wa8soTEU/VQNM6dWa8-I/AAAAAAAABZ4/wWtse6ekbtw/s1600/3-13%2Bbox%2Bo%2Bhexies.jpg" height="258" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I store my "niners" in a plastic shoebox. I have them wedged in there very tight, so they actually press themselves. This also keep them nice and flat as when I sew them together they kind of curl up at the ends.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5iqn0TxeTk/VQNM4XIuplI/AAAAAAAABZw/PkyJsWVJGkE/s1600/3-13%2Bstacked%2Bniners.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d5iqn0TxeTk/VQNM4XIuplI/AAAAAAAABZw/PkyJsWVJGkE/s1600/3-13%2Bstacked%2Bniners.jpg" height="293" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the "niners" are all sewn together, I stack two of them to make an "18-patch". </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0D-kOje0lRo/VQNM8ihMR1I/AAAAAAAABaA/cc7A-TgNtgc/s1600/3-13%2B18-patch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0D-kOje0lRo/VQNM8ihMR1I/AAAAAAAABaA/cc7A-TgNtgc/s1600/3-13%2B18-patch.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is my basic block and they are all super scrappy. This quilt, like the one I made for us, will have 216 of these 18-piece blocks and will measure 96" x 113", plus a 4" border. It makes a pretty huge quilt, but that also means you can double it over on itself and have a two-layered quilt for especially cold nights.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-YJfb9PTjo/VQNM_rVrHOI/AAAAAAAABaI/HgEgBhk7DH4/s1600/3-13%2Bhalf%2Bhexies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_-YJfb9PTjo/VQNM_rVrHOI/AAAAAAAABaI/HgEgBhk7DH4/s1600/3-13%2Bhalf%2Bhexies.jpg" height="288" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">These are the half-hexagons I have already basted. The ones like the yellow one on the left will be for going down the right and left sides of the quilt and the ones like the red one on the right will be sewn onto the top and bottom blocks. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I have my "18-patches" done, I lay out the ones I want for the top and bottom as well as the right and left sides, then I attach a numbered label(i.e.: T1-meaning the top left-side block). That way I know which blocks go where and can attach the half-hexies. It would be way too cumbersome to have to attach these small pieces once the body of the quilt is all sewn together.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><u>Question of the Day:</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #20124d; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Have you ever made a quilt using the English Paper Piecing technique? If not, would you be interested in a tutorial on how to baste the fabric to the paper shapes, then sew the shapes(hexies) together?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away*! Just please make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red pin-it button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to your Pinterest boards. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little grey square buttons at the end of this post.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Jacqueline</span></i></b> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>PLEASE NOTE: The writer of this blog accepts forms of compensation such as, but not limited to; fabric/notions/patterns/books in exchange for a posted review. All comments/critiques/opinions are completely my own and are not those of the provider. This post may also contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. Thanks!</i></span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-92039859010800830492015-03-10T15:33:00.002-07:002015-03-13T11:05:20.452-07:00Book Review and Giveaway WINNER!!!<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M37KrrsDYiA/VP9gOLkrgrI/AAAAAAAABXk/JAqP9xBZSb8/s1600/3-10%2Bcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M37KrrsDYiA/VP9gOLkrgrI/AAAAAAAABXk/JAqP9xBZSb8/s1600/3-10%2Bcover.jpg" height="400" width="312" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought I would share a book I received for Christmas, as I realized it has been <i>ages</i> since my last book review! This is Make+Love QUILTS, by Mary Fons. Does her last name sound familiar? Well it is, because her mom is Marianne Fons of the dynamic quilting duo Fons & Porter! Mary Fons is also the Editor of Quilty magasine, which has become a new favourite!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6VpWB2cA3Wk/VP9gQ_Zzu-I/AAAAAAAABXs/UVokBT2WU74/s1600/3-10%2BProjects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6VpWB2cA3Wk/VP9gQ_Zzu-I/AAAAAAAABXs/UVokBT2WU74/s1600/3-10%2BProjects.jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The book is very well-written with lots of colour photos, and is a Stash Books publication(a niche division of C & T Publishing)…I own several Stash quilting books and have never been disappointed by their quality and attention to detail. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The first 39 pages are dedicated to Theory + Practice; fabric, design fundamental and construction basics, then you move on to the 12 quilt projects.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SyvPgnShukM/VP9gTw_88ZI/AAAAAAAABX0/BnBGu21F-f4/s1600/3-10%2BNorthbound.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SyvPgnShukM/VP9gTw_88ZI/AAAAAAAABX0/BnBGu21F-f4/s1600/3-10%2BNorthbound.jpg" height="281" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the quilt from the cover…and my main reason for putting this book on my Christmas List! Each quilt photo is paired with colour suggestions. This one is the biggest quilt in the book, <i>as-is</i> the measurements are 108" x 126", but it is easy enough to adjust your quilt to be smaller.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I should note that all of the quilts in this book are made with scraps, but you don't have to use only scraps, you could go with a more controlled palette.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9L_thplQvA/VP9gYL_CaLI/AAAAAAAABX8/kcWhXpQAifE/s1600/3-10%2BWhisper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F9L_thplQvA/VP9gYL_CaLI/AAAAAAAABX8/kcWhXpQAifE/s1600/3-10%2BWhisper.jpg" height="400" width="316" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As you already know, I am a big fan of COLOUR! Not so much a fan of low-volume, but what attracted me to this quilt is the use of right-angle triangles. I also have the Accuquilt right-angle triangle die, so I knew I would be able to cut the pieces for this quilt easily…and from my scraps of course!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_70nPhDGXk/VP9gaew9eFI/AAAAAAAABYE/z4HJsnvN4o8/s1600/3-10%2BFormalAffair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h_70nPhDGXk/VP9gaew9eFI/AAAAAAAABYE/z4HJsnvN4o8/s1600/3-10%2BFormalAffair.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I must confess that the Bow Tie block is a top ten favourite block(Churn Dash wins hands down!!). It would be fun to make this quilt using the pictured black background with a multitude of scraps for the bow ties.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHGfHJAqMoQ/VP9gcmttIPI/AAAAAAAABYM/t8xanySdtno/s1600/3-10%2BMYDEAR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RHGfHJAqMoQ/VP9gcmttIPI/AAAAAAAABYM/t8xanySdtno/s1600/3-10%2BMYDEAR.jpg" height="400" width="307" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You gotta love a quilt named "My Dear" right? Those simple Nine-Patches mixed with a row of Rolling Stones blocks really give this quilt a modern edge while still making the blocks accessible to any skill level.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-FnPbZhuW0/VP9geXEV9QI/AAAAAAAABYU/Qt1F0yUKYWE/s1600/3-10%2BNightSky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V-FnPbZhuW0/VP9geXEV9QI/AAAAAAAABYU/Qt1F0yUKYWE/s1600/3-10%2BNightSky.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What can I say??? <i>Of course</i> I chose this Churn Dash quilt as the final quilt to show you!!! So easy to do up in scraps or with a coordinating 4-fabric bundle plus border!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As I said above, there are 12 quilts in this book. I have only shown you my favourites.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In my last </span><a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/03/sum-it-up-sunday-giveaway-reminder.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">post</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I showed you the cover of my Moleskine block ideas/design book. I though that you might want to have a glimpse at what I do when I am sketching and designing! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can find a design book for yourself at <a href="https://www.massdrop.com/r/Q2XSMW" target="_blank">Massdrop</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wgaqmw67Aoo/VP9ggjs-iNI/AAAAAAAABYc/XLnH1vktVrc/s1600/3-10%2Bsketchbook1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Wgaqmw67Aoo/VP9ggjs-iNI/AAAAAAAABYc/XLnH1vktVrc/s1600/3-10%2Bsketchbook1.jpg" height="349" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a block I have been working on re; the Charlie Hebdo massacre in Paris earlier this year. I also included the two towers of 911 in New York as I felt that both horrific incidents were connected by tragedy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't yet know if I will be doing a tutorial of this block…some bugs to work out!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFKST8btojA/VP9gieTu1FI/AAAAAAAABYk/Iq2MklwJ5DU/s1600/3-10%2Bsketchbook2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFKST8btojA/VP9gieTu1FI/AAAAAAAABYk/Iq2MklwJ5DU/s1600/3-10%2Bsketchbook2.jpg" height="400" width="360" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is not an original design. I was working on changing the measurements of the finished block and also of the first square and resulting logs.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2P784cc4Mo8/VP9gkbKdXkI/AAAAAAAABYs/18pJo2Rmp_w/s1600/3-10%2BSketchbook3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2P784cc4Mo8/VP9gkbKdXkI/AAAAAAAABYs/18pJo2Rmp_w/s1600/3-10%2BSketchbook3.jpg" height="400" width="304" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here you can see where the first idea got trashed and the second attempt is so much better. I prefer to work on unlined paper, even though I have to draw the lines myself. That way I can play with the dimensions a bit more.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqFj7uDt-Yc/VP9gn1PoPnI/AAAAAAAABY0/MzKscb8UdzU/s1600/3-10%2BCT%2Bthankyou.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kqFj7uDt-Yc/VP9gn1PoPnI/AAAAAAAABY0/MzKscb8UdzU/s1600/3-10%2BCT%2Bthankyou.jpg" height="220" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One thing I forgot to mention about <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> are the cute little postcards they include with each order. They have the Customer Service phone number on them so you can easily reach them if there is a problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After many years of no-trouble purchases I had a <i>minor</i> issue with one this year and called the Customer Service Department. The person on the phone looked up my order and listened to my problem, then corrected it quickly and politely, just like that. No hassles whatsoever! Gold Star to them!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsCjpQaqo7I/VP9g0vJjY1I/AAAAAAAABY8/dgh44SGKuA0/s1600/2-5CTlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsCjpQaqo7I/VP9g0vJjY1I/AAAAAAAABY8/dgh44SGKuA0/s1600/2-5CTlogo.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was on the <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> website yesterday and I noticed that Make+Love QUILTS(reviewed above) was in their Clearance section, at $10.33, which is 55% off!!! Woo-hoo!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also in the Clearance section is this week's Weekly Deals, which are website-only specials that usual offer great discounted prices. This week's deals are on marking tools and acrylic rulers!</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Now for the giveaway winner!!!</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wow, there were several hundred comments(YAY!!!) and it was hard to choose, so </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I asked Mr. Random(aka my Hubs) to choose a number and he chose…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">#154. sherryberrybim, who wrote:</span><br />
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<cite class="user" style="color: #4c4b4b; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/11555990022787515665" rel="nofollow" style="color: #8c75d1; text-decoration: none;">sherryberrybim</a></cite><span class="icon user" style="color: #4c4b4b; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 22px;"></span><span class="datetime secondary-text" style="color: #4c4b4b; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-left: 6px;"><a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/03/giveaway-giveaway-giveawayand-recipe-too.html?showComment=1425781732296#c8524642791181586001" rel="nofollow" style="color: #8c75d1; text-decoration: none;">Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 6:28:00 PM PST</a></span><br />
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I would make a lap quilt with this bundle of Luminescence.</div>
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I have sent an email!<br />
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Thanks so very much to all of you who entered and made this giveaway a big success!! Thanks also to my many new/continuing(can't say 'old'…just didn't sound right) followers who choose to allow me to come to their mailboxes a few times a week! I will endeavour to keep you entertained!!</div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget that I am happy to share…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please make sure your posts link back to this blog. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red pin-it button will show up and all you have to do is click it to be taken to Pinterest. There is also another red button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could always use the little grey square buttons just below my signature. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Jacqueline</span></i></b> </span><br />
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<span style="color: #660000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">PLEASE NOTE: This post <i>may</i> contain affiliate links and I will receive a small commission if you make a purchase after clicking on my link. Thanks!</span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-59787559803606682922015-03-08T17:17:00.003-07:002015-03-11T12:32:37.206-07:00Sum it Up Sunday & Giveaway Reminder!<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBe4J6hZzc0/VPzcF7oSt2I/AAAAAAAABXA/WjVySerVTVs/s1600/2-5%2BLumi%2Bbolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rBe4J6hZzc0/VPzcF7oSt2I/AAAAAAAABXA/WjVySerVTVs/s1600/2-5%2BLumi%2Bbolt.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How are you doing on this fine Sunday? I say fine as it has been warm and sunny here since Friday…I even went out and about in a t-shirt today! Yay!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just wanted to remind everyone that today is the <b>last day</b> to enter my giveaway: A 27-piece fat quarter bundle(some prints shown above) of <a href="http://bit.ly/LuminescenceFabricGiveaway" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;"><b>LUMINESCENCE</b></span></a> from the lovely folks at <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">Connecting Threads</span></a>. Have you had a chance to check them out yet?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the link to the giveaway post:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/03/giveaway-giveaway-giveawayand-recipe-too.html" target="_blank">GIVEAWAY</a></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">***GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED AND THE PRIZE HAS BEEN AWARDED***</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">All you have to do is comment with your answer to the question stated there. You may also have a second entry if you follow me…and tell me how you do! There are follow windows for email and Bloglovin' on my right sidebar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: if you choose to Follow by Email, Feedburner will send you an email with a link to click. This is not spam. Feedburner needs your permission to send my posts to you. If you don't click that link, then my posts won't be delivered to your inbox. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Just so you know!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FXnMNg8Ic0/VPzcJKecvPI/AAAAAAAABXI/jY67seJvP7w/s1600/3-8%2BApplique%2Bquilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_FXnMNg8Ic0/VPzcJKecvPI/AAAAAAAABXI/jY67seJvP7w/s1600/3-8%2BApplique%2Bquilt.jpg" height="342" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was at a church jumble sale recently and spotted this quilt. It is a bit rustic, but the colours go well in my living room and I couldn't beat the price…a whopping $2.50!! It is about 50" x 50" and is hand-appliqueed and hand quilted…both skills I can no longer do, due to carpal tunnel surgery on both wrists. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They were raising money for a clean water well in Mexico, so I was more than happy to support them with a few other purchases too!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e15yGz2fYj0/VPzcLhOd2PI/AAAAAAAABXQ/S9GfE-6Q-HM/s1600/3-8%2Bsecret%2Bblock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e15yGz2fYj0/VPzcLhOd2PI/AAAAAAAABXQ/S9GfE-6Q-HM/s1600/3-8%2Bsecret%2Bblock.jpg" height="400" width="370" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yes, this photo is supposed to be blurry and obstructive! I can't actually show you yet as I am working on a block for a Sew-a-Long here on my blog coming very soon!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That leather-bound book above is made by Moleskine and is my go-to block-ideas/designing book. It was the Hubs' Christmas present from his firm, but as soon as I saw it, I had to have it!!! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has a pocket inside the back cover for loose papers, a ribbon book mark and an elastic closure…perfect for taking with me from easy chair to sewing table. I</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> just love it so much…and will have to get another soon, as this one is almost filled up. Thankfully, I can usually find them on <a href="https://www.massdrop.com/r/Q2XSMW" target="_blank"><span style="color: #351c75;">Massdrop</span></a>!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sharing is caring!!! Don't forget that I am happy to share…feel free to pin to Pinterest, post on Google+ and Facebook, and Tweet away! Just please make sure your posts link back to this blog. If you are not sure, please ask me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you mouse/hover over the top right corner of my photos, a red pin-it button will show up, and there is another button right beside it for posting to Facebook and Twitter. Or, you could use the little grey buttons just below my signature.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Jacqueline </i></b></span><br />
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Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-59076763080736858742015-03-05T13:35:00.000-08:002015-03-11T12:32:59.395-07:00Giveaway, Giveaway, Giveaway!(…and a recipe too!!!)<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aaLMgaddwrk/VPi0z7q4-5I/AAAAAAAABVA/gvgJmbweI8A/s1600/2-5%2BLumiStack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aaLMgaddwrk/VPi0z7q4-5I/AAAAAAAABVA/gvgJmbweI8A/s1600/2-5%2BLumiStack.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd like to extend a warm welcome my new sponsor, <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> has graciously offered this <i>27-piece fat quarter</i> bundle of their brand-new <a href="http://bit.ly/LuminescenceFabricGiveaway" target="_blank"><b>Luminescence</b></a> fabric line as a giveaway to one of you!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">…and it's primarily purple…mmm! Wish I could enter this giveaway myself!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0y_wsXvOgU4/VPi1DFnBAVI/AAAAAAAABVo/n6jAs64qHAo/s1600/2-5%2BCT%2BLOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0y_wsXvOgU4/VPi1DFnBAVI/AAAAAAAABVo/n6jAs64qHAo/s1600/2-5%2BCT%2BLOGO.jpg" height="240" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>Here's a little bit about them:</u></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;">Connecting Threads offers quality cotton fabric, designed specifically for quilters. Connecting Threads is an online and catalog retailer selling quilting fabrics from some of the industry’s most popular manufacturers like RJR Fabrics, Cotton + Steel, and more. Connecting Threads also sells our own exclusive fabrics, with limited-edition designs that you won’t see anywhere else. Each of our exclusive fabrics are created according to our exacting standards and finished with our top-secret formula to create a flawless and amazingly soft finish.</i></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20px;"><i>We are proud to offer our exclusive fabrics at a price that fits within most budgets without sacrificing quality one iota. How do we manage this? We go directly to the mill, taking the middleman out of the equation. By sourcing and selling our fabrics directly, we are able to offer our customers wholesale prices on fabrics that won’t be found anywhere else. We believe that convenience shouldn’t cost extra, so we never charge for cutting. This means that our charms, strips and other precut fabric bundles have the same per-yard cost as our normal yardage cuts. Because affordability is one of the core values at Connecting Threads, we also do our best to offer fabrics from outside manufacturers at the lowest prices possible.</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love, love that their in-house lines retail at $5.96(US$) a yard…and they have Cotton & Steele basics at only $9.96 a yard! They also have an <i>amazing</i> Clearance section with deep discounts on Fabric, Books, Tools and Patterns…so many deals to be had! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vtRweCsoew/VPi1J0bGhrI/AAAAAAAABV4/Vr0Q7ZPA96g/s1600/2-5%2BLumi%2Bbolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vtRweCsoew/VPi1J0bGhrI/AAAAAAAABV4/Vr0Q7ZPA96g/s1600/2-5%2BLumi%2Bbolt.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> often has excellent sales with up to 40% off regular retail prices. For example, right now they are offering 30% off their EssentialPro polyester thread and 40% off specialty rulers and pressing tools! WOW!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">They offer free shipping within the continental US with any order over $50. Shipping to Canada is only $7.99 with your $60+(US$) order. They also collect any duty and taxes owing so that we Canucks don't have to pay Canada Posts's onerous $5 "collection fee"..a personal pet peeve.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been shopping at <a href="http://bit.ly/quiltsewhappy" target="_blank">Connecting Threads</a> for <u>YEARS</u>, since before they had their beautiful website! As a matter of fact, I always have an open shopping cart and </span></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 20px;">wish list to dream about!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To find out how to enter the giveaway…read on, McDuff!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you remember when I mentioned making vegetable stock(or broth) in <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/02/foodie-friday-recipe-free-stuff-and.html" target="_blank">this post</a>? Well, there was a feature article and recipe in yesterday's Vancouver Sun about just that. They said there are studies where it's been shown that homemade broth has extremely good restorative properties and can help mitigate many medical conditions. Sports doctors regularly recommend drinking broth to help heal injuries faster and cut the length of the common cold and flu.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The young guys above have a shop which specializes in making/selling their homemade stock which they simmer for 4-5 days!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">There are even "broth bars" popping up around Vancouver where you can buy a steaming cup of homemade broth to enjoy…watch out Starbucks!!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to give the Hubs a break from cooking and made a big pot of chili con carne yesterday. I can't give you a cost-per-meal on this one as I had everything in my pantry. I do know that the cans of beans were $0.99 each, the paste was $0.75, and the tomatoes were around $1.25…just can't remember what I paid for the juice. The lean hamburger meat was also on sale and I had the spices in-house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When specific canned goods(like the ones above) go on sale, I grab the limit allowed to stock my pantry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My 'secret ingredient' is Clammato juice, but we didn't have any and I wasn't going to head to the grocery store for one thing that was probably not on sale. So, I subbed in the V-Plus juice.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrUF1TaQlw8/VPi09QbIDTI/AAAAAAAABVY/CAFFS2ups1I/s1600/2-5%2Bbubbling%2Bchili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QrUF1TaQlw8/VPi09QbIDTI/AAAAAAAABVY/CAFFS2ups1I/s1600/2-5%2Bbubbling%2Bchili.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I browned 2 pounds of lean hamburger meat then placed the cooked meat on a paper-towel-lined plate to absorb the excess grease. Then I caramelized 2 medium, chopped onions in the same pan. While I was sautéing the onions I was dumping the contents of the canned goods into my large pot…making sure to rinse the goo off the beans in a colander beforehand. I added generous portions of cumin, chili powder, dry mustard and black pepper as well as 5 cloves of well-chopped garlic. I forgot to add red pepper flakes!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then I added the drained meat and cooked onions into the large pot and heated to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. I love how the above photo shows the steam rising!!! Then the hard part…turn the burner down to medium and keep stirring for at least a half an hour. Then I just leave it to cool on the stove.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">About a half an hour before suppertime, I crank up the heat to rolling boil again and continue stirring for about 30 minutes…this allows the chili to thicken and the flavour also intensifies.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkpwZJ5pstQ/VPi0_c1wspI/AAAAAAAABVg/xv0tun2DZi4/s1600/2-5%2Bbowl%2Bof%2Bchili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AkpwZJ5pstQ/VPi0_c1wspI/AAAAAAAABVg/xv0tun2DZi4/s1600/2-5%2Bbowl%2Bof%2Bchili.jpg" height="295" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The end result…a steaming bowl of chili to knock away the winter chill! There is enough in the pot for 3 suppers for 3 people.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vtRweCsoew/VPi1J0bGhrI/AAAAAAAABV4/Vr0Q7ZPA96g/s1600/2-5%2BLumi%2Bbolt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1vtRweCsoew/VPi1J0bGhrI/AAAAAAAABV4/Vr0Q7ZPA96g/s1600/2-5%2BLumi%2Bbolt.jpg" height="242" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now, for the giveaway!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Leave me a comment telling me what you would make with this lovely 27-piece bundle of Luminescence!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-For a second entry, follow this blog and indicate how you follow(i.e.: by email or via Bloglovin'). The Follow windows are on the upper right sidebar of this blog. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please note: with the follow by email option, they(Feedburner) will send you a confirmation email…you have to click the link they give you in that message to become an actual follower who receives my blog posts in their inbox.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Two entries per person please.*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*For Canadian and USA residents only.*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*Giveaway closes at NOON, MONDAY MARCH 9, 2015</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Connecting Threads and Jacqueline Frances are not responsible for lost or stolen mail.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feel Free to share with your friends, post to Facebook, pin to Pinterest and Tweet away!!! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are little grey sharing buttons in the box at the end of this post.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>***GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED AND THE PRIZE HAS BEEN AWARDED***</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Jacqueline</span></i></b> </span><br />
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Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com367tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-57116235787031055162015-03-03T12:41:00.002-08:002015-03-11T12:30:11.282-07:00A Charming Smile, Tuesday Tip and a Contest to Enter!<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps! </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GByRCUh2obc/VPYSfeuZefI/AAAAAAAABT8/FPEb0uiuJ2Y/s1600/2-27%2Bcharm%2Bsmile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GByRCUh2obc/VPYSfeuZefI/AAAAAAAABT8/FPEb0uiuJ2Y/s1600/2-27%2Bcharm%2Bsmile.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">How is everybody today? I am at the tail-end of a four(yes, four) day migraine…not fun at all! The sun is shining, it is fairly mild and I'm talking to you…so a much better day! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before I was laid low I managed to get my citrus batik HSTs for the table topper all trimmed…YAY!!! Now I get to have fun and play!! I'll get you up to date on that!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26AZE8qz2LY/VPYSotGV35I/AAAAAAAABUE/Sm5sl02cGVo/s1600/2-27%2Bspool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-26AZE8qz2LY/VPYSotGV35I/AAAAAAAABUE/Sm5sl02cGVo/s1600/2-27%2Bspool.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you know…</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Much like velvet and corduroy,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> thread has a nap?...<i>I KNOW!!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I only found this out recently…this is after almost 40 years of plying a needle…</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When you hold the end of the thread that is coming directly off the spool and press your fingers while running them down the thread, it will feel smooth. Now do the reverse…you can actually feel the difference.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iS9vMYK-WfI/VPYSxguyRRI/AAAAAAAABUU/BEuyCymTa5I/s1600/2-27%2Bneedle%2B%26%2Bthread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iS9vMYK-WfI/VPYSxguyRRI/AAAAAAAABUU/BEuyCymTa5I/s1600/2-27%2Bneedle%2B%26%2Bthread.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is an important thing to consider, especially if you do a lot of hand sewing. So, what I do is thread my needle BEFORE I have clipped my length of thread. That way I will remember which tail of thread is which. I keep that end of the thread short and cut at the end of the longer piece. The longer piece will always be on the nap...and the shorter piece will be against the nap…but that is okay as it's the longer piece that I'm concerned with.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sQLppRwZUE/VPYS7BcaY6I/AAAAAAAABUc/kJ4uHZQGReU/s1600/2-27%2Bknotted%2Bneedle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_sQLppRwZUE/VPYS7BcaY6I/AAAAAAAABUc/kJ4uHZQGReU/s1600/2-27%2Bknotted%2Bneedle.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once I am sure which thread-end is which, I knot the longer end. It really makes a difference! I do a lot of hand sewing at night in front of the TV(will show you in a later post) and can tell you that my thread runs through the fabric pieces smoothly and I rarely get a tangle! Awesomeness!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1w4jp5bPxIk/VPYTAtqFwiI/AAAAAAAABUk/gOLjHfEy1qk/s1600/2-27%2Bshirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1w4jp5bPxIk/VPYTAtqFwiI/AAAAAAAABUk/gOLjHfEy1qk/s1600/2-27%2Bshirt.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last night I managed to get another men's shirt cut up…I really have to start removing the buttons from the placket strips…I've got several of them waiting for attention! As you can see, this one has an embroidered logo and I will try to find a use for that. The shoulder yoke and sleeve cuffs were lined in a nice chambray, which was an added bonus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This was one of the Kid's shirts, a men's size small, so there wasn't as much useable fabric. But, I had originally purchased it at half price from Value Village, it was worn for a year and now I have cut it up for quilting fabric…so it was a super-recycling project</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, and plus I really liked the pattern/colours.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I might give it a bit of a starch treatment as the resulting fabric is a tad thinner than the other shirts I have slated for demolition.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6RIuKib_zuY/VPYTOp9ivMI/AAAAAAAABUs/TGemD_umw9Q/s1600/2-23%2BCraftsy%2Bsecret%2Bstash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6RIuKib_zuY/VPYTOp9ivMI/AAAAAAAABUs/TGemD_umw9Q/s1600/2-23%2BCraftsy%2Bsecret%2Bstash.jpg" height="400" width="387" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget to enter <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~7wpq" target="_blank">Craftsy's #Secret Stash Contest</a>! Prized include a secret stash box of goodies as well as a Craftsy class of your choice! Bonus!!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stay tuned as I have new sponsor news AND another giveaway coming soon!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs, </span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Jacqueline</i></b></span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-62221656311145459812015-02-25T15:42:00.001-08:002015-02-25T15:42:31.805-08:00W.I.P.-it, W.I.P.-it good Wednesday!<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Hi peeps!</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAUFWFiKFro/VO5Ok5Nt-fI/AAAAAAAABSg/oEVdTFL6gRQ/s1600/2-25%2Brow%2Bof%2Bhsts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAUFWFiKFro/VO5Ok5Nt-fI/AAAAAAAABSg/oEVdTFL6gRQ/s1600/2-25%2Brow%2Bof%2Bhsts.jpg" height="336" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started working on the citrus batik table topper I mentioned <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/02/sooo-wanna-see-what-i-got-for.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/02/foodie-friday-recipe-free-stuff-and.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6o6iWW02S4/VO5OxZ5vAyI/AAAAAAAABSo/gF2r5mKV_88/s1600/2-25%2Bpile%2Bof%2Bcharms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--6o6iWW02S4/VO5OxZ5vAyI/AAAAAAAABSo/gF2r5mKV_88/s1600/2-25%2Bpile%2Bof%2Bcharms.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I usually eyeball it when I'm doing half square triangles(and they never seem to work out), but this time I decided to draw the sewing lines on the wrong sides with my Frixion pen. Woa! What a difference that makes! I never realized how much my machine(and my hands) move the fabric around, making slightly wobbly lines instead of nice straight lines. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In all fairness Pfrancine(my Pffaf) is in dire need to be cleaned and have the motor timer reset but I got this pretty pile done in no time flat!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPVmr7pLkUo/VO5O2h3ysTI/AAAAAAAABSw/o-p8Q1FIID0/s1600/2-25%2Btriangles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPVmr7pLkUo/VO5O2h3ysTI/AAAAAAAABSw/o-p8Q1FIID0/s1600/2-25%2Btriangles.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to show you what happens when put your iron on the marks made with a Frixion pen. You can see the pen marks on the bottom triangle, below the stitching. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I pressed the seam quickly, and as you can see on the top triangle, the marks disappeared completely. It's like magic!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhzKXzWc06U/VO5O7s2tCII/AAAAAAAABS4/RWt4rixV-Ng/s1600/2-25%2Bseam%2Ballowance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhzKXzWc06U/VO5O7s2tCII/AAAAAAAABS4/RWt4rixV-Ng/s1600/2-25%2Bseam%2Ballowance.jpg" height="554" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been seeing others around blog-land who are pressing their seams open and thought I would give it a try. A small project is a great place to see how it goes. I liked how crisp the seam was.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qaIPPppCv40/VO5PCOYw4dI/AAAAAAAABTA/UYvsI2gGioE/s1600/2-25%2Bhst%2Bblock.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qaIPPppCv40/VO5PCOYw4dI/AAAAAAAABTA/UYvsI2gGioE/s1600/2-25%2Bhst%2Bblock.jpg" height="528" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is one of the finished HSTs, now all I have to do is </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*ug* trim</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> these squares down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I can't tell you the specific dimensions as this was a free-with-purchase pattern and it is not available on the Timeless Treasure website. I did go there to check, so that I could share with you, but no I can't. Sorry…but, you can probably figure it out!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Za073EQ3s9U/VO5PH2HqUlI/AAAAAAAABTI/s3SB94ArtWQ/s1600/2-25%2B3%2Bthimbles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Za073EQ3s9U/VO5PH2HqUlI/AAAAAAAABTI/s3SB94ArtWQ/s1600/2-25%2B3%2Bthimbles.jpg" height="266" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wanted to talk about thimbles…do you use them??? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have never been able to use a conventional thimble, they always felt 'wrong' on my finger. I have been using a leather thimble(pictured above) for years, but wear them out very quickly as I push the needle with the side of my middle finger. These thimbles cost around $10-$15 plus shipping and I have gone through several in the past 18 months, while I have been working on two enormous hexagon projects.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I saw the blue one(a Roxanne's mid-priced metal thimble) on clearance so I ordered the largest size. I have mentioned my thick fingers before, and I really thought the XL size would fit. Well, it only fits if I rub a tiny dab of hand lotion into that finger…and, well it still didn't feel all that right. Plus after just a few hours of use, the pretty blue paint started to come off!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was shopping at a favorite Etsy shop and noticed the metal cuff-style thimbles there. They were ultra cheap…I think 4 for $1, so I bought them. Well, they work great! I have been using one for a couple of months now, with no problem! Just goes to show you that <u>expensive</u> doesn't always mean <u>the best</u>!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3xcFGFQ3WA/VO5Pelp3xMI/AAAAAAAABTY/Of3xv0slv9g/s1600/2-23%2BCraftsy%2Bsecret%2Bstash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t3xcFGFQ3WA/VO5Pelp3xMI/AAAAAAAABTY/Of3xv0slv9g/s1600/2-23%2BCraftsy%2Bsecret%2Bstash.jpg" height="640" width="620" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Don't forget to enter <b>Craftsy</b>'s #SecretStash Contest <a href="http://shrsl.com/?~7wpq" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prizes include a box of secret stash goodies(and they have tonnes of things to choose from!!!) as well as a Craftsy class of your choice! Cool!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Also, the person I awarded my consolation prize to in my last giveaway never got back to me, even though I allowed 48 hours for a response. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have contacted Pam P. and hope she will get back to me asap!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I did notice that a lot of the people that commented were "<u>no-reply bloggers</u>" which means they didn't have an email connected to their open id and therefore I had no way of contacting them. So, if you would like to win …and receive your winnings, please check your Google+ account and see if your email is visible in the top right drop-down window. If it isn't, just Google how to fix the no-reply blogger issue on your Google+ account and you will find a few tutorials to show you how to fix it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">By the way, a big HELLO *waving happily* to my new followers. Thanks so much for joining up!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><u>Question of the day:</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Do you wear a thimble, and if you do, what kind of thimble do you use?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs,</span><br />
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Jacqueline</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-57928513069819831162015-02-23T17:00:00.004-08:002015-02-23T17:14:43.362-08:00A Parade, Some Web Specials and the giveaway winner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Hi peeps!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">T</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">here was no sewing done chez moi on Sunday, as the Hubs and I decided to go see the Chinese New Year Parade in Vancouver's Chinatown. We braved the bus...all 90 minutes and two transfers of it, though the Hubs was a little nauseous by the time we arrived. I have to sit down on the bus as I walk with a cane and can lose my balance, but he had to stand and was jostled around like a milkshake. I got some Gatorade into him and he started feeling better.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HNnHITapM7I/VOu5h4GNClI/AAAAAAAABQc/zpe4rRS9QR8/s1600/2-23%2Bme%2B%26%2Bgate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HNnHITapM7I/VOu5h4GNClI/AAAAAAAABQc/zpe4rRS9QR8/s1600/2-23%2Bme%2B%26%2Bgate.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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This is a photo of me just as the parade started. You can see the ornately decorated gate to Chinatown to the above right. The parade started with an ear-splitting barrage of firecrackers…almost 5 minutes long! That was a treat as fireworks have been banned where we live for years. The air was blue with smoke and some people closer started choking from the gunpowder(?).</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HA8o5A7PzB8/VOu5xKaqQsI/AAAAAAAABQ0/g8a1Yvrq_aw/s1600/2-23%2Byellow%2Bdragon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HA8o5A7PzB8/VOu5xKaqQsI/AAAAAAAABQ0/g8a1Yvrq_aw/s1600/2-23%2Byellow%2Bdragon.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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These dragon dance guys were waiting for the parade to start. They usually walk further apart and make the dragon "dance" by moving the poles up and down, this way and that. There is another guy following who is banging on a metal drum on wheels. If there are a few dragons in a row, it can get deafening.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcKEPHih7bc/VOu55eO6HyI/AAAAAAAABRE/5L6ZAStj2oY/s1600/2-23%2BV%2BSun%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YcKEPHih7bc/VOu55eO6HyI/AAAAAAAABRE/5L6ZAStj2oY/s1600/2-23%2BV%2BSun%2B2.jpg" height="257" width="400" /></a></div>
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I wanted to show you how busy it was, there were throngs of people from every walk of life there. You can see that the parade stretches for blocks…and this photo was taken at about the half way point.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qErK4qQgBLc/VOu5-oUrq2I/AAAAAAAABRM/klxizfG4iR4/s1600/2-23%2BV%2BSun%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qErK4qQgBLc/VOu5-oUrq2I/AAAAAAAABRM/klxizfG4iR4/s1600/2-23%2BV%2BSun%2B1.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
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These teen girls did an intricate dance…fancy footwork with fans!!!!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1xM84ZCr3M/VOu6Eovv-sI/AAAAAAAABRU/T4hhGDFw4Gs/s1600/2-23%2Bhorses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X1xM84ZCr3M/VOu6Eovv-sI/AAAAAAAABRU/T4hhGDFw4Gs/s1600/2-23%2Bhorses.jpg" height="247" width="400" /></a></div>
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Sorry this one is blurry…by the time I had turned my camera on(it has auto-shutoff), I only had a few short seconds to get the shot.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxc0Aly0GGc/VOu6I9X5BAI/AAAAAAAABRc/DUVI0-0AtoM/s1600/2-23%2Bpink%2Bfans.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cxc0Aly0GGc/VOu6I9X5BAI/AAAAAAAABRc/DUVI0-0AtoM/s1600/2-23%2Bpink%2Bfans.jpg" height="372" width="400" /></a></div>
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These ladies also did a lovely, artistic fan dance.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgyWt6w-BxQ/VOu6L-Gh4UI/AAAAAAAABRk/R-4Ba35jlAY/s1600/2-23%2B2%2Blions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgyWt6w-BxQ/VOu6L-Gh4UI/AAAAAAAABRk/R-4Ba35jlAY/s1600/2-23%2B2%2Blions.jpg" height="278" width="400" /></a></div>
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The lions here, in red and gold have 2 guys underneath them. When the front guy gets tired, he switches off with another guy walking behind.</div>
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The parade was so long that after about an hour we decided to go find somewhere to eat. After the parade winds up, there is no room anywhere to sit and have a meal.</div>
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We had Dim Sum-which is like a tasting menu and got 5 things to try…wish I had taken a picture, as it sure was tasty! Our favourites were the steamed BBQ pork buns…I could have had more. To be honest, I have had them before…but it that was about 20 years ago!!! YUMM!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-th5FYVMGsac/VOu6XjHepwI/AAAAAAAABRs/nE9o9CgbHsA/s1600/2-23%2Bmingwo%2Bblessing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-th5FYVMGsac/VOu6XjHepwI/AAAAAAAABRs/nE9o9CgbHsA/s1600/2-23%2Bmingwo%2Bblessing.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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I went to check out my favourite cookwear store and they were having a 25% off sale, but I managed to exit without a shopping bag full of neat things! </div>
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Just as I was leaving, the lions came up to do a blessing for prosperity in the New Year. They do it in front all of the stores in Chinatown and there is usually such a big crowd around that you can't see. I had ring-side seats, so to speak and managed to get a good shot.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7TgWYE-5c4/VOu6bfhlcrI/AAAAAAAABR0/Q_huM5qxZC4/s1600/2-23%2Bme%3Alion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B7TgWYE-5c4/VOu6bfhlcrI/AAAAAAAABR0/Q_huM5qxZC4/s1600/2-23%2Bme%3Alion.jpg" height="400" width="299" /></a></div>
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Here I am at the gate again, as we were leaving. As you can see, the crowds of people had noticeably thinned out.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BYn1ZdEuP1c/VOu6iEUBpFI/AAAAAAAABR8/eRZHYM2qdAE/s1600/2-23%2Bwhite%2Brabbit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BYn1ZdEuP1c/VOu6iEUBpFI/AAAAAAAABR8/eRZHYM2qdAE/s1600/2-23%2Bwhite%2Brabbit.jpg" height="268" width="400" /></a></div>
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I did make one purchase though. The White Rabbit candy on the left was something my parents used to buy me when I was little. It is made out of sweetened condensed milk, has a chewy texture and each piece is individually wrapped in a layer of (edible)rice paper. I also bought about a cup's worth of Goji berries. They are very healthy and have a tart-fruit taste.</div>
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We had a really nice time but were so ready to go home. The buses were a lot less crowded, but the Hubs still had to offer his seat to an elderly person.</div>
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<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><u><span style="font-size: small;">Here's some deals I found on the web(links included):</span></u></i></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Woo-hoo! You can enter to win <b>Craftsy</b>'s #Secret Stash contest <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=983788&b=253536&m=29190&afftrack=983788&urllink=www%2Ecraftsy%2Ecom%2Fblog%2F2015%2F02%2Fsecretstash%2Dcontest%2F" target="_blank">here</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Contest runs till <b>March 15, 2015</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Any stash or sewing room welcome!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Prizes include a box of secret stash goodies and a Craftsy class of your choice!</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Accuquilt</b> is offering <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?u=983788&b=537450&m=50439&afftrack=983788&urllink=www%2Eaccuquilt%2Ecom%2Fdeals%2Foverstocks%2Ehtml" target="_blank">30% off 30 items</a> till <b>Feb. 28, 2015</b>. No code needed.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYgmq1glwqI/VOuqdFwRyiI/AAAAAAAABP0/rehhspjF0pY/s1600/2-23%2Bacc%2Bbow%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UYgmq1glwqI/VOuqdFwRyiI/AAAAAAAABP0/rehhspjF0pY/s1600/2-23%2Bacc%2Bbow%2B2.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bow Tie Die Reg. $49.99, now only $34.99!</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fons & Porter</b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> are having a 20% off </span><a href="http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=CxVEWvY1U/k&subid=&offerid=350054.1&type=10&tmpid=16539&u1=3221767&RD_PARM1=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.shopfonsandporter.com%2Fcategory%2Fnew-arrivals%2F" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Customer Appreciation Sale</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Code is: FPSAVE20</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ends <b>Feb. 26, 2015</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sister's Together Kit, reg $109.99, now 20% off!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Zulilly</b> always has amazing sales going on, especially for Women's Plus-size clothing. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found this slimming tunic for $37.99(CA$)…reg. price $89.00(CA$). That is more than 40% off and I've seen dresses @ 70% off!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">on sale for $37.99 CA$</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And now for my Giveaway winner(s)…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> I asked the Hubs to pick the winner(s) and so, the winner of the 8-piece fat quarter bundle from Sew Sister's Quilt Shop is:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">GranChris!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have sent her an email and hope to hear from her soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I decided to have a second prize winner as my blog has recently surpassed 100 followers via Bloglovin' and I thought that was something to celebrate!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The second prize winner is:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">MMK!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have sent a message and hope to be sending a little package of treats soon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I would like to thank each and every one of you for commenting…there were so many great ideas mentioned and some I hadn't thought of too! Win, win!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Jacqueline</i></b></span></div>
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Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-20115292796774537872015-02-21T16:42:00.002-08:002015-02-28T13:35:05.479-08:00Foodie Friday, a recipe, FREE stuff and GIVEAWAY Reminder!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTFMTAJO_7k/VOkI_uECceI/AAAAAAAABOg/ZhtJabjdIiA/s1600/2-21%2Bcitrus%2Bsquares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hTFMTAJO_7k/VOkI_uECceI/AAAAAAAABOg/ZhtJabjdIiA/s1600/2-21%2Bcitrus%2Bsquares.jpg" height="297" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, this was <i>supposed</i> to be a "Finish it up Friday" post, but I just didn't get to it this week…grrr…though I did manage to finish drawing all the sewing lines on the citrus charms for the table topper I first mentioned <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/02/sooo-wanna-see-what-i-got-for.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I also managed to clean up the mess I have been making on the kitchen table, so I can finally get back to some actual sewing!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lDJ0Ud5dZK8/VOkJCzHlJnI/AAAAAAAABOo/S0U_3RlLeTg/s1600/2-21%2BChicken%2Bcasserole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lDJ0Ud5dZK8/VOkJCzHlJnI/AAAAAAAABOo/S0U_3RlLeTg/s1600/2-21%2BChicken%2Bcasserole.jpg" height="283" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I had two, yes TWO, foodie flops this week…arggh! The above casserole was a Velveeta cheese recipe I have been wanting to try. I decided to make a basic cheese sauce instead of using the Velveeta…wrong!!! Then the Hubs said he wanted chicken in it too. I thought that would be okay, so I sauteed up a couple of chicken breasts and chopped them into the casserole dish. This recipe also calls for medium salsa. Really, it is basically 3 ingredients-Velveeta, cooked pasta, salsa and a few spices…how could I get it so wrong??? My guys liked it, but to me it tasted weird, and not in a good way. Maybe it was because I had been thinking about using the Velveeta and the real cheese sauce tasted different…who knows…I sure won't be using that recipe again.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HhKXCPeITI/VOkJF8FkogI/AAAAAAAABOw/PhKHtmFHEMk/s1600/02-21%2Bsloppy%2Bjoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_HhKXCPeITI/VOkJF8FkogI/AAAAAAAABOw/PhKHtmFHEMk/s1600/02-21%2Bsloppy%2Bjoes.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fast forward to two days later…I got a craving for Sloppy Joes and didn't want to use the crappy powder mix you can buy in the store. No, I wanted it to be more healthy and less chemically…wrong, wrong, wrong!!! I searched for a recipe online and found one with mostly whole ingredients. So, I cooked it all up and called everybody for supper. O.M.G., it was awful…really gross. BLECK!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The recipe called for some vinegar(which I did think was odd at the time) and some brown sugar. There was no chilli powder mentioned, so I just added some. Well, the chilli powder was the only thing that tasted good! The mix was vinegary and overly sweet, all at the same time. UGGGG!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had sandwiches for supper. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am banished from using recipes I find online for a while.</span><span style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(OOPS!!!)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went to Costco this week, and among other things I picked up a big package of lean hamburger meat, and a couple of </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">jumbo cans of diced tomatoes. I did the math before we went and there is the equivalent of 3.5 x 28 oz. cans in one jumbo one(100 oz.) at Costco. So, it is <i>way</i> cheaper to purchase the jumbo can and divide it up into 3 freezer bags, than it is to buy 3 x 28 oz. cans. There is a lot less packaging used as well.</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Li_nOPxxoRs/VOkJM_Io4EI/AAAAAAAABPA/gRfBVqJg-bQ/s1600/2-21%2Bsauce.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Li_nOPxxoRs/VOkJM_Io4EI/AAAAAAAABPA/gRfBVqJg-bQ/s1600/2-21%2Bsauce.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next day I set myself to making up a jumbo batch of spaghetti sauce base.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's my recipe and cost breakdown…in CA$:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 lbs. lean hamburger meat(~$15)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 jumbo can of diced tomatoes($4)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 cans of tomato paste($1 ea=$3)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 20 ox. can tomato sauce( $2)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/3rd of a jar of roasted red peppers(on sale $3, so $1), chopped*</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 onions($1), chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">half a bunch of celery($2), chopped</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 cloves of garlic(in house), grated</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pepper, half a handful of italian spice mix, 1 T pepper flakes(all in house)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* I use roasted red peppers in the jar as fresh red peppers are overly expensive here at this time of the year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Total cost $28.00</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's some basic instructions:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cook hamburger in large skillet. Transfer well-cooked(i.e.: no pink showing) hamburger to a large plate lined with several paper towels to drain out some of the fat. Saute the chopped onions and celery in the skillet with the leftover fat. Pour the entire contents of the can of diced tomatoes into a very large pot. Add your tomato paste, tomato sauce, chopped roasted red peppers, sautéed onions and celery, grated garlic and spices. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bring the ingredients in the pot to a simmer, stirring everything together. You can see that I have 2 spoons in the pot; I find it much easier to mix/stir such a heavy sauce with a spoon in each hand, stirring two figure-eights. Once all of your ingredients are well-mixed, add the cooked and drained hamburger meat. Now here comes the long part! Stir the contents of the pot, while at medium-high heat. Keep stirring till the sauce starts to boil…this will take a while, so put on a CD of your favourite tunes-I am partial to Frank Sinatra while I am at the stove! Once the sauce boils, turn the temperature down and let simmer uncovered for an hour, stirring often. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now your spaghetti sauce <u>base</u> is done! Let cool on the stove(or you could spread it out in a large lasagna pan so it will cool faster). Once totally cool, separate into 4 large zip-style freezer bags(I use my 2-cup pyrex to do this). Flatten the bags full of sauce somewhat and pop into the freezer. The reason you flatten it out is so it freezes quicker and it also defrosts quicker(just in case you forgot to take something out of the freezer for supper)!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We used a quarter of the base for supper that night, so now have 3 in the freezer. The reason I call it a <u>"base"</u>, is because you are going to want to add a 20 oz. can of spaghetti sauce to the base when you warm it up, to make a nice rich <u>sauce</u>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, for cost per meal for a family of 4(we are 3, but had more than enough leftover for the Hubs' giant lunch the next day) would be $12, as below:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Base $28/4= $7</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spag sauce tin $2(but is often on sale)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pasta $1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Garlic bread $2</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">..not a bad price..a good meal and healthy too!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mza_00qfqc/VOkJP5gr6YI/AAAAAAAABPI/z-kWW0wFWuA/s1600/2-21%2Bfrozen%2Bveggies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mza_00qfqc/VOkJP5gr6YI/AAAAAAAABPI/z-kWW0wFWuA/s1600/2-21%2Bfrozen%2Bveggies.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What do you think about FREE food? Like it??? <a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/02/thrifty-tips-happy-mail-new-sponsorand.html" target="_blank">Last post</a> I told you how to save your herbs before they go bad, and today I'll show you how to make FREE vegetable stock! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Did you know that every time you cut up vegetables for supper, or as an ingredient for a certain dish, you are throwing food away? You cut the tops and bottoms off of celery, carrots & etc. and throw them away. Same goes for vegetable and fruit peels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next time you have to prepare some veggies, you can follow this neat trick…put all the off-cuts into a zip-style freezer bag, and keep it in your little freezer on the top of the fridge. That way it is readily accessible and you won't forget about it. You can do the same with peels</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(though not citrus or banana…that would be yucky) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">too, as long as you clean the vegetable first! I also add cut up apples, herbs that are a little old and anything in the crisper that is starting to go off. I just cut the nasty bits off and throw it all into my freezer bag. The above bag only took about a week to fill!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, what do you do with it? Make vegetable stock!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fill a large pot with water, empty your frozen veggie bag into the water and put it on high heat. Then you can add some pepper corns, several bay leafs and a little bit of red pepper flakes. Let it boil for at least 30-45 minutes. Then put a large, empty container in the sink and position a sieve or strainer on top of it. Carefully pour the vegetable stock over the strainer. Discard the cooked vegetable ends. Now you have a lovely stock, with no chemicals or salt to use when you make chicken soup or anywhere you would need to use a cooking stock. I like using this broth to cook rice in, instead of plain water!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I found a few FREEBIES around the web and though you might like them too!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Craftsy</b> has a lot of FREE little classes(I like Bag-making Basics by Kristen Link) and e-guides(like the one about using your scraps)…just waiting for you to enjoy. It's a great was to try out Craftsy before purchasing to see if you like it(though I am sure you will). </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZUIDxJvNTI/U-Pw1jFsxcI/AAAAAAAAA8M/GqLH1TfClnc/s1600/Craftsty-playful%2Bpiecing.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nZUIDxJvNTI/U-Pw1jFsxcI/AAAAAAAAA8M/GqLH1TfClnc/s1600/Craftsty-playful%2Bpiecing.png" height="188" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you do find a class that you'd like to purchase, the greatest part is that you will own it forever and can keep on going back to watch it for as many times as you like! I know I have gone back to Playful Piecing by Camille Roskelly more than a few times!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are several e-guides and mini-classes on quilting/sewing/crafts too, but I thought you might like to check these ones out(all are completely FREE): </span></div>
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<b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424469215026_3078" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;">Photography</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=700752&u=983788&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424469215026_3077" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">eGuide: Understanding Exposure for Better Photos Now: Beginner Photography Tutorials</a></div>
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<b id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424469215026_3085">Cake Decorating</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=700747&u=983788&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424469215026_3075" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">eGuide: Not-So-Basic Buttercream Decorating Ideas</a></div>
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<b>Food & Cooking</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=700723&u=983788&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424469215026_3074" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">eGuide: Delicious Doughnut Recipes You Can Make at Home</a></div>
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<b>Paper Crafts</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=700750&u=983788&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424469215026_3086" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">eGuide: 6+ Stash-Busting Paper Craft Projects</a></div>
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<b>Drawing</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=700711&u=983788&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">eGuide: Drawing the Human Face: A Primer</a></div>
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<b>Painting</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=700721&u=983788&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">eGuide: Beginner's Guide to the World of Watercolor</a></div>
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<b>Gardening</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=700749&u=983788&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">eGuide: Success With Container Gardening</a></div>
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<b>Woodworking</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=700751&u=983788&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: transparent; color: #196ad4; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px;" target="_blank">eGuide: Woodturning Basics for Beginners</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;">Have you heard if <b>ISSUU</b>?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;">This is a FREE online magasine-sharing site. Check it out!!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;">http://www.issuu.com</span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Trebuchet, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">Just enter what you are looking for in the SEARCH window at the top of the page. I found several quilting/sewing/embroidery/crafts titles and I am still looking! You just create a free account and save the titles you like so that you can look at them later</span><span style="line-height: 24px;">…</span><span style="line-height: 1.5em;">cool eh?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;">Sew Sister's Quilt Shop has all their </span><a href="http://store.sew-sisters.com/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Store_id=807&Page_id=17&categ_id=589&parent_ids=0,3&name=Christmas+Fabric+-+40%25+Off!+" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;" target="_blank">Christmas fabric at 40% off!</a></div>
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<a href="http://store.sew-sisters.com/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Store_id=807&Page_id=17&categ_id=643&parent_ids=0,3&name=On+Sale!" target="_blank">Select patterns are 40% off</a>! I'm loving that Giggles pattern by Jaybird Quilts! But then again, I am a real Jaybird junkie!!! I have 3 of her rulers and several patterns.</div>
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Don't forget their awesome <a href="http://store.sew-sisters.com/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Shopper_id=30141231718113014&Store_id=807&page_id=17&Sub_Department_ID=2&categ_id=2&parent_ids=0&page_viewall=Y&sNode=&Exp=Y&Search_Dept=&Search_Text=&Search_Sku=" target="_blank">Clearance section</a>, where prices average $7.99(CA$) a meter!<br />
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Check out their value-priced shipping:<br />
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<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><td align="left" bgcolor="#56CCF4"><strong>Order Total</strong></td><td align="left" bgcolor="#56CCF4"><strong>Canada</strong></td><td align="left" bgcolor="#56CCF4"><strong>USA</strong></td><td align="left" bgcolor="#56CCF4"><strong>International*</strong></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><td valign="top">$0 - $19.99</td><td valign="top">$4.99</td><td valign="top">$12.99</td><td valign="top">Actual Postage</td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><td valign="top">$20.00 - $100</td><td valign="top">$8.99</td><td valign="top">$12.99</td><td valign="top">Actual Postage</td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><td valign="top">Over $100</td><td valign="top">Free</td><td valign="top">$12.99</td><td valign="top">Actual Postage</td></tr>
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and...<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; line-height: 1.5em;">Don't forget to enter my Sew Sister's giveaway </span><a href="http://quilt-sewhappy.blogspot.com/2015/02/thrifty-tips-happy-mail-new-sponsorand.html" style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: red; line-height: 1.5em;">!</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: purple; line-height: 1.5em;">Giveaway is closed and has been awarded. Thanks!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;">Thanks for reading and have a great day!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;">Quilty Huggs,</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; line-height: 1.5em;"><b><i><span style="color: #351c75;">Jacqueline</span></i></b></span></div>
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Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2904632709000806854.post-36952400033120885972015-02-19T14:43:00.001-08:002015-03-13T11:06:21.292-07:00Thrifty tips, happy mail, a new sponsor...and a GIVEAWAY!!!<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hi peeps!</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GosrMAh_xiA/VOZPkhWDmmI/AAAAAAAABL0/1XAamTVplJ8/s1600/2-20%2BMD%2Bcircle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GosrMAh_xiA/VOZPkhWDmmI/AAAAAAAABL0/1XAamTVplJ8/s1600/2-20%2BMD%2Bcircle.jpg" height="367" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got some lovely Happy Mail this week! This is the 14-piece Sakura bundle, which was only $23(CA$) plus a modest shipping fee(under $5), from <a href="https://www.massdrop.com/r/Q2XSMW" target="_blank">Massdrop</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They are having this drop again, now as we speak, so you'll have to hurry on over to pick up yours before they are all gone. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqH_XIrtXME/VOZPp2r2i2I/AAAAAAAABL8/aMK6e5uM1xk/s1600/2-2-%2BMD%2Btied.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tqH_XIrtXME/VOZPp2r2i2I/AAAAAAAABL8/aMK6e5uM1xk/s1600/2-2-%2BMD%2Btied.jpg" height="400" width="331" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I just love how it is tied up so cutely…definitely keeping that chevron ribbon for a craft project!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P675fFjUMdc/VOZPsB2MjAI/AAAAAAAABME/qlE5PJ_djsY/s1600/2-20%2BMD%2Bfave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P675fFjUMdc/VOZPsB2MjAI/AAAAAAAABME/qlE5PJ_djsY/s1600/2-20%2BMD%2Bfave.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The prints have a slightly muted tone and a beautiful soft, drapey feel to them. These two prints are my favourites, but honestly, it was tough to choose between the other prints included in this bundle.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvw6hCLsXus/VOZPuQfZSeI/AAAAAAAABMM/RrDfrURhKrU/s1600/2-20%2BMD%2Bbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nvw6hCLsXus/VOZPuQfZSeI/AAAAAAAABMM/RrDfrURhKrU/s1600/2-20%2BMD%2Bbox.jpg" height="400" width="326" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is one of the sturdy boxes my purchases came in. There were even some plastic packing balloons inside to keep my purchases from shifting during travel!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otwIi16NPDg/VOZP08fG32I/AAAAAAAABMU/07-qomEMomA/s1600/MD-enchanted%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-otwIi16NPDg/VOZP08fG32I/AAAAAAAABMU/07-qomEMomA/s1600/MD-enchanted%2B1.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here is the new Enchanted 10-piece bundle offered at <a href="https://www.massdrop.com/r/Q2XSMW" target="_blank">Massdrop</a>. We need only about 25 more people to "Commit to Buy" and then the price will drop down to $22.99(CA$). The great thing about "Commit to Buy" is that your credit card/Paypal account is only charged once the price goes down to the lowest and once the drop has ended.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNx5icaJ6Ig/VOZP3uyGIGI/AAAAAAAABMc/DesxHwugKeE/s1600/MD-enchanted%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zNx5icaJ6Ig/VOZP3uyGIGI/AAAAAAAABMc/DesxHwugKeE/s1600/MD-enchanted%2B2.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Enchanted is the latest collection by Sarah Fielke…you may know her from her Little Quilts books(I got one for Christmas…yahoo)! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This drop is limited to only 32 bundles, so you have to get in fast to get the deal! </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the </span><a href="https://www.massdrop.com/r/Q2XSMW" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">link</a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7ioqU_0aE4/VOZP8WaJUPI/AAAAAAAABMk/MlVMgtGuGzs/s1600/2-20%2Bwin%2Bbags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n7ioqU_0aE4/VOZP8WaJUPI/AAAAAAAABMk/MlVMgtGuGzs/s1600/2-20%2Bwin%2Bbags.jpg" height="306" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I recently won these great reusable fabric shopping bags from Teresa of The Green Bag lady fame. She makes these shopping bags and gives them away for FREE!!! She believes we can all do our part and eliminate using plastic shopping bags during our everyday shopping trips. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is also a tutorial on how to make them, and if you would like to become a baguette(that's what she calls the makers of green bags for giving away), you can contact her through her blog! If you'd like to win one for yourself, here's the link to <a href="http://greenbaglady.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Green Bag Lady</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08-b3a5iNUc/VOZQB3bLQAI/AAAAAAAABMs/dLQf48oQAGc/s1600/2-20%2Bupcy%2Bsupplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-08-b3a5iNUc/VOZQB3bLQAI/AAAAAAAABMs/dLQf48oQAGc/s1600/2-20%2Bupcy%2Bsupplies.jpg" height="332" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I thought I would share an upcycle I did recently. I love Baker's Twine, but it unravels and gets all messy once you have started using it. I had an a-ha moment when I saw the holes in the lid of a small parmesan cheese shaker.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j07fCWI0cMA/VOZQDxlvX0I/AAAAAAAABM0/MM0Grf3lSOA/s1600/2-20%2Bupcy%2Blabel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j07fCWI0cMA/VOZQDxlvX0I/AAAAAAAABM0/MM0Grf3lSOA/s1600/2-20%2Bupcy%2Blabel.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I washed the empty plastic cheese shaker bottle(the 2-cup sized one), then let it air-dry for a couple of days. I then removed the label by wedging the tip if my kitchen scissors under the label and started cutting. After I had peeled the label off, I gave the outside of the bottle a little scrub to remove some of the adhesive left from sticking the label on. It doesn't matter if there is a little adhesive left over as you will be covering most of it with the label from the spool of twine. Carefully cut the label open then centre it on the clean bottle and tape it securely.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58KDGaIVCFk/VOZQGBY9UoI/AAAAAAAABM8/TETEnv5CErw/s1600/2-20%2Bupcy%2Bfini.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58KDGaIVCFk/VOZQGBY9UoI/AAAAAAAABM8/TETEnv5CErw/s1600/2-20%2Bupcy%2Bfini.jpg" height="400" width="283" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pop your spool of Baker's Twine into the bottle and thread the tail end through one of the holes in the lid. Snap the lid in place and…VOILA you are done!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRkrJIDoquU/VOZQJZPm0QI/AAAAAAAABNE/FjeSQpCfLRI/s1600/2-20%2Bwm%2Bpurchase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pRkrJIDoquU/VOZQJZPm0QI/AAAAAAAABNE/FjeSQpCfLRI/s1600/2-20%2Bwm%2Bpurchase.jpg" height="400" width="290" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was at Walmart this week and picked up a plastic bin(pink as there were no purple ones…how shocking???), some fat quarters, paper clips and bulldog clips(clearance $1…bonus!) and some very large knitting needles. I had seen tutorial on knitting your old and ugly stash into rugs…how cool is that? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will try to find that tutorial again and will share it with you!</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7vW2zU6As8/VOZQN-LR3oI/AAAAAAAABNM/o4Vw1HEeKm8/s1600/2-20%2Bcharm%2Bbasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7vW2zU6As8/VOZQN-LR3oI/AAAAAAAABNM/o4Vw1HEeKm8/s1600/2-20%2Bcharm%2Bbasket.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I got the pink bin to store my charm packs in. The wicker basket(above) I have been using doesn't hold all of my charm packs, and I wanted them to all be in the same place.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMOKYggw8Qk/VOZQRoLooRI/AAAAAAAABNU/R_Diz0djYOk/s1600/2-20%2Bpink%2Bcharm%2Bbin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iMOKYggw8Qk/VOZQRoLooRI/AAAAAAAABNU/R_Diz0djYOk/s1600/2-20%2Bpink%2Bcharm%2Bbin.jpg" height="282" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's the contents of the bin now…I'll have to find my other charm packs to fill it up!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sp82c4NN7fU/VOZQUXLnVsI/AAAAAAAABNc/HQA76Ou3W0U/s1600/2-20%2Bfq%2Bbasket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sp82c4NN7fU/VOZQUXLnVsI/AAAAAAAABNc/HQA76Ou3W0U/s1600/2-20%2Bfq%2Bbasket.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I then re-filled the basket with my special(hoarded!) fat quarter bundles. There is my Cotton and Steel collection, some Amy Butler Glow and Free Spirit solids.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QurIq8k71ns/VOZQWnHleRI/AAAAAAAABNk/-nbpTmLsk_M/s1600/2-20%2B%24s%2Bpurchase.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QurIq8k71ns/VOZQWnHleRI/AAAAAAAABNk/-nbpTmLsk_M/s1600/2-20%2B%24s%2Bpurchase.jpg" height="400" width="336" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a 'good' dollar store in the Walmart mall, so of course I had to go! I got a glittery pocket portfolio so I can store my notes, ideas etc. for blog posts, some post-flags, a clear box with lid and handle, some plastic bins to decorate(tutorial coming soon), and 2 covered ice cube trays.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I read an article in the paper about herbs that get thrown out after they go bad. Now this really struck a chord with me as fresh herbs are expensive here at this time of the year and they are always going bad before we can use them up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What you do is: while the herbs are fresh you cut them up with scissors and place in an ice cube tray. Fill the cubes with water, cover, then pop in the freezer, making sure that the tray is level. When you need some herbs, pop a herb cube into your cooking pan. The heat from cooking will melt the water and you will have the benefit of fresh herbs all year long.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can do this with garlic cloves too. That's why I bought 2 trays…I didn't want the garlic smell to overpower the herbs. I will make both trays with a Sharpie, so as to not get them mixed up.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLqXaXyCDNs/VOZQZWVY_rI/AAAAAAAABNs/4220rrPFVLs/s1600/2-20%2Bauri%2Bbox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yLqXaXyCDNs/VOZQZWVY_rI/AAAAAAAABNs/4220rrPFVLs/s1600/2-20%2Bauri%2Bbox.jpg" height="270" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have been wanting a box dedicated to storing my precious Aurifil thread. As you can see, the spools have room to stand up straight and there is room to add more as I get them…on sale, of course!!!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BS6HnYlizSo/VOZR2h3eJ2I/AAAAAAAABN4/qQ1TyBZG8Sg/s1600/Sew%2BS%2Bbutton.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BS6HnYlizSo/VOZR2h3eJ2I/AAAAAAAABN4/qQ1TyBZG8Sg/s1600/Sew%2BS%2Bbutton.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I'd like to welcome <a href="http://www.sew-sisters.com/" target="_blank">Sew Sister's Quilt Shop</a> to the QSH! family.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a little about them:</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424374821657_125207">Sew Sisters Quilt Shop is a Canadian Quilt Store dedicated to all things quilting. Whether shopping online or in person at our store in Toronto our goal is to provide you with great service and offer top quality products at the lowest possible price. We have a large selection of quilting fabric, patterns, books and notions - everything you need to complete your unique quilts! Be sure to check out our very large Sale Section with over 400 bolts of fabric for only $7.99/metre!</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424374821657_125221">At Sew Sisters we believe you should buy fabric, not postage – so we offer great rates on shipping.</span></div>
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<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1424374821657_125222">Orders over a $100 ship for free within Canada!</span></div>
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<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><td align="left" bgcolor="#56CCF4"><strong>Order Total</strong></td><td align="left" bgcolor="#56CCF4"><strong>Canada</strong></td><td align="left" bgcolor="#56CCF4"><strong>USA</strong></td><td align="left" bgcolor="#56CCF4"><strong>International*</strong></td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><td valign="top">$0 - $19.99</td><td valign="top">$4.99</td><td valign="top">$12.99</td><td valign="top">Actual Postage</td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><td valign="top">$20.00 - $100</td><td valign="top">$8.99</td><td valign="top">$12.99</td><td valign="top">Actual Postage</td></tr>
<tr style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><td valign="top">Over $100</td><td valign="top">Free</td><td valign="top">$12.99</td><td valign="top">Actual Postage</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Really, you should check out their <a href="http://store.sew-sisters.com/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?Store_id=807&Page_id=17&categ_id=2&parent_ids=0" target="_blank">sale</a> section...lots of goodies there(and only $7.99 CA$ per meter). I even found some hard-to-find Flea Market Fancy by Denyse Schmidt there recently! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The everyday prices for even designer quilting fabrics averages about $12.99(CA$) a meter…which is an awesome price…and no currency exchange to worry about for Canadians!</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uMrJHjuRMY/VOZR6MaInxI/AAAAAAAABOA/_630LV3DMh8/s1600/Sew%2BS%2BBargain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9uMrJHjuRMY/VOZR6MaInxI/AAAAAAAABOA/_630LV3DMh8/s1600/Sew%2BS%2BBargain.jpg" height="243" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td height="1" valign="top" width="37%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>The Bargain Lover’s Club</b></span></td><td align="right" height="1" width="30%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><b>Price: </b></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;"><span class="DetailedViewProductPriceValue">$18.99 per month </span><span class="DetailedViewProductUnitDesc"></span></span></td><td colspan="2" height="21" style="text-align: center;" width="33%"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td colspan="6" height="1" valign="top" width="85%"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial;">If there is one thing we love more than any other at Sew Sisters it is a great bargain!<br /><br />Join our Bargain Lover's Club and we will send you 8 fat quarters every month for only $18.99. The postage is included for Canadians - others please enquire about shipping rates. All fat quarters will be great quality quilters cottons handpicked from our sale collections. You may cancel your membership at any time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The lovely ladies at Sew Sister's have generously offered to give away an 8-piece fat quarter bundle from their wildly popular <a href="http://store.sew-sisters.com/stores_app/Browse_Item_Details.asp?Shopper_id=30141231718113014&Store_id=807&page_id=23&Item_ID=1601" target="_blank">Bargain Lover's Club</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Please note this giveaway is for Canadian and USA addresses only</b>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">To enter this giveaway</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, please </span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">leave a comment</span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <u>describing your latest </u></span><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><u>upcycle</u>! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I will pick a winner at noon(PST) on Monday, February 23, 2015.</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">EDITED TO ADD:</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-It is not a requirement of this giveaway to follow me, but it sure would be nice if you did!!!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-Sew Sister's Quilt Shop and myself are not responsible for lost or stolen mail from this giveaway.</span></div>
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<span style="color: purple; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**Giveaway is closed and prize has been awarded. Thanks for participating!**</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for reading and have a great day!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Quilty Huggs,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Jacqueline</i></b></span></div>
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Jacqueline Franceshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15382884308033259472noreply@blogger.com40