tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89352253573445693542024-03-14T02:09:42.577-05:00Give It a Go ::Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-84821722377411886672011-08-26T23:11:00.000-05:002011-08-26T23:11:14.711-05:00Summer,<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/6084168741/" title="alex at the beach by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6087/6084168741_fae5c77909.jpg" width="374" height="500" alt="alex at the beach"></<br />
<br />
<br />
we'll miss you.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-9535850960979261102011-08-19T12:23:00.001-05:002011-08-19T12:25:19.405-05:00when you have a baby...you don't sew.<br />
<br />
At least for a little while.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/6059614478/" title="lib 2 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6079/6059614478_3a7be106e0.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="lib 2"></a><br />
{Elizabeth Erickson Brown. Born 05.12.11 at 8:35 in the morning. Weighing 8 pounds, 13 ounces & 21 inches long.}<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/6059069465/" title="lib by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6059069465_6ebbd56efd.jpg" width="500" height="333" alt="lib"></a><br />
{yesterday, 14 weeks}<br />
<br />
I still knit sometimes (working on <a href="http://www.jujubeandlolo.com/patterns/ducksoup.php">this</a> (a sleeve and some kitchener to go), <a href="http://jenniferhoel.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/garter-yoke-baby-cardi/">this</a> (almost as close), started <a href="http://petitepurls.com/Winter09/winter2009_pcheery.html">this</a>, <a href="http://www.flintknits.com/blog/?p=189">this</a> is in queue once I choose the right yarn) because I can do that lazily in front of an episode of <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b007gf9k">this</a>.<br />
<br />
Because 2 kids, they tire you out.<br />
<br />
At least I'm enjoying using and loving the (2!) quilts I finished before she was born (but no time yet for photos!)...and am gearing up to do a little project for my Libby, plus another one for another Elizabeth, due next month. Simple, simple, but it will surely feel good to quilt something.<br />
<br />
PS: I did manage to finish this bee block<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5651527855/" title="bee's knees january 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5307/5651527855_481a2ff45e.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="bee's knees january 1"></a><br />
<br />
(and another just like it) before Libby was born, and this one,<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/6059072997/" title="may 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6059072997_e4f79f0299.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="may 1"></a><br />
<br />
dreadfully late, a couple of weeks ago.<br />
<br />
PPS: Have you heard about <a href="http://www.ctpub.com/productdetails.cfm?sku=10837">this book</a>? I'm honored to be a contributor. See that light-blue-and-lime block in the upper right? Mine!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-82571821685586353782011-01-06T13:19:00.000-06:002011-01-06T13:19:41.133-06:00Thursday smatteringsleftovers and photos from yesterday's birthday dinner in the city are calling to me...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5331008172/" title="fultons on the river by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5331008172_dc4e67d37e_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="fultons on the river" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5330394329/" title="carrot cake by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5330394329_82ca98eb19_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="carrot cake" /></a><br />
<br />
frozen custard is so much creamier than ice cream.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5330388953/" title="006::365 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5165/5330388953_ee098024e5_z.jpg" width="640" height="428" alt="006::365" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.cooksillustrated.com/">this website</a> is so amazing. I might even pay for it beyond the free trial...<br />
<br />
thinking about decorating a lot right now...a big boy room for Alex, revamping the nursery, hanging pictures in the basement (and really the rest of our house too...)--much inspiration <a href="http://theinspiredroom.net/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.designspongeonline.com/2010/07/sneak-peek-best-of-kids-rooms.html">here</a> and (of course) <a href="http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/home-tours">here</a>.<br />
<br />
thinking even more about knitting. Ravelry is so amazing, and whether it has led to an explosion of awesome, easily-available patterns or just opened my eyes to them all, I now have about 1,000 patterns in my queue and my next-up-to-knit changes every day. Current favorite is <a href="http://www.petitepurls.com/winter10/winter2010_p_cascade.html">this</a>, followed closely by <a href="http://jenniferhoel.wordpress.com/2008/11/14/garter-yoke-baby-cardi/">this</a> and <a href="http://www.pixiepurls.com/milk/">this</a> (though I'm not sure I have the patience to knit a garment out of sock yarn). I'm working on this right now with a skein of Cascade 220 in brown, gifted to me by Alex this Christmas (with help from daddy of course). Slow going; I guess I've been sewing too much! <br />
<br />
and finally, I (finally again!) mailed off some bee blocks the other day.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5330654506/" title="BK November by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5202/5330654506_17c9b98165_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="BK November" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5330042919/" title="Bee Liberated--November 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5207/5330042919_bcfb6fffe0_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Bee Liberated--November 1" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5330648238/" title="Bee Liberated--November 2 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5330648238_811a37c89f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Bee Liberated--November 2" /></a>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-87169152193955297132011-01-01T20:46:00.000-06:002011-01-01T20:46:36.248-06:00new thingsfor 2011...<br />
<br />
:: beignets.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5314012843/" title="001::365 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5162/5314012843_2e966dacb8_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="001::365" /></a><br />
<br />
:: making for myself and my family first.<br />
<br />
:: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/sets/72157625599154067/">365</a>.<br />
<br />
:: finding a middle ground between <i>inertia</i> and <i>perfection</i>.<br />
<br />
:: and being mom to two small people, starting in May.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-92178544992629210452010-12-13T19:31:00.001-06:002010-12-13T19:37:05.723-06:00quiet, but still makingfor the flickr embroiderbee:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5140820584/" title="embroider bee 3 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="embroider bee 3" height="480" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1436/5140820584_83f02f2113_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5140214083/" title="embroider bee 2 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/5140214083_8f2c594bb4_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="embroider bee 2" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5140210993/" title="embroider bee 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5140210993_5b6dcd152f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="embroider bee 1" /></a><br />
<br />
for The Bee's Knees:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5140204617/" title="bees knees october 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1343/5140204617_1371ffb5ec_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="bees knees october 1" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5140810642/" title="bees knees october 2 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1046/5140810642_131405bd5f_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="bees knees october 2" /></a><br />
<br />
for Bee Liberated:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5140797810/" title="bee liberated september 2 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4023/5140797810_d65471d0cd_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="bee liberated september 2" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5140794488/" title="bee liberated september 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1368/5140794488_8b0de6bc49_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="bee liberated september 1" /></a><br />
<br />
and for the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/5096324539/" title="mug rug by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5096324539_5208a28390_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="mug rug" /></a><br />
<br />
more to come.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-34491296684068221732010-09-17T22:13:00.000-05:002010-09-17T22:13:25.029-05:00in and outRecently... <br />
<br />
In:<br />
<br />
(from so very long ago) a coordinating! doorstop and a plastic bag dispenser from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/40870688@N03/">Corrie</a> for (the first!) <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1330324@N25/">Urban Home Goods swap</a>...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4995066960/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="urban home goods 1st received--doorstop front by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="urban home goods 1st received--doorstop front" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/4995066960_98c3645ec5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4994458379/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="urban home goods 1st round received, doorstop back by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="urban home goods 1st round received, doorstop back" height="427" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4105/4994458379_d3ec2e0683_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4994456077/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="urban home goods 1st round received--plastic bag dispenser by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="urban home goods 1st round received--plastic bag dispenser" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/4994456077_dc9f6f683f_z.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />
my stunning <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dollquiltswap/">dqs9</a> quilt from <a href="http://bloominworkshop.wordpress.com/">Anita</a>...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4995046214/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="dqs 9 received 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="dqs 9 received 1" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4132/4995046214_212f3b3ac8_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4995048930/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="dqs 9 received detail by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="dqs 9 received detail" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4995048930_30020106e6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spottedstonestudio/4954516751/in/pool-beeliberated#/photos/spottedstonestudio/4954516751/in/pool-1416415@N22/">lots</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36209421@N03/4937641589/in/pool-beeliberated#/photos/36209421@N03/4937641589/in/pool-1416415@N22/">lots</a> of bee blocks and swap blocks for the second <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/modbentoblockswap/">Mod Bento Block Swap</a>.<br />
<br />
Out:<br />
<br />
spider web blocks for Greta...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4948556371/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="asb may 2 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="asb may 2" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4094/4948556371_99d8408d62_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4948553813/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="asb may 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="asb may 1" height="453" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4085/4948553813_ebeac2b785_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
sampler blocks for Leanne...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4995056954/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tbk august 2 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="tbk august 2" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/4995056954_47973445aa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4995054386/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="tbk august 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="tbk august 1" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4131/4995054386_4756aa3d52_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/6x3bee/">3x6 mini-bee</a> blocks for the whole hive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="3x6 bee 2nd quarter" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4994437519_2106e153b5_z.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4994437519/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="3x6 bee 2nd quarter by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"></a></div>on the machine now: <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/06/100th-post-and-giveaway.html">Corrinne's giveaway winnings</a>. More on that next week, fingers crossed. <br />
<br />
Happy weekend!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-4767336122982037022010-09-11T09:37:00.000-05:002010-09-11T09:37:16.099-05:00the right track<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4968546247/" title="dqs9 front & back by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="dqs9 front & back" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4968546247_0fbd7609bf_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Most times, when I make something, I picture it and then do it. Which is not to say that there aren't changes and mistakes along the way (<a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/02/lemonade-long-time-in-making.html">case in point</a>)--but the finished product is usually pretty similar to what I had in my head to begin with.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dollquiltswap/pool/with/4968546247/">This swap</a> <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/09/eggplant-and-bone.html">was different</a>.<br />
<br />
What I ended up with could not be farther from my original plan, which I had deliberated over for quite some time as it was.<br />
<br />
I do like the finished product, but there's a part of me that's kind of grieving for my first idea. I'm not sure there will ever be another time to use it. <br />
<br />
Maybe, someday, for myself.<br />
<br />
Onward. The front is fairly straightforward, though I did get a chance to play around with positive and negative space. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4968550093/" title="dqs9 front by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="dqs9 front" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4150/4968550093_a4abd9b158_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
I had planned to hand quilt the entire thing, but then I discovered that I really know nothing about hand quilting. I kept the bird (since that motif from the back... <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4968561631/" title="dqs9 back closeup by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="dqs9 back closeup" height="427" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4968561631_2518b03bfa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
...was the inspiration for this final version), but opted to machine quilt the rest.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4968552993/" title="dqs9 front detail by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="dqs9 front detail" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4968552993_cc824cb079_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
Bound, labeled, sent (<a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/05/improvising-ds-style.html">again!</a>) with hometown-made <a href="http://www.ferrarapan.com/">lemonheads</a>, with half an hour to spare.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-7295539481514127332010-09-10T00:38:00.000-05:002010-09-10T00:42:08.613-05:00alex in wonderlandThe amusement park, not the fairy tale.<br />
<br />
We visited Amarillo, Texas this past (Labor Day) weekend, where my husband was born and lived until he was four. <br />
<br />
We rode horses, saw <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cadillac_Ranch">cars growing out of the ground</a>, "hiked" Palo Duro Canyon, went to a rodeo, toured his family's old stomping grounds, and had tacos and margaritas for (my birthday) dinner...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4975583411/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="steer skull and broken glass by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="steer skull and broken glass" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4975583411_8f1354c110_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4976194574/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="stable window by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="stable window" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/4976194574_e1b64187fa_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4975576667/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="from the canyon floor by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="from the canyon floor" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4975576667_a4f88dc93d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4975586307/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="walking to the cadillacs by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="walking to the cadillacs" height="428" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4154/4975586307_06094b1c97_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4975568463/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="at the rodeo by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="at the rodeo" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4107/4975568463_1d054dd212_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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...but the highlight was certainly our trip to Wonderland.<br />
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Which Alex loved "this much"--<br />
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which was delightful in itself, but not too bad either was the perfectly glorious sky that was the backdrop for the perfectly glorious colors of this place.<br />
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See any quilts in there? Thought so.<br />
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Also, I somehow managed to photograph a rainbow.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4976200290/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="water ride rainbow by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="water ride rainbow" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4152/4976200290_b3200c73bc_z.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-91007788381098268162010-09-07T00:42:00.001-05:002010-09-10T00:41:18.028-05:00eggplant and bonefirst attempt.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4966926936/" title="s by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="s" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/4966926936_86d1734903_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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first-and-a-half attempt.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4966320967/" title="htss by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="htss" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4088/4966320967_cf1c83e4be_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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the right track.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4966932124/" title="strips by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="strips" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/4966932124_fae52f29ed_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4966929584/" title="strips sewn by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4133/4966929584_bd64f36778_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="strips sewn" /></a><br />
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finished now, and in the dryer...just needs a label. photos tomorrow, before I mail it, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dollquiltswap/">right on time</a>.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-37326133324692458312010-09-01T12:24:00.001-05:002010-09-10T00:41:01.491-05:00an owl haikoopHave you heard about the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/embroidereading/">Embroidereading Contest</a>, hosted by Melissa at <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.checkoutgirlcrafts.blogspot.com">Checkout Girl</a>?<br />
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Alex is into owls—like <i>really</i> into owls—and loves to ask me again and again about where and how they live. One day on a forest preserve walk, he asked, “why don’t we see owls?”—even though he knows they’re nocturnal. It’s as if it fascinates him that there are creatures that are allowed to stay up past his bedtime. That question became this (haiku) poem about what an owl is doing while we’re up and living.<br />
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The only things I bought for this project were the floss and the hoop—all the appliqué fabrics are scraps or cut from thrifted things…the cloud is batting, the owl’s body is from a wool herringbone blazer. My fabric is less than organized, but I just knew I had this tiny scrap of yellow dots, and I was miraculously able to find it to make the sun.<br />
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My one regret (besides the fact that the word "sleep" looks a little bit balloonlike--I was using my own handwriting!) is that the weather here is dreary and so therefore is the photo. He is much perkier looking in real life.<br />
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I'll be celebrating <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2009/09/seriously-great-cheddar-jalapeno-bread.html">my birthday and my blogiversary</a> in Amarillo, Texas...see you next week!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-76406791293853393952010-08-09T14:28:00.000-05:002010-09-10T00:40:28.654-05:00we need a staycation.<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4873719075/" title="smores by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4873719075_26f4b09426_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="smores" /></a><br />
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Like nobody's business.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-50507064642668043862010-07-26T15:16:00.000-05:002010-09-10T00:42:17.776-05:00where my mind wanders,...when I'm doing most anything, is to quilts.<br />
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We pulled out the <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/02/whats-happening.html">Perler beads</a> before camp today and Alex started working on a circle (he's a perfectionist, already at almost-four, so this process will take a while), and I saw a mulberry bead next to a baby blue one (or was it the petal pink?), and before I knew it...Quick, grab a photo. A perfect quilty color scheme.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4831360651/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="quilty beads by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="quilty beads" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/4831360651_67004a7219_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Alex wanted to add another pink--too peachy--and I asked him to wait until the photo was finished. Does everyone take pictures while playing with their kids? I suppose I should compartmentalize things a bit better and unplug from craftiness sometimes, but this is how my mind works. Maybe I am somehow inspiring him artistically? Either that or enhancing said perfectionism. In either case, overthinking, probably. <br />
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Anyway, have you seen <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1446603@N23/">this new flickr group</a>? Fun just to browse, but I like it especially because it lets me know that there are other people out there like me.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-49918069460792231642010-07-19T21:28:00.001-05:002010-07-20T10:01:41.772-05:00a challengeLike most of its peers, the <a href="http://thechicagomodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/">CMQG</a> is just getting off the ground, but we've already done some really neat things in the few months we've been meeting.<br />
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Top of the list for me is the ICE challenge (blanking on the acronym's origin, but I'm pretty sure "inspiration" is in there somewhere...). It's kind of like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/dollquiltswap/">DQS</a> with a twist: each person chose four fat quarters and made an inspiration block using parts of them. Then we brought the block and the leftovers to a meeting, where we sent our blocks home with another person chosen at random who would use it all, plus her own fabrics as needed, to make a mini quilt.<br />
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I got to take home a block made by <a href="http://fabricreflections.blogspot.com/">Debbi</a>, one of the more accomplished members of our guild, and was kind of nervous to be adding to her beautiful work (she's very unassuming, though, and seemed genuinely excited to see what I'd come up with). I neglected to take a photo of the block itself (how?!), but here's the finished quilt:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4810330941/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="ice challenge top by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="ice challenge top" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4810330941_de3b796f3f_z.jpg" width="524" /></a><br />
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The left side is her original block, and I was planning to add some improv sawtoothish shapes Marston-style, but to combat the busy-ness, the swath of blue seemed in order. Which then seemed too un-busy, hence the white strip. And then the quilt seemed to lack depth (or something? Not sure I'm expressing that too well...) and so I took the plunge of cutting the entire thing, Debbi's block included, to insert that last medium blue strip. Which was stressful (is it ethical to cut someone else's block? I actually sat there for a while considering this with the rotary cutter in my hand, and then took a literal deep breath before I did it), but the result, I think, makes the quilt.<br />
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I discovered that I have a thing or two to learn about dealing with bias edges, and even with some basting (the only thing I knew to even try), the pieces moved enough that the top and bottom don't line up. I ripped it once and tried again, and of course it was worse the second time, but then really better. That little bit of movement seems to add some character that was missing before. Debbi's block had a lot of movement, and I was aiming for moving from complex to simple across the quilt, but it was pretty stagnant until I made that mistake. I squared it up and was satisfied.<br />
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The quilting took a long time to come together in my mind, but then it was quick to do. I thought about hand quilting, which I think would have been a great fit for this quilt, but was reluctant to try it on someone else's quilt (<a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/05/improvising-ds-style.html">Do I say that a lot?</a>). What I ended up with is actually one continuous line, which I love in that it unites the three parts of the design, and I used the gray thread as another unifying element as there was a lot of contrast in Debbi's fabrics.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4810324841/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="ice challenge quilting closeup by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="ice challenge quilting closeup" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4102/4810324841_8c4a7de604_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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After auditioning a lot of binding choices, I decided to continue the gray, with just a bit of black to kind of weigh the quilt down. Not like it's going to float away, but just that I wanted it to seem more solid.<br />
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The show and tell at the meeting yesterday was terrific--each quilt more beautiful than the last. A bunch of them are shown <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/chicagomodernquiltguild/pool/">here</a>. This was a tremendous exercise, and Debbi seemed to like the final product (I hope!). And wait until you see what I got back from Terri! <br />
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As an aside, here's what happens when I take photos of a project I'm supposed to deliver in half an hour, when the drive there will take 45 minutes.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4806950958/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="18 July by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="18 July" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4806950958_fdf9e2f26c_z.jpg" width="480" /></a><br />
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It's a miracle I got any shots of the quilt at all.<br />
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As another aside, we're talking about a second round of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/modbentoblockswap/">Mod Bento Block Swap</a>--check out this thread if you're interested. Full details by the end of the week.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-72208343471925252912010-07-15T10:32:00.001-05:002010-07-20T08:05:28.226-05:00unbelievably,this is the sum total of my black & white fabric.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4796595438/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="black & white scraps by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="black & white scraps" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4796595438_f3e10c3098_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Becca sent strips of various colors to each of us for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1291841@N23/">ASB</a>, and asked us to try a new method for spider web blocks from <em>Collaborative Quilting</em> (2?--by Gwen Marston & Freddy Moran--<a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/beeliberated/">bee overlap</a>!). She accdientally included just enough black & white for the corners of one block. Since I'm clearly deficient in this area of fabric accumulation, what's supposed to look like this:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4796599298/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="liberated spider web complete by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="liberated spider web complete" height="426" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4796599298_e492958d4d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4796597370/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="liberated spider web 2 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="liberated spider web 2" height="426" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4796597370_1dc1382ee1_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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for the second.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4795966729/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="liberated spider web 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="liberated spider web 1" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4117/4795966729_4ebde41a2d_z.jpg" width="426" /></a><br />
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Love this method!<br />
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For Bee Liberated, Susan asked for liberated log cabins using fussy-cut owls for the centers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4795972973/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="owl log cabins by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="owl log cabins" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4080/4795972973_ac4d7f02f6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I had never made a log cabin block before! My only issue was that Susan asked us to build the blocks clockwise around the owl, but I ended up a little narrow on one side and had to add one last piece out of order--didn't have enough fabric (or think it would look good) to go around the whole block again.<br />
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But I'm sure that everyone who sees this quilt will only have eyes for this guy, anyway:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4795975415/" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="tiny owl by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="tiny owl" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4795975415_a52126ea7b_z.jpg" width="640" /></a>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-6501276061793051892010-07-13T12:26:00.000-05:002010-07-20T08:06:13.126-05:00I've decided:Pillows are the perfect subset of <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/02/lemonade-long-time-in-making.html">the perfect craft</a>. Small, portable, quick(ish).<br />
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Sharon gave me just enough to go on once we started planning <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/05/giveaway-day.html">back in late May</a>...warm colors, more modern than traditional, likes AMH and <a href="http://flic.kr/p/7CjJ8p">this quilt</a>. <br />
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And so here it is, tiny-style for a pillow cover. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4790607710/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="sharon's pillow front by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="sharon's pillow front" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4142/4790607710_5688d6c2e4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I already had everything but the chocolate Kona solid, and this was a great exercise in coordinating fabrics from different lines in the same project, something I'm continually working on.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4789967943/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="sharon's pillow back by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="sharon's pillow back" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4789967943_af287b3d62_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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The backing fabric: perfect--an AMH print <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2009/09/so-so-excited.html">I also already owned</a>, and love, but it just wasn't at home in <i>my</i> home. Large-scale, and so a nice contrast to the prints and layout on the front, and home-dec weight for a little heft. I'd almost say it makes the pillow reversible, though who would ever want to hide a pieced quilty front?<br />
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Straight-line quilting is still a little maddening to me...I'm not sure I could sew slowly enough to keep the entire design perfectly parallel. A little bit of the backing in the binding because piecing a binding is a compulsion. I almost used a brighter print, but am now glad I went in this direction as I think it would have been too distracting.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4790604512/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="sharon's pillow binding detail by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="sharon's pillow binding detail" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4079/4790604512_7342859e68_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A couple of other goodies in the package:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4789961359/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="sharon's cards by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="sharon's cards" height="427" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4121/4789961359_124765c0d9_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4790591880/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="rosette card by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="rosette card" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4790591880_18e8197566_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4789955197/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="geese card by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="geese card" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4120/4789955197_082416b2a7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4790854476/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="sharon's magnets by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="sharon's magnets" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4790854476_d5e45f0763_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And off it went to sunny California.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-77250881807078448612010-07-12T15:27:00.037-05:002010-07-20T08:05:59.296-05:00out the door<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="bento packages" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4787153793_c690aeb41f_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
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in the car, actually, ready for the PO in a bit. We were too tired to go after (the first day of) camp.<br />
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People, this was so much fun. Watching the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/modbentoblockswap/">flickr group</a> and choosing fabrics and meeting new quilters...which all of us could do...but also having all 669 quarters on my dining room table at once,<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4787157513/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="bento sorting by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="bento sorting" height="426" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4787157513_52a20a8128_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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and sending packages to <a href="http://quiltsabit.blogspot.com/">bee friends</a>,<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4787799540/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="leanne's tag by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="leanne's tag" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4077/4787799540_b7fb1d6bc7_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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and seeing the possible combinations as I sorted made it even better.<br />
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And such happy things in the packages! Like this on the back of a return envelope,<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4787164333/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="envelope by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="envelope" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4073/4787164333_246679831d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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and fun cards (like a paint chip from <a href="http://picklesandbacon.blogspot.com/">Audrey</a>!),<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4787150667/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="bento cards by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="bento cards" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4078/4787150667_c6b6ff18a5_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4787146535/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="amh tag by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="amh tag" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4074/4787146535_366a1cd6f3_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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and a Hawkeye block (an excellent inside joke from Susie for which I already have a gifty project in mind--because let's be clear, we're Illini fans in this house!),<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4787907712/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="hawkeye block by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="hawkeye block" height="426" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4143/4787907712_f535aaaff4_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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and extra blocks from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/feistyeily/">Karen</a>. And a butterfly pin.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4787792330/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="butterfly pin by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="butterfly pin" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4100/4787792330_5f512452a6_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I think another round is in order.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-81215922544180239952010-07-07T14:18:00.000-05:002010-07-20T08:04:53.291-05:00pro/con for VQBspros: working with different fabrics, making a block style that you might not have otherwise, trying a new technique, and being creative within structure, which is a good thing for this overthinker.<br />
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These baskets were so much fun to make for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/41999698@N04/">Kimber</a> for <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/beeliberated/">Bee Liberated</a>. In truth, I had skipped right over that chapter in Liberated Quiltmaking, and even though the bias handles (especially the tall one--my own fault, due to a cutting error, but I figured out a solution!) gave me a run for my money, I *so* love the finished blocks that I'm contemplating a basket quilt of my own.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4771593053/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="Kimber's baskets by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="Kimber's baskets" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4135/4771593053_11e53575fd_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Which leads to the con: I need a new quilt idea like I need another bag of scraps. High-class problem, I guess.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-58004094254542212032010-07-06T14:51:00.001-05:002010-07-20T08:06:46.707-05:00"problems"with hosting a swap might include:<br />
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overflowage of your awesome free storage bag...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4768388891/" title="blocks packages in a bag by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="blocks packages in a bag" height="425" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4122/4768388891_707faf710e_b.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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...or realizing that you probably don't have enough fabric or time set aside to make sufficient blocks so that you can keep one of each design for yourself...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4768386199/" title="bento fabrics by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="bento fabrics" height="768" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4768386199_90f8dd7fd2_b.jpg" width="1024" /></a><br />
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Seriously, I have been mostly resisting the urge to tear the envelopes right open so that nothing gets lost, but in the interest of keeping the sent/received thread current, I've had to make a few exceptions. These blocks are <i>stunning</i>--all of them. Check out the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/modbentoblockswap/pool/">flickr pool</a> and see for yourself!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-64513819530743250802010-07-04T14:13:00.007-05:002010-07-20T08:06:31.113-05:00blue<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="blueberries" height="427" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4116/4761471960_1c6261ec78_b.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
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Normally, <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2009/10/on-food-styling.html">I would have chosen a contrasting bowl</a>, but this one seemed perfect for the Fourth.<br />
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Enjoy the day.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-62504457998806404612010-07-01T20:10:00.000-05:002010-07-20T08:04:53.292-05:00these things are tiny!Compared to 12 inch blocks, which is what I'm used to, I guess. <br />
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<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="siggy swap blocks" height="427" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4137/4753092503_21081efe2d_z.jpg" width="640" /></div><br />
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I also felt a little like I was back in junior high, writing my first name with some boy's last name, as I tried to figure out which penmanship looked best. Except this was on Kona white instead of on wide-ruled notebook paper.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-33186231636422209782010-06-27T00:14:00.022-05:002010-06-27T00:26:57.075-05:00there's less time for sewing...<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></div><br />
when school's out. But there's still a lot to love about summer:<br />
<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="parade" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4737114441_8c29086a54_b.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737757592/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="cherry tree by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="cherry tree" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4737757592_48a6e77900_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737744602/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="cherries feet by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="cherries feet" height="500" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4737744602_feea951c5e.jpg" width="397" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737108489/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="cherries by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="cherries" height="285" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4101/4737108489_9cfbd7ee22_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737748212/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="ferris wheel down by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="ferris wheel down" height="319" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4119/4737748212_85eb92e2db_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737112625/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="ferris wheel view by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="ferris wheel view" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4737112625_8648af8c87_b.jpg" width="266" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737747250/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="eggs by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="eggs" height="264" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4081/4737747250_67cf577019_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737117989/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="quilt by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="quilt" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4097/4737117989_22ea1b8094_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737106459/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="caterpillar by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="caterpillar" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4737106459_f858a05c14_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737755344/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="shaved ice by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="shaved ice" height="400" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4115/4737755344_6dc055f4b7_b.jpg" width="267" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4737741232/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="bubbles by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="bubbles" height="372" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4114/4737741232_6e7a682ee2_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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::small-town parades<br />
::cherry picking <br />
::walking downtown to the Ferris wheel...<br />
::and the view of your house from the top <br />
::farm camp<br />
::a quilt at the car show<br />
::caterpillars<br />
::shaved ice<br />
::bubbles <br />
::looking forward to two more months.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-22698758819409496652010-06-23T15:38:00.001-05:002010-06-27T00:16:01.218-05:00a winner!Thanks to everyone who entered my little centennial giveaway...the winner (per random.org) was #14, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/yearofhandmade/">Colette</a>. Watch for an email from me later today--looking forward to collaborating with you!<br />
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A little Wednesday eye candy (and aren't these candy colors!?):<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4727833291/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="siggy swap fabrics by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="siggy swap fabrics" height="300" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1015/4727833291_3092fcdf9e_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Some Tula Pink <a href="http://tulapink.com/bio/hushabye-collection/">Hushabye</a> for round 2 of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/modernsiggyswap/">Modern Siggy Swap</a>. Planning to work on those blocks and finish <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4707791367/">the pillow</a> this weekend while my husband is relaxing by the blackjack table in Vegas. And maybe some hexagons while we stay the night at grandma and grandpa's? Nobody can tell me I don't live on the edge.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-67425200881982436432010-06-22T08:31:00.002-05:002010-06-27T00:16:22.176-05:00a different species of beeIf you're here from <a href="http://www.quiltingbeeblocks.com/2010/06/featured-bee-member-jessica-of-give-it.html">QBB</a>, welcome!<br />
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Speaking of quilting bee blocks, have you heard of the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/6x3bee/pool/">3x6 mini bee</a>, hosted by <a href="http://tigglegiggles.squarespace.com/">Tiffany</a>? A little different than a typical bee, but so much fun. Each quarter runs three months (hence the name), and the group for a particular quarter is divided into hives of seven. Each person makes six of the same block in the colors requested by each of the others.<br />
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Or, in my case, seven--one for me!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4723767445/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="my 3x6 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="my 3x6" height="300" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1358/4723767445_9ae7c096b7_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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The photos of the others are too embarrassingly dark/grainy/taken-at-midnight-like to be posted here, but they're up over on <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/sets/72157624207339335/">flickr</a>...<br />
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Five of the six (I asked for orange and pink) have already arrived...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4724416940/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="3x6 blocks 1 by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="3x6 blocks 1" height="300" src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1126/4724416940_afff983707_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Can't wait to get the sixth so I can start laying them out! And, of course, to get started on the next round...Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-58601465995324928202010-06-17T00:15:00.004-05:002010-06-27T00:16:01.220-05:00100th post, and a giveaway...of sorts. It's real, but it's a little off the radar, as are a lot of things I do on the blog and otherwise.<br />
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But first.<br />
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If you're here for info about the Mod Bento Block Swap, just click <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-bout-swap.html">here</a> or scroll down. Not quite two weeks before the suggested US mail date (June 28)...you've still got time! If you're on the fence, check out the gorgeous blocks over at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/modbentoblockswap/">flickr group</a>...just think: some of those could be yours!<br />
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Back on task.<br />
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I guess the 100-posts point is a sort of arbitrary time for blog reflection, but wanting to commemorate the occasion anyway while lacking a solid idea on how to do it has kept me on bloghold for 2+ weeks. No good. So I guess I'll just make it simple: after 100 posts, I like blogging, and I'm planning to keep going with it. Thanks to everyone who pops in here from time to time; your visits and comments make my day.<br />
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To celebrate, how about a giveaway?<br />
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It's a secret giveaway.<br />
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It involves a pattern, a quilt, and that whole "<a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/05/giveaway-day.html">custom work</a>" thing--speaking of which, a peek at Sharon's pillow-in-progress:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/42186091@N08/4707791367/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" title="sneak peek by give.it.a.go, on Flickr"><img alt="sneak peek" height="300" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4067/4707791367_ee6b0159d8_b.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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Beyond that info, you'll be in the dark either until you win or until you read the details here as they unfold. If you're willing to take the plunge, just leave me a comment; I'll draw a winner at random on Monday night.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8935225357344569354.post-79503496207237176862010-05-27T00:53:00.007-05:002010-06-27T00:15:41.231-05:00how 'bout a swap?As it's just about the only quilted thing that I have made and kept in my own home, I am a little bit obsessed with <a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/02/as-promised.html">this pillow</a>. Except I didn't make it in its entirety, which you already know if you've been around a while...Ashley, from the much-beloved Film in the Fridge, made it for her <a href="http://www.filminthefridge.com/2009/06/24/quartered-squares-a-modified-bento-box-block-tutorial/">Modified Bento Box Block tutorial</a>...and it became my first and only giveaway win.<br />
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I would love to make a full quilt like this someday...and might...but one day I got to thinking how much fun it would be to swap these blocks. And so, I give you <i>The Mod Bento Block Swap</i>...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/05/how-bout-swap.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w16/jakb3/mbbsbutton2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
...<i>mod</i> from Ashley's "modified" tutorial, and also for modern fabrics. The basic deal is that you make as many blocks as you want to, quarter them, mail them, and get back that same number of delightfully-mixed-up quarters for your own awesome project. Ashley was kind enough to allow me to base the swap on her tutorial--thanks, Ashley!<br />
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Through a little graph-paper geekery (which I'll post in the next day or two), I figured that you can get all of the components you need for one block from a quarter-yard (<i>not a fat quarter</i>) of fabric, and so 5 quarter-yards will yield 20 coordinating-but-different quarters. Do some assembly-line cutting and sewing, and end up with a great variety once the swap is done. Of course, these can be scrappy, too...more thinking, but maybe more fun.<br />
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Some ideas for smaller numbers of blocks (in case you're not up to making a full quilt's worth)...<br />
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<ul><li>4 quarters:: a pillow, 4 placemats</li>
<li>12 quarters:: a wall hanging, a table runner </li>
<li>20 quarters:: a lots-of-solids quilt (I'll throw some possible layouts around in the coming days), </li>
<li>48 quarters:: a lap quilt with dimesions like Ashley's original (40" x 54").</li>
</ul>Sound like fun? Here are the specifics of the swap: <br />
<ul><li>Please use modern (there's that "mod" again!), quilt-shop quality fabrics. There are <a href="http://www.psiquilt.com/2009/01/modern-siggy-swap.html">plenty</a> of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1197421@N20/discuss/72157623131327359/">lists</a> floating around the web of what constitutes "modern fabrics"--I'm guessing most people who are participating know them when they see them, butif you have a question, just send me an email or post to the flickr group. </li>
<li>There are no color police, but to keep everything coordinating pretty well, let's aim to use primarily neutrals and saturated colors and prints. Also, please try to use a mixture of colors in each block--no "blue-only" blocks, for example. Solids are great, and it's fine to use different fabrics within a particular "ring" of the block. </li>
<li>Please follow <a href="http://www.filminthefridge.com/2009/06/24/quartered-squares-a-modified-bento-box-block-tutorial/">the tutorial</a>! Nobody is perfect with seam allowances & block sizes (<a href="http://justgiveitago.blogspot.com/2010/03/frustration.html">least of all me!</a>), but the strips in each quarter need to line up fairly well with their neighbors in order for the blocks to look good. To allow a bit of wiggle room, let's go ahead and follow Ashley's suggestion of squaring up to 15.5" (before cutting), which will result in 7.75" quarters.</li>
<li>This is a centralized swap, which means you'll mail me your block quarters and a <b>stamped return envelope</b> (the same amount you used to send), and I'll mix everything up and send you back the same number that you made.</li>
<li>International swappers are welcome! I think the best way to deal with postage is through Paypal, which we can handle as needed. </li>
<li><i>A suggested mail date for US participants is June 28</i>. Allowing a week-plus for the blocks to get to me, I'll mail what I have on July 9. I'll plan to do another switch-and-mail for stragglers after a week or so if needed, but <i>for best variety, the blocks should arrive here no later than July 5</i>. </li>
<li>Feel free to keep one of your quarters (i.e., make a block, send me 3 quarters and keep one for your project).</li>
<li>I'll do my best to give you a variety of quarters, but depending on what I receive, you may end up with a couple from the same set of fabrics.</li>
</ul>If you're still with me (I know, I'm kinda wordy) and want to participate, please send me an email at <a href="mailto:bento.giveitago@gmail.com"> bento.giveitago@gmail.com</a> with your name, mailing address, and a guesstimate of how many quarters you'll send (not that I'll hold you to it--I'm just nosy).<br />
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From here on out, we'll handle questions, discussion, etc. at the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1413446@N20/">Mod Bento Block Swap flickr group</a>. Join us!<br />
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**edited to thank <a href="http://sewitsraining.blogspot.com/">Christina</a> for catching an error in the button code...if you've had trouble with it, try again as it should be fixed. Thanks, Christina!**Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10537827943736107308noreply@blogger.com7