tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11936843719384747112024-03-20T20:36:08.601-07:00Sew Inspired ... Sonnetsjillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-54437491180883940542011-07-14T06:15:00.000-07:002011-07-14T06:15:00.790-07:00Even When I Can't Sew<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdHUtaQmKsdgaX5f4X2wm6i_pRFxs2BKeu4ydKKyuqzAw-ELqngs-eKY0bVIp_ivhnLDjW0qJcj16rrsEm4-BcDoIJnRmEbJvnkM1TVX0LgpSgAIaSdn2zaGNQoWR66j5_JHOGDf4HEU/s1600/IMG_3065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSdHUtaQmKsdgaX5f4X2wm6i_pRFxs2BKeu4ydKKyuqzAw-ELqngs-eKY0bVIp_ivhnLDjW0qJcj16rrsEm4-BcDoIJnRmEbJvnkM1TVX0LgpSgAIaSdn2zaGNQoWR66j5_JHOGDf4HEU/s320/IMG_3065.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
When I was a little girl, I drew a lot. I would draw on anything. I doodled and the world just went away. When I am creating, I almost go into a trance. It is like I am not thinking at all. That probably sounds a bit weird to those of you who THINK you can't draw. I suspect you just try to control your drawing too much. So, there's an assignment for you....quit thinking and see if you can draw.<br />
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At any rate, the past few weeks have been very full of summer fun with our family. Lots of cooking, swimming in the pond, touring the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area. There is always so many amazing things to do...visit wineries, stop by the Amana Colonies for food and touring, go kayaking, attend the Farmer's Markets and just enjoy the parks and bike trails and walking trails. Even got a chance to go to a Kernels' game. They didn't win but we had fun cheering them on and enjoyed the fireworks. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsflvTSJKgNcojezYFHOeY75JsbeK1g3F4D3GeXLLPx_MrAD-_xZddvKyTw0LGcTKke2BWofImyNVJgm37gIhaIhMN2MC-nHoUvgrsGI0xChoElQuesscARYq8K32q3OFGKsNXMeby7ss/s1600/IMG_3066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsflvTSJKgNcojezYFHOeY75JsbeK1g3F4D3GeXLLPx_MrAD-_xZddvKyTw0LGcTKke2BWofImyNVJgm37gIhaIhMN2MC-nHoUvgrsGI0xChoElQuesscARYq8K32q3OFGKsNXMeby7ss/s320/IMG_3066.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
All of the busy-ness doesn't really get in the way of my creative energies. I can't quite help myself, even if I don't have a pen, pencil or sewing machine, I am doodling. I found myself doodling with glass beads. The magic baubles had been on the table as an embellishment. Each morning I would take my breakfast to the table and work it like a crossword puzzle, I rotated around our dining room table placing the glass pieces taking my bowl of oatmeal with me. After a few days, I had a whole canvas designed. The family was afraid to disrupt my finished project and eat there. Conversely, I view it as finished and am ready to disrupt it all because it is the process that is so important to me. <br />
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Now, I wonder what I could do with tiles on a floor....<br />
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All the Best to You, jilljillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-63372462409637630622011-06-03T06:06:00.000-07:002011-06-03T06:06:00.087-07:00Have You Had Your Mammogram?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r8PU2TvapH-_FVC7Phj_8xTD6-UYtCXU5OTx9EMJFZn2XWhK2LFs5izPWK2jghopA2f0h9zQ52oVQwtM0OEZbcdRaJ5qlJf7HK5ElNk2BEem8u9kBZmdZRprBUxDvFDQ78xm4EEajKs/s1600/IMG_9454.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7r8PU2TvapH-_FVC7Phj_8xTD6-UYtCXU5OTx9EMJFZn2XWhK2LFs5izPWK2jghopA2f0h9zQ52oVQwtM0OEZbcdRaJ5qlJf7HK5ElNk2BEem8u9kBZmdZRprBUxDvFDQ78xm4EEajKs/s320/IMG_9454.JPG" width="320" /></a>One of the fabrics in the collection, Fight Like a Girl 2, is a series of squares that I used for blocks in the quilt pieces I designed. While not the most poignant of phrases, I did include "Have You Had Your Mammogram?" I had an uncle who regularly asked this question. True. I was tempted to tell him, "NONE OF YOUR (insert explicative here) BUSINESS." However, after the first few times laughing him off, I realized that what he was asking was important! Early screening is our BEST tool for detection. Early detection is our best chance for fighting the disease. <br />
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While not having faced the disease (of breast cancer), I (like many of
you) have heard about every excuse for not participating in early
screenings. I (also like you) have lost friends and watched others
fight their way through the disease. I get regular mammograms because their examples of courage and facing their fears have inspired me. Sometimes I need to be reminded. If you love them, ask, "Have you had YOUR mammogram?"<br />
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It is so
important that we encourage one another to not only talk about breast
cancer (and other cancers) but that we be mindful of how grateful we
should be for the chance for everyone to get good health screenings.
Breast cancer treatment has come a long ways towards early detection
practices and treatments. Long before a cure is found, I hope that we
can help one another to face the fear...the fear of "what if" and all
the other profanities of our ignorance. While no one wants to hear they
have a mass or a lump or a "suspicious spot", we need to be
mindful that early detection is our best defense against the disease.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVMVgxTJ_MusfTi0_CoiRPYuJOFmiRYtk70HRdu5GZptW3_J6R-PAifPuwtqD9DOh44PBxLa0tKFWV1hbWR0Q5vBltURdz3jpQrE8e-1uytHUdgOqMvFc1Rz54jtX6uaJk8fDwCOJf9U/s1600/IMG_9448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIVMVgxTJ_MusfTi0_CoiRPYuJOFmiRYtk70HRdu5GZptW3_J6R-PAifPuwtqD9DOh44PBxLa0tKFWV1hbWR0Q5vBltURdz3jpQrE8e-1uytHUdgOqMvFc1Rz54jtX6uaJk8fDwCOJf9U/s320/IMG_9448.jpg" width="240" /></a>When
my family was young, I went through a period of time where I had to
keep repeating a form of cancer detection tests. When I got
my first "suspicious" test, I started planning my funeral (hey, I didn't say this was going to be reasonable). Even though
my doctor assured me that they weren't sure and I would just have to be
"watched," the angst on my doorstep was very heavy. After having to go
through the procedures repeatedly for more than a year, I had to get past my own
"far out there" fears and face some realities. The first truth I
discovered was that while I had a "suspicious" testing pattern, the
tests being administered these days are much more refined than those of
five years ago and are light years ahead of ten years ago.
Consequently, with all cancer screening procedures, we are bound to have more false positives. I learned in
this time of waiting not to dread the day that "suspicious" turned to
cancer but rather to consider that it is a miracle that we have testing
that can break down the elements of cancer and pre-cancerous and
suspicious.<br />
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More than that, during challenging times, we are all called to re-evaluate our priorities. I always think it is a matter of finding a better balance in our lives. Creating through sewing, drawing, crafting and much more isn't an addiction but rather it is my way of keeping a healthy balance in my life. Feeding the inspirations in my soul keeps me grounded and yet affords me the chance to soar. <br />
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My "suspicious" was resolved over time.
However, the lessons I took with me from the experience that lingered
with me for more than a year was that there was nothing to fear with the
screening. The advancements in medicine and our overall health care
have brought us to a point where it is so important that we talk about
how to keep ourselves healthy. Early detection screenings are just another tool in our health toolbox.<br />
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Fight Like a Girl in fabric is important to me for all of the
men and women who are afraid of cancer screenings. It is important for
me because I want everyone to know that there are places you can go to
get screenings for little or no cost. And, yes, we all pay a price of
some discomfort and some anxiety. BUT, the professionals and those who
are supporting the charitable organizations that offer free or low-cost
screenings are so incredibly caring and want us to participate.<br />
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All the Best to You, jill <br />
<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-37998018219628616722011-05-28T06:01:00.000-07:002011-05-28T06:01:00.256-07:00Sew Away Your Anxiety<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB77h7oGRDn0jlpq2vtOUzgcba_4O3onuPEYQ9pbecjchNP5RTM_z9jQdpZrYJlMA5BajAsTsh7pAa_lF4LrnGocda20Kv5l7b-4TgOCvfiL75lZb7G7x7pUgV8sU3XoGhskBH9rMn_Ko/s1600/IMG_9440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB77h7oGRDn0jlpq2vtOUzgcba_4O3onuPEYQ9pbecjchNP5RTM_z9jQdpZrYJlMA5BajAsTsh7pAa_lF4LrnGocda20Kv5l7b-4TgOCvfiL75lZb7G7x7pUgV8sU3XoGhskBH9rMn_Ko/s320/IMG_9440.JPG" width="320" /></a>As we have met many fighting cancer (and especially a large number wrangling with breast cancer), I am always in awe at how they pull together their emotional resources to find a way to bring healing in some part of their life. So many have told me that they sew to reduce their anxiety and that when they are not well enough, the inability to sew brings great sadness to them.<br />
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Using the same pink and black tones from the first collection of Fight Like a Girl, I
built upon the core reason why any of us really talk about breast
cancer. It is very important not only that we support those fighting
for their lives but also to bring awareness and shake off the fear.
Talking about breast cancer is challenging partially because of our
modesty but also because of our fear. I have heard women say they have
avoided screenings because they hurt, because they are afraid of "IF I
have cancer" and (of course) because it isn't a great amount of fun to
wait for that discovery. I have had friends who put it off for years to
find out they did or didn't have breast cancer and then play Russian
roulette with their health again by waiting. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEuqgbdmqXiG8G7n7q8t_MKYjUaWEtbrH0iBXYe_dqRiNRL6mbZnfGeLBWgTdf1agkDCkTfIzgQH0_qLnzb9c1otGfAxZ1iRAKMQy5BKl8881W38c4CM_7-4pT6SNt89_sQ-eqU3VqcM/s1600/IMG_9438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEuqgbdmqXiG8G7n7q8t_MKYjUaWEtbrH0iBXYe_dqRiNRL6mbZnfGeLBWgTdf1agkDCkTfIzgQH0_qLnzb9c1otGfAxZ1iRAKMQy5BKl8881W38c4CM_7-4pT6SNt89_sQ-eqU3VqcM/s320/IMG_9438.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
It is my sincere hope that Fight Like a Girl 2 will be a
fabric collection that people love because it is pretty but mostly that
it will serve as a reminder that self-examinations and cancer screenings
for breast health is the best chance we have for early discovery and
the best chance to give women a chance to "Fight Like a Girl!"<br />
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My favorite piece from this collection are the two fabrics that name the people we love and the people whose lives are touched by breast cancer. "Mother...Sister...Lover...Friend...Co-Worker...Sorority Sister...." etc I wanted this fabric to serve as a reminder of how many lives cancer touches. <br />
As I was machine quilting the pieces to be taken to International Quilt Market in Salt Lake City, I lingered on each of these titles and thought about the people in my life who have been touched by all kinds of cancers. The journey was significant, cathartic and a bittersweet time for me. <br />
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This fabric is for you....Betty Jo, Correy, Jane, Kay, Lori, Loretta and many more....you are so loved. <br />
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Fight Like a Girl fabrics will be in the stores in June. I am honored to have assisted Windham Fabrics with this collection. <a href="http://www.windhamfabrics.com/cgi-bin/fabricshop/gallery.cgi?Category=505">A portion of the proceeds from the fabric benefit the Maurer Foundation.</a><br />
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All the Best to You...jilljillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-10817671954903063262011-05-25T05:15:00.000-07:002011-05-25T05:15:01.639-07:00Yes, I Designed This<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXU7S_6SGADP5CRfm9BHd9STt_3SH8zsUwrUA3E_VsvoYhmau1-lXWFcgQzrEZ4_kUIijdlGlEVDQH2P0wijfswO4hN9q0vTJzxQ93YBW59Q2vzRMnw5xhJetARYZb9lvoDrB9efqFPc/s1600/IMG_9436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHXU7S_6SGADP5CRfm9BHd9STt_3SH8zsUwrUA3E_VsvoYhmau1-lXWFcgQzrEZ4_kUIijdlGlEVDQH2P0wijfswO4hN9q0vTJzxQ93YBW59Q2vzRMnw5xhJetARYZb9lvoDrB9efqFPc/s320/IMG_9436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I recently put the last stitches into my first venture into fabric designing. Working with friends at Windham Fabrics, I was honored to pull together the fabrics for their second collection for Fight Like a Girl. The fabric line was immensely popular in its first run in our store. I had some ideas for things I'd like to see in the subsequent collection and was asked to work with them on the designs. <br />
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I felt compelled to work on these fabrics because of the friends and family who have fought breast cancer. Yes. I do draw. In fact, I draw a lot. I have drawn all kinds of things all of my life but have only recently increased my collection of pens, markers, colored pencils and more. I've not given up my sewing or other crafting, just dug back into my psyche and welcomed that little girl who ALWAYS loved to capture things on paper. What a privilege it has been to be able to create the elements that are now being printed on fabric. More than that, I felt called to do this to heighten awareness in women about our breast health. If Fight Like a Girl 2 causes women to be reminded to tend to their health, the fabric has done what it was intended to do.<br />
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You can order the fabric from this collection. It won't be ready to ship for a few more weeks. You can place your order for Fight Like a Girl 2 on our web site (click HERE) and your order will be filled when the fabric arrives at our store. <br />
<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-55114205730457728652011-05-22T05:38:00.000-07:002011-05-22T05:38:00.850-07:0023 Years...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx4kmByllwj5RsuvFym6DkZ1qvLDfc31pyepakAmfLJNGLf2bG5hoOEgQqq1sYzNgHys8vv0yM5fDqurzFiSpI5ldG-SYXx4ON9mjeFC_ABdvuy5SXKs8Z_OXkRuYaFiioswMDs4TahM/s1600/Johanna.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWx4kmByllwj5RsuvFym6DkZ1qvLDfc31pyepakAmfLJNGLf2bG5hoOEgQqq1sYzNgHys8vv0yM5fDqurzFiSpI5ldG-SYXx4ON9mjeFC_ABdvuy5SXKs8Z_OXkRuYaFiioswMDs4TahM/s320/Johanna.gif" width="240" /></a>Today Henry and I wrap up 23 years of pre-collegiate education with our children. Not counting, pre-school, we have had a rotation of our five kids in school. Our youngest, Johanna, is graduating from high school today. It is sweet to see her launch on her promising future.<br />
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What an irony, though, as we have been getting house ready for the celebration of this milestone for our family, I have been contemplating how our thinking has morphed. I remember the days when we first became parents that every trip "to town" meant hauling all the necessities to the house....diapers, toys, clothes, groceries (oh, the GROCERIES!) Now I think about how to best get the kids to take their stuff with them, how to de-clutter a lifetime of collecting and make it meaningful to collect enough that the kids can enjoy the memories of their childhood and yet not so much stuff that it overwhelms them.<br />
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Over the years, my own life has morphed as well. With each transition, the next carried some of the previous responsibilities and much of the wisdom gained. As I went from a new bride to a mother and an elementary school teacher to my current line of work as a retailer, the titles melded into a great journey. It has been a path of GREAT INSPIRATION and I sit on the edge of my seat, anxious for what more will unfold before me.<br />
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I am honored to get to work in an industry that is creative not only on the facet of the artistic nature but more on the side of how to be an independent retailer in a time in history that it can be a real challenge. It is even more an honor that I get to live this life alongside those amazing people in my family. When our youngest, Johanna, was born we often had to endure people's all too-nosy questions about why we would embark on a journey with a "large family". I am grateful that I have no need or plan to offer any sort of "explanation." To attempt to do so would be to try to explain why one would (given the opportunity) NOT choose joy.<br />
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Our lives as parents to these five children has opened spiritual, emotional and intellectual horizons that we would never have imagined. Johanna has had to endure being labeled "the baby".... "the spoiled one", etc. Henry and I love it because neither she nor we even bother to defend or deny the labels. Johanna was born at a time when my work as a teacher, mentor and business person was morphing from being a home based business to being the retail entity that our store is today. The child grew up often sitting nearby and playing aside my sewing areas. Johanna has always amazed me. A quiet, gentle and wise young woman...I am honored to call her my daughter. I love you darling....with all my heart....mama (ok....so, NOW this post must end. I am speechless and prone to weep with how full my heart is for her.) I am so grateful to be part of this great and INSPIRING journey.<br />
All the Best to You....jilljillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-85987325578285309032011-05-19T03:35:00.000-07:002011-05-19T04:11:51.087-07:00Remembering Cindy...Part #4: Her Tradition of Passing on Love<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the second day sped past, the work on the three quilts got very focused and was down to tasks that could only be handled in smaller groups. Therese had made teddy bears from some polo shirts before the event and got the cousins going on a teddy bear project. Like everything else during the weekend, no one really knew these to be tough projects because we just presented them as something fun to do. And in a matter of a few hours, teddy bears started emerging from shirts. More teddy bears were cut to go home and grow into fully cuddle-able bears for other cousins.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVaGI_wyP2EeoDrnbcDeAjILZN5okjInrVviBvZh58EgyXoATWN7bUDJZnGCUesLcifBRneAHIT7hxVCo0N2faJX201MbCCrVm-icl1E2qZRd84uxo-LpaVAUgSS2M36lUPqGAAXTw6E/s1600/IMG_1935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVaGI_wyP2EeoDrnbcDeAjILZN5okjInrVviBvZh58EgyXoATWN7bUDJZnGCUesLcifBRneAHIT7hxVCo0N2faJX201MbCCrVm-icl1E2qZRd84uxo-LpaVAUgSS2M36lUPqGAAXTw6E/s320/IMG_1935.jpg" width="213" /></a>We even saw a bit of my family members becoming certified quilters (they started getting picky). By the second day,
most of the sewers had enough skill to navigate the blocks (which were cut by
those of us more experienced) in piecing. With the blocks then being
seamed, each set of seams came to the top of the quilt and then needed to be
top-stitched back. At this point in the process, my sisters-in-law
revealed one of their most endearing and unnerving traits. There was
intense focus on making sure that duplicate blocks never landed next to each
other. Interesting they go from being non-experienced in quilting to
perfectionists. (Therese and I are fairly sure given time we could work
them out of that nasty habit.)</div>
<br />
Introducing the auxiliary projects that
nieces and nephews could enjoy something hand made for themselves as a memoir
of Aunt Cindy brought a second wind to the efforts. Much beloved by family and friends, remembrances stirred
happy stories. At this point, everyone was freed up to dig into the clothing, knowing that re-purposing it gave it new life. While Cindy has been gone four years, her passion lived on as she passed on the love through inspiring her family to find new inspirations.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphhhLkAfZzBN2RL8xMia2ma7Eo2GojhBjQmgBlO1twUJTYFaHFkPNfab8q-2uzmG0Ri9y-TKNhgMn86d8I7oAAGbLmXUCXsrte6LyrkotLMRkvsQWo7np9ID0hYyGh5hVyrKJkYof2YU/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphhhLkAfZzBN2RL8xMia2ma7Eo2GojhBjQmgBlO1twUJTYFaHFkPNfab8q-2uzmG0Ri9y-TKNhgMn86d8I7oAAGbLmXUCXsrte6LyrkotLMRkvsQWo7np9ID0hYyGh5hVyrKJkYof2YU/s320/IMG_1849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
My daughter Johanna coached cousins in
cutting up sweatshirts to serge into five throws for Cindy’s
god-children. There were almost as many fleece sweatshirts as denim. While comfy, sweatshirts are too heavy for most t-shirt quilts and teddy bears. Therefore, we chose to cut them apart and serged them into throws. Therese flew through miles of fleece with her serger patching the bigger squares to little four patch squares. Shirt fronts, backs and sleeves were all entered into the throws. <br />
<br />
Some shirts even were made into pillowcases. Teaching people the "burrito method" of making a pillowcase, some sleepy heads will be resting and smiling. <br />
<br />
The denim pieces too small for the quilt were cut into 5”
squares for future handbag projects. With many charm bags that I favor, this will be an easy venture to take people into for the denim squares. Keeping the hardware and pockets will add character to the bags.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbvBJZ1U4Wb0_3oJfkNiIpn4Cp5ZQkS_Vy_aCLsxI-Q_caEirfVL1LxHftx-1vfBlW6nONJtEdKrX2y2SZEm9WC7csBPvrwhn7bYNrAutsCUSW84-avgzMhxUoTe7-HIPxJYUjyHgs8o/s1600/IMG_1895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFbvBJZ1U4Wb0_3oJfkNiIpn4Cp5ZQkS_Vy_aCLsxI-Q_caEirfVL1LxHftx-1vfBlW6nONJtEdKrX2y2SZEm9WC7csBPvrwhn7bYNrAutsCUSW84-avgzMhxUoTe7-HIPxJYUjyHgs8o/s320/IMG_1895.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"></span>The harmony of this sewing
project was so akin to the spirit of our sister Cindy. She was the
youngest girl in the family. Growing up, she was a quiet and studious
child. She was one of the hardest working people I have ever met. She regularly took on tasks that others might have avoided and did
so without complaint. But there was nothing weak and submissive about
Cindy. Her strength was in her service, her generosity and her can-do
attitude. The weekend of sewing was so much like her spirit. As
Cindy matured, the reserve (what one might have mistaken as shyness)
seemed to dissipate and revealed a sparkling persona, full of vitality and
enthusiasm. People were drawn to Cindy. Energetic and a great
amount of fun, Cindy was surrounded by many people who loved her
deeply. Reliable and constant, Cindy was appreciated by
many--friends, family and co-workers. I know she'd be very pleased with
the teamwork of her family.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBdsLdr95R0EVhdHVGJKMgs8dTlJn17z8bVB6CdE0VlaBb183ekNfbYMA-wORyQ10EDunGdPa0KrLt76Wj1szzlys10x2APFxQ4SpuG3vcUBQPzMuIkYMYXiAY4I6hqf0eLMWz4Yxcpw/s1600/IMG_2019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBdsLdr95R0EVhdHVGJKMgs8dTlJn17z8bVB6CdE0VlaBb183ekNfbYMA-wORyQ10EDunGdPa0KrLt76Wj1szzlys10x2APFxQ4SpuG3vcUBQPzMuIkYMYXiAY4I6hqf0eLMWz4Yxcpw/s320/IMG_2019.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"></span>Were there tears? One
would think the weekend would have been fraught with much distress.
However, I believe that Cindy's family discovered what many of us sewers and
quilters know. It is just cloth--fibers and threads woven together for
warmth. However, as we unwind the purpose of clothing to make it
coverings, we are simply re-purposing that which kept one warm to warm
many. While there have been many tears shed over the loss of this precious
and beautiful woman, this weekend was a time to celebrate and spread pieces of
her life to various family members and to send an especially big hug to her
husband and children. Cindy's love lives on, with many thanks to a family
that worked hard to put their pain and their healing by their hands into
remembrances.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqeV322jf-qNPqrLbOmlGXqoJBdefiM-PGF0WPPpjq6ID034Msf1_xzJWZNuIUHTyJqxcW6ziNpBRWJlBztpVAKhKvhcdENDettGDw1TYhma5QBVcW230OaV8GVs7uajFOohNgYGkJfs/s1600/DSC02134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiqeV322jf-qNPqrLbOmlGXqoJBdefiM-PGF0WPPpjq6ID034Msf1_xzJWZNuIUHTyJqxcW6ziNpBRWJlBztpVAKhKvhcdENDettGDw1TYhma5QBVcW230OaV8GVs7uajFOohNgYGkJfs/s320/DSC02134.JPG" width="320" /></a>If you have ever worked on re-purposing clothing, you likely know there comes a point in a project when you know you are done. When we came to the stack of sweaters, we pondered at great length until the teens reminded us that everyone needed a sweater for "Ugly Sweater Day". Whether this is a real commemoration or not, the style show that ensued was entertaining. As we sorted through the remaining pieces, we thought of things we could do. However, the tired of our minds and bodies were very telling in that we had worked through many things together in the way that people do who are seeking healing. It was a good feeling as we looked through the mountains of things completed. More than that, seeing the faces of all who took home something finished and something planned was encouraging. <br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGY7TAHJBXG2-fiz7gLMnkJcYREPTMLCiAWdrHOZvF3oAiM91cPc_5pmqETH7ucdZLJh7kw1csw58e3DOTZkYFxlbqEytEio1RYqQOaImeB-W_neDkWS-cbOH-X-_5ljj930VJggoI0s/s1600/IMG_2027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGY7TAHJBXG2-fiz7gLMnkJcYREPTMLCiAWdrHOZvF3oAiM91cPc_5pmqETH7ucdZLJh7kw1csw58e3DOTZkYFxlbqEytEio1RYqQOaImeB-W_neDkWS-cbOH-X-_5ljj930VJggoI0s/s320/IMG_2027.JPG" width="320" /></a>Going to our homes on that Sunday night, the exhaustion wore through every
muscle. However, the joy of the weekend was easy to spark perusing
hundreds of photographs taken during the weekend. The pictures of Cindy’s
family lovingly laboring over each project was humbling and pure grace.
(There were more than 550 pictures that we compiled!) The pictures of the Cindy’s children and husband cuddled in quilts made from
her clothing was enjoying watching them be embraced in Cindy’s love spread
through all of us to each other and to them. When I'd put the last stitches on the binding of the quilt, I have never had such an audience of people watching me sew. Working furiously to get around this very large quilt was made a bit more nerve-wracking with people watching me until one of them told me they just had never seen someone sew that fast. My poor sewing machine must have run non-stop for that full day. The last of the quilts was laid, spread out onto a large table. The room filled with a hush and without any coaching, the two kids fell face first onto the table into an embrace with the quilt. We all felt that same deep satisfaction.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU17xEhTKr0FtpnN7LfCDPhcYKfRFzFeNi6-BbZEhjL8uEVCmBgdGhMObvkDdtIHwGm3J11Zh3OzPKUYCRhj4GgRX9uox1JXMRk4yWHBa6JRNw5SSUwZe_keG2COgPprB9QY12Zk_mac/s1600/IMG_2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLU17xEhTKr0FtpnN7LfCDPhcYKfRFzFeNi6-BbZEhjL8uEVCmBgdGhMObvkDdtIHwGm3J11Zh3OzPKUYCRhj4GgRX9uox1JXMRk4yWHBa6JRNw5SSUwZe_keG2COgPprB9QY12Zk_mac/s320/IMG_2042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqzpbuVIi1IXES6KIG5YO77wYbt9vIuMVQ1CKFCIQNLbvZ9CVRu9kDGQVPnDSBJeG0BhMYwcCBcSs_hbcMGvFns2cC7jo4Yw6D1S5XLHJRrXQI6EZniohsIFCsjlD0pkd1HRwjNl7-Nw/s1600/IMG_1992.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJqzpbuVIi1IXES6KIG5YO77wYbt9vIuMVQ1CKFCIQNLbvZ9CVRu9kDGQVPnDSBJeG0BhMYwcCBcSs_hbcMGvFns2cC7jo4Yw6D1S5XLHJRrXQI6EZniohsIFCsjlD0pkd1HRwjNl7-Nw/s320/IMG_1992.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
Keith shared the following with me about the quilts,<br />
<br />
<i>Both of the kids absolutely love their quilts!! I think the first few nights of having it on her bed were kind of hard on our daughter. After she told me that, I told her to think of it as Mommy giving her a hug all night long! So now each night when I tuck her into bed she asked me to tuck the quilt in tight so as to feel Mommy's hug. </i><br />
<br />
Humbly and gratefully submitted, jilljillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-75754818781530689342011-05-16T05:01:00.000-07:002011-05-19T04:11:28.308-07:00Remembering Cindy...Part #3: Free to Be Cindy<style>
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<div class="separator">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSY-VEWS8Tp8K-VSEoljsP7iOnBYGRl4L5NVMSVBDkpXE856HU7GeIdySoBd7b2lU_SoZoHSu0i3ZesTGkluehSRFCQlQrvU7-C1NgTo6kEyO1GCtdMFYpbWvCBfLraOeBMOBnM6EWWU/s1600/IMG_1418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghSY-VEWS8Tp8K-VSEoljsP7iOnBYGRl4L5NVMSVBDkpXE856HU7GeIdySoBd7b2lU_SoZoHSu0i3ZesTGkluehSRFCQlQrvU7-C1NgTo6kEyO1GCtdMFYpbWvCBfLraOeBMOBnM6EWWU/s320/IMG_1418.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">In the quilt for Cindy's son, we all experienced what it was to be free to be Cindy. A hard working and studious student, farm girl and employee, Cindy's diligence was admirable. She was dependable and quiet about her diligence. However, it was clearly obvious in all that she did. People tend to worry about hard-workers, thinking their diligence could be their undoing. Yet, just as she was diligent, this woman knew how to be free to be Cindy! She embraced choices and lived abundantly. Work was work and fun was fun. And even for Cindy work could be fun. <a name='more'></a></span></div>
<div class="separator">
<span style="font-size: small;"> Her son's quilt and his choices show that living on in his life. </span></div>
<div class="">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkt2ghsh_E9xMXAWwIIdPY1cEGLyBd_ihKz4pxnctTw6wMQR_B19_aSMACWDTj4cxEWdV_fDdz-MlYhvabc-QJ_02iKNYrt9y70qwU47gVk4pkn16emoktkNv0WC_O7XipGYtQHQifyA/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkt2ghsh_E9xMXAWwIIdPY1cEGLyBd_ihKz4pxnctTw6wMQR_B19_aSMACWDTj4cxEWdV_fDdz-MlYhvabc-QJ_02iKNYrt9y70qwU47gVk4pkn16emoktkNv0WC_O7XipGYtQHQifyA/s200/IMG_1887.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">The
t-shirts and knit polo shirts and other knits became the base goods for the
quilts for the kids. Her son's quilt was primarily made of the graphics
of the t-shirts. He'd chosen his particular favorites. Then Keith,
his father, added ones that would depict Cindy's life that her son could know
more about her work, her interests and the things she really loved. Of
course, those well-loved t-shirts were faded, making them all that much more
favored and serving as powerful reminders. </span></div>
<div class="">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi31YkD8qtRKPrzQs3gCGFEJ0tgrbencS9BniXz74IApWWiYhhjZ_-6R68-Etrw3SsTQocOp1Oyas2LdsQIhDl7uDRAvCjIzOFHr1tzzTlPKsvnJm71YomDhd8iqeD42kqtaUTY7PoB8w/s1600/DSC00492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi31YkD8qtRKPrzQs3gCGFEJ0tgrbencS9BniXz74IApWWiYhhjZ_-6R68-Etrw3SsTQocOp1Oyas2LdsQIhDl7uDRAvCjIzOFHr1tzzTlPKsvnJm71YomDhd8iqeD42kqtaUTY7PoB8w/s320/DSC00492.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">Stories passed about the times
she wore those shirts in her work on the farm as a teen and young adult on into
the shirts she wore for activities like a softball team gathered from her
co-workers. The t-shirts with graphics were built into quilted segments
by family members. I'd gathered a backing and backing fabric from her
son's favorite fabric color choice. #1 on his list was orange. I'd
also asked him to tell me what color he absolutely did not want. That was
pink....easy to avoid. </span></div>
<div class="">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICLooav8D6HZCqhUAXS2ePk4-NWtG58PFdYMgJBxUMECFrxmokq0dEA_ykTotuvH_WpXRx3d6_s8J27v4qWfbWRm-_MqwyG8KfDyjhD0y7_yiKvDQTGQy_FWtgq1MfByLUuv3GobnF3Q/s1600/DSC02130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICLooav8D6HZCqhUAXS2ePk4-NWtG58PFdYMgJBxUMECFrxmokq0dEA_ykTotuvH_WpXRx3d6_s8J27v4qWfbWRm-_MqwyG8KfDyjhD0y7_yiKvDQTGQy_FWtgq1MfByLUuv3GobnF3Q/s320/DSC02130.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXHbv9MQu_U0E-TpbptETnDoPq1WOfJMSq2ftkOmiCEz0uSAIGSxFuN84KlwAICRiJdlBH2YEzQW1YzcCZm8gRhJZRjDHo6_bssPLMnUTIfKpioFEcEfVVnFcG8z8fNESJ_d_4-ekRfRw/s1600/DSC00495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><span style="font-size: small;">Watching the sisters build these segments
was magical. It was fascinating to me that they very much wanted to do
this. Giving them a rectangle approximately 20" x 30", they
would sift through the t-shirts and figure out a way of putting several
together to fill the space. Then Therese and I would coach them on how to
order the piecing to make all the elements fit. Sometimes it was a
process like building a log cabin block, other times it was row work and
sometimes it looked akin to paper piecing a BIG block. Whatever the process,
they didn't really know they were doing something incredibly
complex....designing a quilt on the fly is tough work, especially when one
needs to meld it together with elements being built by others. </span></div>
<div class="">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCZLXTXWv-QUQ2S_uHgVW4a7_a8LppNnAg2qQQ3jpMmNAYfCBydq3n6XPG1RytVt0SvJvfkeknbS6mWNuWxKZNYQkq9KsCMKs0mX3k08l4mvdzGC1rOOtPuI7XNDKOrzRZCXOQeBI9mw/s1600/IMG_1911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCCZLXTXWv-QUQ2S_uHgVW4a7_a8LppNnAg2qQQ3jpMmNAYfCBydq3n6XPG1RytVt0SvJvfkeknbS6mWNuWxKZNYQkq9KsCMKs0mX3k08l4mvdzGC1rOOtPuI7XNDKOrzRZCXOQeBI9mw/s320/IMG_1911.jpg" width="133" /></a><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<div class="">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4FfhmQzrw28f8fWvu66mktCqhWt0Fry0UbtZ6lZeTWcfVo37z3tys4Nt8GGlfSpqqA5PiHwyNb-30n-9cGH6IRIYlQyBwAY1e80fwKO4rvdaB18-dvSDb4m0PJ8v8-tCY4sFLapBvIU/s1600/IMG_1918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4FfhmQzrw28f8fWvu66mktCqhWt0Fry0UbtZ6lZeTWcfVo37z3tys4Nt8GGlfSpqqA5PiHwyNb-30n-9cGH6IRIYlQyBwAY1e80fwKO4rvdaB18-dvSDb4m0PJ8v8-tCY4sFLapBvIU/s200/IMG_1918.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: small;">To
bring together the units, I used a process of flat locking seams together
with a dense zig zag stitch and then sealing them on the back with a bias strip
(made from orange fabric, of course). Stitching on the left and right
side, the stitching was revealed on the top of the quilt. Then working on
the top of the quilt, I made another bias strip 1/2' wider than the back and
top stitched that to conceal the top seaming. This process consumed three
yards of fabric for all the bias strips and more than 1000 yards of YLI variations
thread (in orange--of course) for the stitch together process. The binding was the same
bias-cut as the joining strips and sewn on with machine. </span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTWLCUeO2Tpv5If-w90cfQf02vGda_tOOUINvFPHyQFGafHUaIKmroXE3ynfpnhybXrrVpkx5feMIZe6ye4pyXgUmXP_GOz9fvqNnQePokAKTuDI1mM1Rzr_xQwf8ckjya7O5NF5EXZc/s1600/DSCN0187.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTWLCUeO2Tpv5If-w90cfQf02vGda_tOOUINvFPHyQFGafHUaIKmroXE3ynfpnhybXrrVpkx5feMIZe6ye4pyXgUmXP_GOz9fvqNnQePokAKTuDI1mM1Rzr_xQwf8ckjya7O5NF5EXZc/s320/DSCN0187.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<div class="">
One sister who resides in Kentucky was unable to make the weekend event. She had asked that we send something to her to sew together. It quickly became obvious what that project would be when both kids clung to t-shirts that made them chuckle. </div>
<div class="">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1XupCq49lKU9DmsWW193Vx1E9nzMxzUGJDmXz-Dy4GlJDkTBesRPj6cHYoygkrM543TAUuqKRA_zgLgKM7LUBle9oSAieUQTKHxrVAWtUyOw4gevP5guUyHmjreIQABENkpPyC0W1LI/s1600/DSCN0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK1XupCq49lKU9DmsWW193Vx1E9nzMxzUGJDmXz-Dy4GlJDkTBesRPj6cHYoygkrM543TAUuqKRA_zgLgKM7LUBle9oSAieUQTKHxrVAWtUyOw4gevP5guUyHmjreIQABENkpPyC0W1LI/s320/DSCN0190.JPG" width="320" /></a>Her son's favorite showed Mt Rushmore on the front and the bared behinds of the statues on the back of the t-shirt. The t-shirts were even hard to pry out of the kids' hands when we told them we were going to prepare them for making into pillows. We sent the shirts and elements to Ruth. There was some concern that she might use editorial privilege on t-shirts. </div>
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While she DID do some editing, it was done as a temporary edit by adding briefs to the presidential bare behinds and in good humor. Nice touch! Everybody should be able to get mooned by a president!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x7CFJ6srvMfvuCpOBYJP_eo9QdQl8E787AvUl0-0nB6qwolGLDPOqHERGrJEr55PlU5auVOVp2CUA86phDgnO-oMFPhJD_o1tXMU2E_eygu1rIdmCw6ARXqu89JsoS4voQnOthBGoTs/s1600/DSCN0185.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5x7CFJ6srvMfvuCpOBYJP_eo9QdQl8E787AvUl0-0nB6qwolGLDPOqHERGrJEr55PlU5auVOVp2CUA86phDgnO-oMFPhJD_o1tXMU2E_eygu1rIdmCw6ARXqu89JsoS4voQnOthBGoTs/s320/DSCN0185.JPG" width="320" /></a>This project was originally slated for two weekends. But as, one could imagine, it is tough to get all these people for two weekends. That we were able to finish these projects in one weekend was really because WORK CAN BE FUN!</div>
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And what of the remainder of the clothes? Surely there were leftovers. Indeed there were, and Therese and I had a plan for them that is still going on. </div>
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The last of Remembering Cindy through our inspiration and creations will be in my next post, the last of this series.</div>
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All the Best to You, </div>
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jill</div>jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-40006358001013904952011-05-13T06:15:00.000-07:002011-05-19T04:10:47.127-07:00Remembering Cindy...Part #2: A Life of Practical and Pretty<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPdGDEhdX0q6KgYAVEgvwDpMzM0PnffpD7Rj-02XGkFZlQVFe87AjN1Cah1OiFv0P4mJ9ErG34R30NIp6VorOtu2ej75_DMaFAfmRy7fB8xisMOYru7LdLK_PQRKbOa_AzbeQWAhRnmU/s1600/IMG_1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzPdGDEhdX0q6KgYAVEgvwDpMzM0PnffpD7Rj-02XGkFZlQVFe87AjN1Cah1OiFv0P4mJ9ErG34R30NIp6VorOtu2ej75_DMaFAfmRy7fB8xisMOYru7LdLK_PQRKbOa_AzbeQWAhRnmU/s320/IMG_1769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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First off, I need to point out that while our extended family appreciates the enjoyment we have with quilting and sewing, for themselves, sewing tends to mean mending.
All members of the family own sewing machines. This event was for many of them their
first quilting venture and their sewing machines (and them) would never be the same. Armed with an earnestness to honor their sister’s
memory and create a loving quilt-hug for Keith and their children, my
sisters-in-law, mother-in-law and several nieces and nephews joined in this two
day adventure. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BaV-c5OHY6b0uaRda3p99VlAkMPXU5Th1OuiXCm8TTWvMIwMFRCE62gDnPxA-krRT1KGsNv4b5ca2yjOkuiAt9Ht9mAEjRm0VL1TgwA3nFqZoHBNIm__UYqsEsemSQF08uUh1fYS0BU/s1600/IMG_1703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_BaV-c5OHY6b0uaRda3p99VlAkMPXU5Th1OuiXCm8TTWvMIwMFRCE62gDnPxA-krRT1KGsNv4b5ca2yjOkuiAt9Ht9mAEjRm0VL1TgwA3nFqZoHBNIm__UYqsEsemSQF08uUh1fYS0BU/s320/IMG_1703.JPG" width="320" /></a>Therese and I focused on having the family sewing be as much of
their hands as possible. To this end, we planned the projects so that
they were (for the most part) quilt-as-you-go techniques. With around 17
people sewing for two days straight, we had various stations of activities
going on throughout the two-day stretch. Cutting denim, fusing stabilizer
to t-shirts, planning, were all rotated tasks. We’d encouraged people to
participate in several different steps to combat boredom with some tasks.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKn55YEmC2_T8vRWytMveaS8Cb6by6JszVyOcRbXj4H1uYZU3xt2xY4WNwCVhHQHHj_M6HTjx6TqxU9FHw3m4NG9vKeMjj27vzmkOtvDpsGCwbtwG_GDpFdhun-4AXtm-iAQLAtXx4Zk/s1600/IMG_1751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkKn55YEmC2_T8vRWytMveaS8Cb6by6JszVyOcRbXj4H1uYZU3xt2xY4WNwCVhHQHHj_M6HTjx6TqxU9FHw3m4NG9vKeMjj27vzmkOtvDpsGCwbtwG_GDpFdhun-4AXtm-iAQLAtXx4Zk/s320/IMG_1751.jpg" width="213" /></a>The first quilt we tackled wasn't necessarily the most difficult nor the easiest but it was a chance for us to get everyone involved in serious cutting and sewing. Cindy's life was about her family, her friends and her labors. Denim is an appropriate fabric for who this woman was....practical and pretty. The desire to have a denim quilt seemed easy because Cindy wore a LOT of denim. Like many of us, she had many pairs with a variety of wear. The challenge with denim quilts is keeping them light enough to be comfortable for whatever use. We blended the denim with brushed cotton fabrics, in colors Keith liked, and no batting to keep the project light. <br />
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You just can't believe how much denim you can pull from a mountain of jeans. We spared the pockets and metal buttons. Cutting the denim into rectangles for the quilt, we then spared the remnants into 5" squares, all pockets and hardware. We have a future plan of making handbags from these elements for family members.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bbucj7DQaE95FOjZfTC99aRl342Ko3-M6rqi1qeGeVX4AFHt3KblzbngInCLE8U8h8aeYX45jxUJaRyg2ln4XW_Yp9321xIapNb70hxSp_HQvjC7Xu3m6k41NHfpM4dUuWM3ZiXNlNs/s1600/IMG_1807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bbucj7DQaE95FOjZfTC99aRl342Ko3-M6rqi1qeGeVX4AFHt3KblzbngInCLE8U8h8aeYX45jxUJaRyg2ln4XW_Yp9321xIapNb70hxSp_HQvjC7Xu3m6k41NHfpM4dUuWM3ZiXNlNs/s320/IMG_1807.jpg" width="213" /></a>Partway into this section of the project, we started people on the next projects (t-shirt quilts). Knowing that people would need a break from the tedium of cutting, sewing and clipping the denim, we had some move on and others stayed with the denim project. The denim quilt became almost king-sized which was much to Keith's liking. A segment of denim for a smaller throw was spared from the king-sized piece. The remnants await some eager sewers later and they filled the size of two small milk crates. Of course, one of our favorites was the cousin's sporting of the remaining pieces of the denim jeans. Such fashion divas....Aunt Cindy would be proud that her humor and functionality lives on. (Um...yes, that head-band is a tube top....we just couldn't find a good re-purpose for it....yet. But this smart niece was using her head!)<br />
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For everyone in attendance, the facts that making this many quilts in a
matter of two days is daunting for even experienced sewers and we didn't reveal
that to them until we knew what they COULD do. We figured
the less they knew about "normal", the better. Their enthusiasm
was motivating. Plus, I know these women fairly well. When I joined
the family more than 30 years ago, days of work on the farm were long and their
work ethic is still daunting. A day of baling hay or picking up rocks
wasn't complete without adding in gardening, cooking, milking cows, feeding
pigs and tending to the many household tasks of tending to the needs of a
large, busy family. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVkt2ghsh_E9xMXAWwIIdPY1cEGLyBd_ihKz4pxnctTw6wMQR_B19_aSMACWDTj4cxEWdV_fDdz-MlYhvabc-QJ_02iKNYrt9y70qwU47gVk4pkn16emoktkNv0WC_O7XipGYtQHQifyA/s1600/IMG_1887.JPG"><span style="color: blue;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQMGE5UREXUn8K_ebeScpZJD1JhUtqXgpResRLsoyiW40_Wj8m6CYB2jZbCVGnJxdyk-Udo5E4Y-Zy2BjndggNDSCAo4fWKU4eriiJc8tIUZRyprqxiIc_6-8lhLHa621U6p0FchYkrM/s1600/IMG_1862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivQMGE5UREXUn8K_ebeScpZJD1JhUtqXgpResRLsoyiW40_Wj8m6CYB2jZbCVGnJxdyk-Udo5E4Y-Zy2BjndggNDSCAo4fWKU4eriiJc8tIUZRyprqxiIc_6-8lhLHa621U6p0FchYkrM/s320/IMG_1862.jpg" width="213" /></a>Like their sister Cindy, these dedicated women tackled their tasks with an earnestness that was
amazing to even to die-hard sewers like Therese and myself. They worked
tirelessly for hours on end pouring their hearts into this project.
At the end of the first day, we estimated that we had accomplished nearly 2/3
of the first three quilts, the quilts for Cindy’s husband and children were the
first priority. <br />
<span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none;"></span>Therese and I kept encouraging
the group that we were so impressed with their amazing progress.
Frequently, though, we were accused of our being false optimists. My
sisters-in-law were sure that other (more experienced) sewers could have
finished much more. Therefore, I am leaving this blog as testimonial to
many of you (my quilting friends) to give comment to the family at the volume
of accomplishment in this weekend.<br />
<br />
Let me say that only two of us
were able to rotary cut. We taught a couple of others to rotary
cut. However, none of them ever mastered Therese’s and my cardinal rule
to rotary cutting: ALWAYS closing the cutter after each cut. Many
of them never moved past calling the thread in the bottom of the sewing machine
a “bobber”. Most “BOBBER winding” had to be done by those of us who know
machines. For whatever they lacked in sewing techniques and terminology,
they surely made up for it in tenacity and determination.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV22B23mf4Cee_HBYbSNUwXbECqKLhKL5GnBDepfgGR89vLuOpG2ymrK1q8vBe23dz7s7PmZvLFaowV-rbk6jFC78HUdtmJRm8Us9JMSWLv3q9yonHz9dLRF7u-bbM_uAIvci9v8c-YKA/s1600/DSC00080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV22B23mf4Cee_HBYbSNUwXbECqKLhKL5GnBDepfgGR89vLuOpG2ymrK1q8vBe23dz7s7PmZvLFaowV-rbk6jFC78HUdtmJRm8Us9JMSWLv3q9yonHz9dLRF7u-bbM_uAIvci9v8c-YKA/s320/DSC00080.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
Another beautiful set of gifts flowed all around this event. My
sisters-in-law are some of the best cooks and bakers around. They fed us
all weekend. The array of foods and their nourishment was a vital part and as pretty as the array of color in fabric and texture for
the weekend. Their chipping in on so many levels just added to the spirit
of the weekend. <br />
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There was TRULY a spirit of love and passion flowing among these amazing
people. Therese and I felt privileged to be part of this amazing outpouring
of love and its manifestation of charity and generosity.<br />
<br />
More Remembering Cindy...in my next post...<br />
All the Best to You, jill <br />
<br />
<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-77327065138183524832011-05-10T05:47:00.000-07:002011-05-19T04:08:42.308-07:00Remembering Cindy...Part #1: A Life Sparkled with Color<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCs7ptuPs92L4YHwg92iO9sT3_O_CFgfBSfPHDdt-vlqEZ_HhQSAemVGWp2Viv3emmvU_rA8HDxUDYVESg1kEjrFL3bNY020eNqDycOF8W6zCnfknq09iiKLLO-3NacHqEG5UtVW0YH4/s1600/Cindy+Reicks+Jerdee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfCs7ptuPs92L4YHwg92iO9sT3_O_CFgfBSfPHDdt-vlqEZ_HhQSAemVGWp2Viv3emmvU_rA8HDxUDYVESg1kEjrFL3bNY020eNqDycOF8W6zCnfknq09iiKLLO-3NacHqEG5UtVW0YH4/s320/Cindy+Reicks+Jerdee.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
One king-sized denim quilt, one king sized t-shirt quilt,
one queen sized pieced shirt quilt, five fleece throws, several teddy bears,
pillowcases and a weekend of exhausting joy….</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV22B23mf4Cee_HBYbSNUwXbECqKLhKL5GnBDepfgGR89vLuOpG2ymrK1q8vBe23dz7s7PmZvLFaowV-rbk6jFC78HUdtmJRm8Us9JMSWLv3q9yonHz9dLRF7u-bbM_uAIvci9v8c-YKA/s1600/DSC00080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Four years ago, my husband's sister, Cindy was killed in an
automobile accident. Survived by
her husband and two young children, Cindy left a legacy of love and kindness for all who knew her.
After her death, Cindy’s sisters helped to move and store her clothing with plans to make
quilts for her family when they were able. Being from a very resourceful family, my sisters-in-law wanted to make something for Cindy's children from her clothing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYIJT-yeRWXNscyrT-CT4FyrE__KV4w6uuVrkDYJqBkMqzO8hnYcd2jTgaFAuTGuarSiDG028O-kko_vveBHJPlWN0TYUaegPISfhU49V_h0k88bJpurgxq9SMkS39SvRfJVKGgbkrz0/s1600/IMG_1372.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAYIJT-yeRWXNscyrT-CT4FyrE__KV4w6uuVrkDYJqBkMqzO8hnYcd2jTgaFAuTGuarSiDG028O-kko_vveBHJPlWN0TYUaegPISfhU49V_h0k88bJpurgxq9SMkS39SvRfJVKGgbkrz0/s320/IMG_1372.JPG" width="320" /></a>While most quilters recognize this practice as the origins of our craft, few of us are really willing to embark on such an adventure. With all the fabric choices available, we more prefer to take new fabric and carefully select our colors and designs and patterns. Those who don't quilt but reminisce about how quilting "ought to be" don't always understand this journey. However, I often find these are the same people who think that it isn't really a quilt unless hand-quilted. When I go back to beating clothes against a rock rather than using my laundry to get the real experience of washing clothes, I will agree with the nay sayers. Nonetheless, even those of us who ascribe to modern quilting techniques are pulled strongly to the love of texture and color in clothing. The clothing people choose is artful and enticing. The art of pulling together an array of fabrics from worn clothing is quite a feat. I cannot deny that their enthusiasm and passion for this project propelled Therese and myself to find a way to make sure that they each had as much of a hand in the project as was possible.<br />
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The other enchanting component to this project was the process of sorting through Cindy's clothing showed her love for color families. Cutting through many pairs of denim we were reminded of Cindy's comfortable demeanor, always putting people at ease. Her love and care for people was so genuine. She often dressed her denims with vibrant colored tops that made her blue eyes sparkle even more. She likely never realized all these things about herself, but we knew. Aquas, pinks, lavendars, blues and occasional greens made the quilts easy to pull together. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4w5j9yRuMQ0Fwk79BFqmqVSVZ7ij5VkLPgJvjt6X7Wn6gJShWnK9taPA-u0OcVrwj8Aio0IP_V99sFVtDOs7UXbGXvEi17Ufs33rXyMdG7hDKaXmZQU_FSlQcKdzD_RbThCHWN_Z9kT4/s1600/IMG_2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4w5j9yRuMQ0Fwk79BFqmqVSVZ7ij5VkLPgJvjt6X7Wn6gJShWnK9taPA-u0OcVrwj8Aio0IP_V99sFVtDOs7UXbGXvEi17Ufs33rXyMdG7hDKaXmZQU_FSlQcKdzD_RbThCHWN_Z9kT4/s320/IMG_2010.jpg" width="213" /></a>Cindy's daughter's quilt was made with a process of quilt-as-you-go that
is a blend of three different techniques. Her daughter worked with
family members to put together shirts in groups of three colors. She
helped to draw a block that was then repeated with the three fabrics in
each block. I'd asked about her favorite colors and
what color(s) she absolutely did not want. Green was the color of
choice and pink was NOT to be in the quilt. Oddly enough, we pulled
together seven fabrics from a Moda collection that were primarily green
with some hints of other colors, including pink. The great thing about
green in a quilt like this is that it is a good blender with the other
fabrics. Green, the color of nature, goes with nearly everything.
Like the t-shirt quilt made for her son, all of the fabrics required adhering a fusible
woven stabilizer to the back to secure them for piecing. Then the green fabrics selected served as the sashing and the backing of the quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWghyphenhyphenMxgWT3dbzTDOEYekBcDU2iAm3bc56tiSpWJXOEsscWlOIDa-isHjWelRDxPaZOKU6Si6Fpc0NDgR3StxNyOM6YC52hEXc0sIv1vBuvfa2_kvW34bdlYALwHp4Fk6pUOFBM-2uVqE/s1600/IMG_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWghyphenhyphenMxgWT3dbzTDOEYekBcDU2iAm3bc56tiSpWJXOEsscWlOIDa-isHjWelRDxPaZOKU6Si6Fpc0NDgR3StxNyOM6YC52hEXc0sIv1vBuvfa2_kvW34bdlYALwHp4Fk6pUOFBM-2uVqE/s320/IMG_1758.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sHqNYaU4U0ALueMfvMvdx4Nx_r6lZvDpunV0i0_qkSeWXaeiLLsquEFsUvSbJ3sQQzwfQqlca6IQVCO1GO2XeJstYcwJ0kf_8o2I1w5bnLzu50EYqoilTobcrFst7XN-AQzxbgfEbFo/s1600/IMG_1818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sHqNYaU4U0ALueMfvMvdx4Nx_r6lZvDpunV0i0_qkSeWXaeiLLsquEFsUvSbJ3sQQzwfQqlca6IQVCO1GO2XeJstYcwJ0kf_8o2I1w5bnLzu50EYqoilTobcrFst7XN-AQzxbgfEbFo/s320/IMG_1818.JPG" width="320" /></a>While all of us extended family sewed diligently on the quilts and projects, it was especially inspiring to experience sewing alongside Cindy's children. Both pitched in on the project with enthusiasm. Surrounded by many of their "fun cousins", the kids usually absorb all of their energies in playing with cousins at family events. I don't think any of us expected to see Cindy's son and daughter sewing for hours on end. I would venture that they sewed at one point for 4-5 hours straight on Saturday on the denim quilts. There were other stretches when they helped with building teddy bears and the quilts that were remarkable as well, but their fascination with the process and their diligence was both inspiring and humbling. <br />
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More Remembering Cindy....in my next post......All the Best to You, jill<br />
P.S. for those of you who knew Cindy or were inspired by this message, feel free to share your sentiments. I will pass them on to the family. <br />
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<br /></div>jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-39710848127975042572011-05-07T06:19:00.000-07:002011-05-19T04:07:17.400-07:00My Mother's Day Card to Our Children<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTw-144hGD9J7-Y8-RD5SmTj_4-YA5YAIQOo1QqwCMBtX7a_UHc4vQC6UwKjR2ekUm7_Mh2oI401aRY4mxBDDZWQcketCBI5T7fTqe5VLn79Tu8Z5TvXm7dwWaoJnMkqhG-tNO_lEcu8Y/s1600/Family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTw-144hGD9J7-Y8-RD5SmTj_4-YA5YAIQOo1QqwCMBtX7a_UHc4vQC6UwKjR2ekUm7_Mh2oI401aRY4mxBDDZWQcketCBI5T7fTqe5VLn79Tu8Z5TvXm7dwWaoJnMkqhG-tNO_lEcu8Y/s320/Family.jpg" width="320" /></a>Mother's Day brings its share of hype and attention as per the greeting card makers, florists and about every other marketing entity that can attach to it. For some this is a day of true recognition. Some stand in front of the cards trying to find the card that says not too much, not too little and even the attempts to say it all over the top can cause even such a minor gesture to be emotionally revealing.<br />
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A good friend of mine has always been challenged by her relationship with her mother. She often will say, "THIS is just one day. THIS is just one day.....just one day."<br />
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Then there are the mothers that I consider who have suffered loss and how this one day can bring such pain. The children who have lost mothers endure the physical loss of a mother, the emotional loss and sometimes the absence of a mother who was there, but wasn't there also hold a place close to my heart. For all of these too, we remember, "THIS is just one day." <br />
<br />
Yet, I am aware that my own children are wondering how to best say what they might feel a need to say, what they want to say and what they are afraid to say to their own mother. Regardless of what kind of mother they think I am, I am humbled and honored by THEM. Of course, it is obvious without them, I wouldn't be even thought of on Mother's Day.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVvl6FLGi5FP4Zqjf8obnrPZy8mIXdLRppe_vQjfM5GBSzieujg4yY_XAm3f3bBIV1dKCBKLUmBW8D4dJdfPl4wCCnHnRPYQ1xDHr391uBUPY7Ab7P7AdqUKXc6B1q9epcVYXpsyVUoM/s1600/Family01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVvl6FLGi5FP4Zqjf8obnrPZy8mIXdLRppe_vQjfM5GBSzieujg4yY_XAm3f3bBIV1dKCBKLUmBW8D4dJdfPl4wCCnHnRPYQ1xDHr391uBUPY7Ab7P7AdqUKXc6B1q9epcVYXpsyVUoM/s320/Family01.jpg" width="214" /></a>Growing up, I never really thought about being a mother. I don't remember holding baby dolls or dreaming of names for someday-children. It wasn't really a matter of not wanting it, I just never really thought being called mother would be a part of my life. I think I knew what an awesome responsibility it would be that it truly intimidated me.<br />
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Now as I consider these people who call me "Mom" or "Mama" or "Meme" or even "Mommy", I can be brought to tears with just the sound of their voices. These amazing people in my life have freed me up in ways that I never could have visioned. Monica, Therese, Victor, Teddy and Johanna showed me that I can be their mother and be a professional business woman, a creative energy, a friend, a mentor and a person of community while still being my unique self and their mother. As my son Victor has said, "I am terminally unique." (Yet, another of the many lessons I have learned from my children.)<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFoVh5RBktUis7NleV5g3_hb8x5rtTWJ29bMfgj0iPMv1q_qwol9jqmK22cTgesjR8Ra3CtPBzJpI2O07hz0XpvYrs_9TxyindXw-RTZDiYbhWfj1v1csX2uhGDKOfEE1rKQ5k6YYno4/s1600/Family03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCFoVh5RBktUis7NleV5g3_hb8x5rtTWJ29bMfgj0iPMv1q_qwol9jqmK22cTgesjR8Ra3CtPBzJpI2O07hz0XpvYrs_9TxyindXw-RTZDiYbhWfj1v1csX2uhGDKOfEE1rKQ5k6YYno4/s320/Family03.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
They freed me to face humility with grace and the knowledge that there is little any of us can do to throw ourselves out of the love of those most dear to us. I am not talking about labor and delivery type of humbling but rather the experience of living your own life and being part of theirs while letting them discover their own personhood. For me it was always an envigorating challenge to find ways to help the kids discover their own unique skills and to make choices that helped them to discover their own voice. It doesn't always happen in a neat progression, but I am glad Henry and I got to witness and live it with them. Starting with the little stuff like smiling when one of them decided that cowboy boots could go with your dress for the Christmas concert might have horrified other mothers, but I loved that the child felt free enough to be that person. Becoming a parent means forfeiting our own visions and sitting on the edge of seats with great anticipation to see what they will discover. Wow....what a privilege this has been!<br />
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I haven't always been the kind of mother I'd probably hoped to be. I suppose I thought I could learn to be the quiet, demure type of mother--somewhat like the image that I conjure up when I think of the Madonna. (I am sure my kids are likely rolling on the floor with that image.) Nonetheless, those five would smile and tell me they would never have wanted me to be that kind of mother. While I respect that woman, I am a little less graceful and likely less grace-filled. Maybe this happened because of our children but more likely, I am a painter. If I paint the world with joy and freedom, I am likely to get a lot on myself too.<br />
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I want to be my children when I grow up. Each of these wonderful people exemplify passion and diligence and great care in all they do. They don't always do it perfectly or easily, but they live life with little or no regret. When I tend to hold back in my own life, they are first to remind me that I expected no less of them and that at this particular time I ought do no less than give my best and most earnest efforts with my whole heart and being.<br />
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As a human being, I would love to be a person of wisdom and grace and great faith. I aspire to these traits and values. I have a hard time seeing these in myself. Yet, the glimpses I enjoy in our children afford me the chance to take this moment in time to deliver my own Mother's Day Recognition to our children. If my role as their mother means I get to see the sparkle of great faith or wisdom or grace in them, then I am honored to enjoy being witness to that in their lives and that is enough for me...enough in that I can witness it even when I can't achieve it.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwXSNuvfMRWhh8zWuiO6uNNwCCZM4X1oBq9UsFVtpeJnRvBFzfEEQNxO-Iwv6BhCYZo1_OLCn8q42ZmTBoGQP-FZck-37zw8ppF8CI2t605shY94bALZiwkBsBvz6OBy3e80Xda3KWD8/s1600/Snow+2011+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikwXSNuvfMRWhh8zWuiO6uNNwCCZM4X1oBq9UsFVtpeJnRvBFzfEEQNxO-Iwv6BhCYZo1_OLCn8q42ZmTBoGQP-FZck-37zw8ppF8CI2t605shY94bALZiwkBsBvz6OBy3e80Xda3KWD8/s320/Snow+2011+103.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
The word "Inspire" means "to breathe life into..." my role as mother is in large part breathed by the Spirit through them. Everything that flows from my pen, from my sewing machine, my hand, my heart is freed up in a mighty manner by being privileged to be mother to them.<br />
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This Mother's Day I am honoring these stubborn, resilient, creative and spirited beings I enjoy calling my daughters and sons. It is my sincere hope that whether you birthed your own or you are privileged to be able to mother others that you enjoy not so much what you have given them but rather you are able to celebrate all that they have inspired in you! All the Best to You...jilljillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-91614257529337903412011-05-05T10:19:00.000-07:002011-05-19T05:27:17.851-07:00More Flip Flap...!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VZlM2I037v5YrRVoCpsHNIENTxqXjegeLwFAdLhDuAULTOCozYMmaP-WM_G6xTz6QduYlfGnaFVFc8-FvwH7JK9pNIsAQFCn1PZWIRlBmmr9rffReH0OCjODRYoZ5jF12ohQqGY2tl4/s1600/IMG_2210.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1VZlM2I037v5YrRVoCpsHNIENTxqXjegeLwFAdLhDuAULTOCozYMmaP-WM_G6xTz6QduYlfGnaFVFc8-FvwH7JK9pNIsAQFCn1PZWIRlBmmr9rffReH0OCjODRYoZ5jF12ohQqGY2tl4/s320/IMG_2210.JPG" width="320" /></a>These were actually the first <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2879&IdCategory=0">Flip Flap bag</a>s that I made. I al<br />
<a name='more'></a>ways believe that when you make one purse, you ought to make at least a second one. <br />
All that you learned making the first one, will make the second sew in much less than half the time of the first. I certainly found that to be true of these Flip Flap bags.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni9wRLezgOUsWjigy8G2FJPGeZ9hTvtr1R6LGIPSIAJ0N2HHMW2L6LT6qOJKJ5DEoJ6MM1-2XOjoLv_NBpBKkdL3hzZGSQwe-HlguBbZqXqEo3C9nBKC1yzZ6zvYyp8AA2ORnLQsZncM/s1600/IMG_2203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni9wRLezgOUsWjigy8G2FJPGeZ9hTvtr1R6LGIPSIAJ0N2HHMW2L6LT6qOJKJ5DEoJ6MM1-2XOjoLv_NBpBKkdL3hzZGSQwe-HlguBbZqXqEo3C9nBKC1yzZ6zvYyp8AA2ORnLQsZncM/s320/IMG_2203.jpg" width="213" /></a>Using four fat quarters for each bag, I was able to get the bag, the handles, the lining and the extra flaps and secret pockets entirely out of the fat quarters. Clean and clear instructions made this so simple and fun to make.<br />
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We all have some fat quarters sitting around that we can't find the matching fabrics and don't know what to do with them. Too many to just give away and too few to make a quilt....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklr8XHPQMFS_38Fn77ihxmtY3sSkEpI0An3HxCO7HQoPWtJgYmeCwKnX-p5xrvnXtvt-qregIX14i81EsQJPaBqW1BCDAL8eVLiQ8ilZz3a_2IvUoj5kP_lTUW8CEn0_rcxYWwszznPs/s1600/IMG_2207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgklr8XHPQMFS_38Fn77ihxmtY3sSkEpI0An3HxCO7HQoPWtJgYmeCwKnX-p5xrvnXtvt-qregIX14i81EsQJPaBqW1BCDAL8eVLiQ8ilZz3a_2IvUoj5kP_lTUW8CEn0_rcxYWwszznPs/s320/IMG_2207.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAAI1B_HKmqZ2pN-fr4c65sGcFRKEZCXIcxkzmV-9EVzoMSqHBnDdlmZTBL8ytc3Q8yoQ8MrhQik1Z9r3l-ElRX-U3xquFKG6Ywc8jh7vZQWfdHoXYrxhaSLDwuAqna8Kw8zG-psuC3fY/s1600/IMG_2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVqCE8eeA-7w7_iYf-ZxasX8oKHb0Dr2PTectY-6sUwdjOoGNo9YmT2-CDMbjM36CNMdzXE18_pahrUaKAnFL6nr6d5awAgNB8FcLA6V4f9c-YEpyb5t_1bF1itMBc2PZFzA5DV0ECzU/s1600/IMG_2215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQVqCE8eeA-7w7_iYf-ZxasX8oKHb0Dr2PTectY-6sUwdjOoGNo9YmT2-CDMbjM36CNMdzXE18_pahrUaKAnFL6nr6d5awAgNB8FcLA6V4f9c-YEpyb5t_1bF1itMBc2PZFzA5DV0ECzU/s320/IMG_2215.JPG" width="320" /></a>When I finished these bags, I knew I wanted to embellish them with buttons. Much to my surprise, we have hair ties in the store that are made from stacked buttons. I found the PERFECT button set in the hair ties, re-fashioned it to be a decorative button for one of the bags. The other bag is sporting a set of doubled up Dill buttons. <br />
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Now that outer flap is just screamin for some machine embroidery....more later. All the Best to You, jill<br />
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<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-79750126510724137512011-05-04T05:47:00.000-07:002011-05-19T05:20:13.471-07:00Afternoon Sewing with Therese<style>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ovaGB1AP5WH8PiQ2sekbc_ZHpb5Q-8uTv3qpwEv1WVyr0ezHijgMJTyKE0hF1LvANeqsv55-8CrNG3mlC59CHVQos_-uEJHD9Pm_TYbjqTReHN7J6OJP80UROoik7KfUkheO_Nb5zoA/s1600/IMG_2187.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ovaGB1AP5WH8PiQ2sekbc_ZHpb5Q-8uTv3qpwEv1WVyr0ezHijgMJTyKE0hF1LvANeqsv55-8CrNG3mlC59CHVQos_-uEJHD9Pm_TYbjqTReHN7J6OJP80UROoik7KfUkheO_Nb5zoA/s320/IMG_2187.jpg" width="213" /></a>Every now and again, Therese and I will escape for a bit of
sewing. Usually we work in parallel
worlds but are pretty quiet. This
particular afternoon, we retreated to my sewing room where we explored the
Fight Like a Girl fabric in the <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2879&IdCategory=0">Flip Flap bags</a>.
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A great feature on the <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2879&IdCategory=0">Flip Flap bag</a> are two secret
pockets which are a perfect fit for a cell phone, notepad, etc. With many bags I own, they have great pockets
but many are so big that when I slip my cell phone in, I have to go digging. The pocket on these bags are a perfect size
that don’t require me reaching in up to my elbow to find the little ringing
devil. <br />
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I’d made several of the <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2879&IdCategory=0">Flip Flap Bags</a> while on our recent retreat and got a kick
out of putting them together. Smart
instructions and a good use of fabric made this a particularly fascinating
little bag to make. Normally, when I see
something that advertises “fat quarter friendly”, I find that they don’t
necessarily use a good amount of the fat quarter. The other problem I often see in such patterns
is that they deliver a very convoluted and home-made looking finish. The Flip Flap bag delivers a really sharp
finished bag. </div>
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The <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2879&IdCategory=0">Flip Flap bags</a> I made on retreat were from some
remaining Mary Engelbreit fat quarters that I had in my stash. Lately, I have been working on those
“I-love-it-too-much-to-use-it fabrics”.
Sometimes I have found that I have so few in a collection that they
don’t work well with a quilt. However, a
smart little handbag like Flip Flap are perfect for a smaller number of fat quarters. This one happens to use four fat quarters
total. Without any hardware (zippers or
snaps), it is one that I didn’t have to shop for extra stuff. I used my favorite stabilizer (for bags) in
it and found these to be like a bag of my favorite snacks. </div>
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I picked up five half-yard cuts of the Wyndham <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=78">Fight Like a Girl fabrics</a> for Therese and myself. We
were able to make up three bags. The
third bag wasn’t exactly all of my choices for location of the fabrics, but it
worked out fine for my taste. </div>
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I love the <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=78">Fight Like a Girl fabric</a>s for this handbag
because I think it is quite appropriate to be reminding women to participate in
regular mammograms and participate in good practices for early detection of
breast cancer. What better way to do this than with a handbag?! I love this fabric collection for the handbags because
it just simply looks classy with the pink with black. The lettering pieces are some of my favorites
but they just bring out the best in all the collection.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTUxbkpF0ygArqKI5YrNBLGGOOo5nH35BeTxXEc_CD1G9Y12CpdFs4QMAEnOFVUuCEV61TBonolQPxQpbzfbcBMRuol0EjQODgLfqi44ogEAN65-hdgXrO20dCK1enrnTOEHYaBFcbGI/s1600/IMG_2181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTUxbkpF0ygArqKI5YrNBLGGOOo5nH35BeTxXEc_CD1G9Y12CpdFs4QMAEnOFVUuCEV61TBonolQPxQpbzfbcBMRuol0EjQODgLfqi44ogEAN65-hdgXrO20dCK1enrnTOEHYaBFcbGI/s320/IMG_2181.JPG" width="320" /></a>When I am making the handle for a bag like this, I typically
will adhere the fusible stabilizer to the back of the handle. Fold the handle in half lengthwise once. Then I will fold each the left and right raw
edge to the middle fold. Now, I fold the
whole strip with the two outer edges snug the middle and then folding it in
half. At this point, I will be stitching
through four layers of fabric and four more layers of the stabilizer. I really appreciate the power of my Bernina
machine and my #10 edge-stitching foot. With the edge-stitching foot, I can run
the center blade along the edge and my line of top-stitching will land in a
good and straight line. I am able to
move my needle position to the left or the right as best fits my top-stitch
choice. Handles made in this manner are
very sturdy and don’t tend to break down as fast as those filled with
batting. </div>
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I do tend to use a denim needle as it gives me great stitch
performance on my top stitching. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx_R_xv2BU2kfl9bnkEuHZdMPMyHh3jY_NZVyrVrIEZu7uIhkThxCRbWTtepsutID-qpbif__r5v2lgMg8kTZmoXS75e_rL5JzX1bt_aiXWFO2BheEFOt6s0Hj3FZHuYxuUtMFOjH-c0/s1600/IMG_2189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWx_R_xv2BU2kfl9bnkEuHZdMPMyHh3jY_NZVyrVrIEZu7uIhkThxCRbWTtepsutID-qpbif__r5v2lgMg8kTZmoXS75e_rL5JzX1bt_aiXWFO2BheEFOt6s0Hj3FZHuYxuUtMFOjH-c0/s320/IMG_2189.JPG" width="320" /></a>A feature that Therese and I added was fun embellishing with
pink buttons in a variety of sizes.
Using my new #18 foot with rubberized feet for holding the buttons,
attaching them was a cinch. I practiced
an old technique of taping down the buttons with standard tape. Then I just lifted and moved from one button
to the other. Were you aware that most
buttons in the world have the same distance between the holes. 4mm is a standard regardless of the size of
the button. Using the button sew-on
feature of your machine, you will find a great knotting system on your newer
Bernina machines that will lock it off midway through the stitch out. I think this is important because just tying
off at the beginning and end of the button adhesion isn’t always enough. Occasionally when I am sewing the buttons on,
I will use an “x” on a four-hole button, just for kicks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wbDQR3CY88SO-9oiw4ayQXIxScGnMCMVbZshkUShW7IlHj-r1DnnUZJV2skd35C5ijz5Zw0EoDeJ_GPs9E_LubDQM5Njp1CQc7toopJAbAdLRAQOu-W6nEBQMGs2ZDaB6m9UcvJNJb0/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wbDQR3CY88SO-9oiw4ayQXIxScGnMCMVbZshkUShW7IlHj-r1DnnUZJV2skd35C5ijz5Zw0EoDeJ_GPs9E_LubDQM5Njp1CQc7toopJAbAdLRAQOu-W6nEBQMGs2ZDaB6m9UcvJNJb0/s320/IMG_2192.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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My collection of bags are on display in the store, and
topics like this are regular features that we share at our monthly VIP sessions
at the store. I like to remind people of
VIP because it is a good time to learn the tricks and secrets and ways to make
life easier if you are a sewer. Missed
our recent events? No worries. I am on a roll with handbags and quilting
these days. I suspect you will continue
to see some version of this for the next few months. Plus, my blog seems to be
a good re-cap for those who attended VIP and Embroidery Secrets.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GGGD1p2RTZ80rwolzLDGJ48KNx1aFjPwWn38iEM2yVOu6s0HWOagDEsKplG8TzXG5Fs3rw2xT7HN4e56l66cBNO3LLxXlLNZu00fL5ZLbZhwmRGayuFGmjIrie3y-4ua323ey629DbM/s1600/IMG_2201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GGGD1p2RTZ80rwolzLDGJ48KNx1aFjPwWn38iEM2yVOu6s0HWOagDEsKplG8TzXG5Fs3rw2xT7HN4e56l66cBNO3LLxXlLNZu00fL5ZLbZhwmRGayuFGmjIrie3y-4ua323ey629DbM/s320/IMG_2201.JPG" width="320" /></a>As I don’t get much chance to teach these days, I enjoy
sharing fun things I am sewing on in this forum. Therese and I sewed together the three purses
in about three hours. We actually
intended to sew only two, but someone mis-sewed a piece. Rather than take it out, we decided to set it
aside. Once set aside, it was easy to
take all the leftovers (we had one full half yard we’d not used) and make the
third purse. So, if you look at it that
way, we sewed the equivalent of one purse every hour. That is how easy this bag is to sew. Watch our June calendar for chance to learn
the Flip Flap Bag. If we could get three
done in three hours, I’d like to think I could teach you to get one done in
three hours. </div>
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All the Best to You...Hope you find a little pink in your sewing collection....jill</div>jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-21884068125141333182011-05-01T21:06:00.000-07:002011-05-19T04:20:39.885-07:00When it Rained Buttons<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzbhJHV54OsS6Vko4Gf1t_kO5HE46i_qBIwUY_zbZEZvHFWBTiKOXqR6ZcrxM3v9xTiX5gOgJ34YDmQIXSy7Ge_j6M3ZJB2V_zAwyPU-045uj4pH8zXutRJ8CE7EG4Z2TA_koByrY_Dg/s1600/DSCN9611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMzbhJHV54OsS6Vko4Gf1t_kO5HE46i_qBIwUY_zbZEZvHFWBTiKOXqR6ZcrxM3v9xTiX5gOgJ34YDmQIXSy7Ge_j6M3ZJB2V_zAwyPU-045uj4pH8zXutRJ8CE7EG4Z2TA_koByrY_Dg/s320/DSCN9611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Recently, I was able to help our daughter Monica dress her craft room. Her huge collection of buttons of all sizes and shapes took up a very large glass vase. In fact it was so heavy, I never imagined it could ever move off that shelf.<br />
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Monica went to tightly close the door to the room. The door, on the same wall as the shelf, sent a vibration through the wall and shook that shelf enough to pitch the vase of buttons off the shelf. The vase went tumbling off and fell atop Monica's Bernina 830. Buttons splayed EVERYWHERE.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhbP1iODysTTeEl5YztabROaGT2TxoHYEUoTA23yhAFT9wb9kfVPCdXxoSwZgaRpeK8uMQt6Y-lme4v8Q96c8p9EXCCeIjWBwTsOaoOJjZC4Jwxqco-qzQqVQG1hjOrq5MN9BCpp3hjc/s1600/DSCN9615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizhbP1iODysTTeEl5YztabROaGT2TxoHYEUoTA23yhAFT9wb9kfVPCdXxoSwZgaRpeK8uMQt6Y-lme4v8Q96c8p9EXCCeIjWBwTsOaoOJjZC4Jwxqco-qzQqVQG1hjOrq5MN9BCpp3hjc/s320/DSCN9615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ironically, the vase did NOT break. Hitting the handle atop the machine, it left a small dent in the handle. However, the vase was so heavy it didn't even crack the vase.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQlwTujKcNr1NaNrQ0x7_BPZLGTLfw56w-JakGSWCgfJOe_C0Gz-R3uGFAQEFERJja_xq2_peJNaA2JZTthzBM9Ze4XgDno2xs7OK8GEZXa4mbaIJppSmOoXrPb38mWXDEPdk7LOADiQ/s1600/DSCN9616.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDQlwTujKcNr1NaNrQ0x7_BPZLGTLfw56w-JakGSWCgfJOe_C0Gz-R3uGFAQEFERJja_xq2_peJNaA2JZTthzBM9Ze4XgDno2xs7OK8GEZXa4mbaIJppSmOoXrPb38mWXDEPdk7LOADiQ/s320/DSCN9616.JPG" width="240" /></a>Once she discovered that nothing was broken, she simply shut the door on the mess to deal with it later. (I am pretty proud of her that she didn't get stirred up over it.) Easily, it was hundreds and hundreds of buttons. I suspect they will be finding buttons in every nook and cranny in the room.<br />
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Every child's dream...buttons, buttons everywhere...<br />
All the Best to You...jill<br />
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<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-62874551870812083742011-04-29T12:50:00.000-07:002011-04-29T12:50:27.103-07:00Why Be So Tough on Yourself?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF-8KVI56UZ_TNmhUJYu0cnLDOH1JdZBQo3d4vwMWNeTmP0vQH3pXZS5V25JgNJQoq2JfyatnMsXWoLEY1mj9BC7ATFiPzFj1FmBOetJHLy7AnPGIk84bihAWrBkq6ot66GnbDqyWdC0/s1600/IMG_9342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIF-8KVI56UZ_TNmhUJYu0cnLDOH1JdZBQo3d4vwMWNeTmP0vQH3pXZS5V25JgNJQoq2JfyatnMsXWoLEY1mj9BC7ATFiPzFj1FmBOetJHLy7AnPGIk84bihAWrBkq6ot66GnbDqyWdC0/s320/IMG_9342.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Recently, when sewing with friends, I got a little lax on basting a quilt. I skipped a whole section because I didn't want to walk across the room and get more pins. I went and started quilting this section first. Of course, it bunched up on me and the back was all twisted up. It looked something like sewing your homework into the back of a quilt (for those of you non-sewers). Traditionally, sewers will seam rip. That would have taken me about three hours for the 20 minutes of wreckage I'd created. So, I just went for option B....just cut a row off the quilt. And none too neatly, I might add. My sewing friends were shocked. WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THAT QUILT? I am just making it a row smaller. Me thinks it was too big anyway!<br />
And my mama called me lazy....I am just resourceful.<br />
All the Best to You...jilljillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-46248821281243049892011-04-28T05:30:00.000-07:002011-05-19T04:21:41.057-07:00Too Grown Up for Easter Baskets<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TUJ1lRJ_OEO1OB8cVMP4bd4udWUd67PHR4FqF3HXPOqZvKUeZMIZgRPvEw8t38aomXFeAg6i61bCIEMD67sHZgiUgYLlm0yRnr_nFIo4-z3GH85GVWqcMpNBgaHgMfLQBdsiu8yAxHQ/s1600/IMG_2223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3TUJ1lRJ_OEO1OB8cVMP4bd4udWUd67PHR4FqF3HXPOqZvKUeZMIZgRPvEw8t38aomXFeAg6i61bCIEMD67sHZgiUgYLlm0yRnr_nFIo4-z3GH85GVWqcMpNBgaHgMfLQBdsiu8yAxHQ/s320/IMG_2223.jpg" width="213" /></a>Easter is my favorite holiday of the year. I love all of Easter but mostly because it is incredibly simple. When our kids were younger, I would usually start making Easter dresses on Good Friday. Now, I know that doesn't sound simple, but doing this at the last minute oft forced me to do things simply and efficiently. Unless you are a sewer, you might not understand this. But, for me sewing is a way of collecting my thoughts and sharing my love. So, pulling together outfits in a matter of a few days is a very loving act for me. Imagine how much energy some people put into preparing a meal for a family get-together, that is akin to what I do as a sewer. While I always had good intentions of finishing up sewing well before, it never seemed to happen as smoothly as pulling together dresses for the girls and matching ties for the boys. The boys will likely never forgive me for some of the things they wore but usually by the time they were ready "to go", they'd had an Easter egg fight and had eaten an ample helping of jelly beans and chocolate and were in different clothes for family visits. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjnLjP5NbqPqF3OUjVUTgrbx2S4HdnqciaEdVQcbCZuK5O8xBBAlBqdhAQKPWoiZpaHPSk2lEZVLs90aga3nS7xrgt_Hsa5cRk1njazabXrRs89W42HRTiGvF3D-Q5p03UHEau6f_s94/s1600/IMG_2234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNjnLjP5NbqPqF3OUjVUTgrbx2S4HdnqciaEdVQcbCZuK5O8xBBAlBqdhAQKPWoiZpaHPSk2lEZVLs90aga3nS7xrgt_Hsa5cRk1njazabXrRs89W42HRTiGvF3D-Q5p03UHEau6f_s94/s320/IMG_2234.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V-ImAyRzfLYMROpE-_I5aMODwCU2xtKG_onfSrNKqndlKG5Qmnhjp7Ot2QM2IvFlKaU_0mTEU3X3rfCzY1GXQGxdNisuDam70XnTFmDqKyFpj4lsDKw7fb1Ze-DZX3_te-f2baG-yKc/s1600/IMG_2237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3V-ImAyRzfLYMROpE-_I5aMODwCU2xtKG_onfSrNKqndlKG5Qmnhjp7Ot2QM2IvFlKaU_0mTEU3X3rfCzY1GXQGxdNisuDam70XnTFmDqKyFpj4lsDKw7fb1Ze-DZX3_te-f2baG-yKc/s320/IMG_2237.JPG" width="320" /></a>Last year, I made Easter packages and shipped them off to the kids. I had a great time thinking about them opening the pastel wrapped packages. As I was pondering my "shopping", I was inspired to make something (at least for the girls). Easter baskets for grown up girls were a great time to build.<br />
Using the<a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2882&IdCategory=0"> Crossover Carry-all</a>, a favorite of mine from Indygo Junction, I adapted some great details such as piping and some additional pockets inside for the girls. I also added a key holder inside the bags for their snap key rings. I chose my favorite decorator-weight fabrics from Pine Needles. Actually one bag, I chose the fabric because I had an old package of gray piping that I wanted to use up and the yellow and gray has really caught my eye for some time. It was REALLY time to use up that old piping. There are so few things that will work with gray and this bag was perfect.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcawDvbMen8LC17jfFr5sgko0u94fM2fOHJ0catiY_LU4TzJOA2a35Or2b49L1TQaRObIH4q7LstOLWLRz1DJ9IhFZ4N05tgjXPMjQyB5Ms2HUnK8dqBo_B7LSxJACNpHTYQKmtEGUIY/s1600/IMG_2242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzcawDvbMen8LC17jfFr5sgko0u94fM2fOHJ0catiY_LU4TzJOA2a35Or2b49L1TQaRObIH4q7LstOLWLRz1DJ9IhFZ4N05tgjXPMjQyB5Ms2HUnK8dqBo_B7LSxJACNpHTYQKmtEGUIY/s320/IMG_2242.jpg" width="213" /></a>I also experimented with different stabilizer techniques in the body of the bags. While many patterns recommend a batting in the bag, I prefer to NOT use batting. Batting is designed to soften as it is laundered. When I am making a bag, I want the bag to look crisp, not broken down. Using a decorator weight fabric in the <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2882&IdCategory=0">Crossover Carry-all</a> was a huge advantage because stabilizing was not necessary throughout the bag. In fact on one bag, I stabilized the body of the bag and not the handles. On the other I stabilized the handles and not the bag. Both came out looking very classy and crisp. Further, using a decorator weight fabric will give them a sharp look for great usage. Besides, knowing my daughters, these bags will stuffed to overflowing and they need to be strong and stable. Then stuffed with Easter treats, the girls got their own Easter "baskets". I think this is a new tradition and likely one that I can actually get done in a timely manner. <br />
Now I am on a roll of making bags and having a great time of it. At our recent VIP, Therese shared my bag creating as well as a sewing adventure I dragged her onto making Flip-Flap bags. What a great time that was. Making handbags yields such great results and quickly. <br />
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All the Best to You, jill<br />
<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-73260568131869337252011-04-26T06:24:00.000-07:002011-05-19T04:22:29.967-07:00Monica's Craft Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VgyjhryWT7bDxlgOEXjNQEMdpQdmGF9stqyXof3yp06FQpe4Kev7HisVi36zKp9SHtGUGI9f_hbJQJqBgv3rCdQ30DJoKbnpfP1pCoYIO3UQoQ_CONdXuNn-A_V0e3gIp-izZBcNrb8/s1600/IMG_9371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-VgyjhryWT7bDxlgOEXjNQEMdpQdmGF9stqyXof3yp06FQpe4Kev7HisVi36zKp9SHtGUGI9f_hbJQJqBgv3rCdQ30DJoKbnpfP1pCoYIO3UQoQ_CONdXuNn-A_V0e3gIp-izZBcNrb8/s200/IMG_9371.JPG" width="200" /></a> Our oldest daughter Monica lives in Detroit. Like her siblings, she has sewn most of her life. Her first sewing project was a mitten for her thumb. She was trying to quit sucking her thumb. She did great during the days but struggled with the habit in the nighttime. Her idea to make a mitten to cover her thumb was augmented with having to pin the mitten to her pajama sleeve. After a while the hand-sewn thumb mitten truly disintegrated into shreds. Of course, over time, Monica battled the habit away. <br />
<a name='more'></a>However, she and I have often lamented that the thumb mitten dissolved. From that hand sewing project to the ever-favorite, button chains, Monica picked up to sewing easily and has always had a project of some sort going.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSeAX3_u9PLs3aviRmz8RCuI783q8KAXBK9GdjExYJaE2tz80ozP0Omb4tVUfYG0sSNnK0o-WWnYSHlLrGQ4aIb5SmcH151aitAn0UV8iUQvH3hOzpJNbmtVMW97Fa0TtRK_Lr9C-X1g/s1600/IMG_9362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSeAX3_u9PLs3aviRmz8RCuI783q8KAXBK9GdjExYJaE2tz80ozP0Omb4tVUfYG0sSNnK0o-WWnYSHlLrGQ4aIb5SmcH151aitAn0UV8iUQvH3hOzpJNbmtVMW97Fa0TtRK_Lr9C-X1g/s200/IMG_9362.JPG" width="200" /></a>Through college, she picked up other hobbies, card making and jewelry making. Along with sewing, she has many busy collections of toys and trinkets. Her collection has grown as she has moved from city to city through her college career and now in her work and married life, she has an art collection that would rival my own. We have cheered her on as we know that her hobby has given her respite from the challenges of her career (as it has for many of us). <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4jqHpkvg-7DBycKeS5_tUEAXAFlQd18fHfhyphenhyphen5ytIQKWYKMCfi-HWLYUyKsWJtfKwspJhRFaENSHEPgQXJIDTADfIhyCDvd5LP3QHK8fzoZRDxthMHKWWX3l7QjDkU4uPdbCYXcHGz_c/s1600/IMG_9364.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW4jqHpkvg-7DBycKeS5_tUEAXAFlQd18fHfhyphenhyphen5ytIQKWYKMCfi-HWLYUyKsWJtfKwspJhRFaENSHEPgQXJIDTADfIhyCDvd5LP3QHK8fzoZRDxthMHKWWX3l7QjDkU4uPdbCYXcHGz_c/s200/IMG_9364.JPG" width="200" /></a>Playing in her craft area has been a challenge because she didn't really have an area. Each trip to her home, she talked about carving out a space in their basement. Recently, I convinced her to move the office out of the spare bedroom in their house and set up her own area. She calls it her Craft Room. Before our arrival to their home for a recent weekend, Monica had painted the room a soft beautiful shade and had moved all of her supplies into the room.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dmpczqrYpBmpElyBCLIMb-K9gaO6t0msmEcaZAbGaVGcXC7fDolv9Lr9ZVr-1CBR4OF5J5oJ68hDHUyTUtwP0fBZUy8LHfIWKJ7RLkaXgTBxm5-EvQC-KuznyIOZUBPluTLQT8PvLAM/s1600/IMG_9368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dmpczqrYpBmpElyBCLIMb-K9gaO6t0msmEcaZAbGaVGcXC7fDolv9Lr9ZVr-1CBR4OF5J5oJ68hDHUyTUtwP0fBZUy8LHfIWKJ7RLkaXgTBxm5-EvQC-KuznyIOZUBPluTLQT8PvLAM/s200/IMG_9368.jpg" width="150" /></a> With the supplies roughly in their place, Monica was just about ready to start playing. Over the weekend, we helped to sort things out. It was a blast going through someone else's toys. Baskets and jars and bags of yarns and buttons, trinkets, old jewelry and much more were sorted and stored. I appreciate being able to see my toys. Not only pretty and inspiring, having notions and trims within view reminds me and often inspires me to sew. Over the weekend the room evolved. While a fairly small space (about 100 square feet), we made the most of the space and the light. With big windows, the room is a perfect space for creating.<br />
I think I had as much fun arranging the room as I suspect Monica will have in creating in the room. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJfw-yHuccS0fx_o_6ICFwefABIhNtogoqM866WaCoGB6CP6F__oOlVFvWuUjVyBW1TE5eqdQAzt2EwYvJzSnY-6nV0VqrYzyAPjLqkcIqSUnFwUrMicOwdadWWkxmbWOENCfI95C-pQ/s1600/IMG_9377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJfw-yHuccS0fx_o_6ICFwefABIhNtogoqM866WaCoGB6CP6F__oOlVFvWuUjVyBW1TE5eqdQAzt2EwYvJzSnY-6nV0VqrYzyAPjLqkcIqSUnFwUrMicOwdadWWkxmbWOENCfI95C-pQ/s200/IMG_9377.JPG" width="200" /></a>When we left to return to Iowa, Monica had cheerily told us she was looking forward to an afternoon in her room. She spent a good amount of time just enjoying the room and the space. Sometimes, even for me...that is the best part. I really hope each of you has a space that you can call your own, even if it is just a corner of a room. Most of us didn't play enough as children. I would say that we ought to declare our own playrooms with ample play time. Hope you find your own play time!! jill<br />
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<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-34810925239982604122011-02-01T18:56:00.000-08:002011-05-19T04:22:58.602-07:00Doodlin' the Borders<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnAFVaRr7JtYqEcNZ4QCIwVkgs80pDiwgHLNMJYWClQJiblhcaM2WGRqpPvRiQnavMN29MCHPrSgXngSvCtAJEZtmoURAk50PaIhPOG9tjFRtkUsKWrJQ4CTuvk05tNpVmB7wfFShHuU/s1600/IMG_9037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnAFVaRr7JtYqEcNZ4QCIwVkgs80pDiwgHLNMJYWClQJiblhcaM2WGRqpPvRiQnavMN29MCHPrSgXngSvCtAJEZtmoURAk50PaIhPOG9tjFRtkUsKWrJQ4CTuvk05tNpVmB7wfFShHuU/s320/IMG_9037.JPG" width="320" /></a>Recently, I shared with many of my sewing friends how I worked on a border. I filled in a border by only quilting in half of the triangles. Creating a continuous line design that accentuated the border, I was able to bring out the best in a border without doing a lot of drawing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6Sdojcc5mc_faByDiZPa905IeYgEvIpNcdI0OOpc9HVQ5uf6SGaVoesS41jrqnKcOYsb6EN_ZGu2gOI7ejpe8Ipvx5p5IuNh8MatvmRZjbWxeiXsTz765fS0zeGRX_yXbCVWw4uOGTs/s1600/IMG_9039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6Sdojcc5mc_faByDiZPa905IeYgEvIpNcdI0OOpc9HVQ5uf6SGaVoesS41jrqnKcOYsb6EN_ZGu2gOI7ejpe8Ipvx5p5IuNh8MatvmRZjbWxeiXsTz765fS0zeGRX_yXbCVWw4uOGTs/s320/IMG_9039.JPG" width="320" /></a>Normally, I don't draw out borders. Rather, I sew out the elements. I don't spend a lot of time planning these things out. I find that it works better to sew out these elements in silk thread (100 weight). Perhaps the first six I sew are not "perfect." Although, this border is 360" (er, that is about 10 yards or 30 feet!) which gives me miles of sewing the borders to practice the fill stitches.<br />
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Hopefully, you can follow my drawings to create your own border fill stitch. Don't spend a lot of time drawing 10 yards of triangles. That would be like drawing triangles from one end of your house to the other. Silk thread and using your stitch regulator is going to make you look like a pro! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONZh7ZMzJ5RTmpn5S8cq8dY5e5xJtEu8qO-SYdOFOsEa6k8Xb3aJsJ0pfnOAphjO8LeDeQWm69tbIauRHvphFTYhvSLierHlVONZ9KVJI6oYesOkx8qQjDw_ytSOVTzAiCvWYgL1ntaw/s1600/IMG_9042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjONZh7ZMzJ5RTmpn5S8cq8dY5e5xJtEu8qO-SYdOFOsEa6k8Xb3aJsJ0pfnOAphjO8LeDeQWm69tbIauRHvphFTYhvSLierHlVONZ9KVJI6oYesOkx8qQjDw_ytSOVTzAiCvWYgL1ntaw/s320/IMG_9042.JPG" width="320" /></a>The more drawing you can do without lifting your pen, pencil or marker off the paper, the better you will get on creating long continuous lines to create fill stitches. This is like sewing with a pen. When I am drawing a lot of shapes, I prefer a find tipped marker like a micron pigma pen and smooth paper. <br />
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For those of you who won't get to some sewing for a few days (work gets in your way), why not give doodling a try! Doodle on the borders of your notebook while you are in a meeting. Many of us (today) are watching tons of snow falling. Perhaps you could go out and do some drawing in a snow bank!<br />
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All the Best to You, jill <br />
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<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-49656818255346356642011-01-30T18:35:00.000-08:002011-05-19T05:24:38.128-07:00OMG....Just One Hour<br />
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Tonight I peeled out one hour and did something really fun. I have two alphabet quilts that I pulled out of my "to be fi<br />
nished" stack. I loved applique-ing the quilts. I knew that quilting<br />
<a name='more'></a> these would mean lots of fill<br />
stitches around all those letters. Then an AHA moment happened.<br />
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At home, we had an ugly throw. Two very large pieces of Minkee, a rabbit embroidered on one side of the pink Minkee. Then the piece got backed with a white bubble Minkee and then serged the edges of the piece with a variagated pink thread. While very large and very cuddly, it was kinda ugly.<br />
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I carefully clipped off the serged edge. I was careful because I have an idea for this piece. I just want to leave my options open. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E8nf0sauYr5hpcSo-Q1lPrALPZvRrKHuOuIH_kcvSTGmoeiwfnjzBeyiBNB1onwOAMzyipiW6EhxCCHQOaxTYyEsqCzEenY2A6tUCQrkqaiOi_dxdLPa0dGZcz6Lywd2yBvBqiA8Kic/s1600/IMG_9066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5E8nf0sauYr5hpcSo-Q1lPrALPZvRrKHuOuIH_kcvSTGmoeiwfnjzBeyiBNB1onwOAMzyipiW6EhxCCHQOaxTYyEsqCzEenY2A6tUCQrkqaiOi_dxdLPa0dGZcz6Lywd2yBvBqiA8Kic/s320/IMG_9066.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBRCId-lAtDDclBX1L8fDZcdc8AVFdBq4Pe7b-gmxU43WBRdhyphenhyphenUUajWxdLsmfhZUNO4bk3RIyk8WjjGI8Far_63FIYmq3ZeAKmEz6zMn56pZU-QmMaERxJC1oRq0dFgDJIswZDOBTFYw/s1600/IMG_9069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBRCId-lAtDDclBX1L8fDZcdc8AVFdBq4Pe7b-gmxU43WBRdhyphenhyphenUUajWxdLsmfhZUNO4bk3RIyk8WjjGI8Far_63FIYmq3ZeAKmEz6zMn56pZU-QmMaERxJC1oRq0dFgDJIswZDOBTFYw/s320/IMG_9069.JPG" width="320" /></a>When I dismantled the two pieces of Minkee, I pulled the pink piece first. Laying out my quilt top, I first pin basted it. But then I discovered a secret. Minkee has a back to it that has a bit of nap to it. Installing my dual feed on my Bernina 830, I was able to sew the front to the back WITHOUT pinning the whole thing. If you do this and your work shifts, I would probably tell you that you should pin baste the whole thing. I was anxious to try it without and have to say I love the results. Although, I think a couple of things lent well to my success. That the Minkee had been washed and didn't have any finish on the back gave it a bit more "grab." I also think the fact that my quilt top is very square and has pretty straight forward seaming with the large rectangles and no angle piecing helped to keep the lines straight. Most of all was that I was utilizing the dual feed feature on my machine was likely the greatest factor for my success. If you don't have dual feed, you must use a good walking foot. Having personally owned a lot of different brands of machines in my sewing life, I assure you the walking foot that you paid less than $20 for on your machine may be labeled a walking foot but it is nothing to the metal geared walking foot that is designed for some finer machines. It is a totally different cat. You will still be able to achieve good results, but the more fine your tools, the more time you will save. If you have doubts, pin baste a LOT. Plucking stitching out of Minkee with errored stitching would not be high on my list of "fun things to do."</div>
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I selected the #4 stitch on my machine (the serpentine stitch), elongated and widened it. I like this stitch because it leaves a great etching on the Minkee and it has stretch to it. I also like the way it walks and eases the fullness of the Minkee with the cotton fabric.<br />
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When I added my binding to this piece, I stitched it to the back and brought the binding around to the front and top stitched it in place, using my #20 foot to be able to guide the stitching along the edge. While there is a temptation to use an edge stitching foot, I find the polyester in the backing can make this a lively fabric that needs a bit more coaching with the access I get with an open toe foot.<br />
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At our next VIP (Feb 24-25-26) we are going to be showing our visitors how to cut these letters out with the cutwork tool. I will be showing all of the pieces that I have sewn with the one hour Minkee technique. And, we will be featuring both standard machine applique with satin stitch as well as how to make these pieces super speedy with machine embroidery. Hope to see you there.<br />
All the Best to You, jill<br />
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P.S. I just showed my daughter Johanna the new quilt, told her where it had started. Johanna looked startled. "That's Therese's blanket. Dad hid it on her because she left it sitting out." Well. I guess I will be buying Therese some new Minkee!jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-72577527481424622622011-01-20T05:19:00.000-08:002011-05-19T05:25:00.946-07:00Re-Energize & Be Inspired<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The full moon coming languishing in the sky over the ocean at sunrise was my beckoning to explore the beach this morning at Fort Myers, FL. While I am an early riser, I am not often inspired to go outside and push my muscles. However, that nagging moon called me to the seaside faster than I often venture out of my warm, cozy bed.<br />
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Therese and I finished up our annual Kaye's College with our friend Kaye England. Days of filling our minds and visions with quilting are a beautiful way to then be buffered with ample sunshine, warm breezes and enjoying our meals under the canopy of the glorious skies....some sunny, some moon-soaked and (for our friends "back home") some miserable rains. (Am hoping the description of the misery of rain takes away the sting of our families who do NOT want to hear the weather reports as they shield from the arctic cold and snow when we call home.)<br />
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Therese and I were out studying the sand for shells. An elderly gentleman stopped to talk with us about the shells we had found. He named all those we had and told us of how common most of them were. One particularly battered one he called a "very poor specimen". Neither of us were deterred by his description of what it a good specimen is to be. As he walked away, neither of us were tempted to pitch it back into the surf. I don't think there are bad and good shells. I even enjoy broken shells. I am sure literature over the ages has compared humankind to every form of nature. So, please forgive this tale if it is tires you on literary form.<br />
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I enjoy believing that sand is innumerable shells that have had their lives worn to bits. I hope to be sand when my life is gone. Of course, shells were part of a vital ocean life form. Their remains that we gather and marvel at are carried about by the tides. Some grand and glorious have graced our dinner tables as decor. Even soap dishes are the shells. Others have enjoyed tours of duty in children's hands as shovels on the beach. We humans enjoy similar duties--glorious, utilitarian and joyous. Some of us have chips and cracks. Yet all have the most beautiful and gentle glory of being shaped by a great artisan.<br />
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As I was picking out a set of graduated sized shells as I walked, I agonized over a particularily large piece that was covered with barnacles. While mature and glorious, it was not as pristine as a shell that has been polished and without defect. Then I considered my own life. Indeed, there are times that as I age, I am very aware that I am not considered by my own shell but also by those people and events that embellish my life. While not always attractive, it is who I am and how I am designed. I am very grateful to be useful, to be glorious and to be joy-filled.<br />
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Time away is energizing, inspiring and gives me the chance to realize my calling. I hope this for all of you....jill<br />
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<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-37479049826716142202010-12-29T07:37:00.000-08:002011-05-19T05:25:48.348-07:00Holiday Sewing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyrKcaUJbjAMarnAfZC2Ton380AzdpQSMjhFRdgPoaeAGeU6p4a5dD-84fuv0dn9ZOWk-rqXgYkd9ksnZnLhEPOX3HlhhcIkmz8iTsEBiym-s8dAnuboYYz0jUsHNjqfpaEFlp2iCLbM/s1600/IMG_8940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihyrKcaUJbjAMarnAfZC2Ton380AzdpQSMjhFRdgPoaeAGeU6p4a5dD-84fuv0dn9ZOWk-rqXgYkd9ksnZnLhEPOX3HlhhcIkmz8iTsEBiym-s8dAnuboYYz0jUsHNjqfpaEFlp2iCLbM/s320/IMG_8940.JPG" width="320" /></a>When the family is home for the holidays, after many of the traditional holiday rituals, we tend to fall into a ritual of finding our way to the sewing room. This year the sewing room is sporting a new feature--a television. It has taken me a long time to make this decision. However, as our family has matured, I can see that favorite movies, football and laughing at some shows is a together time. While some of the family who enjoy the action, adventure fair for movies are in the family room, others have picked on favorites and now are loving having music from the 70s. Nice addition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi70j6Dh_LuyQEBKjQpr8Fvg69_pOCz__Up8FmDIuWLDk_EyEajOJNC0u8NynVc7WAGb6C6kxtjG2y-ukAhMpNjReT5z_zxdPYNPE9r8fxa2PRS27zn4uqMMEkd6tSHH8IxnTpgx3x18/s1600/IMG_8953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi70j6Dh_LuyQEBKjQpr8Fvg69_pOCz__Up8FmDIuWLDk_EyEajOJNC0u8NynVc7WAGb6C6kxtjG2y-ukAhMpNjReT5z_zxdPYNPE9r8fxa2PRS27zn4uqMMEkd6tSHH8IxnTpgx3x18/s320/IMG_8953.JPG" width="320" /></a>I mostly added the tv so that Henry would be comfortable sitting in the sewing room with me and having something to do while I sew in the evenings. Some people find this funny, but we just added cable tv last week. We have never had any more than what an antennae could bring in. Until a few years ago, our family rarely had the tv on for much more than three hours a week. It started as a discipline of not wanting our family to be congregated around tv. Then it became a practice and everyone found it easy to adopt other hobbies, reading, sewing, game playing, homework. Our friends used to tease us that we were the last people on the planet to get a VCR. When we did get one, the kids got in the habit of treating it like going to the theatre. It was something you invited the rest of the family to watch a movie with you. Adding more media to the house isn't so tough on me now as I see it as an adjunct rather than a replacement for our hobbies. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXyg4y4n-UGel22wqnwW8kxhWc2wIBZTJTZ3Yo3mSHQzQSImcpj2QpnKColriJjGdHeZmfIA8Jj45avSQt32wan5D5uNLr3FJ3-jyXd4n32e5whayB1NI4H8XivgxCfsPaVacwrp1-P0/s1600/IMG_8954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXyg4y4n-UGel22wqnwW8kxhWc2wIBZTJTZ3Yo3mSHQzQSImcpj2QpnKColriJjGdHeZmfIA8Jj45avSQt32wan5D5uNLr3FJ3-jyXd4n32e5whayB1NI4H8XivgxCfsPaVacwrp1-P0/s320/IMG_8954.JPG" width="320" /></a>Morning time, is still my favorite time to sew. As the kids have dogs that come home with them, getting up early also means I have the breakfast and morning run for the critters. Grab a cup of coffee and quietly slip away to the sewing room for some quiet time. But, alas, Therese finds me. "Perfect. This is the BEST time of day to sew." It is nice sewing with her because we don't always have a need to talk about everything. We get lost in our own sewing and enjoy the view out of the sewing room as the dogs wrestle with each other.<br />
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It is funny though to have her commenting on the musicians of the 70s. She does know who most of them are and is very familiar with their music; but then when I was in high school, I also knew a lot of the music from the 50s. It is an experience though listening to music that was such a part of my teen culture and hearing it now through my kids' ears. Every once in a while, she will say, "ooo....that is creepy." And I would have to agree with her.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphCSVTNEQSl8GskxYjdTcfEKSgcRatI95FJgOlTBqCEyCfuCb3FI57vIBMZrXvSAvTUREwoMf616Dh76vPAQreIpDGChruSP7ifSdNwEJvv3fWyMW3vIbs8nELCzE0_4LM8IkLCDt5UA/s1600/IMG_8994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphCSVTNEQSl8GskxYjdTcfEKSgcRatI95FJgOlTBqCEyCfuCb3FI57vIBMZrXvSAvTUREwoMf616Dh76vPAQreIpDGChruSP7ifSdNwEJvv3fWyMW3vIbs8nELCzE0_4LM8IkLCDt5UA/s320/IMG_8994.JPG" width="320" /></a>But what a treat to share this time with them and to enjoy the holiday season at a very different pace. I am playing with machine applique and machine quilting. I am loving the monster speed that my 830 gives me with these techniques. We also share a few projects. Therese has had fun cutting out a new quilt pattern that she has loved for a long time and I am going to tackle the applique for her because I love the applique part of that project.<br />
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The sewing room is alive with all kinds of projects, some quilting, some stuffed animals, sudoko, a bit of card making, scrap booking and even some video gaming. I hope your holiday is lively with the inspiration all around you.<br />
All the Best to You, jill<br />
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<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-80436920425556561402010-11-10T19:43:00.000-08:002011-05-19T05:25:25.587-07:00Welcome to Iowa, Mr. H.P. Ueltschi<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk76qFKq5Ql8kP9xSkIYrTmjVZLJaCu-L_dOBzbpKng1kMUYpuuSEBT78rgOfzhR6F1oE0ztOQaomLFh3HVcdOgG5_PBmCE35RVFZn4-7kraI5ucwadZ_qKfUSmMFUoPeM31J7TwAxjg/s1600/President+of+Bernina%2527s+Visit13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTk76qFKq5Ql8kP9xSkIYrTmjVZLJaCu-L_dOBzbpKng1kMUYpuuSEBT78rgOfzhR6F1oE0ztOQaomLFh3HVcdOgG5_PBmCE35RVFZn4-7kraI5ucwadZ_qKfUSmMFUoPeM31J7TwAxjg/s320/President+of+Bernina%2527s+Visit13.jpg" width="320" /></a>H.P. Ueltschi is the fourth generation owner of Bernina International. We were privileged that he selected our store to visit on his recent trip from Switzerland to the USA. More than 120 guests attended our Open House welcoming Mr. Ueltschi to our store.<br />
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We are proud to be a dealer for Bernina of America. Having the owner of the company travel to our store is the icing on the cake for us. We are proud to sell Bernina products and honored that the company recognized us by Mr. Ueltschi's visit. <br />
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Overwhelming! Mr. Ueltschi got a chance to hear what our customers had to say about his company's product and the service and education we give at our store in Cedar Rapids. It was great to have the owner of the company visit our store. However, more than that, it was a very emotional time for us as a team as our customers shared how important our store is to them and to their journey into sewing. Not only were customers in tears sharing how they can call us anytime and be treated graciously and patiently, but when I looked up at my staff, I saw THEY were crying too. Working with these women and men, I know how much of themselves they pour into their work at the store. I am so very proud of my staff. I am very proud of our customers. Were it not for customer support, we couldn't offer the services and education and products. We are so proud of all of you. Having Mr. Ueltschi with us at the store was a great time to define our mission through our customers and our staff.... "Let Us Inspire You..."<br />
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Thank you for your support and your encouragement and how much YOU inspire US! Our jobs are so wonderful because of the people we get to work with and because of the people we get to serve. Each day is unique to us and a chance to share our love of creating through sewing and sharing that love with so many people. I hope you can enjoy sharing your love of creating beauty all around you as well. <br />
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All the Best to You, jilljillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-66244638384957524202010-11-07T19:53:00.000-08:002011-05-19T05:28:22.011-07:00Best Thing About Retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6z1r59mdL_WQ6oHBwwHscsVXrW1pLfgV2yUTgF3qwVojPHdYfZgP2QKvjva08S2-QJUiBE92tlujt-G4rf7hVcosOph2RuCyFeI_wx52A58oWDaky3nM8z7nKzjWKG0ZI6gieCltAXk/s1600/IMG_8737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY6z1r59mdL_WQ6oHBwwHscsVXrW1pLfgV2yUTgF3qwVojPHdYfZgP2QKvjva08S2-QJUiBE92tlujt-G4rf7hVcosOph2RuCyFeI_wx52A58oWDaky3nM8z7nKzjWKG0ZI6gieCltAXk/s320/IMG_8737.JPG" width="289" /></a></div>
The best thing about retreat is the people. Our daughters have been attending retreats with us as they were able ever since the beginning. The girls are ages 18 to 28 and they still love to come to retreat at any given chance. Our oldest daughter Monica lives in Detroit and while she doesn't get back often, retreat is a special time for her to re-connect with women who have impacted her life and whom Monica loves to share her love of sewing.<br />
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We have been sponsoring and attending retreat for eleven years. Twice a year we get to escape the "real world" and live according to our own time clocks. The only schedule that we adhere to is three meals a day that are graciously served to us and that are DELICIOUS. It is amazing how NOT tiring retreat is. I have no desire to take a nap on retreat because it is energizing to just play the days away. In the morning when I get up, I can't wait to see everyone and get back to the project that is calling my name. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvxciwtWlPxqg9Ms6-_sia0Adx8iZ9_qrsDN6REwRsVcmFbFiEokKMEGSL8mSdqEXRH6OLt5rMV_d_s1-sK_zRCkQm9oqbiS6dFJdXo-QA9ffqpQXlJQ1zhQLKGIoVYbecaZPKS3GuXg/s1600/IMG_8747.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvxciwtWlPxqg9Ms6-_sia0Adx8iZ9_qrsDN6REwRsVcmFbFiEokKMEGSL8mSdqEXRH6OLt5rMV_d_s1-sK_zRCkQm9oqbiS6dFJdXo-QA9ffqpQXlJQ1zhQLKGIoVYbecaZPKS3GuXg/s320/IMG_8747.JPG" width="320" /></a>On this fall's retreat, I took along four projects. When I first started attending retreat, I would take more than two dozen projects and take home most of those projects. Too funny. Over the years, I have learned to better gauge my projects. I usually only take a few projects along, not necessarily that I believe I will finish all the projects. More than that, I take a mixture of projects in case I get tired of working on one particular project. Many people tell me that some projects are designed for them to bring back to many retreats. As long as the projects keep making me happy, I keep bringing them along.<br />
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I worked on one project the whole time I was at retreat. I had a great time working on machine quilting. People don't believe me when I tell them how easy machine quilting can be on my home sewing machine. I love being able to use a very fine thread and be able to use a small needle and be close to my work. On this particular quilt, I used 50-weight Aurifil thread. Typically, I use 100-weight silk thread. However, once I started this project, I gave the Aurifil a try. It was great. The quilt was hand-appliqued with silk thread with great intricate detailing. I tightly filled in the center medallion with a mixture of fill stitches. In addition to surrounding the florals and basket, I created detailing within the leaves and added elements for texturing the baskets and more. <br />
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Listening to other retreat attendees, I am always inspired by their motivation to accomplish great things. Typically, I don't sew with an agenda. I sew just for fun. If I happen to get something done for a gift, that is great. If I don't finish the project, I never get wired about it is "supposed to get done." This is an acquired skill. When I was younger, I took on impossible tasks and went crazy trying to finish things in a very tight schedule. While I got a lot done, I didn't always enjoy peace or a real satisfaction. I have always loved giving the things I made. The giving often made the exhaustion worth it. Now as I have matured, the contentment of sewing because it makes me happy and because I am motivated has taken over. I think the giving has become so much happier for me. As I work on a project as I think about the people I am sewing with and the people I am sewing for and I think about how much fun I am having drawing with my sewing machine. <br />
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All the Best to You, jill<br />
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<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-60416572078775084422010-11-06T21:26:00.000-07:002011-05-19T05:28:46.080-07:00Birth of the Aliens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is my last overnight at our weekend retreat, and I thought it important to announce that three aliens were birthed at this retreat. The proud makers believed they were a bit weary looking and not photograph ready to be presented with their new-creations, Alien #1 and #2 and #3. The Alien babies are awaiting appropriate names but it remains to be determined that the gender of the three before naming progresses. Bill, Will and Tillie were vetoed.<br />
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My own time at retreat has been joyfully been given to quilting a fabulous piece that is pieced and hand-appliqued. We also were privileged to share the retreat center with a group of women working on bobbin-work lace. How interesting to enjoy the core of others respite from the world in creation. <br />
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As I listen to people discuss what they hope to do and what they have accomplished, I was struck with the determination to accomplish MUCH. As I watched people sew (and now do bobbin work), it was a good reminder again that it isn't what we accomplish that is significant but rather what the effort does to us as a person. In the big scheme of things, that which we create will not (for most of us) be the true mark of the person we are to those we love and care about or those who respect us. Rather, our time spent in our work and our play forms us as a caretaker, as a friend and as a steward of our time and talent.<br />
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When I was fresh out of college, I can't say exactly what I thought my life would be in thirty years. I do, however, know that I was keenly aware of my goal for a contented and happy home. Everything else seemed to be secondary to that focus. Going to work day in and out and serving the people I was called to serve was what filled my day and my energies. While not always focused on "who I was going to be when I grow up", the energies I expended developed skills in myself that definitely formed the person I am today. I wanted for very little and kept focused on my vocation as it was without a lot of forced focus on what I "could be."<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUj_DV3pKAWuXcFKKc8JHhUHB0JbSkLbnQUJvEzJyjXn9fiza4qN52lV9SQwwedaMo0LvwhmhwtvzNK0q9Hc483S5rkjNXDD3HKtYvKSw4GY6gDUa57nTPEnC7S-Yr-o5qXR5rmwTOvg/s1600/IMG_8672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFUj_DV3pKAWuXcFKKc8JHhUHB0JbSkLbnQUJvEzJyjXn9fiza4qN52lV9SQwwedaMo0LvwhmhwtvzNK0q9Hc483S5rkjNXDD3HKtYvKSw4GY6gDUa57nTPEnC7S-Yr-o5qXR5rmwTOvg/s320/IMG_8672.jpg" width="223" /></a>The process of "growing up" is best formed by tending well to our basic needs and feeding the curiosity within each of us. I am glad for the detours on my life that probably took me different directions than a straight shot to where I was headed (or where I THOUGHT) I was headed. Along the way, I have come to realize it has nothing to do with what I FINISH in my creation process but rather in the lives that I have touched, including my own.<br />
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Along this journey through the weekend retreat, I got to share the weekend with friends and particularly precious was the time I got to spend with our three daughters. Our youngest, Johanna, celebrated her 18th birthday with us on retreat. It says a good deal about the caliber of this young woman who was so willing to share her milestone birthday with a group of creative energy and do so cheerfully. I feel privileged that Johanna is my daughter. She is what I want to be when I grow up. <br />
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All the Best to You, jill<br />
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<br />jillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-78638168744567895632010-10-19T18:38:00.000-07:002011-05-19T05:29:10.430-07:00Didn't Know You Could Draw<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlCjsXC2ANgADN4DEU1FpkrHYGCUC2tZmKZxKHad3vXzoi7dAqPq-xG-CnVBOsOQjsV_c7aiK4BDVcF4J5AI81vzvb4ckM5J1-PWrhp9OYWxvXVFE2QQLjvrHjvBKpkDqrVnSBxqACsA/s1600/JillZen16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlCjsXC2ANgADN4DEU1FpkrHYGCUC2tZmKZxKHad3vXzoi7dAqPq-xG-CnVBOsOQjsV_c7aiK4BDVcF4J5AI81vzvb4ckM5J1-PWrhp9OYWxvXVFE2QQLjvrHjvBKpkDqrVnSBxqACsA/s320/JillZen16.jpg" width="320" /></a>One day my daughter was helping me clean out a closet. When she came across a couple of my drawings from high school, she exclaimed, "I didn't know you could draw!" Funny things we don't much reveal about ourselves. It is also very telling to me that drawing and creating is hard for me to find time for.<br />
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Is it hard for me to find the time or rather that I need to practice giving myself permission. Goodness sakes...THAT is why we so longed as children to become adults. We wanted to control our own destiny. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXP-RYuSf8zPH5tyLosFSxUuCPvCTdLkWVdswiywdzhpu60PbsENBdkVRwQOG3CHHVg_WeDuJhTHnlWkrt-C6vB6kqVFre4YITVnYsEsYmOme8z0ZBrFS39qH67yAzokjMkDs6YzU35CI/s1600/IMG_8087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXP-RYuSf8zPH5tyLosFSxUuCPvCTdLkWVdswiywdzhpu60PbsENBdkVRwQOG3CHHVg_WeDuJhTHnlWkrt-C6vB6kqVFre4YITVnYsEsYmOme8z0ZBrFS39qH67yAzokjMkDs6YzU35CI/s320/IMG_8087.JPG" width="320" /></a>Recently, I realized why it is hard to make my drawing a priority. Creating of any kind must come of true freedom lest it become manufacturing. This is the very reason I have resisted the temptation to make my art my livelihood. I reserve my creations for myself. But, I run a business that serves to inspire others. Isn't that "using" my art to create my work? No. My day-to-day is managing a business. If I do a good job, my staff and I enjoy enough freedom that we are able to afford the opportunity to work in a business where we can inspire others to give themselves the time to create.<br />
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When you paint a room, if you don't get paint on yourself, that would be fairly unusual. My work is like painting a room. I expect at the end of the day I will likely be covered with as much paint as the drop cloths in the room. Creating is like that. Work to inspire others and you too will be inspired.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCP19DF4NPEXNMdhJxfGqzJWK-rQOJHH-7AP7p4bP48Q_HUnNG0dxcr9oqV2ICYR1IuCd7GL-m5hVDR3ghNOFgEmEMyv0U41YyNMdwvZvQDK4zUROvUCBW1pj9BO97q-1LKf89spdNnz0/s1600/IMG_8167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCP19DF4NPEXNMdhJxfGqzJWK-rQOJHH-7AP7p4bP48Q_HUnNG0dxcr9oqV2ICYR1IuCd7GL-m5hVDR3ghNOFgEmEMyv0U41YyNMdwvZvQDK4zUROvUCBW1pj9BO97q-1LKf89spdNnz0/s200/IMG_8167.JPG" width="200" /></a>I like to create all kinds of things but lately have been called back to my favorites...india ink and simple line drawings. I am seeing my designs getting carried to my machine quilting. Then I was SO excited to see a new embroidery design collection that embodies my drawings. I made placemats for my daughters with the Zenspirations embroidery collection. This was too much fun to watch my sewing machine go off in her own drawing frenzy!<br />
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Wishing You All the Best, jilljillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1193684371938474711.post-41839347786523612572010-10-17T09:43:00.000-07:002011-05-19T05:29:45.602-07:00Life Happens...Just My Turn<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLFrVDXlsGyMztlsE3rT5mQO227QZT0hSO939brobx8ME7zn9_89R1JRG328dBJhXpnGqAXMEc_RbOukHV5pcp-v3zHH6E9_i2-yNKXLJEDZ18RIQQ6qQpeDSHNPY8DQEM0-5mqRK_u8/s1600/IMG_8541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrLFrVDXlsGyMztlsE3rT5mQO227QZT0hSO939brobx8ME7zn9_89R1JRG328dBJhXpnGqAXMEc_RbOukHV5pcp-v3zHH6E9_i2-yNKXLJEDZ18RIQQ6qQpeDSHNPY8DQEM0-5mqRK_u8/s320/IMG_8541.jpg" width="240" /></a>I have had a couple friends complain that I am not keeping up on my blog. First off, I want to thank the two of you who have prodded me <grin>. And of course, you know who you are! But, more important, it is always a good reminder that life happens and it is my turn. This is not to say that I am not inspired ("Jill Inspired"). But rather I have been so inspired and have had a chance to see so many insights that I am nearly breathless with all the inspiration around me and haven't been able to juggle the priorities around to documenting this journey. While I could express regret that I've not done more, I try hard to never live in regret. So, let's just take the newest happenings....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSY_JeG6Th_9QbmONmaAokYWYlxlhgfM9n_E8jkMqggvK-fQhvcsH4NGtKMsWNdZ1Pvso4DieBh-YOygyKJJ0BC4Wk8o1yz-KrTi7E464tgOPlMUH2U-coq7PTQUvsT1Peub3D5LOnwI/s1600/IMG_8542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSY_JeG6Th_9QbmONmaAokYWYlxlhgfM9n_E8jkMqggvK-fQhvcsH4NGtKMsWNdZ1Pvso4DieBh-YOygyKJJ0BC4Wk8o1yz-KrTi7E464tgOPlMUH2U-coq7PTQUvsT1Peub3D5LOnwI/s320/IMG_8542.jpg" width="240" /></a>I have been zentangling up a storm, having filled up my second notebook, I can see it oozing out into my handwriting and into my quilting. Zentangling is an art form. Well, indeed, your teachers likely told you to quit doodling but you should have responded, "I am just getting in my Zen." Read more about zentangling in one of my more recent blog posts. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjipYpM7zt07SD2EVGxqiEqf-ECkzaaSbw1RuDBtt-70lIeWg_KM3gnEXRQBVPA8xNFLM6wKdLMOimkwht1ie1n4nybVq4Ji8y-OCK6Z6kXUyTFyfNVmpAuGOKNIpdMnr3HT40Lkmivdg/s1600/IMG_8543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjipYpM7zt07SD2EVGxqiEqf-ECkzaaSbw1RuDBtt-70lIeWg_KM3gnEXRQBVPA8xNFLM6wKdLMOimkwht1ie1n4nybVq4Ji8y-OCK6Z6kXUyTFyfNVmpAuGOKNIpdMnr3HT40Lkmivdg/s320/IMG_8543.jpg" width="240" /></a> Most recently, I worked on the <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2017&IdCategory=0">Attitude Girls by Mary Engelbreit</a>. In true ME (Mary Engelbreit) fashion, she speaks the truth with charming antecdotes and her classic style. This is a charming little kit I picked out in the store and danced around a little diddy bit of my zentangling....done with a needle and my Bernina 830 and her Bernina Stitch Regulator. When I pulled the panels for these kits, I had no idea what the pieces would work out to be. Like many of you, I need time for fabric to speak to me. Then when I sit and study it, I can see it with clarity. If I don't see it clearly, I wait for it. As I looked at these sayings, I realized, they really shouldn't be (for me) all in one project. But rather these are truths that I want spoken to several friends and loved ones. We weren't talking about big pieces but rather something that could be hung like a poster or on a bulletin board.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlTGqXAVcUqT-xeOpkBLh2EV8bcEbEXXH6h4naHz_izVwztjNi7DBIPvzEOtZORineMYZBJdw7YOSnWgVVINaPpguHo1WmuBM9IRCGOEPCpZqc_3e3tyzkIEgUVatSi_YufhodlayQ6Q/s1600/IMG_8544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWlTGqXAVcUqT-xeOpkBLh2EV8bcEbEXXH6h4naHz_izVwztjNi7DBIPvzEOtZORineMYZBJdw7YOSnWgVVINaPpguHo1WmuBM9IRCGOEPCpZqc_3e3tyzkIEgUVatSi_YufhodlayQ6Q/s320/IMG_8544.jpg" width="240" /></a>The kits included three other fabrics (three 3/4 yard cuts) from ME's collection from Moda. I was able to border the pieces with 3" strips and put 3" cornerstones. I had enough fabric to border them and bind all of them. As a bonus, there was enough fabric to use backings for two of them. After I got them started, I realized that they were just screaming for rick rack. Like all of you, I have some stuff in my stash of sewing stuff. Then I went to the store and bought some of my favorite <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2016&IdCategory=103">cherry colored rick rack</a>. You will see the darker rick rack that I had at home and then the more perfect <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=2016&IdCategory=103">cherry-colored rick rack</a> that I got at the store. (Please note that some of us might be tempted to think a mistake was made by using two sets of rick rack. However, these pieces are going to different individuals, not hung as a collection. Plus as ME says, "A Mistake is Simply Another Way of Doing Things." <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tQVn7R8_zqwJVuHJrIowT0YreYFNtEaw1cMA24Yx00WVGg3snucirUt8HXrxBZsTSTo2UEf7vrUQMDGQeR54TEP4nyOljDOaxXouosH1dU9Xt2-L7NJ0b8WQJuSoLUhR7AMFUhIjgt8/s1600/IMG_8545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8tQVn7R8_zqwJVuHJrIowT0YreYFNtEaw1cMA24Yx00WVGg3snucirUt8HXrxBZsTSTo2UEf7vrUQMDGQeR54TEP4nyOljDOaxXouosH1dU9Xt2-L7NJ0b8WQJuSoLUhR7AMFUhIjgt8/s320/IMG_8545.jpg" width="240" /></a>I just needed a little bit of quilting on these pieces because they are designed to be wall hangings for friends. (Don't we all have friends that need these tidbits of wisdom?) I also used a new product that we have been featuring called <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1088&IdCategory=0">Battilizer™</a>. I love this for smaller pieces like this because it is batting melded with stabilizer. It isn't as expensive as melding these two products together. It gives me a crisp set of corners. Many of us struggle with wall quilts and our traditional batting choices. Our favorite batting choices are designed to make quilts soft with some nice drape to them. However, <a href="http://www.pineneedles.net/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=1088&IdCategory=0">Battilizer™</a> is designed to give me my choice cotton batting with a base that will create a wall quilt that will hang with more crispness. I won't get corners that tip in and out. I am less likely to get a bunch of waves in my quilted piece. <br />
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When I quilt the elements, I didn't do a bunch of tracing of the designs. I simply stitched nearby the girls. Didn't go around each letter but rather hit corners. However, on the "Snap Out of It" piece, I made sure to stitch in the curve of her underarms. I wanted to accentuate that detail. <br />
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Likely my favorite one is "Well, Ain't You Something!" I think we should each have this one posted next to the mirror we look at in the mornings. While you might not exactly feel that way, I DO believe that the process of regularly reminding yourself that you are SOMETHING important is a very healthy perspective.<br />
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All the Best to You....<br />
You ARE Something....SPECIAL<br />
jilljillreickshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02603297783261269484noreply@blogger.com0