tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-352953612024-03-07T02:55:46.996-05:00Adventures of a Cross Stitch Drama QueenKeep Calm and Carry Onjlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.comBlogger1164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-26440501686656855472016-01-09T14:56:00.001-05:002016-01-09T14:56:27.541-05:00Quick Post!Just posting to add my goals for the first quarter Finish A Long. <div><br></div><div>First:</div><div><br></div><div>Dear Mr. Claus<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjUL6l4pPspapxyIL5KXU1ebXMRPuoAIPLzMOqQRj7DIITDpJIaYMeXEhczrS6nxxJuuk6o5VMeXU2QWrTgU1wxeaL71tu-18adf7sXHpCZ2AY3t6Sq9SXbMe48DeN5M5ltvN/s640/blogger-image--621571563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigjUL6l4pPspapxyIL5KXU1ebXMRPuoAIPLzMOqQRj7DIITDpJIaYMeXEhczrS6nxxJuuk6o5VMeXU2QWrTgU1wxeaL71tu-18adf7sXHpCZ2AY3t6Sq9SXbMe48DeN5M5ltvN/s640/blogger-image--621571563.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Second: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Moroccan Tiles</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYk-g0yl1_Y6_fFUEH-NYk7UULqAo_uMddWoXPixq3wA___vsdChZ-DwW-0sumu9F7gAILXPFMcrc_l8UQnu3TwyNWLdOzVVo6kISaQpIENa1kgKPg6QqQi5QLkL8p7ok1EX5/s640/blogger-image-1183394776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieYk-g0yl1_Y6_fFUEH-NYk7UULqAo_uMddWoXPixq3wA___vsdChZ-DwW-0sumu9F7gAILXPFMcrc_l8UQnu3TwyNWLdOzVVo6kISaQpIENa1kgKPg6QqQi5QLkL8p7ok1EX5/s640/blogger-image-1183394776.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Third:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Material Girl Quilts HST QAL</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNs4KWdXhSdOEd-B1f7ZBr-pdo4JYEl3a1O8ZR0zkRuY17zlFcPTrIs0NHGCxcYYcb_RixGYSYw6FfUDxGMDV4_3JkpUAvUn6bJDxsTqo6NJqVKb4IIMUG4y_NdLAFzWr0_Fo/s640/blogger-image-868545017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUNs4KWdXhSdOEd-B1f7ZBr-pdo4JYEl3a1O8ZR0zkRuY17zlFcPTrIs0NHGCxcYYcb_RixGYSYw6FfUDxGMDV4_3JkpUAvUn6bJDxsTqo6NJqVKb4IIMUG4y_NdLAFzWr0_Fo/s640/blogger-image-868545017.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fourth:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Bonnie and Camille log cabin swap fun</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU-PN7fGvKo4-Ogq5NG7FeGEzByCP4J7_txHm6WuqN3LS6LlqOlEyiRAVqfKdtRogrowGdNG2_gccqf5ea8o3hMmjIlg3uWj2cQ3rglOzUPnH7Bw7Ix0JooeGo7jcni34wwq-/s640/blogger-image--2031374906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinU-PN7fGvKo4-Ogq5NG7FeGEzByCP4J7_txHm6WuqN3LS6LlqOlEyiRAVqfKdtRogrowGdNG2_gccqf5ea8o3hMmjIlg3uWj2cQ3rglOzUPnH7Bw7Ix0JooeGo7jcni34wwq-/s640/blogger-image--2031374906.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Fifth:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Quilt for Ginger</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7_5hgOOfbdd93KT2dfbYM-yqlefNpLlWLDpdTDopnqX-In2MLve6X5tpoNLhiLbh3mqLbOqCMklv-D8yoJQA0kWA1U9J3Rgf5f4AF1c8FOYvy2ScQ_NuG6pAMaylBM4N84PN/s640/blogger-image--1400584454.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim7_5hgOOfbdd93KT2dfbYM-yqlefNpLlWLDpdTDopnqX-In2MLve6X5tpoNLhiLbh3mqLbOqCMklv-D8yoJQA0kWA1U9J3Rgf5f4AF1c8FOYvy2ScQ_NuG6pAMaylBM4N84PN/s640/blogger-image--1400584454.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sixth:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Garden Path</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQsTyrtqFtWdKuZc0f19iR8npHo8m0BfvlErlw9-OUSwrAnhf041Km5IDC9zjxL2GnpxfyDnaTOtt8F3GxfCUCdbnG_yqzOpi9qEoTogpMjN2Xbd2zSw9pqG141gLlMxtNQsKa/s640/blogger-image-744971337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; 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One of my favorite things to say about Finn is that he's the baby I didn't know I needed. He was, as you may have surmised, a surprise. The pregnancy was not an easy one. I am not someone who enjoys being pregnant. I don't find it wonderful and magical. I find it uncomfortable. I find that I am particularly clumsy. I twist ankles and fall down stairs. My tailbone has never quite recovered from a fall late in Mavis' pregnancy. I also cry a lot. And get overwhelmed easily.<br />
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So Finn. I was in a fog the entire pregnancy. Nothing felt right. I didn't want to sew. I didn't want to cook. I didn't want to eat (but I managed). I didn't want to go anywhere. Nothing was funny. Everything was hard. I remember sitting in the lobby at church one Sunday. Mavis was misbehaving, as she is wont to do. I was sitting on the couch with her while the meeting was going on, and I was sobbing. I could not take another minute of life. A sweet friend came and put her arm around me. It was a good thing she did, too, because a not so sweet man thought it was a good time to tell me to "enjoy these moments because they go by so fast." Um. Right. I was in the 9th circle of hell. But I'll be sure to have a good time.<br />
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As soon as Finn was born, all was right with the world. He was huge: 10 lb 4 oz. He was sweet from the beginning. The past 6 months have passed by in a blur. We've gone from him nursing every 2 hours to him eating rice cereal and applesauce. He sits up on his own. He smiles and giggles and flirts with anyone who stops to look at him. And me? I sew. I cook. I clean. I do the laundry (but I don't like to fold it).<br />
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We all love Finnegan.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-24304543868799326852015-04-28T19:57:00.001-04:002015-04-28T19:58:45.204-04:00CommercialsRemember that commercial that begins with a collect call? It's a son calling his parents. When asked to say his name after the tone, he says, "wehadababyitsaboy." And then the dad rejects the charges and sits down to say to his wife, "They had a baby. It's a boy."<br />
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Well. Blog friends. Wehadababyitsaboy.<br />
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That explains my absence in a nutshell. Last spring I found out we were (surprise!) having another baby. For a number of reasons we kept it quiet for a long time. And then when we started to tell people, I lost the will to blog and sew and cook and clean and do anything besides moan and groan. It was not pretty.<br />
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But you know what is pretty? My baby boy Finn.<br />
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I miss blogging. I have a lot to say, and only a few tiny people around during the day to say it to. And they don't listen. So I'll meet you back here in a bit, okay? Okay.<br />
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Yoo-hoo! Hello, family!</div>
jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-25414556049709263532014-05-08T12:17:00.000-04:002014-05-08T12:17:06.212-04:00So, It's May?It's May, which according to a song is a "lusty month." I'm not sure why. But man alive am I happy it's May! The sun! It exists! The windows! They open! The noses! They sneeze! We are just starting to get little buds on trees. Spring is green and brown around Pittsburgh. Early summer is very colorful. It makes me want to skip with joy.<br />
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April was a rough one around here. I won't dwell on it much. Suffice it to say that sometimes life throws you curveballs. You gotta roll with the punches. Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug. I was angry and upset for a good long while, but woke up to realize that's just not me. So I let it go. I'm not angry now, but I am worried from time to time. I have immense faith that God will provide.<br />
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On to happy things -- one week from today is International Quilt Market. Here. In Pittsburgh. I am so excited I may not sleep all week. (Just kidding -- I love to sleep.) Two besties are coming into town and we'll hit the ground running. If you happen to read this blog and are coming, I would l-o-v-e to see you. I will be in The Quilted Fish booth. Find me, please!!<br />
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<br />jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-50807046904649012342014-03-16T08:59:00.001-04:002014-03-16T08:59:25.064-04:00My GrandpaThe first memory I have of my Grandpa Zundel was when my younger brother was born. Grandpa, who we actually called Church, picked up me and my older brother and took us home to Richmond with him. That sounds really boring, when actually it was the most exciting thing that had happened in my short, 3 year life. He took us home in a private plane. I had blonde pigtails and wore the sweater he had brought me from a trip to Germany. A man in a brown suit on the plane tried to talk to me, but I don't think I answered. It was so terribly exciting. I'm also pretty sure that on that trip I slept in his closet. Did his closet have a couch? Or did they have a sitting room attached to their bedroom?<br />
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He had a green leather chair. He always sat in that chair to watch TV. We loved sitting in that chair. The one he had for the longest time had a huge indentation in the seat. It was like sitting in a bucket. Grandpa did not like it when we sat there, but it was just so comfortable.<br />
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Once when we were staying with them one summer, my Grandpa came home from work. He took the train into Chicago. He had been pick-pocketed. I remember in detail how he reenacted someone crawling over to him on the platform and pulling on his pant leg, creating the diversion for someone else to take his wallet. I was horrified. He enjoyed telling a good story, and could tell them well. Then, after cancelling credit cards, he took us out to dinner. I think we went to Carsons for ribs.<br />
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He had phrases that were uniquely his: cockeyed. Sam Hill. Hotter than a June bride in a feather bed.<br />
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He was a collegiate athlete who, as a catcher for Princeton, knocked out George Bush as he was rounding for home. It's a story that is oft repeated in our family, and we've even heard President Bush tell his version. Grandpa Zundel always makes an impression.<br />
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He gave me my Patriarchal Blessing. In fact, I was the first one he gave. He sealed Curly and me in the DC Temple. And when Curly and I were having some problems a few years ago, he called me on the phone to tell me how much he loved me. He lived in a different time zone by the time I was 8, but while we were in school, still came out every season to see my brothers, sister, and I play a game or act in a play. He visited me on my mission. He and Grandma followed me around Temple Square as I gave a tour and took pictures. Then they took me and my companion out to dinner at the very fancy Roof Restaurant.<br />
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One summer he bought all the girl cousins pretty gold necklaces. When asked where he got them, he vaguely said, "From a guy I know." To this day I have pictured a deal in a back alley where the guy opens a tan trench coat and has necklaces hanging inside.<br />
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The last time I saw him, I was pregnant with Ginger. We went to church with Church and Grandma Jeanne, and out to lunch the next day at The Cheesecake Factory. I am pretty sure he did not call me by name that entire time. Alzheimer's was setting in. Truth be told, I think he thought I was my mom. He sang the Princeton Fight Song the entire time to my kids. They thought he was hilarious.<br />
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He was a giant of a man who left a huge impression on my life. Yesterday, at the age of 90, he passed away. My heart aches for my Grandma. And, my heart aches for me. He called me Janaboo and he made me feel so special. I was his favorite. I know his reunion in heaven has been sweet. I am so thankful for eternal families. I will see him again. That knowledge is sweet.<br />
<br />jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-61200726537362813912014-03-13T17:12:00.001-04:002014-03-13T17:12:21.011-04:00WhoopsMy last post was nearly two months ago. Two months! What the flagnog? I wish I could say super exciting things were going on, but that would be a giant lie. Nope. We've been dealing with winter. A paralyzingly cold, polar vortex induced, snowy winter. And then two days ago it was 65 and I opened the windows and we went to the park. And today it is 20 but feels like 7. The end.<br />
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I have logged a shockingly low amount of hours in my sewing room over the winter. For one, when the wind is howling and the fire is crackling, it is just too hard to resist the couch with an already-sewn comfy quilt. Also, my baby wakes me up every night, sometimes twice, like it's her job. That makes for a tired Mommy and only a couple of hours post kid bedtime to sit on said couch with said quilt in front of said fireplace.<br />
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And then today, when I had a list in my head of super fun things today, I rolled my ankle as I was coming down the stairs. So I have alternated between sitting with my leg up and hobbling after kids. It has not been super fun.<br />
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Instead I am dreaming of warmer weather and fun projects to finish. And here is a fun photo from the summer of a trip we took up to Palmyra, NY. Look how sunny it was. Notice the lack of coats. Instead of a White Christmas, I'm dreaming of a sunny springtime.<br />
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<br />jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-7572429366410993802014-01-19T21:42:00.000-05:002014-01-19T21:42:08.719-05:00A Special QuiltLast week, Curly and I were invited to NC to see our dear friend be baptized. It's a huge deal. We have watched her grow spiritually for the past year and a half. The baptism itself was just the icing on the cake.<br />
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She asked Curly to baptize her. It was such an honor to be there. Let me tell you -- this is a strong woman. She is not easily swayed. She knows what she wants in life and goes after it. There have been some hiccups in her journey, but she has persevered. And while not everyone in her life agrees with her decision, they know she has come to it truthfully and honestly because they know the kind of woman she is, and they respect her decision. I just love her to pieces.<br />
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So I made her a quilt. <br />
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I wanted her to not only have something to remember this weekend by, but I wanted her to have a tangible reminder of the Comforter. When times get tough, and they will because that's just life, I want her to have something she can see and feel and be reminded of the promises she has made, and that God has made with her.<br />
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Her favorite color is red, so I used this fantastic Riley Blake chevron fabric for the back. I love it so hard. The best part about it is that it's 108" wide, so I didn't have to piece the back.<br />
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So I went a little overboard with the size of this thing. The pattern calls this a "lap" size. Ha. Hahahhahhaha. That's a gigantic lap. It fits on her bed.<br />
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Quilt stats:<br />
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Pattern -- 3 in a Box by Jaybird Quilts'<br />
Fabric -- Songbird by Carina Gardner for Riley Blake<br />
Size -- Ginormous. 83" square.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-24316423537790177142014-01-03T17:17:00.000-05:002014-01-03T17:17:16.877-05:00Resolving, not DissolvingI think I was in the minority this past December 31, because I did not want 2013 to end. It was a good year. We finally closed on our house in Maryland, we also bought our house here in Pittsburgh, and we had a baby. A very cute, happy, silly, baby who still likes to wake up for a little snuggle once or twice a night. And she has teeth. Three of them so far. They all broke through within a week. That was super fun.<br />
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I'm not one to wallow in the passage of time. I love that my kids grow and learn and become their own people. But, oh, if I could freeze things as they are right now, that would be fantastic. Freeze Mini-me when she is still young enough to play with My Little Ponies, but old enough to have her own sewing machine. Freeze Patch as he has giant teeth growing in and is constantly discovering new talents. Freeze Ginger as she daily discovers cool things, and sometimes it's the same discovery two or three times in a row. And freeze Baby as she lights up with Curly comes in the room, or as she waves and claps and tries to blow kisses. I wish I had frozen Flower before she got into high school and became so busy.<br />
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But I can't freeze time. So we'll march on. And while I march, I will "<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/10780-try-a-little-harder-to-be-a-little-better">try a little harder to be a little better</a>." This year I am resolving to be a better steward of my time. I am resolving to be kinder towards myself. And I am resolving to keep up with the laundry.<br />
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2013 was good to me. I can't wait to see the great things that will happen to me in 2014.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-31076302597887468182013-11-26T13:51:00.000-05:002013-11-26T13:51:35.419-05:00The Best Day of the YearIt's almost time for the best day of the year. I'm talking about Thanksgiving. I love it with all my heart. I love the food. I love the togetherness. I love the purpose. And I love how there are absolutely no presents involved.<br />
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Growing up, we would load up the mini van (or later, hop on a plane), and head west to Chicago. There we would stay at my Grandparents house, and my aunts, uncles, and cousins who lived there would come over. And like the Whos down in Whoville, we would feast, feast, feast, feast! The men would take over the den and TV, the women would be in the living room, usually stitching, and the kids would be camped out in my grandparent's bedroom, watching Charlie Brown, White Christmas, and any other movie we could find in their Beta Disc collection. It was the best day ever.<br />
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While I am sure it was stressful to have all those people over, I never felt it from my Grandparents. In fact, they seemed in their element. They loved all the family and noise.<br />
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Every year around this time I love to sit and reminisce. Those memories of Thanksgivings past certainly have a honey glow to them. I hope my kids have the same feeling about the holidays I am trying to create for them. Although, I have married into a family that approaches Thanksgiving quite differently than I do. For example, their stuffing is made from rice. Rice! And they don't like sweet potatoes. Not even my mom's sweet potato casserole with the brown sugar crumble topping.<br />
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I know!<br />
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But that's okay. If there is one thing my grandparents showed me, Thanksgiving is about who you spend it with, and being grateful for the people who are missing from around the table. I know I am profoundly grateful for my Zundel grandparents. They are my heroes. This year, I will raise a turkey leg and a prayer of thanksgiving to them.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-14599920986605017652013-11-20T15:05:00.002-05:002013-11-20T15:05:15.873-05:00I Have a Stupid ProblemRemember in school how the only thing worse than not having the right thing was getting the right thing and promptly being accused of copying? Apparently it is something that has stuck with me. And it's stupid. Really stupid. It has kept me from doing something I really really want to do. And that, for an adult woman, is stupid.<br />
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I'm talking about The Farmer's Wife quilt.<br />
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I bought the book several years ago. I was in the process of choosing fabrics when all of a sudden the internets exploded with all these different quilters making this pretty pretty quilt. And then I got stupid and didn't want to do it because they would think I "copied" them.<br />
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So my first quilt of 2014 will be my version of the Farmer's Wife quilt. I am pretty excited about it. I am fairly certain I am going to make it lap sized, so I will be omitting some of the 111 blocks. I have an unhealthy obsession with sampler quilts. I love everything about them. So I may even make two versions. We'll see. Lately I can't even finish a chair cushion. I'm anticipating my baby will magically sleep through the night in 2014. Ha.<br />
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So here is my vow to not be stupid anymore. I am in control of my own life and quilting destiny. And if I want to make the same thing everyone else is making, or wear a shirt that someone I know has, or even cut my hair like someone else, I will. So there.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-33244016492245929852013-11-19T10:55:00.001-05:002013-11-19T10:55:21.901-05:00Some ThoughtsI have had a lot of thoughts swirling in my head lately. I blame it on my brain. Here's a glimpse of what's been going on inside there for the past month:<br />
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I hate blogging only once a month. I feel really bad about it. But I really don't have much going on right now that is exciting. Or maybe it is. Who knows? Do you find waking up at 3:30 AM to find that your dog has not only pooped all over the upstairs but is also rolling in it exciting? You do? Oh. Me too. So that happened. The end of the story is we cleaned it up and it was gross.<br />
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I participated in my big craft show of the year last weekend. My mom and I had a blast, and my besties even came for most of the day. I put them to work. We sewed bindings on pencil rolls and had a grand time. Something funny that happened there -- an aisle or two away from us was a table of hand turned pens and seam rippers. Curly heard them joking that they needed to sell "those women sewing" some seam rippers. As. If.<br />
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My baby now crawls with her belly off the floor and her little tongue poking out of her mouth. It is so cute you might die of you saw it.<br />
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I signed up for another small craft show at an elementary school for the week after Thanksgiving. Curly rolled his eyes. I think he is tired of craft show prep and wants more laundry prep. Me too. But I also like a crisp $20 bill in my pocket.<br />
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On a related note, I once heard my cousin say about his wife that she would kill you for 5 bucks. Me? I say make it 10 and you've got a deal.<br />
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Almost all of my Christmas shopping is done. I was feeling really good about it until I realized that none of the birthday shopping for the two the week before Christmas has been started. Whoops.<br />
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Curly has to work 6 days this week to get ready for Thanksgiving. I heart retail. Anyway, to make him happy to be home I made homemade cinnamon rolls and organized about 3/4 of his desk at home. Still no laundry.<br />
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I started the laundry this morning.<br />
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And lastly, this year I am so excited to celebrate the crap out of Christmas. I am feeling so freakin' jolly. As soon as the Christmas stuff went up in Target, I took my two little girls to marvel. My baby was just as excited as me! But Ginger? She went on a loud angry rant about how it's not even Thanksgiving and where were the Thanksgiving decorations? She got mad at the trees and the lights. This was all in front of the lovely Target employees. It was hilarious, coming from a 3 year old. Then she got over it and started talking about what Santa was going to bring her. We're all jolly!jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-77253410847584480782013-10-18T17:25:00.003-04:002013-10-18T17:25:53.792-04:00It's a Duck!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The giant duck has come to Pittsburgh. It may not look like it in these photos, but it's huge. Like 40 feet high huge. And everyone calls it the "rubber duck" but it's not rubber. It's inflated, like a giant balloon. Apparently it's part of an international festival and will be visiting several other US cities, but who cares, right? It's a giant duck. As if it needs a reason to sit in our rivers.</div>
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We decided to view it from across the river, by the Fred Rogers statue. Look, he's playing with the duck.<br />
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And look! Mini-me is holding it in one hand!<br />
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Look! Patch is holding it in his tiny little boy hands.<br />
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This could be a children's book.<br />
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And look! All of my chickens with the duck.<br />
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It was a really warm day, but we all wish for cooler fall temperatures, so most of us wore jackets. But me and my baby? No way. We were super comfortable while everyone else was a little warm. You can't tell from the photos, but the crowd across the river was large. And there were tons of boats trying to get close to the duck. Pittsburgh has caught Duck Fever. Restaurants have added duck to their menus, which I find completely morbid, and hotels have special packages with duck view rooms. I even had a dream the night before we went that the duck was interactive and could talk to you. It wasn't though. It was just a duck.<br />
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There was this Disney cartoon we used to watch growing up. In it, Donald Duck was a logger and, wouldn't you know it, he tries to cut down Chip and Dale's tree. What are the odds? Anyway, the funniest line is when Dale sticks his head out of their hole/door and says, "It's a duck! With a big fanny!" I said this several times while visiting the giant duck. Unfortunately, no one but me had seen it. So no one knew how funny I was. And that, America, is a travesty.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-18450089377986855082013-09-26T12:55:00.000-04:002013-09-26T12:55:20.384-04:00Tap Tap TapHello? Is anyone still there? Hi Grandma!<br />
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This past month has been busy. School and soccer and piano and violin and preschool and baby messes are keeping me on my toes. My goal to shower every day seems a bit lofty now.<br />
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Just kidding.<br />
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A little.<br />
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So here's something I've been a little quiet about. I am on Weight Watchers again. Apparently I'm what's known as a "repeat offender." Funny, no? No. It's not that it's hard, it's just that I would like the metabolism of a much thinner woman. I would also like to be an inch taller. I joined on my birthday and have lost 10 pounds. That's pretty awesome but I still have two chins. I really have been trying to think of losing weight in increments of 10. It seems more manageable to lose 10 pounds at a time. Only 6 times to go!<br />
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I have started craft show prep in earnest. So far I have just a handful of items to sell. I am doing my usual crayon holders and pencil rolls, plus a few table runners. I am also doing advent calendars and some cute pouches in different sizes. I'll show some progress photos soon-ish. I don't want to over-commit.<br />
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<br />jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-61312080487913916372013-08-21T12:43:00.001-04:002013-08-21T12:43:44.757-04:00Shhhhh.....Hi. It's me. Can you hear me? I'm whispering this post because I am hiding. All my kids are upstairs. I'm not sure what they're doing, but they are quiet. If I move, they will hear me and find me and take away my phone, computer, and tv. They are so mean. Mini-me and Patch go back to school on Monday and I am happy/sad about it. Mostly happy. And broke. Mini-me decided to grow over the summer. That's an expensive hobby. For each shirt I buy, I calculate how much fabric I could have had.<br />
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It's been a good summer, but mostly it's been experimental. I feel like wearing a badge on Monday that says, "I survived!"<br />
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And can we talk about baby naps? Holy cow. Sometimes they happen, sometimes they don't. Both are disruptive.<br />
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Oops, they've found me. These keys are too noisy! Time to sign off. If you don't hear from me in a weeks time, send fat quarters.<br />
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<br />jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-64032099892823035092013-07-29T21:16:00.002-04:002013-07-29T21:16:29.827-04:00Vacation, Part Disney<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My first trip to Disneyland was when I was 18. My friend Rachel invited me to come to California for a family event. Problem was, it was the week before finals. I'm a nerd -- studying is my joy. While my parents were visiting for some Spring skiing, Rachel casually mentioned the trip to my mom. For those that know my mom, it will come as no surprise that she looked at me and said, "Oh! Live a little." So I did. And a Disney convert was born.</div>
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Ever since that trip, I have wanted to take my family there. Honestly, I never thought it would happen. First of all, we are not wealthy. Second of all, we're kinda poor. I will never be able to repay my inlaws for making this dream come true. They have no idea how much it means to me. Or maybe they do. </div>
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We got to Anaheim on Sunday evening and went straight to Downtown Disney to check things out. </div>
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The next morning, we got to the park when it opened. We weren't the first people there, but we were close. Upon entering the gates, I cried. It was an ugly cry. And then we saw Donald and I ran my family over to him for a picture. Do you see that crazy look on my face? Yeah, it hasn't been seen since I <a href="http://crossstitchdramaqueen.blogspot.com/2012/05/meet-butlers.html">met the Butlers</a>.<br />
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We hit the ground running. I sent the kids and Curly on Star Tours and took Ginger and Mavis to meet some Faeries. Ginger wouldn't even look at her. She wouldn't smile for a picture. I thought she was traumatized. But, moments later we were reunited with the rest of the family and guess who couldn't stop talking about Tinkerbell? Turns out Ginger loved it. She wanted to go again. So we did. This time she wouldn't even get in the picture. PS -- Curly told Tink a joke. "What's a fairies favorite candy? Pixie sticks!" So, if you go to Disneyland and Tink tells you that joke, she got it from Curly. PPS -- she was cute as a button.<br />
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Ginger also wanted to do the teacups. (Sidebar -- who knew she knew so much about Disneyland? Holy cow that girl is a sponge!) I've never seen a smile that big on her.<br />
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The thing that the kids really wanted to do was Jedi Training. I had read up on it and knew it was kind of crazy, and busy, and that they might not get chosen. Luck was on our side (and maybe some prayers), and Patch, Mini-me, and two of their cousins were chosen. Patch decided he needed to wear the hood. He was so proud of himself, especially when he defeated Darth Vader.<br />
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Later on, we met Minnie Mouse in her house. Ginger ran up to her and gave her a hug. Flower didn't want to get in the picture because she doesn't like when people dress up and lose sight of reality. I just hate that Mavis was asleep, because this would have made one heck of a Christmas card photo.<br />
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Tuesday found us over in California Adventure. Lieutenant Shane hightailed it to the Fast Pass line for the Radiator Springs ride, and we got right in line. Long story shortened, Patch and Mini-me got to ride it 3 times.<br />
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After Cars Land, Curly took Flower on California Screamin', and Aunt Nora and I took the rest of the kids to Disney Jr. Live. It was awesome, right up until the time Ginger shoved a Gold Dablune up her nose. Then we got to go to the most magical place of all --- Disney First Aid!<br />
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Wednesday was declared Princess Day (by me). We started out with Cinderella.<br />
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Then Ariel, who Flower sang to.<br />
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Ginger was really enjoying herself, even though she doesn't look it. As we would leave, she would turn and curtsy to the princess. It was pretty adorable.<br />
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And then we came upon Sleeping Beauty, who got Ginger to talk. It was awesome.<br />
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Outside was the wild and crazy princess Merida, and her bear brothers. The brothers were so cool. They would interact with you if you talked to them. Ginger totally ignored Merida and had a grand time with the brothers.<br />
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And then I got sick with a nasty stomach bug and spent the rest of the day in bed. Seriously, it was terrible. I was so sad to miss our last day there, but they had such a good time. So many aunts and uncles and grandparents to take my kids to see and do things. I am so grateful. <div>
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Disney magic is unlike any other magic. At one point I felt like shouting a testimony that dreams really do come true! I've gotta sell a lot of quilts so we can go back.<br /><br /></div>
jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-21997338100192064982013-07-24T14:50:00.000-04:002013-07-24T14:50:53.877-04:00Vacation, Part 1We've been home from vacation for a few days now. I feel like I could still sleep for a week. When we vacation, we go all out. No relaxing allowed!<br />
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This year found us winging our way west to the great state of California. I love California. It is such a glamorous place. For one thing, the palm trees. Am I right? Is there a happier tree than a palm tree? No there is not. For another, the ocean. I love the ocean. Not enough to get in it. I mean, that thing is a giant toilet. But I do love to look at it and sit by it.<br />
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So here are some photos of part one of our trip: The Kigin Family Reunion.<br />
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We stayed in Carlsbad, CA. Right on the beach. It was cloudy while we were there, and the surf was a little rough, but we didn't mind a bit.<br />
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Mavis loved it.<br />
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So did Curly and Flower.<br />
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Curly's cousin Sara loves babies. I hardly held Mavis the entire time we were there. I wish she could have come home with us.<br />
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My bestie <a href="http://madewithlove-candice.blogspot.com/">Candice</a> lives close-ish to Carlsbad. I mean, it would seem a lot closer if we didn't sit in 2 hours of traffic. We spent the afternoon eating Mexican food and fabric shopping. It was my idea of heaven. On the way home, Mavis had a wee bit of a meltdown in the backseat. Such a baby. Candice was a good sport, but I think she'll think twice before getting on I-5 with a baby in the back.<br />
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I was very nervous to let my kids in the water because the the surf advisory. But, Curly promised he was stronger than the ocean. So.<br />
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Curly's cousin Austin was the Ginger-whisperer. I think she has a bit of a crush. He played with her for a couple of hours on the beach. I wish I could have brought him home, too.<br />
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I forgot to bring Mavis' swim suit. She was super embarrassed.<br />
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Patch and his cousin/bestie Wyatt enjoyed being buried in the sand.<br />
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And Mini-me and Flower were the perfect Beach Beauties. We all were totally fooled by the clouds and got wicked sunburns. Mavis even got one. It was so sad. She was under the umbrella the entire time, but it wasn't keeping the sun off.<br />
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Curly and his very tall brother helped Cousin Sara do some boogie boarding. Pure joy.<br />
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Ginger developed Merida hair on the beach.<br />
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I often came across Patch lounging with his legs crossed. He leads a hard life, so relax he must!<br />
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Curly's dad's cousin Steve was also a big fan of babies. If Sara didn't have Mavis, then Steve did. With two Kigin cousins to pass around, no one went without a baby for long.<br />
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We left Carlsbad and had dinner with my Aunt and Uncle. Sadly, no pictures. Only memories. We came in and made ourselves at home. Patch cried at dinner that he was so hungry, but there was no food that he liked. Well, until the chocolate cake came out. Then Mavis had a massive blow out all over Aunt Jill. They were so sad to see us go!<br />
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And then our Disney adventure began. More on that later.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-90331811852917867382013-07-10T15:27:00.000-04:002013-07-10T15:27:27.914-04:00It's Here!This is, without a doubt, the most anticipated week of our family's year. Yes, I know we had a baby this year. That was pretty awesome. And we're all looking forward to Christmas. But this week, this very week, finally brings us to Disneyland.<br />
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Let me back up. When Mavis (sorry honey, I just love that nickame for her) was born, my lovely in-laws came out to help over Easter. My mother-in-law, forgetting what children are like, handed each child a page of Disney stickers and told them that in July, we were going to Disneyland. From that day forward, I have hard about Disneyland and princesses and Disneyland and Jedi training and Disneyland and Carsland and Disneyland every. single. day. We saved money in a jar for souvenirs. Let me tell you, earning 50 cents has never been so appealing to my kids. We visited the website and plotted out our ideal days. We watched the Travel Channel's several specials on Disneyland. In short, excitement invaded.<br />
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And now, it's here. It's finally here. We leave tomorrow morning and 0-dark-thirty. If all goes according to plan, we land in California before lunch. If you want to follow our adventures, then follow me on Instagram. I will be over-insta-ing all week long. I'm "jkigin" and I heart likes, if you're picking up what I'm putting down.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(A word to would-be robbers -- we have nothing of value. Nothing. Our tv cost less than $200. Oh, and our attack dog is staying.)</span></i>jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-60236554403416383552013-07-09T13:25:00.000-04:002013-07-09T13:25:57.778-04:00DecoratingI was browsing Pinterest last week like I had extra time on my hands, and came across a tutorial for a flag pillow. (<a href="http://www.stubbornlycrafty.com/2013/06/chevron-flag-pillow-cover-tutorial/">Found here</a>.) So I went up to my LQS, Wexford Dry Goods, picked up some <a href="http://rileyblakedesigns.com/">Riley Blake</a> Basics because I obviously didn't have the "right" fabric in my stash, and went. to. town.<br />
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I finished it in the nick of time. Mine ended up being a lot bigger than the one in the tutorial. Also, I made my HST's a little differently than they did. No matter. I love it. I hung it in my kitchen, but I had to take down one of my favorite prints to do so. I need to find a permanent home for my star hanger, and make some more holiday mini quilts to go on it, preferably before the day of the holiday.<br />
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I always feel like a genius when I make something cute that other people like. I had a lot of people on Instagram ask for one. I mean, they were all related to me, but that does not diminish the compliment at all.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-55468270522344083852013-07-08T14:35:00.002-04:002013-07-08T14:35:36.591-04:00I've Been BusySo, I've been busy. Nothing monumental. Just normal, every day busy. For example, I have been doing laundry. That's important for those in my family who enjoy clean clothes. I have also been making dinner and fitting in the occasional shower. Sidebar -- when did bathing become a luxury event in my life?<br />
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Last month we headed home to spend some time with some friends. We had 11 kids and 3 moms in one house. It was crazy fun. I'm not sure I took a single picture. Then the kids and I went to my parent's house for a few days. That was also a good time. So fun, in fact, that we're going to do it again.<br />
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Last week, my BFF Lauren and her family came to our house for the holiday weekend. I did take pictures this time! We knew we were in for some fun when the night they arrived, Ginger and Olivia were walking around holding hands. Future besties in the making.<br />
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We did a lot of fun Pittsburgh-y things. We walked around downtown and went to Point State Park. It's where there's a giant fountain and also where the two impossible to spell rivers merge to become the easier to spell Ohio River. The baby was with us, but she didn't want to be photographed.<br />
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We went on a date night. It was very sweaty. Let me tell you, 80 degrees in Pittsburgh is like 100 degrees in Vegas. We went on the Duquesne Incline, which pretty much is a giant elevator that takes you up the side of a hill. It's a must see for anyone travelling through. The views from the top are divine. We have a very pretty city. (We did take a picture with our husbands, but it had major red eye.)<br />
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This is Mini-me and Patch on top of the parking garage. I like to call our city the Europe of Pennsylvania.<br />
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We visited a couple of Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives restaurants. First up was Kelly-O's, which is less than 10 minutes from our house. Who knew? I had a salad. It was huge. My kids all had pancakes. They were better than McDonald's, and those pancakes are awesome.<br />
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Then on our date night, we went to Primanti Brothers in Market Square. I ate a sandwich as big as my face. It had cole slaw and french fries on top. Delish.<br />
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It was so fun. I hope they'll come back.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-86124001255340378162013-06-17T10:06:00.001-04:002013-06-17T10:06:21.993-04:00Two QuiltsI have two finishes to share. Yay, me!<br />
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The first is a simple baby quilt for some friends of ours. Curly deemed them "baby quilt worthy" friends, and so I pulled some <a href="http://thequiltedfish.typepad.com/">Quilted Fish</a> fabric and used my new <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Simply-Retro-Camille-Roskelley-Classic/dp/1607056844/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371477352&sr=8-1&keywords=simply+retro"><i>Simply Retro</i></a> book to find a pattern. It was fast and easy.<br />
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I did loopy quilting all over it, and then did binding on the bias. In total, I think the quilt took about 4 hours to make. The longest part was the binding.<br />
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Next up is the quilt for Baby. See here? She's saying how much she loves it. She's also telling me her outfit is too tight.<br />
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I used another <a href="http://camilleroskelley.typepad.com/">Camille Roskelley</a> pattern. I'm finding there is a fine line between "fan" and "stalker." The fabric is <a href="http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/">Sarah Jane Studios</a>. I don't know the name of the line, but it's the one with anchors and arctic narwhals.<br />
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Here is a close up of the quilting. I was very brave on this one. I've had the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Free-Motion-Quilting-Angela-Walters-Designs/dp/160705535X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371477778&sr=8-1&keywords=angela+walters">Angela Walters</a> Free Motion Quilting book since before we moved. I've wanted to try some of the patterns, but I've been so nervous. I didn't want to ruin a quilt. Last week I told myself I was stupid, loaded Baby's quilt on my frame, and went to town with the paisley design. Is it perfect? Absolutely not. But I'll be better on the next one I do. It was fun to try a different style.<br />
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So there you go. Two baby quilts finished in the past week. I feel pretty awesome about it.<br />
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<br />jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-14609982104137973802013-06-14T23:58:00.000-04:002013-06-14T23:58:51.081-04:00Modern Mini ChallengeI'm following the crowd and entering my Madhuri quilt in <a href="http://ellisonlane.blogspot.com/2013/06/link-up-your-modern-mini-challenge-entry.html">Ellison Lane's Modern Mini Challenge.</a> Yay! (Kermit arms, please.)<br />
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This mini features <a href="http://thequiltedfish.typepad.com/">The Quilted Fish'</a> new line, Madhuri. It's 18" square and packs a punch. I was very brave and embraced the bright pink solid. I was really worried it would make my mini look like a hot mess, but it really made it look just plain hot.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX0vZBvbo_kYVH9_RVSzJpwDSI5eKrNfFju35lGv7Ek6jIPxr3tZg1PUbX8ctlnjFDwJmlToZnvuj9g1V7L86i9EhiUo_IojOWxWZlbLDi0pgTrPvuKlpEdlVQmKk3Bt88eFN/s1600/DSCF2606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMX0vZBvbo_kYVH9_RVSzJpwDSI5eKrNfFju35lGv7Ek6jIPxr3tZg1PUbX8ctlnjFDwJmlToZnvuj9g1V7L86i9EhiUo_IojOWxWZlbLDi0pgTrPvuKlpEdlVQmKk3Bt88eFN/s320/DSCF2606.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Here is the back. Love it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn48IOLOm2NMcm0ID87otxTcykIr9dsB66zv-asrATFXBaxgW3AQdF7UFt8aGdHFfJOUCUfJCX3U-QOilJGGdDu0K6bF0Ae6gPe3G9IV7Q8elwBq_tD2yfgi-ZBSOVDKDtP7I9/s1600/DSCF2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn48IOLOm2NMcm0ID87otxTcykIr9dsB66zv-asrATFXBaxgW3AQdF7UFt8aGdHFfJOUCUfJCX3U-QOilJGGdDu0K6bF0Ae6gPe3G9IV7Q8elwBq_tD2yfgi-ZBSOVDKDtP7I9/s320/DSCF2609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And here is the front again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N2YMoOYI4bGWJHKvmqOmssUywJaJF-EKLTQzpABn5VHCqotnirjGAkex9TBUCSoM3PPU40vopateT_6DelOdYnMmocGBQh35fZfynGMeL_geGLj-N0OtdWKwW0_BcMClrFrJ/s1600/DSCF2615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8N2YMoOYI4bGWJHKvmqOmssUywJaJF-EKLTQzpABn5VHCqotnirjGAkex9TBUCSoM3PPU40vopateT_6DelOdYnMmocGBQh35fZfynGMeL_geGLj-N0OtdWKwW0_BcMClrFrJ/s320/DSCF2615.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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If you want to make one of your own, feel free to use my<a href="http://crossstitchdramaqueen.blogspot.com/2013/05/madhuri-modern-mini-tutorial.html"> tutorial.</a></div>
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There are a lot of great ones entered this year. Hope you like mine!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DfBF-QgzZ9ldYpI1xdZB2XZqoK1NT1BpZ4zPvdG3zwZHeTpHhKYJbS7uuW5mazy4vq3E-NezhWvrYqXlVoGjN5tX1wC6A36xDEMPKvm4kIugJTH9NUMltovlenJQX2lAzei9pw/s1600/modern+mini+quilt+2013+button.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DfBF-QgzZ9ldYpI1xdZB2XZqoK1NT1BpZ4zPvdG3zwZHeTpHhKYJbS7uuW5mazy4vq3E-NezhWvrYqXlVoGjN5tX1wC6A36xDEMPKvm4kIugJTH9NUMltovlenJQX2lAzei9pw/s1600/modern+mini+quilt+2013+button.jpg" /></a></div>
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jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-90290212172944648622013-06-02T07:24:00.000-04:002013-06-02T07:24:03.374-04:00GingerI found this picture of Ginger while looking through my computer files.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeLIPSkHoVRAD1I4vSNrSJylf7SpStpf7V4WN-cNQZ9ZazLgqrAyxy5k8IrKy_sZF-YXVuolMHEKcUjYjW1o-9avrchcEk_nt4O7k-9buQc_TM48On7wh7WJ1DLlzgnv17WDs/s1600/dscn3595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGeLIPSkHoVRAD1I4vSNrSJylf7SpStpf7V4WN-cNQZ9ZazLgqrAyxy5k8IrKy_sZF-YXVuolMHEKcUjYjW1o-9avrchcEk_nt4O7k-9buQc_TM48On7wh7WJ1DLlzgnv17WDs/s640/dscn3595.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Nothing like getting licked by a dog.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-84969382182696643562013-05-30T06:30:00.000-04:002013-05-30T06:30:00.670-04:00Oh My<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLAc9L8nXChT62yH3AX6bZ5Xs2ZUHw8IA3-gw7uE8saRmCx59GyTmlvFiBM9XHMaarerc433M17pvxi5Gr8LiKdNzOtfkrow4KLT8F2LNggo7gE2Mtps-MesScCtGX5Gd_Fec/s1600/DSCF2629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLAc9L8nXChT62yH3AX6bZ5Xs2ZUHw8IA3-gw7uE8saRmCx59GyTmlvFiBM9XHMaarerc433M17pvxi5Gr8LiKdNzOtfkrow4KLT8F2LNggo7gE2Mtps-MesScCtGX5Gd_Fec/s640/DSCF2629.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I know how Ginger feels.</div>
jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-16307214076686067842013-05-29T06:00:00.000-04:002013-05-29T06:00:08.263-04:00Madhuri Modern Mini TutorialRemember my mini-quilt?<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2cH26kkQQ_RlKHthMbqEiJSrhvfZ52nSutFaBNvBJ2qpS83fJ-K6WRaY99VFNUW14_WZsLLzyBqAk2pfRnhjF3aounjykhUpB9isziIqBChv92GSoM6QP4IQEQMESdopPb-3/s1600/DSCF2615.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2cH26kkQQ_RlKHthMbqEiJSrhvfZ52nSutFaBNvBJ2qpS83fJ-K6WRaY99VFNUW14_WZsLLzyBqAk2pfRnhjF3aounjykhUpB9isziIqBChv92GSoM6QP4IQEQMESdopPb-3/s640/DSCF2615.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course you do. I know you've been dying to know how to make one yourself. Well, my friend, that day is today. My fellow <a href="http://thequiltedfish.typepad.com/">Quilted Fish Design Team</a> members and I are revealing our tutorials today. Woo-hoo!! The pattern is made by one simple block being turned different ways. So let's get started.<br />
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You'll need:<br />
16 4" squares pattern<br />
16 4" squares solid<br />
36 1.75" squares pattern<br />
36 1.75" squares solid<br />
Fabric for binding, about 80"<br />
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Pair up a 4" pattern square with a 4" solid square. We're going to make Half Square Triangles, or HSTs.<br />
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I have this awesome ruler that when lined up on the diagonal, gives you a scant quarter inch on each side. It's awesome. Did I say awesome? Because it is. It helps me make perfect HSTs. But, if you don't have one of these awesome rulers, go ahead and make yours according to your favorite method.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqhjU0smihwXjSmG_aGkWmCWD_E3N92USVGL093gjHYyRaCU_RFvIbGksQb1HCfeMg7vbAman79XwICgkprjrveh5XIrBgaLjrc61QEbEALEC_yUYq7ZLP02jwSEki2643i0V/s1600/DSCF2656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMqhjU0smihwXjSmG_aGkWmCWD_E3N92USVGL093gjHYyRaCU_RFvIbGksQb1HCfeMg7vbAman79XwICgkprjrveh5XIrBgaLjrc61QEbEALEC_yUYq7ZLP02jwSEki2643i0V/s320/DSCF2656.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Once your lines are sewn, cut down the center on the diagonal.<br />
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Press seams open and admire.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz352pJOqBQFBZTNMIzqW8xK-UDfc6kVGR5SPCe7y1OFyUtV3bZmq4emcI2qBz5bvpsXcqdjTFGWDif3yk612sCq-t0hD6mtEulkTmjTikPE7nAdqo8pQD4iSTMz80u03XR-ab/s1600/DSCF2662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz352pJOqBQFBZTNMIzqW8xK-UDfc6kVGR5SPCe7y1OFyUtV3bZmq4emcI2qBz5bvpsXcqdjTFGWDif3yk612sCq-t0hD6mtEulkTmjTikPE7nAdqo8pQD4iSTMz80u03XR-ab/s320/DSCF2662.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Square up to 3.5". Again, I have a fun ruler.<br />
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Draw a diagonal line on the back of each 1.75" square. Place the pattern square on the solid side, and the solid square on the pattern side. Sew along the diagonal line.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3_VmXFUCncsb9SkF84EDJPXtAf_w0iN2DJHdbE8Ic_D45BxXVygIlcWH7VCEHfq63mEog8lncweAC6xPSHLBaxsxx5Tpm3EK6YEOmSLYsvqKK4rW631FU_2L-dNZyAZW7Wfx/s1600/DSCF2667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3_VmXFUCncsb9SkF84EDJPXtAf_w0iN2DJHdbE8Ic_D45BxXVygIlcWH7VCEHfq63mEog8lncweAC6xPSHLBaxsxx5Tpm3EK6YEOmSLYsvqKK4rW631FU_2L-dNZyAZW7Wfx/s320/DSCF2667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Trim the excess, and press seams open.<br />
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Sew the squares together, 6 rows of 6. In the odd rows, alternate the small solid corner first on the bottom right, then on the bottom left. In the even rows, alternate the solid square first on the top right, then on the top left. That will create the diamond patterns. Quilt as desired. I chose to emphasize the diamonds by quilting concentric squares within the patterns, and leaving the pink solid fabric plain. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZV2MmylM7-y-V61ou4k76P6DHDPDDvVYqzj13eLa6xXVJCPquJSK6ngkhCWiIUehzEc0XXWOGzNp3dagebBHWdnj73Oagpm2bCz04Chk1FDTLfHqNs6DPe6FYox169VZIwLp/s1600/DSCF2609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkZV2MmylM7-y-V61ou4k76P6DHDPDDvVYqzj13eLa6xXVJCPquJSK6ngkhCWiIUehzEc0XXWOGzNp3dagebBHWdnj73Oagpm2bCz04Chk1FDTLfHqNs6DPe6FYox169VZIwLp/s320/DSCF2609.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Bind your mini-quilt according to your favorite method.<br />
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Enjoy! Now, go check out the other tutorials today:</div>
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<a href="http://sillymamaquilts-sillymama.blogspot.com/">Brooke</a></div>
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<a href="http://madewithlove-candice.blogspot.com/">Candice</a></div>
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<a href="http://jabotquilt.blogspot.com/">Jackie</a></div>
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<a href="http://sallysangelworks.typepad.com/sallys_ponderings/">Sally</a></div>
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<a href="http://peasinapod.typepad.com/">Stephanie</a></div>
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And don't forget to pick up some <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/store/stores_app/Browse_dept_items.asp?T=1&Store_id=499&page_id=17">Madhuri</a> while you're out fabric shopping. Or while fabric shopping in your pjs. Either way, go get some!</div>
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<br />jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35295361.post-77501229593238410442013-05-25T21:18:00.000-04:002013-05-25T21:18:00.156-04:00To Boston, With LoveTo Boston, With Love was a grass-roots effort started by the <a href="http://vancouvermodernquiltguild.ca/blog/">Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild</a> to show support for the people of Boston following the bombings at the marathon last month. Quilters from all over the world were invited to sew a flag and then send it in so that all the flags could be tied together.<br />
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This one was mine. I know how it feels to be in a place that is attacked. And I know how it feels to try to be normal after that. It's hard. And it takes super-hero effort at times.<br />
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I mailed mine in last week to <a href="http://duringquiettime.blogspot.com/">Amy</a>. And my flag, along with about 1600 others, is now hanging in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It's pretty awesome. Go <a href="http://duringquiettime.blogspot.com/">here</a> to read all about it. I hope Boston feels the love.jlkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15765803725317806111noreply@blogger.com3