tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9290986161319512642024-03-13T04:26:23.458-07:00Pretty Little QuiltsA quilting blogCristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.comBlogger95125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-57278699540100607832020-12-31T13:33:00.017-08:002021-02-08T15:01:46.353-08:00Laureate Quilt Illuminated Alphabet - Free Patterns<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLG-_uAWi2q4lqC_hF9NHou3BcX6WJFqyO59qPQcOyOnr-3N4zw2Ryo2TuDDBmohAhASRHkcv19A8n3HVEiLNUmiTEZMPzM67aWUhEfFs-gO6l2GC45qvbjiFLEyozLMwLfDOfTlZPX0/s2048/Illuminated+Letter+Pic.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLG-_uAWi2q4lqC_hF9NHou3BcX6WJFqyO59qPQcOyOnr-3N4zw2Ryo2TuDDBmohAhASRHkcv19A8n3HVEiLNUmiTEZMPzM67aWUhEfFs-gO6l2GC45qvbjiFLEyozLMwLfDOfTlZPX0/s320/Illuminated+Letter+Pic.JPG" /></a></div><br /><p>Hello everyone, I have something cute to share with you today. I've been working (day and night!) on designing this alphabet for you to use with your <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/907027954/laureate-quilt-pattern-pdf?ref=hp_opfy-5" target="_blank">Laureate Quilt</a> and all the letters are free!! I've been trying to knock out as many as possible, and will continue to add to this page until they are all complete. When I originally thought about designing these letters I talked myself out of it because it was overwhelming to design an entire alphabet. But when you start to really think about it, a lot of the letters have the same shapes, so I started to work my way through them by starting with similar looking letters.</p><p>The pic above shows the block in Christmas colors, but my plan is to show you soon another in beautiful spring colors. </p><p>Included is the supplemental instructions you will need to put them in your wreath block if you choose. Each of the blocks is 8 1/2" and they look so cute inside the wreath with the continuation of the leafy theme. If you would rather make a plain letter instead of making the leaves, you can just subsitute the "stem" with a 2 1/4" x 8 1/2" rectangle. </p><p>I'm calling these letters "Illuminated" because they remind me of the old, beautiful drop cap or initials used in books and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illuminated_manuscript" target="_blank">illuminated manuscripts</a>. </p><p>Keep checking back here or on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/prettylittlequilts/" target="_blank">@prettylittlequilts</a> to see what new letters I add if you're looking for a specific one. You can always send me a message at cristina@prettylittlequilts.com, or leave a reply below, to let me know if there's one in particular you want to use, and I'll make it a priority.</p><p>To download the pattern, click on the link below:</p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/2hiqqew551l8eve/Illuminated%20Letter%20A.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - A</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/sry2vduy6n4nz53/Illuminated%20Letter%20B.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - B</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/wpnvpvz1p9on89k/Illuminated%20Letter%20C.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - C</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/iwuhfhskia7plkd/Illuminated%20Letter%20D.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - D</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/eh8efjerovs5qba/Illuminated%20Letter%20E.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - E</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/wyt3kqbkv4va20y/Illuminated%20Letter%20F.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - F</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/lb2gnvof3uxrpp1/Illuminated%20Letter%20G.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - G</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/yhfcwcr2ypb080x/Illuminated%20Letter%20H.pdf?dl=0">Illuminated Letter - H</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/i228m4hqhc84cj7/Illuminated%20Letter%20I.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - I</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/l8ea84d5n5i42ya/Illuminated%20Letter%20J.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - J</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/3960k21gfg2oonc/Illuminated%20Letter%20K.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - K</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/5rt8j5kh5pp722y/Illuminated%20Letter%20L.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - L</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/abm9w93pwwylz2p/Illuminated%20Letter%20M.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - M</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/b10p38c78jf011l/Illuminated%20Letter%20N.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - N</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/boedqrl58i67e6l/Illuminated%20Letter%20O.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - O</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/k9k7w9rrjfemogy/Illuminated%20Letter%20P.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - P</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/rilc9pmj1nsacgi/Illuminated%20Letter%20Q.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - Q</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/v8r5vzzicis7loc/Illuminated%20Letter%20R.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - R</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/qhsnmvs360ubx5o/Illuminated%20Letter%20S.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - S</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/alwo43xxhaiy868/Illuminated%20Letter%20T.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - T</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/le9323obrw7x9yp/Illuminated%20Letter%20U.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - U</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/8j7mgnzk7d7ib6c/Illuminated%20Letter%20V.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - V</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ekjdip13u7wyad0/Illuminated%20Letter%20W.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - W</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ye0dqbmtzmjn857/Illuminated%20Letter%20X.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - X</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/997lju4lijoujdv/Illuminated%20Letter%20Y.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - Y</a></p><p><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/h8nswzj0e4qr1bu/Illuminated%20Letter%20Z.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Illuminated Letter - Z</a></p><p>Although I do my very best to insure there are no typos or mistakes, sometimes mistakes happen. Please let me know if you find one. Thank you!! </p><p>To purchase a copy of the Laureate Quilt Pattern click <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/907027954/laureate-quilt-pattern-pdf?ref=shop_home_active_2&crt=1" target="_blank">here.</a> </p>Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-20979186965243776052020-12-09T18:06:00.004-08:002020-12-10T04:33:12.711-08:00New Pattern and a Giveaway!!<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTxtETtOGBJRRCpSSTkCk-uLIV85sCE0mRQiEssq5GkstRVuz02cDegZSWhZJVVDveacJTe1PKLKSeiSkLeV0SRlA3pdh7u879oQ9uxKD2nsgtFX543tUD1qOn-hbS_sDlTY1isahSRc/s2048/77392B70-9027-49E5-92F0-111F67602828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTxtETtOGBJRRCpSSTkCk-uLIV85sCE0mRQiEssq5GkstRVuz02cDegZSWhZJVVDveacJTe1PKLKSeiSkLeV0SRlA3pdh7u879oQ9uxKD2nsgtFX543tUD1qOn-hbS_sDlTY1isahSRc/s320/77392B70-9027-49E5-92F0-111F67602828.JPG" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Today I released a new pattern, </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrettyLittleQuilts?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=920990241" style="text-align: left;">Laureate</a><span style="text-align: left;">, and I'm doing a Giveaway on Instagram </span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prettylittlequilts/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">@prettylittlequilts</a><span style="text-align: left;">. Head on over, and you could win a pattern (in the format of your choice) for you and a friend! Winners will be randomly selected on Friday. </span></div><p>I got the idea for this pattern after taking a classical architecture class at the American College of Building Arts. Although wreaths have never gone out of style, it was my first time really appreciating the history and beauty of the wreath. </p><p>The quilt is 83" x 83" and features three different styles of wreaths. Each wreath block is 23 1/2 (unfinished), and one block could make a beautiful wall hanging or used for a large Euro pillow sham. Even though the blocks are large, I really put a lot of thought into the size, and made several different test sizes. I wanted to stay within 1/4" increments, and wanted the white space between the leaves to stay proportional, and this seemed to be the perfect size where the pieces didn't get too small, and the white space still made sense. </p><p>I started this pattern back in the summer, and worked with Lindsie at <a href="http://lindsiebergevin.com">Lindsie Bergevin Studio</a> who designed a new logo and helped me get the pattern looking like I imagined. She was wonderful to work with, and really took the time to understand my wishes and style. I recommend her for any of your graphic design needs--just don't take all of her time. She doesn't know this, but I made her my new best friend:) </p><p>I also have to thank Gwen, who owns the quilt shop <a href="https://tillalili.com" target="_blank">Tillalili</a> who helped make sure that my instructions made sense, and gave me suggestions when she thought there was a better way to piece things. Her experience and willingness to help was such a blessing and really helped improve my pattern. </p><p>Overall, taking the pattern from branding to production took a lot of help to from several people to make this dream of mine come true. I am just grateful for the friends and family who have supported me, and helped me on this road. Even though this year has been horrible in so many ways, I accomplished this goal, and I'm really happy about that. </p><p>To get your copy of the pattern, click <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrettyLittleQuilts?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=920990241" target="_blank">here</a> and it will take you to my Etsy shop. I have PDF available immediately, and taking pre-orders for paper patterns! Hope you have a wonderful week. </p><p><br /></p>Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-25753155650107170092020-08-18T08:45:00.028-07:002020-08-18T15:35:19.316-07:00I Heart America Block Pattern <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/50241918477/" title="I heart america"><img alt="I heart america" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50241918477_1199f01166_z.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: left;">Sadly, when Bluprint went down, my "I Heart America" pattern went with it. But good news! You can download the "I Heart America" pattern block </span><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q4FNKctktUNHERl5Rx6BOkFwE-0S813_/view?usp=sharing" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: left;">. And in other good news, they are planning on relaunching the website Sept 1. You can read more about that </span><a href="https://www.mybluprint.com/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">here</a><span style="text-align: left;">. </span></p><p>The block is a 12.5" square (unfinished) and you can see all the cute things people are making under the #iheartamerica hashtag on instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/iheartamericaquilt/?hl=en" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p>
<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/50241708231/in/dateposted-public/" title="I heart america 2"><img alt="I heart america 2" height="640" src="https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50241708231_1f0de1018d_z.jpg" width="640" /></a><script async="" charset="utf-8" src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js"></script> </p><p><br /></p><p> For your free PDF download of the I Heart America pattern click <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q4FNKctktUNHERl5Rx6BOkFwE-0S813_/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">here</a>. </p><p><br /></p><p>Enjoy!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-50025341027307589762016-07-18T07:51:00.001-07:002016-07-18T09:29:55.939-07:00I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day: Pixie Noel Blog HopHi Y'all. I'm so excited today to be part of the Pixie Noel Blog Hop. I have been a fan of <a href="http://tashahorsley.typepad.com/" target="_blank">Tasha Horsley's</a> fabrics for such a long time, and I'm excited to share with you what I made with her latest collection, <a href="http://www.rileyblakedesigns.com/media/uploads/Printable_Fabric_Swatches/2016/PixieNoel_TashaNoel_web.pdf" target="_blank">Pixie Noel</a>. These fabrics are just so cute and festive--it's impossible not to get into the Christmas spirit!!<br />
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<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/27774713673/in/dateposted-public/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="bell block 2"><img alt="bell block 2" height="640" src="https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8696/27774713673_40f1e99ed9_b.jpg" width="635" /></a></div>
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When I thought about what I wanted to make, I thought it really be cool to design a cute block that could be used for many different types of projects. I spent a couple of days thinking about Christmas themes, and it was a reminder (that comes up every Christmas) that I don't have "a thing". What I mean by that is, I don't collect snow globes, or nutcrackers, or santa figurines. I have a hodgepodge of a bunch of different things, but I've never settled on what was going to be my thing--and that's always bothered me! Well, something that kept popping up over-and-over in my head was my favorite holiday movie "It's a Wonderful Life". That movie is not only just my favorite Christmas movie, it's one of my favorite movie ever. And if you've seen the movie you are familiar with Zuzu's line, "Every time a bell rings, and angel gets it's wings". So, I decided. The bell. That's going to be my thing. What's prettier than the sound of a church bell, or sleigh bells, or the dinner bell? And if you've seen the Polar Express, you know how important it is to be able to hear the bells ringing. And how many Christmas songs can you think of that refer to bells? <br />
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This block is 9.5in x 7.5in, but for mine, I added an additional 1.5in border around the bottom and sides, because I knew I wanted to make separate mini-quilts. With the borders the block is 10.5in x 9.5in. To make my blocks, I cut all the pieces for the bell and background from each fat quarter (one fat quarter is enough to make two blocks) and then I mixed and matched the fabrics. I think it would be really cute incorporated into a sampler quilt, or it would make a really cute table runner.<br />
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To make a block I've made a pdf project pattern available for free <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/christmas-bell-block/215160?fresh=true&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=PATTERN">here</a>. <br />
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I want to thank Tasha for asking me to be part of this blog hop and thank all of you for stopping by!<br />
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XOXO<br />
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Cristina<br />
<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-46541890368601402982015-06-10T09:19:00.001-07:002015-06-10T11:05:13.973-07:00Hillside Houses Block 12<br />
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Well, here we are folks--the <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-12/149120" target="_blank">final block</a> of the Hillside Houses QAL. This last block is super easy, and I think it's a good last block as a reward for all of the more complicated blocks in the patterns.<br />
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You can see my finished quilt above (thanks to the neighborhood kids!)--but I also wanted to show you two more finished quilts made by Kat. She didn't even wait for me to release the last pattern--she figured the last block out on her own!! Kat has been one of most tenacious and enthusiastic supporters of this QAL--she's starting a Halloween one too, and if you want to see everything else she makes, make sure to check her out on Instagram @katquilts. </div>
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Aren't these AMAZING!!!</div>
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Also, I wanted to say a special thanks to my friend Christine of <a href="http://trianglesnsquares.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Triangles and Squares</a> who reviewed some of the block patterns for me just hours before I was supposed to have them released!!! Thanks Christine!</div>
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To <a href="http://americanmadebrand.com/the-fabric/" target="_blank">American Made Brand</a> fabric, I need to give a special thanks for providing me all the fabric to make the quilt! It was my first time using AMB, and I'm so happy with the result!</div>
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And finally, thank you to all of you who have been so excited and encouraging about this project!! Please keep me posted on how your progress is going. Now I'm off to pack up the rest of my sewing stuff--the movers are coming tomorrow (anxiety!!).</div>
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To download Block 12 from Craftsy click <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-12/149120" target="_blank">here</a>.<span id="goog_1624662950"></span><span id="goog_1624662951"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a> If Craftsy doesn't work try the to download it from dropbox <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/6rp0z839a3gdfoz/Block%2012.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">here.</a></div>
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-10224772490918295652015-06-03T13:43:00.000-07:002015-06-06T02:11:39.393-07:00Hillside Houses Blocks 10 and 11Happy Wednesday everyone,<br />
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After today there will only be one block left for the Hillside Houses pattern--can you believe it's almost done already? I think time seems to move faster in the quilting world. <br />
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This week we are starting work on the sky and it can get a little confusing using all the different blues, so just keep that in mind.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSBzPigy-BiKkhNoCNQ1b39HeT1wqHsOsv0WliYoDoQ0PC-yJcvZ8M_8-P0jKt5CSX7z-GqXDsXFidMblg_Y9MVTH1wOyfBo0EJL3NoVoOLm4bbSavFapbE0XCcH2Cwp1M5iDOMm1zZY/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-03+at+9.34.21+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSBzPigy-BiKkhNoCNQ1b39HeT1wqHsOsv0WliYoDoQ0PC-yJcvZ8M_8-P0jKt5CSX7z-GqXDsXFidMblg_Y9MVTH1wOyfBo0EJL3NoVoOLm4bbSavFapbE0XCcH2Cwp1M5iDOMm1zZY/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-06-03+at+9.34.21+PM.png" width="315" /></a></div>
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I have been already planning out my next Hillside Houses quilt color combo. We have been packing up this week (and our first inspection is tomorrow!) and putting all my fabric into one place made me realize how many solids I have, so I think I want to make one with white roofs (suggestion of @katquilts, thanks Kat!) and make another one with prints. I just get so jealous every time I see what you guys are making.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb_TYFXJuvJ9_7gIQ6otCM8_B2y7nGSBOWwW1CDE8KbHprQC7KfVzpAIMFrdf7GQ8mDeB97Cs6wjOkOZO6m9t81A3E_xtMmIlzly369UJex04TWuqHqHymR7re_5u6FToQ1-50u27bIQ/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-06-03+at+9.32.57+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkb_TYFXJuvJ9_7gIQ6otCM8_B2y7nGSBOWwW1CDE8KbHprQC7KfVzpAIMFrdf7GQ8mDeB97Cs6wjOkOZO6m9t81A3E_xtMmIlzly369UJex04TWuqHqHymR7re_5u6FToQ1-50u27bIQ/s400/Screen+Shot+2015-06-03+at+9.32.57+PM.png" width="318" /></a></div>
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Anyway, to get your PDF downloads of the Blocks 10 and 11 click <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-blocks-10-and-11/147901" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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And I'll see you back here next week for our final block!<br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-21046129455350808832015-05-31T02:49:00.001-07:002015-05-31T02:49:41.377-07:00Hillside House Block 8 And 9 RevisionGood morning everyone,<br />
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I just wanted to get the word out that I have revised the pattern for Blocks 8 & 9. Pages 2 & 3 of the pattern were in booklet format for some reason, and I have uploaded a new version so all the pages are separate and you don't have to squint when you try to read it:)<br />
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I also noticed that on page 3, the alternate assembly, that on Step 2, you should cut an E piece--not a D piece.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx-XEjI6FUOlCNtepwJRruqkAJ-qH2b5NykyU6e_P6TUHto7i8y3LZkUcVvyVu53uBvcPM8cm60pVuFOZiIM0VLGvCW98cKLhyxL5AVDfOGN8zJeXHE_v_w2vPQBgBN74a-YlMEnwIQ0/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-05-31+at+10.45.33+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx-XEjI6FUOlCNtepwJRruqkAJ-qH2b5NykyU6e_P6TUHto7i8y3LZkUcVvyVu53uBvcPM8cm60pVuFOZiIM0VLGvCW98cKLhyxL5AVDfOGN8zJeXHE_v_w2vPQBgBN74a-YlMEnwIQ0/s640/Screen+Shot+2015-05-31+at+10.45.33+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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To download the newest version click <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-qal-blocks-8-and-9/146669?fresh=true&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=PATTERN" target="_blank">here.</a><br />
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Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you in a few days!!<br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-65686444510337463112015-05-27T12:37:00.000-07:002015-05-27T12:37:05.966-07:00Hillside Houses QAL Blocks 8 & 9<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi345rHWHP3zb2IIW1q8WZ49d3lS4LyKDOoFoTjmMu4Nf41em6471-JJhmYScBJ6hgloW68QcNgl46HCz3opys7OE5jl1EvVimcmj-wyA5IfVDWBq9Tx1V-J4OcOJ2K7w4C1TtYhrNgFaQ/s1600/P1030881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi345rHWHP3zb2IIW1q8WZ49d3lS4LyKDOoFoTjmMu4Nf41em6471-JJhmYScBJ6hgloW68QcNgl46HCz3opys7OE5jl1EvVimcmj-wyA5IfVDWBq9Tx1V-J4OcOJ2K7w4C1TtYhrNgFaQ/s640/P1030881.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Hello everyone. This week, as you might remember, blocks 8 & 9 can be pieced separately, or together. The difference is, if you piece them separately (as shown in the <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-layout-guide/143923" target="_blank">layout guide</a>) House #13 will have an additional seam down the center of the left side. If you choose to piece them all at one time, the blocks will be pieced in two rows like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GzNpdkYcZobcyXthu-e_Iwaso3QycGwr24on_-pp4px9o-92pkTlsMBJz0NO7tiVroLLYlEyEn4g3Y_DpeQpz6CbFfjDWp8DI2elEZFVCCGw9QYizmYfCfXYHeLXT2vgvIlapoBiMIU/s1600/blocks+8+and+9.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5GzNpdkYcZobcyXthu-e_Iwaso3QycGwr24on_-pp4px9o-92pkTlsMBJz0NO7tiVroLLYlEyEn4g3Y_DpeQpz6CbFfjDWp8DI2elEZFVCCGw9QYizmYfCfXYHeLXT2vgvIlapoBiMIU/s320/blocks+8+and+9.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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You can choose how you want to piece yours by downloading the pattern <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-qal-blocks-8-and-9/146669" target="_blank">here</a>. The third page will how you how to piece them as pictured above. The benefit to doing it that was is it just reduces the number of seams and pieces, but in reality, it is only the difference in two pieces! So it's really up to you to decide which way works best for you. I just hope that my instructions are helpful, and you are still enjoying yourself! If you have any questions, please let me know.<br />
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As for me, I have a confession. I did not get my blocks completed this week. My family and I went on a 4-day trip up to the beautiful Scottish Highlands. As you might know, we move back to America in about a month, and are trying to hit a couple of places in the UK that we might never get the opportunity to see again. I will write more about Scotland in a future post, but I just wanted to let you know that Scotland is by far the most beautiful place I have ever been.<br />
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I did also find some real Hillside Houses in England on the way up that I thought would be fun to share with you--<br />
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See you next week!<br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-23702245422257697692015-05-20T11:10:00.002-07:002015-05-20T15:14:52.118-07:00Hillside Houses QAL Block 6 & 7I feel like I should explain this picture, lol. When I got off work today I rushed home to take a picture of my blocks and of course, it started raining and it was just too cloudy to get light anywhere, so I thought it would be cute if my kids held up the blocks. Well, they are cute, but not super excited about it:) I would also like to mention, that I have been having so many problems with my iron lately (the steam function has completely died), so if you have any recommendations for any irons you love, let me know!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xQGXLR9WQ_jr4s6OoFqsGGIHJ8-Umth6tYvMuHXR5OQFdkxFPUsQ6j_kmmn1mh1ukUXHW8ZYq1NdFgYdJKvbTLiEB4I1jWSxxhm0HijldSPDYSuZhXpYb77O2deFKPzD853FY7fbc50/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6xQGXLR9WQ_jr4s6OoFqsGGIHJ8-Umth6tYvMuHXR5OQFdkxFPUsQ6j_kmmn1mh1ukUXHW8ZYq1NdFgYdJKvbTLiEB4I1jWSxxhm0HijldSPDYSuZhXpYb77O2deFKPzD853FY7fbc50/s400/photo.JPG" width="298" /></a></div>
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If you're still coming back for more Hillside Houses then congrats on making it this far! We're over the hump now, and only have a few weeks left. I'm constantly impressed with the creative houses you guys are making, and I just wanted to say thank you to all of y'all. Thank you for making this quilt with me. Thank you for your enthusiasm, and thank you for your positive feedback. My inbox has a steady flow of email with questions, encouragement, and kind words, and I just wanted to let you know how much it means to me.<br />
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I wanted to share with you some of my favorite comments/suggestions from this week, I had message from Debbie (#minersewfun) on Instagram and she mentioned that her husband calls this project "Monopoly Houses". It makes me laugh because it does look like Monopoly houses, and I struggled when I was trying to name the project. "Rooftops", "Ocean Front Property", "Mi Casa es Sue Casa", were some of the names I was throwing around, and when I asked my own husband what he thought his eyes just glazed over and he mumbled "uh huh". But anyway, I wish I would've thought of "Monopoly Houses", it's a cute, witty, and accurate. Thanks Debbie!<br />
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Another message that I got was from Kat (#katquilts) who mentioned that this would be fun as a Christmas quilt and don't you thin that such a great idea?! She recommended making it with white rooftops, and the whole idea just put me in the Christmas spirit.<br />
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Anyway, again, thank you for stopping by and playing along! You can link-up at the bottom if you want o show off all your progress!<br />
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Download Block 6 <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-6/145773?fresh=true&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=PATTERN" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Download Block 7 <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-7/145775?fresh=true&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=PATTERN" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-24801076981348123252015-05-13T10:25:00.000-07:002015-05-13T10:25:29.419-07:00Hillside Houses Block 4 and 5<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Happy Wednesday everyone! Have you been checking out everyone houses in the QAL? I'm so amazed by all</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the people participating, and the different versions being made. When I </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">designed the pattern, I couldn't imagine it in anything but solids, but that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">just goes to show you how awesome it is to be part of such a creative </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">community. There are several versions popping up with prints and they are </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">just darling! It makes me want to make another one.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This week I have patterns ready for <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-4/144820" target="_blank">Block 4</a> and <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-5/144822" target="_blank">Block 5</a>. These blocks are a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">little different because they aren't as tall, and Block 4 is slightly wider; </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">whereas Block 5 is just smaller overall. I did this so we wouldn't have to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">cut House 6 in half (piece it in two different blocks with a seam-line </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">going down the center of the front). When deciding the <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-layout-guide/143923" target="_blank">assembly</a>, I wanted to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">avoid making the blocks in places that didn't fall within a natural seam </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">line, but this will be a problem again in Blocks 8 and 9. No matter how you </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">break the blocks up, one house will always have a seam somewhere where it </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">shouldn't be--unless you break blocks 8 and 9 in two horizontal pieces but </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">the problem with that is I wanted the layout and blocks to be pretty standardized </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">across the board. Honestly having the additional seam won't be that </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">noticeable to everyone else, but for all those OCD quilters out there (me </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">included) we would know, and sometimes that is worse than anything else. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Sometimes we can drive ourselves insane with the smallest things!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As a solution, and when the time comes (just two weeks), I'll have a alternate </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">pattern ready to distribute--a combined block including 8 and 9, so you can </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">piece it as one big block to avoid the seam problem:)</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Anyway, thank you all for stopping by and I look forward to seeing your </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">houses this week. Let me know if you have any questions or feedback. Take </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">care.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span>Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-46653664973880935352015-05-12T15:59:00.001-07:002015-05-12T15:59:49.722-07:00Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day WinnersThank you to everyone who stopped by for the Sew Mama Sew giveaway. It's always a fun time of year to see all the giveaways and watch the comments start rolling in. I had two bundles to give away, and the winners are:<br />
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Jayne who won the Hadley Bundle<br />
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and Barbara O. who won the Milk, Flower, Sugar bundle!</div>
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Congratulations ladies! I have emailed you, so reply back with your address so I can get those mailed out to you. Thank you to everyone else who stopped by, and I wish I hope you guys were all able to win something somewhere during the giveaway days. Have a wonderful week!</div>
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-17614117013474282642015-05-08T12:10:00.000-07:002015-05-11T12:18:55.189-07:00Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day!<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Hi everyone! I've been so busy with the quilt-along that I almost forgot </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">about <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2015/05/giveaway-day-sewing-craft-supplies-fabric-patterns-etc-2/" target="_blank">Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day</a>!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iY2UhUNpuzPMS4P7I69GIO-UQ_Pm-ngsCYbYxThQt-ys7Gv_D-zcZwiQznTbVWiWOt8Mkf04Sl5tkWZ7FEdW0XKf3xLsur_LGYGDCl7Tdt91Jdzlf9vrYYscraBOfDXEIHTHVLiZuyM/s1600/P1030691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3iY2UhUNpuzPMS4P7I69GIO-UQ_Pm-ngsCYbYxThQt-ys7Gv_D-zcZwiQznTbVWiWOt8Mkf04Sl5tkWZ7FEdW0XKf3xLsur_LGYGDCl7Tdt91Jdzlf9vrYYscraBOfDXEIHTHVLiZuyM/s640/P1030691.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguSrhPU01TgIROHGQrw0T4Pyl8wETj4vj6Zn2Ec9DPLuE1WmTYmfeURB-IkAJAU3NdtXClHKCKGcHdXiUv3WcfOxiJ8Q8VO6ZVi56zayZgJBrbvR-IfiT3wYhE9uRh1uyzEIo0dU3l8Nw/s1600/LQP21.cover_folio_72dpi.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/AVvXsEguSrhPU01TgIROHGQrw0T4Pyl8wETj4vj6Zn2Ec9DPLuE1WmTYmfeURB-IkAJAU3NdtXClHKCKGcHdXiUv3WcfOxiJ8Q8VO6ZVi56zayZgJBrbvR-IfiT3wYhE9uRh1uyzEIo0dU3l8Nw/s200/LQP21.cover_folio_72dpi.jpg" width="141" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">If this is your first time stopping by then I'd like to welcome you. My name </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">is Cristina, and I'm a quilter, mother of three, sweet tea drinker, and I </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">can't decide if I'm a British person that just happened to be born in </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">America, or a Texan that just happens to live in England. I am making a big </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">move to D.C. this summer, so if you're in the Maryland/Virginia area, please </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">give me a shout out! I'm trying to find out as much as I can before I get </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">there : ) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I started quilting a few years ago, and probably just like you, I fell in </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">love. I have had lots of hobbies, but none of them really stuck until I </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">started quilting. I think my style is a little bit eclectic--I love bold, </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">modern quilts with colorful solids, but at the same time, I love quilts with </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">super-sweet flowery fabrics. I have also developed a recent fascination with </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">two-color quilts. I think I just love all quilts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I recently made this modern Aztec/Native American inspired quilt that was </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">featured in Issue 21 of <a href="http://www.lovepatchworkandquilting.com/magazine/issue-21-sale-now" target="_blank">Love Patchwork and Quilting</a>. My sister calls it the </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Jolly Rancher quilt...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">And right now I'm hosting the <a href="http://prettylittlequilts.blogspot.co.uk/p/hillside-houses-quilt-long.html" target="_blank">Hillside Houses QAL</a>, and we've just started, </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">so I encourage you to check it out if you're interested. Each week I'll be </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">releasing free block patterns to make this quilt:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRZmQP-08iW7mIQAkAeM-zTHST-k6xK3X59WmckxzHfUhkH4C5ofdDF2QE_yFpYiUWFSBhW1dDCFyH1sNlPR8YJqOvxp6WgME5V7hSrKoJZCCmnOVRykX0doIGa9hBF_8Ej40kYf2Gi8/s1600/rooftopweb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicRZmQP-08iW7mIQAkAeM-zTHST-k6xK3X59WmckxzHfUhkH4C5ofdDF2QE_yFpYiUWFSBhW1dDCFyH1sNlPR8YJqOvxp6WgME5V7hSrKoJZCCmnOVRykX0doIGa9hBF_8Ej40kYf2Gi8/s320/rooftopweb2.jpg" width="259" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">There are 12 block in the quilt and you can see some of the participants </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">progress on Instagram #hillsidehousesqal</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">So, now for the part you've probably stopped by for! Today I'll be giving </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">away 12 Fat Quarters of Milk, Flower, Sugar by Elea Lutz and I'll be having a second giveaway of a </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">bundle of Hadley fabric by Denyse Schmidt. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">You can enter three times, and here are the ways to do it:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">1)</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Leave me a comment telling me which fabric you want</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">2)</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Follow my blog and leave a comment telling me which fabric you </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">want:) If you're already a follower, just leave a comment letting me know. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">3) Follow me on instagram @prettylittlequilts and leave me a comment here letting me know you're following me and which fabric you want. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc4ZX67cqgsxy5TyZ8anlrDsIgSYjKCUcu1ORWmsda2EOxgd68vjN0s4Nq7F31WumBe2lfzBAcZCMuL7y6LyatyfE_5ZvcYb6QyMF2AQN-QnnsqTL-RTFjhUtxod4Am5v95mRb9EXHPU/s1600/P1030697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlc4ZX67cqgsxy5TyZ8anlrDsIgSYjKCUcu1ORWmsda2EOxgd68vjN0s4Nq7F31WumBe2lfzBAcZCMuL7y6LyatyfE_5ZvcYb6QyMF2AQN-QnnsqTL-RTFjhUtxod4Am5v95mRb9EXHPU/s400/P1030697.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Oh, and in case I didn't mention it, don't forget to tell me which fabric you want;)!! Also, leave me an </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">email address if you are a no-reply blogger, or if you aren't sure if you're </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">a no reply blogger.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I will randomly select the winners on 10 May 2015, so there's not a whole </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">lot of time left!! I will ship internationally, so everyone can enter. Make sure to check out all the other giveaways on <a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/" target="_blank">Sew </a></span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/" target="_blank">Mama Sew</a>! Thanks for stopping by everyone and have a happy weekend!!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span>Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com408tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-67199588981771404482015-05-07T12:15:00.003-07:002015-05-07T12:17:02.416-07:00Hillside Houses QAL: Laying Out Your Blocks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdnNG27k96TcIChIk8EtnfIJgwHr7dqTHsjNzhVTL_BH85C_WV7ogFyTfjykJIwgUkfuRMZr_j2SgjQDuFUYI2w9nCLUMAOwf7ikeyPX1AfrYqHPn4pdKICHW76owdBrY0XfMqKDlbaI/s1600/Hillside+Houses+Layout+Guide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdnNG27k96TcIChIk8EtnfIJgwHr7dqTHsjNzhVTL_BH85C_WV7ogFyTfjykJIwgUkfuRMZr_j2SgjQDuFUYI2w9nCLUMAOwf7ikeyPX1AfrYqHPn4pdKICHW76owdBrY0XfMqKDlbaI/s400/Hillside+Houses+Layout+Guide.jpg" width="307" /></a><br />
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Hi everyone! Okay, so I said I wouldn't bug you until next week, but I made a <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-layout-guide/143923?fresh=true&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=PATTERN" target="_blank">layout guide</a> so you know how we're going to be placing the blocks. The quilt is made up of 12 blocks, and the quilt will be assembled in horizontal rows.<br />
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The quilt includes 18 houses, and each block pattern contains references to specific house numbers found on the <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-coloring-sheet/141257" target="_blank">coloring sheet</a>. I numbered the houses so that when you're making a confusing block you will know which colors go where.<br />
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As you can see, Block 1 contains House #1, but notice Block 8 contains houses #12, #9, parts of #13 and #16.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD6Ao5X-1kiMAJIcTyw5gZksMFrV2mKRpqrNMGHM8b_N91BBcMlwbAJyMJ-I2knKqXEA-dFEcexLz-_57ZPfnLNXBWhZ93Dc1J4Gzv1lSkANgKUn5HuJ4hvbDNy5PJWK4F_ZdZIKZQv0/s1600/Hillside+Houses+Coloring+Sheet-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzD6Ao5X-1kiMAJIcTyw5gZksMFrV2mKRpqrNMGHM8b_N91BBcMlwbAJyMJ-I2knKqXEA-dFEcexLz-_57ZPfnLNXBWhZ93Dc1J4Gzv1lSkANgKUn5HuJ4hvbDNy5PJWK4F_ZdZIKZQv0/s400/Hillside+Houses+Coloring+Sheet-3.png" width="300" /></a><br />
My patterns only focus on one block at-a-time, and I hope by doing it that way it will break up any confusion looking at all those crazy numbers might cause.<br />
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So far I have released patterns for Blocks <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-house-qal-block-1/142603" target="_blank">one</a>, <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-2/143672" target="_blank">two</a>, and <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-3/143667" target="_blank">three</a>, so you have everything you need to make the bottom row--1/4 quilt finished.<br />
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Please let me know if you have any questions, and you can download a PDF of the layout guide, or coloring sheet <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/1698325/pattern-store?_ct=cx-buvjdql&_ctp=my-pattern-store,manage" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Also, at the end of the QAL I will be compelling all these references into one PDF file, so if you don't have time to participate in the QAL now, you can get all the patterns and guides in one download in just one file.<br />
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I won't make any more promises that I'm not going to make any more posts for the rest of the week, so I'll just say I'll see you soon:)<br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-39926152772613226172015-05-06T11:21:00.002-07:002015-05-06T11:50:27.758-07:00Hillside Houses Blocks 2 and 3Hi everyone! It's been pretty exciting because I've started seeing all of the Hillside Houses start popping up on Instagram. And for those who want to share, but don't have Instagram, I have added a link-up at the bottom so you can share what you've been making.<br />
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The good news is I have two block patterns available this week! I am going to try to continue the 2-block-a-week-trend until we're all done. You can download the newest blocks in my Craftsy storefront--<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-2/143672" target="_blank">Block 2</a> and <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-block-3/143667" target="_blank">Block 3</a>.</div>
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Kylie at <a href="http://faithlovefabric.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Faith Love Fabric</a> suggested a blog button so I made one for you to post or share. This button will take you straight to a page that has everything you'll need for the QAL, and I'll have all the links for the patterns listed as the weeks go on.<br />
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<img alt="Pretty Little Quilts Hillside Houses QAL" src="http://i288.photobucket.com/albums/ll171/Cristina_Tepsick/Hillside-Houses-Button_zpszcqrexnl.png" title="Pretty Little Quilts Hillside Houses QAL" /></div>
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I also received some feedback from the talented Karen over at <a href="http://easypatchwork.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">EasyPatchwork</a> (whose block is appearing in <a href="http://easypatchwork.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/blog-hop-for-quiltmakers-100-blocks.html" target="_blank">Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks</a> magazine!). She is making the mini Hillside Houses quilt and suggested using 2.25in HSTs and trimming them to size. I really appreciate her feedback, and am going to start adding that to all the patterns from here on out. I hope you all feel free to let me know anything you do or don't like because I want to make sure everyone is having a good experience:)! </div>
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And now, I have some other news. It pains me to say this but today, as I was piecing my own quilt I discovered that when I initially wrote the fabric requirements for the large quilt (60" x 75") that I miscalculated the light gray (AMB 05) for the rooftops. I would like to apologize for those of you who ordered your fabric already, and I wanted you to know that I went back and checked every color again to ensure the fabric requirements were correct for the rest of the quilt. You will need 1 yd of light gray (instead of the 1/2 yard that I initially listed), and I have updated the page with the new information. I know shipping costs can get expensive, so I did some research and found an Etsy seller, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/210860285/american-made-brand-solid-light-gray?ref=shop_home_active_1&ga_search_query=american%2Bmade%2Blight%2Bgray" target="_blank">LilacLaneLLC</a>, that sells that color and will ship for only $2.00 in the States. If you were a victim of my terrible mistake, please send me an email and let me know!!! I'm terribly sorry.<br />
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I hope that didn't dampen the mood, and keep me posted on how you're doing! I'm having a lot of fun and I appreciate all you who've reached out to me. Enjoy your week, and I'll see you back here same time next week! P.S. Don't forget to link-up:)</div>
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<!-- end InLinkz script -->Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-46810280016074328022015-04-29T12:22:00.002-07:002015-04-29T15:28:02.186-07:00Block 1 - Hillside House QALHi everyone! Today I'm releasing the pattern for the first block of the #HillsideHousesQAL . This is House #1 on the <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-coloring-sheet/141257" target="_blank">coloring sheet</a>.<br />
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To download the PDF of the pattern, click <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-house-qal-block-1/142603" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Here's a few things to keep in mind when making your block:<br />
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1) The placement of this block is on the lower left in the empty space shown below.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30FqtuCpQ8GevMGXJmmThOkyf_Zs5Rvc3KPaHUX6C_rAPsI6SkpvEb0ueNhBvZovc1c-06eK1crSgQ4aJTnZFHqOmfu1slokyWucpF6wc_9FCPwUlVyJ2BD0hsKodSTvhSWlFkP8LrkA/s1600/rooftop-block1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30FqtuCpQ8GevMGXJmmThOkyf_Zs5Rvc3KPaHUX6C_rAPsI6SkpvEb0ueNhBvZovc1c-06eK1crSgQ4aJTnZFHqOmfu1slokyWucpF6wc_9FCPwUlVyJ2BD0hsKodSTvhSWlFkP8LrkA/s1600/rooftop-block1.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></div>
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2) The quilt has options for three different sizes. Don't get overwhelmed when you see the pattern, just stay in your lane and keep your eye on the prize!!<br />
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a) Throw size - 60" x 75"; the first block is 20" sq<br />
b) Wall-hanging size - 30" x 37"; the first block is 10" sq<br />
c) Mini - 15" x 18"; the first block is a tiny 5"<br />
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3) The coloring sheet has all the house numbers (addresses) on it, so it's a good reference to keep your pieces organized. I will refer to the house numbers on the pattern. The coloring sheet can be found <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-coloring-sheet/141257" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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4) If you are making yours in different colors or arrangement, just take notice that I have used a dark shade on one side, and light shade of the same color on the other side of each house. I encourage you to make yours however you want, I just wanted to point that out in case it was difficult to tell. Don't feel obligated to make yours this way!!<br />
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5) Have fun. Have fun. HAVE FUN!!!<br />
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Let me know if you have any questions! I will release the next block pattern next Wednesday!<br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-9627644931436919332015-04-26T07:21:00.000-07:002015-04-29T11:53:49.259-07:00American Made Brand Fabric GiveawayGood morning everyone. I have a bundle of American Made Brand fabric to giveway on Instagram as part of the Hillside Houses QAL. If you do not have an IG account, you can leave me a comment here and I will enter you to win. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday and is open to anyone in or on planet Earth. Good luck!!!<br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-12070699030063747662015-04-20T15:38:00.000-07:002015-04-20T15:38:14.277-07:00Hillside Houses Coloring SheetHappy Monday again! I created this coloring sheet to use for the #HillsideHousesQAL to help you decide the placement of your colors if you're making it different than mine. It's also a good reference to use no matter how you decide to make it because it all the houses are numbered and I'll be referring the numbers during the quilt-along. Enjoy!<br />
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To download a PDF copy, click <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/hillside-houses-coloring-sheet/141257?fresh=true&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=PATTERN" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-47444498298360650402015-04-20T03:28:00.000-07:002015-05-05T12:45:19.477-07:00Hillside Houses Quilt-Along<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;">
Hello everyone! Today I just wanted to drop a couple of lines to announce an upcoming Instagram quilt along I'm hosting with a pattern I designed called "Hillside Houses". The QAL will begin on 1 May and I will be posting all of the instructions for free. The finished quilt measures 60" x 75" and it will be divided up into 12 blocks, and I will be releasing instructions for 2 blocks a week. The information will be Instagram but I'm also creating PDF printouts that you can download here for all the blocks for those of you who (like me) don't want to stare at a tiny screen to figure everything out. If you want to participate, or just follow along, use the hashtag #HillsideHousesQAL on IG. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXmyMmOt-fSBhBytGlSWk6VEbal1NYv8MSAaNCJF49sReQEWbfNu3LFYgbjbSe8dc1RwhFsz9hUCyVvfFtuvH0KLrBVfrhKL21lpt3kX8CGjhv5GktJ0upOQE_nGSKQvirpc4Rn5-HGE/s1600/rooftopweb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="house quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXmyMmOt-fSBhBytGlSWk6VEbal1NYv8MSAaNCJF49sReQEWbfNu3LFYgbjbSe8dc1RwhFsz9hUCyVvfFtuvH0KLrBVfrhKL21lpt3kX8CGjhv5GktJ0upOQE_nGSKQvirpc4Rn5-HGE/s1600/rooftopweb2.jpg" height="400" title="house quilt" width="323" /></a></td></tr>
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I decided I wanted to use <a href="http://americanmadebrand.com/">American Made Brand Fabric</a> to make my quilt, because ever since I saw <a href="https://clothworkstextiles.files.wordpress.com/2014/05/amb-booth-1.jpg" target="_blank">this pic</a> of their booth at quilt market I wanted to try it out. Their fabric is 100% sourced and manufactured in the U.S., from the cotton farms to the dyeing process. I love the idea of using homegrown fabric.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpzzABWgUnybr6BsdX3ATCIwSAsHNcBqtBHztw1cqQByI6yxj10v-vkjOtFUC_LMhpRnTPOwd3zxhMOrkA5RcMCXsTQugDooI-Rmd4ocZ07JV-nS_CRUjDeYPzDL2ujt2h_0gU2azzq4/s1600/ready1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghpzzABWgUnybr6BsdX3ATCIwSAsHNcBqtBHztw1cqQByI6yxj10v-vkjOtFUC_LMhpRnTPOwd3zxhMOrkA5RcMCXsTQugDooI-Rmd4ocZ07JV-nS_CRUjDeYPzDL2ujt2h_0gU2azzq4/s1600/ready1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<strong>Fabric Requirements:</strong></div>
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This is a great project for using up your solids but if you decide you want to make yours exactly like I’m making mine here’s what you’ll need: </div>
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1 yd light blue for left sides of blue houses and rooftops (AMB 87, Light Denim)<br />
1 yd light gray for the right sides of rooftops (AMB 05, Light Gray)</div>
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1/2 yard of the following colors: </div>
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AMB 97 - Light Sky (for the sky)</div>
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AMB 05 - Light Gray (for right sides of rooftops) </div>
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AMB 33 - Aqua</div>
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AMB 34 - Dark Aqua</div>
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AMB 23 - Light Olive (light green)</div>
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AMB 34 - Olive (dark green) </div>
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AMB 90 - Blue </div>
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Fat quarter of each of the following colors: </div>
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AMB 75 - Dark Raspberry (dark pink)</div>
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AMB 43 - Raspberry (medium pink)</div>
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AMB 36 - Orange</div>
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AMB 67 - Light Gold (light orange or dark yellow)</div>
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AMB 62 - Taupe</div>
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AMB 60 - Dark Butter (beige)</div>
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AMB 08 - Light yellow (for windows). </div>
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You’ll also need 1/2 yard for binding and 4yds for backing. </div>
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I hope you'll follow along or join in the fun, and make sure to stop by instagram @prettylittlequilts on 25 April because I have a bundle of American Made Brand solids to giveaway!</div>
Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-47036965088764872222015-04-12T10:34:00.001-07:002015-04-12T10:36:03.103-07:00Button Up Quilt<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbQMweVaRVUvhIkcY77Tv3wRKEo-cvFrQRHKCdbOLXnunkFIqUzEp87A7EJy5vgf_r9DaIISbERqqrZs4So_VXmPUcfO1AcZB0komXUtXvH5mdQnLOg7y0OAPxU5cSl-QUbqWtO44oqI/s1600/button+up+quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Button Up Quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbQMweVaRVUvhIkcY77Tv3wRKEo-cvFrQRHKCdbOLXnunkFIqUzEp87A7EJy5vgf_r9DaIISbERqqrZs4So_VXmPUcfO1AcZB0komXUtXvH5mdQnLOg7y0OAPxU5cSl-QUbqWtO44oqI/s1600/button+up+quilt.jpg" height="480" title="Button Up Quilt" width="640" /></a></div>
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It feels like forever since I have been able to take a good picture of a quilt. I was very, very happy that the weather was nice today because I just finished up the binding on this one last night. We jumped in the car for a family outing in Thetford Forest and it was an awesome location for quilt pics. I always feel a little weird when taking quilt pics in public places because everyone stares at me like I'm a crazy person. There was a group of picnic-ers behind me gawking when I snapped this shot.<br />
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For this quilt I used Cluck Cluck Sew's <i>Button Up</i> pattern, and it's really a fun and easy top to put together. I'm very excited about this quilt because all the fabric was from my current stash. The yellows and greens in the quilt aren't consistent throughout but I was determined not to buy any new fabric for this project. I've been on a fabric fast lately, and am trying to use as much as I can before the big move.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9W1w588p5mRJ32315DdTIkqQtlLxxHPEDsj5BkQzeGT-he-c0qdwT2QjqIO9Jb_pDJ67aJROWJGMNmkHfA74Ddj5a2p2HFxWNOaguZmeR2rJo9CjaRTiAzd70TcmlFCl0dkSDd9XDvQ/s1600/button+up+4.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="button up quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9W1w588p5mRJ32315DdTIkqQtlLxxHPEDsj5BkQzeGT-he-c0qdwT2QjqIO9Jb_pDJ67aJROWJGMNmkHfA74Ddj5a2p2HFxWNOaguZmeR2rJo9CjaRTiAzd70TcmlFCl0dkSDd9XDvQ/s1600/button+up+4.jpg" height="480" title="button up quilt" width="640" /></a></div>
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The backing was actually a temporary-turned-permanent set of curtains in house that I made from <i>Glamping</i> gingham fabric. I felt like Scarlett O'Hara as I ripped those suckers down and used them to back the quilt. But I think the backing is perfect for a "country" look. According to my calculations, making this quilt was basically free because I was so resourceful with my current stash--and everyone knows that fabric purchased over 30 days ago doesn't count;)<br />
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Hope everyone else is enjoying the weather and is working on some fun projects. : )<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmHceGSA3OgZIgKebrMjJujaNcouhLRtEoBlM0RcfLttgwVb0V4hByzZu9DRJRgxq3C17oYzegw9LMhXcMUNPuQNLKwJDQYGGaYTKMqvGiRb0iTl9Pr0mPQjNi5Swz84GVgNJIhaqNXs/s1600/button+up+quilt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Button Up Quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBmHceGSA3OgZIgKebrMjJujaNcouhLRtEoBlM0RcfLttgwVb0V4hByzZu9DRJRgxq3C17oYzegw9LMhXcMUNPuQNLKwJDQYGGaYTKMqvGiRb0iTl9Pr0mPQjNi5Swz84GVgNJIhaqNXs/s1600/button+up+quilt+2.jpg" height="480" title="Button Up Quilt" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-30589977773433081922015-04-04T12:53:00.001-07:002015-04-04T13:01:02.478-07:00Binding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAxo__CupiHuRYji43tOGgVTXu1H5DgaGlsh8O63fQplODLU6Bne-f7lbKs2gnJFZ7BtvVY6mc8Fd9tECLaZi9meXzxSXcSy3Fyj042yYbPJZPByms0SaYMeWHem-JP3LRKLR3gZy6b8/s1600/Binging.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcAxo__CupiHuRYji43tOGgVTXu1H5DgaGlsh8O63fQplODLU6Bne-f7lbKs2gnJFZ7BtvVY6mc8Fd9tECLaZi9meXzxSXcSy3Fyj042yYbPJZPByms0SaYMeWHem-JP3LRKLR3gZy6b8/s1600/Binging.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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For me, there's only one pro to binding a quilt with a sewing machine--it's quick. The cons, however, are endless. For starters, the process is completely stressful. Days before I even start the binding I'm trying to get myself mentally prepared. I practice lots of exercises in deep breathing, a little music therapy, and as the time to begin gets closer, a motivating counseling session with myself in the mirror isn't unheard of. </div>
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After I've machine-sewn the binding to one side, I start to break out in a cold sweat, because I know it's about to get real. While I'm sewing the binding to the opposite side, I try to stare without blinking, because I know with one flinch my stitches will run up over the binding and all hope will be lost. It's very easy to mess up, and with all the time that is spent on a quilt, I don't want the last step to be the one that ruins it all. </div>
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I've tried many, many different methods to make my machine-binding look as good as possible: sewing it to the front and folding-it over and sewing to the back, sewing it on the back and folding it over toward the front, sewing through the front and back at the same time, sewing it to one side and then folding it over and sewing through both sides. Time and again I've tried to make my machine binding look professional, but I'm almost never happy with it. So, I finally decided to do something different.</div>
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I started hand-sewing my binding. I avoided trying it for a long time because I thought it would take too much time. Of course, it takes ALOT longer, but I absolutely love it. There's no crazy talk in the mirror, no cold-sweats, no stressful sewing--just me and the quilt watching TV together. The process is completely relaxing, and it looks worlds better when it's all done. I might not hand-sew the binding on every quilt in the future, but if time allows, I think it definitely worth the extra effort. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1SwibbqikeNL7UzXJ5LJuqM7hs4C3ENUKXlnew-mYW4pO-RPJVRULIV4zHHMk74aCCM5XLrA_lzj3Wp13cQPR5CLxZ8c6sRBkddNs0Ry1EzEv3D7Ng_cPECSmwtxEDEdSLl_synuDHQ/s1600/Binding6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir1SwibbqikeNL7UzXJ5LJuqM7hs4C3ENUKXlnew-mYW4pO-RPJVRULIV4zHHMk74aCCM5XLrA_lzj3Wp13cQPR5CLxZ8c6sRBkddNs0Ry1EzEv3D7Ng_cPECSmwtxEDEdSLl_synuDHQ/s1600/Binding6.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-41049960296581238302015-02-28T20:59:00.000-08:002022-07-07T14:35:09.538-07:00Going to Grandma's Quilt Block Free Pattern <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlIft9ryT2nG8IElFKSsa9tXS9gH3g7P9rdjaC4-yG_3zkUTwTbbBBYrmJtDlkYWKgjtgumsXvhxPL1SoWRHT2w6bCpneYJOeNjNqZtqpuPU1aE1Lf42pvti27j9bH-Ov8dENsWTStcg/s1600/P1030132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="vintage luggage suitcase quilt" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGlIft9ryT2nG8IElFKSsa9tXS9gH3g7P9rdjaC4-yG_3zkUTwTbbBBYrmJtDlkYWKgjtgumsXvhxPL1SoWRHT2w6bCpneYJOeNjNqZtqpuPU1aE1Lf42pvti27j9bH-Ov8dENsWTStcg/s1600/P1030132.jpg" height="480" title="vintage luggage suitcase quilt" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've had this quilt finished for a few weeks and have been waiting for some good weather to take pictures. Monday through Friday the weather is gorgeous but the clouds roll in just in time for the weekends. I finally just decided it was time to give up and just take a picture because you can't put your life on hold for a few clouds, sometimes you just have to hope there's a rainbow, or silver lining, or something like that.<br />
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There's been another cloud that's been hanging over me lately that I had to get over. Early in January my family and I were waiting to find out where my next assignment would be. In July we will have to move back to the States, and we worried and excited to find out where the military would send us. While I was daydreaming about possible places we might go, I also started planning out our summer vacation travelling around the States visiting all the family we haven't seen in a few years. And that's when the idea of this quilt came to me.<br />
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As I designed it I was daydreaming about sunshine and going hiking with my sister in Arizona. And as I was cutting fabric I imagined taking my kids to Disney World, and then driving up to Ohio to visit my husband's family and eating <a href="http://www.handelsicecream.com/" target="_blank">Handel's</a> ice cream. When I pieced it together I hoped we would be able to settle in Texas, wear flip-flops year round and eat tacos every night for dinner. And I started dwelling on that dream specifically. And it came as a big disappointment when I found out we would not be settling in Texas or wearing flip-flops year round. When the assignment notification dropped it was to Maryland--just outside of Washington D.C.<br />
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And then all I could imagine was traffic jams, sketchy neighbourhoods and metal detectors and drug dogs at the kids' schools. But I know it's not going to be that bad, and I just had to find that silver lining.<br />
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My kids have never seen the Capitol and it's just a short trip to Philadelphia, New York city, or Colonial Williamsburg. And even if I won't get to eat authentic Tex-Mex, the second best food I've eaten in my life was in D.C. But the best thing about this relocation is we will that we will be closer to my husband's family. I'm not very good with geography, but apparently, all the eastern states are so small, that nothing is too far away. We will still be a few hours away from them, but it will be the closest we've ever lived to family in the last 16 years. They are amazing, and his grandmother is one of the most wonderful, selfless, and beautiful people I have ever met. She is an absolute saint. Before I met her, I had never known a person to be so happy and at peace, and I have never been so at peace as when I'm around her. She taught me what it means to be a truly good-hearted person. She doesn't worry, complain, or gripe. And instead of getting stressed out when her house is full of her kids, grand-kids, and great-grand-kids, that's when she is her happiest.<br />
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My 5-year-old has only met her a couple of times (most recently 3 years ago--the last time we were all in the States) but he proudly carries a picture of her around and tells everyone how much he likes "his grandma". And my oldest son is completely indifferent to everything I cook, but we'll wolf down everything she makes and begs me to get the recipe. And now we'll be able to see her all the time, she'll be able to watch the kids grow up and we'll finally have family close by to spend the holidays with. So, in her honor, I am naming this quilt Going to Grandma's. Because really, even if moving to D.C. is not what I wanted at all, it will be wonderful to live near someone who means so much to me, and who I want my children to grow up with.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaqRfxFvM69CPFboL_OiWP8WYWN11HiLGLRdNAlr66AlTtB7haiV5GYQcph-LUg9SAf-uUQmLvtBhWJUoFahOY3AP81i5IzPmpBnT0fJh6ROnNo8-2pHZbw6cW0xIFV6o9ovmueA7Acg/s1600/P1030130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaqRfxFvM69CPFboL_OiWP8WYWN11HiLGLRdNAlr66AlTtB7haiV5GYQcph-LUg9SAf-uUQmLvtBhWJUoFahOY3AP81i5IzPmpBnT0fJh6ROnNo8-2pHZbw6cW0xIFV6o9ovmueA7Acg/s1600/P1030130.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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Many times in life you don't always get what you wish for, but sometimes what you get turns out to be better than what you wanted in the first place. I'm hoping and thinking that now is probably one of those times. <br />
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If you want to make a quilt block, you can download the PDF pattern <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/8ljslgupjbea1yk/Going%20to%20Grandmas%20.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-6826749207365143792015-02-01T10:36:00.002-08:002015-02-01T19:03:38.653-08:00Sweet Surrender: A Free Valentine's Day Quilt Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcNdsDZnY3kN-MNAmixkJoZvR5Bf6nHvfy2mzqoxxtyar0bjZsXK2mvzE878rEmT7J3mLDSrSLAO8Rr1oKMx_nncDe2eVAWOSSuekRdi2Sb7rFoduUvZHPsTdXYwEif2ATT1NOE7mJ08/s1600/Valentines+Day+Quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sweet Surrender Valentine's Day Quilt Pattern" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzcNdsDZnY3kN-MNAmixkJoZvR5Bf6nHvfy2mzqoxxtyar0bjZsXK2mvzE878rEmT7J3mLDSrSLAO8Rr1oKMx_nncDe2eVAWOSSuekRdi2Sb7rFoduUvZHPsTdXYwEif2ATT1NOE7mJ08/s1600/Valentines+Day+Quilt.jpg" height="640" title="Sweet Surrender Valentine's Day Quilt Pattern" width="498" /></a></div>
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I love Valentine's Day. It's not the idea of romance that keeps me interested because, believe me, when you've been married for 15 years the most romance you can hope for getting control of the TV long enough to watch <i>The Notebook</i> before the family begins to riot. No, what I love about Valentine's Day little heart stickers, white paper doilies, and those cheap little cards with cheesy sayings that kids exchange at school. Valentine's Day still retains the same magic today as it did when I was a kid, whereas some other holidays--<i>cough--</i>(Christmas!!!) becomes overshadowed with frenzied stress. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMwuSKsE-2FvkAsdDRaR9ooUjwDEmCkqK7OUhXeyOp_9U1IH4zDrBZiv6pq6kJEaXR5S3bcSiwcJIqS1S7gqAtSapXwPQBdw6p-LdiLw3zUoqbhFgzoZrVH8ctH8hn1VxLdg8JE3qBFM/s1600/P1030108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Sweet Surrender Valentine's Day Quilt Pattern" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaMwuSKsE-2FvkAsdDRaR9ooUjwDEmCkqK7OUhXeyOp_9U1IH4zDrBZiv6pq6kJEaXR5S3bcSiwcJIqS1S7gqAtSapXwPQBdw6p-LdiLw3zUoqbhFgzoZrVH8ctH8hn1VxLdg8JE3qBFM/s1600/P1030108.jpg" height="640" title="Sweet Surrender Valentine's Day Quilt Pattern" width="480" /></a></div>
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Lately I have been so much in the V-Day spirit that a couple of nights ago I shot out of bed at 3am with the idea for this banner quilt. And I wanted to share the pattern with you, so hopefully, if you want to make it, you'll have enough time before the 14th. The quilt is only about 36in x 48in, so it makes a cute wall-hanging. I made the quilt with all solids, but I think it would be so cute made-up with some prints, or maybe colorful banners instead of all white ones.<br />
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To download the free PDF version of Sweet Surrender, click <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/sweet-surrender-valentines-day-quilt/130162?fresh=true&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=PATTERN" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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I hope this Valentine's Day you get lots of candied hearts, flowers, and Ryan Gosling!!<br />
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XOXOXO<br />
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CristinaCristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-79284810099695180792014-12-06T05:50:00.001-08:002014-12-06T07:23:28.004-08:00A Quilt for Canaan + Kelly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3DHE2NIhAEZRM5Uoi1DZi2RYUGdAyhLIZi1N_t54ZtKT0ydVJqYrWFiDZFfgCpwjnRIMueScGej8SYYYVNoDhnsXn3nE-HCo6wKp1-h-_eX09JrIbWXy1NrvBr3e_YHD1wKeZiqgzd0/s1600/photo+(26).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3DHE2NIhAEZRM5Uoi1DZi2RYUGdAyhLIZi1N_t54ZtKT0ydVJqYrWFiDZFfgCpwjnRIMueScGej8SYYYVNoDhnsXn3nE-HCo6wKp1-h-_eX09JrIbWXy1NrvBr3e_YHD1wKeZiqgzd0/s1600/photo+(26).JPG" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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I have been a terrible blogger lately, and for that I am very sorry. I recently started back to school, and homework + job + family does not leave me with much free time. Consequently, I've been behind way behind on blog posts. I did, however, want to show you some pics of a recent quilt I made and wedding I attended for a beautiful couple I'm lucky enough to know, Canaan and Kelly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFcvHOtX-shWM0hD1whRIl0mgstYCt0T6RhX6_suTbOF2n919u3yBuB2gihNNP_t8SLVB5tOenv1g_EeB7UyEtTKlB6O7XWQe1n6Di7PQkpD2kzuUHBoHQ3EL95AAIUgbsz9qAy6IKG0/s1600/p830678013-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFcvHOtX-shWM0hD1whRIl0mgstYCt0T6RhX6_suTbOF2n919u3yBuB2gihNNP_t8SLVB5tOenv1g_EeB7UyEtTKlB6O7XWQe1n6Di7PQkpD2kzuUHBoHQ3EL95AAIUgbsz9qAy6IKG0/s1600/p830678013-5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett Photography</td></tr>
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Canaan and Kelly met almost 10 years ago when Kelly was staying-the-night with my sister, Cayla. Kelly and Cayla were too young to drive, and they were walking around the neighborhood when they passed Canaan's grandma's house. Canaan was just visiting his grandma, and was outside when the two girls walked by. They all started talking, and from what Cayla told me, Kelly thought Canaan was so cute. Kelly and Canaan started dating after that, and now, almost a decade later, they are married.<br />
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At the wedding reception my sister Cayla met Canaan's sweet grandma who said, "Oh, you're Cayla! Your brother is Chad, right?" And his grandma went on to say, "Canaan and Chad were such good friends."<br />
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Confused, Cayla said "they were?" and was trying to remember if Chad and Canaan had ever even hung out.<br />
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"Oh yes! They were." Canaan's grandma replied. "They were always going to the movies together."<br />
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At that moment Canaan walked up and Cayla asked him, "were you and Chad friends?"<br />
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Canaan said, "Who's Chad?".<br />
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And I just have to laugh, because apparently Canaan was telling his grandma all those years ago that he was hanging-out with Chad, but he was really with Kelly. Poor Canaan's grandma! For years she has been thinking that Canaan was my brother's friend, but really he was using my brother as a pawn!<br />
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Kelly started off as best friend to my sister, but our family adopted her as "one of us" because we just love her so much, and now each of us claim her as a best friend. If you met her, you would want to be her best friend too:) She's beautiful, smart and genuinely just a really sweet person. Kelly is a Dallas <a href="http://www.kelly-christine.com/">photographer</a> and when I was deployed for a year, she took photos of my son's first haircut, my daughter learning to tie her shoes, and she was there to greet me when I came home. I'll never be able to thank her enough for capturing the moments I missed while away from home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jrHPFs0KlFHmyfO9hLinjarkZ4xWfBsvEV-11QLkwSKNuPP64J-Yi9MHiLSJlWfaJbjbTLpvri8Nfknd4oxGujvIlJmOUxqNSf6ts2LPHRQ3i7wsMssK2PrH2yNmgL-3sTsuAHULQWY/s1600/london+tying+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-jrHPFs0KlFHmyfO9hLinjarkZ4xWfBsvEV-11QLkwSKNuPP64J-Yi9MHiLSJlWfaJbjbTLpvri8Nfknd4oxGujvIlJmOUxqNSf6ts2LPHRQ3i7wsMssK2PrH2yNmgL-3sTsuAHULQWY/s1600/london+tying+shoes.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken by Kelly Christine</td></tr>
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Kelly was selected as D Magazine's "Best Family Photographer" and her work was recently featured in <a href="http://blog.kellychristinephoto.com/new-work-for-mollie-makes-magazine/">Mollie Makes</a> magazine. Kelly hinted to me over a year ago that she wanted a quilt, but Kelly is so trendy that I knew that I was going to have to go a little out of my comfort zone and make something a little more modern. Even though Kelly and I are friends I was nervous to make her a quilt. The only way I could see making a quilt for her was I had to imagine a quilt that I might see in one of her photographs.<br />
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I chose to make her a triangle pattern, and used colors I knew she was using in her wedding. I quilted it in straight lines, but the quilting was taking me so long, that it was only 75% complete when it was time for the wedding. I felt like a jerk showing up at the wedding with no gift, but I'm almost glad I saw the wedding before I gave her the quilt. I was so nervous she wouldn't like it, but after I saw the ceremony and reception I knew the quilt was going to be okay. After Kelly received the quilt, she assured me that they love it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTIGMNN1AyT2SUWbqPq47trjbqlCaHvFq28CBqjTfyEIX3m9xgOscIHMq5xoH7rXtyLXxo8qinF5fThlfpa7JnDYsz12JTWxfn-NJzTS4J1_GPKZIsqJZJyOyKZ4oyCJ2kFzzcJlSvcY/s1600/image1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTIGMNN1AyT2SUWbqPq47trjbqlCaHvFq28CBqjTfyEIX3m9xgOscIHMq5xoH7rXtyLXxo8qinF5fThlfpa7JnDYsz12JTWxfn-NJzTS4J1_GPKZIsqJZJyOyKZ4oyCJ2kFzzcJlSvcY/s1600/image1.JPG" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo taken by Kelly Christine</td></tr>
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I wish I could describe to you how beautiful the wedding was, but there really are no words. Everything was perfect. Kelly was the most beautiful bride I had ever seen and tears instantly sprung into my eyes the moment I saw her. But the tears didn't stop with just how stunning she looked--I was an emotional mess the entire night because <i>everything</i> was really gorgeous. The ceremony was small and was located out on her grandparent's land. There was a beautiful lake in background and a log cabin on the grounds. There were sweet little things to see everywhere.<br />
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A pretty bike...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVSZFKCkQAAcwUf6oAgF164sQbi8u_lFaxi8bizBAdkXBnRybGTdvLa2nFACbKN7glGgueo-4OjaBpLFJL-mGfbjcA9M7pB0ew6PA1kMAF_SqiLMdxYMTuLOGYFOCVJaAfl-w9NhH_dM/s1600/p49282309-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVSZFKCkQAAcwUf6oAgF164sQbi8u_lFaxi8bizBAdkXBnRybGTdvLa2nFACbKN7glGgueo-4OjaBpLFJL-mGfbjcA9M7pB0ew6PA1kMAF_SqiLMdxYMTuLOGYFOCVJaAfl-w9NhH_dM/s1600/p49282309-5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett Photography</td></tr>
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A painted chair...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQxzghZjfnEqXVntjAUBpMqe3ctp_uR8j-N10r4vfUr7jJRjZj6E5iaEx2PFn7l6v9pyHjg1gB8Fnstn5iaDYeSscdpYMzpDQdNOWsWUBtsT4aKKIEpfx-St78VNaBq8ghgtE71OeWOc/s1600/p802102954-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjQxzghZjfnEqXVntjAUBpMqe3ctp_uR8j-N10r4vfUr7jJRjZj6E5iaEx2PFn7l6v9pyHjg1gB8Fnstn5iaDYeSscdpYMzpDQdNOWsWUBtsT4aKKIEpfx-St78VNaBq8ghgtE71OeWOc/s1600/p802102954-5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett Photography</td></tr>
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And the cutest little girls that looked like dancing fairies...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF0k-sev4Tz3YR0-IpdxgRPWTQ6tqdV9UO5_mBN-zUw9QaygPXIJtprO5zO7ridZXfxl8nR0_wHilGAZOMqtWi6iBYPR2-fwnHf49bQ1a0x1-Ohjc7fHflkU6UWIhO_VfnVSDBoHL3IM/s1600/p583551163-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghF0k-sev4Tz3YR0-IpdxgRPWTQ6tqdV9UO5_mBN-zUw9QaygPXIJtprO5zO7ridZXfxl8nR0_wHilGAZOMqtWi6iBYPR2-fwnHf49bQ1a0x1-Ohjc7fHflkU6UWIhO_VfnVSDBoHL3IM/s1600/p583551163-5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett Photography</td></tr>
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After the ceremony, we headed over to the reception, and every detail was so well-thought out and beautiful. The reception took place in an old building turned art gallery, and couldn't have been more perfect. The tables were decorated so beautifully, and the FLOWERS! I really had never seen such beautiful arrangements. I was happy enough just to sit there forever.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzf3wlHaeAYQBiooyA-LFXH9apgcq3AjLtTdiYe2HBQdM_62pHdqOW0niZmnUxtM7PIb1a9gAAAMtBvqjmPaO3b2r6eBggu2f_uzjWafSn2IcNIsqTYuYrY5F_-PSkF7Kd5q4EpcruYU/s1600/p499790916-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTzf3wlHaeAYQBiooyA-LFXH9apgcq3AjLtTdiYe2HBQdM_62pHdqOW0niZmnUxtM7PIb1a9gAAAMtBvqjmPaO3b2r6eBggu2f_uzjWafSn2IcNIsqTYuYrY5F_-PSkF7Kd5q4EpcruYU/s1600/p499790916-5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett Photography</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett Photography</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett photography</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett Photography</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQJws8HQvA4jAzH_HOBXnH1zgKwq8it47HdCb-p2WShmmN7td7mc1sNylMY5pK8Q7HeJYaN6eWnhUfTRI4Nku7l_hmR6khTutXSbSBqHutN910EuZml6R5KN9dwDvQa_YxBNwWGS6sAE/s1600/p31348202-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdQJws8HQvA4jAzH_HOBXnH1zgKwq8it47HdCb-p2WShmmN7td7mc1sNylMY5pK8Q7HeJYaN6eWnhUfTRI4Nku7l_hmR6khTutXSbSBqHutN910EuZml6R5KN9dwDvQa_YxBNwWGS6sAE/s1600/p31348202-5.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett Photography</td></tr>
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Anyway, I just feel so blessed that I have such a wonderful friend, and I know her and Canaan really are going to live happily ever after.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zSxTk673MICcEAQCqrJJKAkIyckTG0GXroqT4u85HgJZxVx022TiFC-3nNug-ZNItdXkv5BQeRz_Dr2eEXRsNJY-1G25Mg8al8zkbwolQVaMTOGAVhKm6JKRomJg2memYHez6LSDX-s/s1600/p1029883472-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-zSxTk673MICcEAQCqrJJKAkIyckTG0GXroqT4u85HgJZxVx022TiFC-3nNug-ZNItdXkv5BQeRz_Dr2eEXRsNJY-1G25Mg8al8zkbwolQVaMTOGAVhKm6JKRomJg2memYHez6LSDX-s/s1600/p1029883472-5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of N. Barrett Photography</td></tr>
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To learn more about Kelly, and to see her work, you can visit her blog, <a href="http://www.kelly-christine.com/">Kelly Christine Photography</a><br />
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Most of the photos in this post were taken by <a href="http://nbarrettphotography.com/">N. Barrett Photography</a>, and to see more of her beautiful work, you can visit her <a href="http://nbarrettphotography.com/">here</a>.<br />
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Flowers were designed by <a href="http://bowsandarrowsflowers.com/#!/HOME">Bows and Arrows Flowers</a><br />
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Cake and donuts were made by Cakewalk<br />
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Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-45132516586001116422014-11-10T13:54:00.002-08:002014-11-10T21:10:38.348-08:00Around the World Blog HopHi everyone. Today I'm taking part in the Around the World Blog Hop and I was asked by my friend, Cynthia of <a href="http://dreamquiltcreate.blogspot.co.uk/">Dream Quilt Create</a>, to participate. Cynthia has a wonderful blog, and if you haven't stopped to see it before, you should really go check it out. She makes the cutest stuff, and from what I can tell, she has the most romantic husband in the world who made-over her sewing room for her!<br />
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Another friend of mine, Shauna from <a href="http://lovinquiltin.blogspot.ca/">lovinquiltin</a> asked me a about a month ago to participate, but unfortunately we were on vacation and I wasn't able to do it. But I would feel bad if I didn't give a shout-out to Shauna! (Hi Shauna!)<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15757779901" title="P1020905 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020905" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3948/15757779901_82d3615f19_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>What am I currently working on?</b><br />
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Right now I have so many projects in the works I don't know which way is up or down. I think I have what is commonly known as QADD--Quilting Attention Deficit Disorder. That being said, I'm not making a whole lot of progress on anything. Do any of you do that?<br />
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But as for the big items, I'm working on a Union Jack Quilt for a friend, I'm testing a couple of patterns for some other friends, I'm working on a fall quilt (that is a little late coming along), and I have recently decided to participate in the #haveyourselfamerrylittlechristmas quilt-along on Instagram. I guess this is something that has been going on for a couple of weeks, but I didn't find out about it last night when my friend @AudreyAnn33 from <a href="http://strawberryislandstudio.blogspot.co.uk/">Strawberry Island Studio</a> asked me if I was playing. How did I miss this? Anyway, so I pulled some fabric today so I could get caught up. I really can't wait to get started.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15574490507" title="P1020907 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020907" height="539" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3956/15574490507_2c02b9cc74_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<b>How does my work differ from others?</b><br />
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I don't know if my work really does differ from others because a lot of what I make is inspired by other people! If anything, I wish I could do what others do because I see so many beautiful quilts and think to myself, "Now why couldn't I come up with that?". I have quilt envy I guess.<br />
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But if there's something that I've learned about myself is that the biggest motivator for me is the meaning behind the quilt. And by that I mean, 'what does this quilt represent for me?'. Usually it's a memory or a connection to something that keeps me inspired to finish it. I start lots of projects, but I have a hard time seeing them through if I don't have an emotional connection to the design. Really, the projects I have been most passionate about are quilts that are inspired by people that I love, or places I've visited.<br />
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<b>Why do I create?</b><br />
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I watched a documentary once called "Helvetica", and I remember the designer saying "Creativity is a disease for which there is no cure" and that really made sense to me. I think (probably like most crafters/artists) I create because it's just something that I <i>have</i> to do. Sometimes creating isn't always a stress-reliever because I become obsessed with an idea, and then I can't focus on anything else until I've made it. And then there are other times, when I have absolutely no new ideas, but even then I start to become really anxious if I'm not working on something, because I feel like it's just something I <i>need</i> to be doing.<br />
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<b>How do I work?</b><br />
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I looked at this question in two different ways, so I'll go ahead and answer both.<br />
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I think my creative process is a little inconsistent. Sometimes I have an idea the develops slowly, and then I might draw it out and carefully pick out fabric. And then there are those other times, when an idea blasts me out of my sleep and I just start making stuff when I'm not really sure how it's all going to work out.<br />
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As for <i>where I work</i>, I am very, very fortunate to have a small sewing room, and to be honest right now, it's completely out-of-control. So, much of my time has been spent trying to get it organized and decorated properly. Hopefully soon, I'll be able to share some b<i>efore</i> and a<i>fter</i> photos. The photo below is somewhere in between <i>before</i> and <i>after</i> and is the only picture I could take that wouldn't send you into cardiac arrest : )<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15574542847" title="P1020894 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020894" height="480" src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7557/15574542847_b709ce3641_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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And as for my machine, I sew on a Bernina Patchwork 350 and I absolutely love it! I saved up for two years after sewing on a Singer Simple, and now I'm a Bernina fan for life. Before Bernina I didn't know that fabric wasn't supposed to be eaten by the machine! It has been a lifesaver for me.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15001935074" title="P1020833 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020833" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3937/15001935074_fe1438e922_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Anyway, that's all for my portion of the Around the World Blog Hop. I know my answers aren't all that thrilling, but I appreciate you stopping by!! Next I'm tagging Melissa from <a href="http://www.myfabricrelish.com/">My Fabric Relish</a> and Audrey from <a href="http://strawberryislandstudio.blogspot.co.uk/">Strawberry Island Studio</a>--and now I just need to go tell them. Haha.<br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-929098616131951264.post-69929866743940884702014-10-25T08:13:00.004-07:002014-10-30T13:14:41.983-07:00Moda Spell it with Fabric<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15436569828" title="P1020862 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020862" height="480" src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5616/15436569828_b0ce9e055e_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I'm so happy to post this today because it seems like it has been forever since I've had a finish to show you! This one took me awhile because I kept changing my mind about what colors I wanted to use. When it was all said and done I think I made about 40 letter/blocks, so I have almost enough for a second quilt. I want this quilt to be the one that is on my sofa everyday, so I just quilted it in a wavy line stitch, which makes it soft and drapes really well.<br />
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I used the Moda Spell it With Fabric pattern, and at one time it was available for free, but now I can't find the original posts for you, but if you want to purchase it, you can do that <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=spell+it">here</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15001934354" title="P1020870 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020870" height="536" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3946/15001934354_f7bdeeec8c_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Although I had wanted to make this quilt for a while, I was only <i>really</i> inspired to get started during the summer when my daughter and I were spending much of our time reading together. My daughter really struggled with reading, and did not enjoy it at all. It baffled me at first, because she is such a bright child, but it seemed like it was just never clicking for her. For her entire second grade year she went to additional tutoring every day, but not much progress was made, and her reading level was that of an early first grader. Her Lexile score (tests used to determine reading level) was at a 167 and for a beginning 3rd grader it should be at 500--so we had only a few months to get her where she needed to be. I was worrying myself to death about it. It's not that I wanted her to be the smartest kid in school, but I don't want her to lose confidence in herself if she was behind. Mostly, I just wanted her to love reading, because there's so much enjoyment to be found in books.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15624611042" title="P1020887 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020887" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3935/15624611042_0afb2c88f4_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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At the end of the school year, her teacher sent home a recommended summer reading list that were appropriate for her reading level. The list had books like "Clifford the Big Red Dog" and other books that I felt were never going to help her progress. Those books only have about 14 words in them and although they might be appropriate for her reading level, they are not suited for her age level. So I went online and started buying books that I remembered loving at her age. When the books arrived, we started slowly making our way through them. At first it was really slow, but even if we only read a half-page in 20 minutes then I was okay with that. I just wanted her to read enough to where she would fall in love with story, which I hoped would motivate her enough to keep reading. And then it happened. We where reading "The Chocolate Touch" and she thought the story was so funny she didn't want to stop reading! Chapter after chapter we just kept reading, and when I was ready to stop, she finished it on her own.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15002523763" title="P1020871 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020871" height="506" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3952/15002523763_8e647169cf_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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We read four chapter books over the summer--over 600 pages of words. It might not seem like a lot for some children, but for us, it was a great achievement. When it was time for her to start school again I was so nervous about her next reading-level test and kept pestering her about when they were going to take it. Then, one afternoon, a couple of weeks after school started, she called me at work and said "Mom, I took the test today and I scored a 499!". Well you can imagine, I was ecstatic, and I started crying tears of happiness, and even as I write this tears are springing into my eyes! I am just so proud of her I can hardly stand it, and this quilt will always help me remember this awesome achievement.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15623764975" title="P1020881 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020881" height="480" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3951/15623764975_da31604f8d_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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I must admit, I imagine her at her high school graduation, standing up at the podium to give the Valedictorian speech, and she says, "...and this would not be possible without the support and guidance of my greatest teacher--my mother."<br />
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But my fantasy about the future is broken with the sound of her saying (in real life), "Mom, can you pleeeaase microwave me some bagel bites?"<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewberrysweet/15621101451" title="P1020884 by Cristina Tepsick, on Flickr"><img alt="P1020884" height="516" src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3952/15621101451_2b6cfbcf45_o.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Have a great week everyone!<br />
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Linking up at <a href="http://myquiltinfatuation.blogspot.co.uk/">My Quilt Infatuation for Needle and Thread Thursday</a>!<br />
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<br />Cristina @ Pretty Little Quiltshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11530365459273640434noreply@blogger.com14