tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57107341846158861592024-03-13T13:24:45.422-04:00the crafty roachJesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-68634524561300436032015-02-22T18:24:00.000-05:002015-02-22T18:24:00.230-05:00do. Good Stiches - February 2015I've noticed over the last few months that I prefer making my <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/p/do-good-stitches_26.html">do. Good Stitches</a> blocks two months at a time. Inevitably this means I'm late for one month, but it also usually means I'm pretty early with the next, so I say it balances out. I completed these at the same time as the <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2015/02/do-good-stitches-january-2015.html">January blocks</a>, and I have to say I'm glad they were so quick! The January blocks were fun to make, but there was a lot of slicing and quite a few seams, so to make them in conjunction with these super simple blocks was perfect. And I also shopped my scraps for most of these fabrics. Except for all the Dear Stella, which was part of the very first fat quarter bundle I ever purchased 3ish years ago.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sewing_wilde/">Pam</a> threw a little teaser into the instructions for this month that she's going to add something special when she puts all of the blocks together - can't wait to see what that is!<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-19287544422494686362015-02-15T18:53:00.000-05:002015-02-15T18:53:00.758-05:00Sushi pouch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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For the past 2 years, I've been schelping my stuff (lunch, shoes, knitting) to and from work in my <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2013/07/ghostwing-tote.html">Ghostwing Tote.</a> While I love this bag, it isn't quite professional, so I decided to upgrade.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15oOys4JGbhORsl8ucaoFy477NaMhOIOgemFpK-hK-QWOqEaQrApG7Lq2QLyVHjmwdeU2pBReZNMEr5l830QmTxYM9kmEtsWCemuINsQ3piMoF9t3JOcb6_zWK3CYgnBwWljPvR5Tk-Fw/s1600/Sushi+pouch+01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj15oOys4JGbhORsl8ucaoFy477NaMhOIOgemFpK-hK-QWOqEaQrApG7Lq2QLyVHjmwdeU2pBReZNMEr5l830QmTxYM9kmEtsWCemuINsQ3piMoF9t3JOcb6_zWK3CYgnBwWljPvR5Tk-Fw/s1600/Sushi+pouch+01.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></div>
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After much searching without finding anything that met my needs or budget, I instead inherited an old <a href="http://us.longchamp.com/womens-bags">Longchamp</a> bag from my sister in law. I LOVE this bag - it's big, but not too big, sturdy, and definitely more work-appropriate than my handmade tote. The only downside is the interior pocket. Or rather, lack thereof. There's a small slip pocket, but it's oddly placed at the very top of the interior right along the zipper. And since it has no closures, everything I put in it winds up at the bottom of the bag by the end of the day. So, I made myself a pouch!<br />
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It's perfect for holding on my essentials (pens, post-its, chapstick,
hand lotion, mints, a curious kitten's tiny head, etc.) and I can just
leave it my work bag so no matter where I'm working that day, I'm sure to
have everything I need. (I used Noodlehead's <a href="https://www.noodle-head.com/2012/06/open-wide-zippered-pouch-tutorial-size.html">open wide zippered pouch tutorial</a>, size M).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wGt_pr_rKGk5xRq2ps34qKrxoZcMK0whKPLhPhIIrOZ61XnRxM3OUT83vY4f1VMsRULfSKqGLrYQQLk43hL70o-7myaeejlL6wmfI_VxCE9Zb7o6dCbFexInLH1eu58EqmHCVLjWLQ2Q/s1600/Sushi+pouch+07.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4wGt_pr_rKGk5xRq2ps34qKrxoZcMK0whKPLhPhIIrOZ61XnRxM3OUT83vY4f1VMsRULfSKqGLrYQQLk43hL70o-7myaeejlL6wmfI_VxCE9Zb7o6dCbFexInLH1eu58EqmHCVLjWLQ2Q/s1600/Sushi+pouch+07.JPG" height="221" width="340" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCny9IZL-_2Q2j_togaddipdlNEWyIS9BOJGGOqpDWJ_h6OUr7JrfUzeYb-EFJTWUVeZLecGGu1JN44u878ev6gh5yLwRC3_Es1d823mq9BRMuGgDIkMHthPf-Rm9z8MujAaJGISK5eT0/s1600/Sushi+pouch+06.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqCny9IZL-_2Q2j_togaddipdlNEWyIS9BOJGGOqpDWJ_h6OUr7JrfUzeYb-EFJTWUVeZLecGGu1JN44u878ev6gh5yLwRC3_Es1d823mq9BRMuGgDIkMHthPf-Rm9z8MujAaJGISK5eT0/s1600/Sushi+pouch+06.JPG" height="221" width="340" /></a><br />
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Over Thanksgiving, Mom surprised me with some novelty fabric which is fun, but often difficult to weave into quilts or other projects. It's ideal for pouches though! I offset these cute, cartoony sushi with some Essex yarn dyed linen in black, lined everything with SF-101 for stability, and tied it all together with a coordinating green zipper.<br />
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I have to admit, every time I take this pouch out during meetings or trainings, I clandestinely glance around hoping everyone is staring at it. So far none of my coworkers have commented, but I'm sure they're all wishing they had a fancy, unique sushi pouch too!<br />
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Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-34886797074599619442015-02-08T18:18:00.002-05:002015-02-08T18:24:43.693-05:00do. Good Stitches - January 2015Time for the next installment of <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/p/do-good-stitches_26.html">do. Good Stitches</a> blocks. Last month, <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/quiltmoxiebee/">Barb</a> asked the group to make two blocks using <a href="https://modafabrics.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/simply-woven-quilt/">Jessica Kelly's Simply Woven</a> tutorial. We could use any fabrics/colors we wanted, with the one stipulation that the background be solid.<br />
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This was a great scrap-buster for me. At first I started looking through my stash, but that was a bit overwhelming (even with my limited stash), so I turned to my two scrap bags and was surprised and pleased to find that I had plenty of strips the correct lengths and widths. I did use my stash for the two background colors, but I still call it a scrapy win.<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-4660158653258683362015-01-19T05:12:00.000-05:002015-01-19T05:12:00.113-05:00Computer CaseMany months ago we got a much needed new computer, and Mr. T asked if I would make a case for it. As much as it warmed my heart to hear him request a handmade item, I didn't have time to get around to for a few months. Finally, in October I had some time off work, so I made finishing this case a priority.<br />
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I used the same style I had used for his <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2013/01/happy-birthday-mr-t.html">iPad case</a> previously, but I changed the dimensions to fit the computer as well as the additional padding I added. All pieces are lined with fusible fleece, and I also added a layer of duck canvas to the two exterior pieces. I quilted everything with a 2" cross hatch to make sure all the layers stayed in place and to add a bit of extra weight.<br />
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The exterior fabric is Yard Dyed Essex in black and the interior is something that I received in a swap during the <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2013/07/dcmqg-retreat-goodies.html">DCMCQ Retreat</a> a few years ago and that couldn't have fit Mr. T better. When he saw the case, he even said I should have put the records on the outside! <br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-13786790988921393322015-01-14T08:30:00.000-05:002015-01-14T08:31:17.558-05:00Alpine HeadbandTwo weeks ago, one of my friends turned THIRTY! To celebrate, we went skiing (my first time ever, but that's a different story), so I made her this aptly named <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alpine-headband">Alpine Headband</a>.<br />
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It was just a happy coincidence that the pattern I liked was also named after her chosen birthday activity, but I take it as a good sign that she'll like this (naturally I only started working on it the night before the ski trip, so I didn't quite finish on time and haven't given it to her yet).<br />
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I used <a href="http://madelinetosh.com/store/index.php/yarns/tosh-dk/grey.html">Tosh DK</a> in Smokestack and <a href="http://www.malabrigoyarn.com/subyarn.php?id=25">Malabrigo Lace</a> in Glazed Carrot that I had originally purchased to make an <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/argon-tee">Argon Tee</a>, but then didn't like a) how the lace and DK worked together for that tee and b) could tell just by the first few inches that the sizing was going to be way off.<br />
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The pattern was super easy to follow, but given my gauge I was afraid the finished headband would be too narrow, so I added another two rows (which equals 4 additional stitches) to the repeat to make it a bit wider, and then ended up doing 6 or so fewer repeats than recommended to reach the desired circumference.<br />
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I also used the <a href="http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sony-alpha-a6000">new camera</a> I just received as a belated Hanukkah gift to take photos. SO AMAZING! So far I've only used the automatic function, but I'm excited to take some time and learn how to operate it manually.<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-28236963081092256892015-01-05T09:14:00.000-05:002015-01-05T09:14:00.360-05:00SOCKS!I first mentioned these socks on <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2012/07/wip-wednesday.html">July 11, 2012</a> when I purchased the yarn.<br />
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Then I mentioned them again in <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2013/01/froggingand-first-snow.html">January</a> when they were almost complete, but I frogged them because the fit was awful.<br />
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Now, two years later, it is my pleasure to introduce my first pair of adult socks!!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a40zyWEwVcUpeATETtslKhxhCScAdVApr0SYxpa6u9UQnQanmrbVp0XEOirqOqza15tGpTnNkVUC3lVxXfVCzeyzQLfAIePPK1eOA0PoK5msEKfEd8eumKgeA6PpN6BI9YOPExzN9IW7/s1600/2014-11-03+18.54.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6a40zyWEwVcUpeATETtslKhxhCScAdVApr0SYxpa6u9UQnQanmrbVp0XEOirqOqza15tGpTnNkVUC3lVxXfVCzeyzQLfAIePPK1eOA0PoK5msEKfEd8eumKgeA6PpN6BI9YOPExzN9IW7/s1600/2014-11-03+18.54.09.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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You can scour the archives of this blog and find many references to the ridiculous number of times I took out rows, or frogged these completely, but now they're done and I love them!<br />
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They're plain vanilla socks with a 2x2 rib cuff and the <a href="http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fish-lips-kiss-heel">fish lips kiss heel</a>. I was originally working the gusset heel from <a href="http://wendyknits.net/">Wendy Johnson</a>'s Socks From the Toe Up, but there was no way it was ever going to fit. So after a lot of research, I gave the fish lips kiss heel a try and it's great! It was super easy to knit, and it fits really well. I think the feet of the socks are a tad too big, but I can easily fix that next time. I must have some oddly narrow feet and/or extremely tight knitting style because even the smallest sizes in all of the patterns I looked at were way too big based on my gauge (these were 56 stitches on size 0 needles... Or maybe size 1. I'll have to check).<br />
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Now I just need to get some sock blockers! If you have suggestions for cute ones, leave a comment.<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-87926338280602780622014-12-31T23:57:00.000-05:002014-12-31T23:57:00.463-05:00do. Good Stitches - December 2014To finish out the year, Amy challenged us and asked for paper pieced blocks using a pattern she wrote for a <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/other/double-edged-arrow/121913">double edged arrow</a>.<br />
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She asked members to make two blocks with black arrows and white/gray/low volume background. She's going to contribute red arrows for a very cool and contrasted quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrAQgDdwHcqLXVF_cDa8I-mrPh_9cgu77eko9L5-q5n2-0MakP9Y1T5D3wG7ISHIU03x9g4q-z1sPX-ZA6ykyAKkE8xILadS5X8DzwvognxU256Ufk8R1m5n8zKCeKTbt2Qb0HgJbyrN8/s1600/DGS+Bliss+December+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrAQgDdwHcqLXVF_cDa8I-mrPh_9cgu77eko9L5-q5n2-0MakP9Y1T5D3wG7ISHIU03x9g4q-z1sPX-ZA6ykyAKkE8xILadS5X8DzwvognxU256Ufk8R1m5n8zKCeKTbt2Qb0HgJbyrN8/s1600/DGS+Bliss+December+2014.jpg" height="226" width="640" /></a></div>
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To top arrow is solid black with a mix of solid white and dotted background, and the bottom arrow is a Kona Stone background with a Sketch arrow (it looks solid in the photo, but it's not).<br />
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And after a few months of being pretty behind with my bee blocks, I'm happy to have completed these on schedule!<br />
<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-34327853190711098612014-12-29T08:56:00.000-05:002014-12-29T08:56:39.086-05:00DCMQG Mug Rug SwapIn October, the DCMQG held a fall mug rug swap. I requested a larger mug rug with no white or red and good for everyday use (no seasonal or holiday theme). I'm super excited with what I received! The mug has become one of my favorites and is in regular rotation on weekends and days I work from home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YD-kG9YeL98mQSdCwCUidBo818Id_wuu0V037IH4HsSJD6Vb8aUQDe_EZO7SYl7xT_rWVMrzMws_n8LsbQbRfU7WW8FMDsMUG7MTfXXlRtET9pGybGfGD7Dqz8a9317VNxixCSz29O_s/s1600/2014-10-25+18.06.01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8YD-kG9YeL98mQSdCwCUidBo818Id_wuu0V037IH4HsSJD6Vb8aUQDe_EZO7SYl7xT_rWVMrzMws_n8LsbQbRfU7WW8FMDsMUG7MTfXXlRtET9pGybGfGD7Dqz8a9317VNxixCSz29O_s/s1600/2014-10-25+18.06.01.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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And I took the rug in to work to decorate my desk and serve as a good storage spot for my personal items (mainly food and beverages, plus bamboo!).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBF-lDumVb8DsepWB23dB-wbzOwhFWfUdGwjNT8iwj7i67eFiGXkHOYENQLvbaTQKBexahlpazreqMOLEiaLGANCkXDwtsigWoftpdZD2Ju0yGTcGsaNU0eBFFcQgPnfhGdVG2ZwnATVG/s1600/2014-10-28+15.08.54.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBF-lDumVb8DsepWB23dB-wbzOwhFWfUdGwjNT8iwj7i67eFiGXkHOYENQLvbaTQKBexahlpazreqMOLEiaLGANCkXDwtsigWoftpdZD2Ju0yGTcGsaNU0eBFFcQgPnfhGdVG2ZwnATVG/s1600/2014-10-28+15.08.54.jpg" height="400" width="400" /> </a></div>
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My assigned partner was <a href="http://www.quiltsinthequeue.com/">Heather</a>, former guild Treasurer. Heather asked for a smaller mug rug and provided a Pinterest board with color and theme ideas. Working off of that, this is what I created:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8ZtWYPPpJ7lBmZRqeDUcn1_-S7GejWPyifVgqAHs-VOSMx5dTxgke5gyODjsN42zUSy79gVrUfxZD6CC58J3o7Ouz-gIQtMLZFjb-rvmGl1Drq110Tsybej9WjwF9NyvjoWg6Btccjpo/s1600/2014-11-02+21.47.03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8ZtWYPPpJ7lBmZRqeDUcn1_-S7GejWPyifVgqAHs-VOSMx5dTxgke5gyODjsN42zUSy79gVrUfxZD6CC58J3o7Ouz-gIQtMLZFjb-rvmGl1Drq110Tsybej9WjwF9NyvjoWg6Btccjpo/s1600/2014-11-02+21.47.03.jpg" height="450" width="640" /></a></div>
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Her inspiration board had a lot of blues, greens, and purples, as well as some photos of fall foliage. The background is Essex yarn dyed linen. This was also the perfect sized project to practice my FMQ (finished it was about 6x8 inches). It was quite frustrating at first - I was getting eyelashes on the back no matter what I did - and I took out countless stitches before I was finally satisfied with the appearance of the stitches. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjo1x3HvexqzTznKN7yd46kyaOQypqQRiW1qmR0zX_VTx9JrEVLJ411g5Sn-f4xBPO1ss3TOEOJMy_W0grla_0_Ve76FUsy_D__puKAklHWay9YIkgm9TskhQyNbSYhwvHoZy9zI6jNWp/s1600/2014-11-03+15.36.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJjo1x3HvexqzTznKN7yd46kyaOQypqQRiW1qmR0zX_VTx9JrEVLJ411g5Sn-f4xBPO1ss3TOEOJMy_W0grla_0_Ve76FUsy_D__puKAklHWay9YIkgm9TskhQyNbSYhwvHoZy9zI6jNWp/s1600/2014-11-03+15.36.09.jpg" height="451" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the back I used this cute ladybug print leftover from <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2014/01/lemons-and-limes.html">Rayna's quilt</a>. And for the binding I tried the zig zag stitch method for the first time. I wasn't sure at first, but I kind of like how it creates a double frame on the front.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0BnMHpBc9RTPSejc7kTygbCKQkIRErWhLUE81jIooFcqTDQ1l6elSDCRk-g9anORhtdOEPIRPghHh5dkoe1xVrfHlCd_YY17ZCMfRciZg7-iF3AY9c1vmOy-_cwn7vqGb6rJxdQ6cXjj/s1600/2014-11-03+15.36.43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm0BnMHpBc9RTPSejc7kTygbCKQkIRErWhLUE81jIooFcqTDQ1l6elSDCRk-g9anORhtdOEPIRPghHh5dkoe1xVrfHlCd_YY17ZCMfRciZg7-iF3AY9c1vmOy-_cwn7vqGb6rJxdQ6cXjj/s1600/2014-11-03+15.36.43.jpg" height="548" width="640" /></a></div>
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We weren't technically supposed to include extras, but I threw in some tea and hot chocolate I had at home, as well as some rugelach Mom made. They're one of my absolute favorite treats!</div>
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Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-87267170277843390602014-12-15T00:08:00.000-05:002014-12-15T00:08:00.454-05:00Fabric Photo AlbumWhen my brother and sister-in-law told me they were expecting their first child, I immediately started making a mental list of all the things I needed to make - as any self-respecting crafter would do. One thing at the top of the list was a fabric photo album, inspired by <a href="http://youandmie.com/2011/12/05/custom-fabric-photo-book/">this one</a> I saw on you&mie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh39TTnzW_pCXSGvW3DaKvpevzPUQK1PHIoJW2zxnReXdXqhVc4OSZsc-GFnQlV4zeZ7NAGhe0Q4IsUksv4E0HuOntJ0KeZ-ffXj8cti8ZFytVBjGGZ_geudQZprcGeXmoQhgOAXe15eZ5/s1600/Sada+baby+book+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh39TTnzW_pCXSGvW3DaKvpevzPUQK1PHIoJW2zxnReXdXqhVc4OSZsc-GFnQlV4zeZ7NAGhe0Q4IsUksv4E0HuOntJ0KeZ-ffXj8cti8ZFytVBjGGZ_geudQZprcGeXmoQhgOAXe15eZ5/s1600/Sada+baby+book+01.jpg" height="640" width="480" /> </a></div>
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The hardest part was finding good photos of everyone. I scoured my SIL's facebook album, and badgered family for photos when I couldn't find them online or in my archives.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw1jQqBY0X1NjNf2q8v0ESou35thMBdZW-PrtPKAXCLWaHVZJgMf0BjxQENoRKE1HW2m5Q3r1nBWP6CyouVv56VeS_VHf1ir3xqhYzjXhMvuhcFzwT7uUX9qPr_wYoA6nIV4g0D3RGYL6/s1600/Sada+baby+book+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirw1jQqBY0X1NjNf2q8v0ESou35thMBdZW-PrtPKAXCLWaHVZJgMf0BjxQENoRKE1HW2m5Q3r1nBWP6CyouVv56VeS_VHf1ir3xqhYzjXhMvuhcFzwT7uUX9qPr_wYoA6nIV4g0D3RGYL6/s1600/Sada+baby+book+13.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></div>
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After I had the photos, I printed them on <a href="http://store.junetailor.com/store/p-20-computer-printer-fabric-white-4-sheetspack.aspx">sew-in printer fabric</a>. I think this paper worked pretty well. I used a laser printer and let them sit at least ten minutes to dry before I touched them. Then before I sewed with them I set them with a dry iron, protecting the photo with a layer of paper towel. There were a few smudges, and Mom got a bit wrinkly, but otherwise all the photographs printed well and look good.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT0BjEJcT_AZoRt74WTeWrrhM2o5egg6t9sadZ3JZpQfdvP9Kj-oFNAhKwCwOIsAgFztB0Kp4WtZf7fwgV2j0b3F17mR0Bem_ellVon9tLrlI8jERV06q5IOpzsap8ZxcMWwsA6mwpyWc/s1600/Sada+baby+book+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVT0BjEJcT_AZoRt74WTeWrrhM2o5egg6t9sadZ3JZpQfdvP9Kj-oFNAhKwCwOIsAgFztB0Kp4WtZf7fwgV2j0b3F17mR0Bem_ellVon9tLrlI8jERV06q5IOpzsap8ZxcMWwsA6mwpyWc/s1600/Sada+baby+book+11.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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I wanted a nice, colorful book, so I selected a variety of fabrics from my stash, paired them, and then matched the photos with fabrics, trying not to wash anyone out too badly.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTVoACFTcFu6L64VMOevthFlHFNnqMla8v82mIJ4OcKuypRZfywvFhIss_G3EIQ2SmiX7lpWE3yw0_qu6g7tK_yKD7k5ixa2VuWpo9vbjRQUMgz8DvWJD0BB0aBRRvkvsjGljrZ1SoCvi/s1600/Sada+baby+book+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCTVoACFTcFu6L64VMOevthFlHFNnqMla8v82mIJ4OcKuypRZfywvFhIss_G3EIQ2SmiX7lpWE3yw0_qu6g7tK_yKD7k5ixa2VuWpo9vbjRQUMgz8DvWJD0BB0aBRRvkvsjGljrZ1SoCvi/s1600/Sada+baby+book+05.jpg" height="322" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proud aunt and uncle!</td></tr>
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To add some plushness, I sandwiched a single layer of batting between each set of pages, and quilted around the photos and the outside of the pages to keep it in place.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwty9DGZ6kN5o32AM4Ij3ddH22KAfpUSChfEfzLI0Wrg5ElcuIMaj7X0YwMjqaqKK6Cf60bNRogj4KJIUnQn9uCH_isfFDhLgdG_xLTnOTDhZhYdQDiH0pMiDNAJgBReq7obLLDclEcjU/s1600/Sada+baby+book+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwty9DGZ6kN5o32AM4Ij3ddH22KAfpUSChfEfzLI0Wrg5ElcuIMaj7X0YwMjqaqKK6Cf60bNRogj4KJIUnQn9uCH_isfFDhLgdG_xLTnOTDhZhYdQDiH0pMiDNAJgBReq7obLLDclEcjU/s1600/Sada+baby+book+09.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />Finally, I included ties to keep the book shut, and a simple embroidered cover. Plus my label on the back.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN6Cuh8-drrEk-IjwJYsgDhaWhmz5iYcAvIkdZ31IJRSHIz9tJ67OXFMRD7pY7bVY0c7CRH0WSkpcIUxaCnOBeNlDZjQH1NWsaan2fztqvHXO58SFDZ8G8l2VdE03hwJTFKLBnaqKdGe6/s1600/Sada+baby+book+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZN6Cuh8-drrEk-IjwJYsgDhaWhmz5iYcAvIkdZ31IJRSHIz9tJ67OXFMRD7pY7bVY0c7CRH0WSkpcIUxaCnOBeNlDZjQH1NWsaan2fztqvHXO58SFDZ8G8l2VdE03hwJTFKLBnaqKdGe6/s1600/Sada+baby+book+12.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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Now as my little niece grows, she'll be able to get to know the faces of all her family members, those who live near, those who live far, and those who have unfortunately passed away.<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-46388865356106189002014-12-08T00:04:00.000-05:002014-12-08T00:04:00.051-05:00Matilda MarieIn March, my brother and sister-in-law's good friends had a baby girl, Matilda. I've met them a few times, and they helped throw the <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-second-calling.html">baby shower</a> for my niece over the summer, so I decided to make them a simple whole cloth quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZL-qLjrexit1s9ancIwW4aTHM_wpTIVy9Nb_bCLqrifXGv6ZmdlIBr7l-i8Gd4zNwAFC4gzKFx622qzx4AJcMoWjER9XbS1oHEGYD_ULxxBFGmFGISzdBHsJUNga-DtPzvwXdXaQzqtay/s1600/Matilda+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZL-qLjrexit1s9ancIwW4aTHM_wpTIVy9Nb_bCLqrifXGv6ZmdlIBr7l-i8Gd4zNwAFC4gzKFx622qzx4AJcMoWjER9XbS1oHEGYD_ULxxBFGmFGISzdBHsJUNga-DtPzvwXdXaQzqtay/s1600/Matilda+1.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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I used this awesome print from <a href="http://cloud9fabrics.com/new-joanns-backyard-garden/">Backyard Garden</a>, Cloud 9's second collection for JoAnn, for the front. I think the sleeping cats are my favorite part (it's kind of blurry, but they're the little gray blobs in between the pink and blue flower beds). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSNDVRZh4_IbZRSk5Addek0imk3uzYNC21DKYiYjJBY9AivUs4cSNf-wTwxeMouEuXw8Ib4DXkKq_4v6GF0AaWXHPg1HrqVTnuE7DYmId5VGsmN_R_x6X_XzOmjISUVy-nFg58rmRkzSu/s1600/Matilda+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSNDVRZh4_IbZRSk5Addek0imk3uzYNC21DKYiYjJBY9AivUs4cSNf-wTwxeMouEuXw8Ib4DXkKq_4v6GF0AaWXHPg1HrqVTnuE7DYmId5VGsmN_R_x6X_XzOmjISUVy-nFg58rmRkzSu/s1600/Matilda+5.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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And a soft gray flannel for the back (to match the cats, of course).<br />
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After binging on a few episodes of <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/start-free-motion-quilting/3584?_ct=iuqhsx-kdyluhiqb-huikbj-sekhiu&_ctp=3584">Elizabeth Dackson's Craftsy class</a> (highly recommended), I took advantage of the busy print and practiced my free motion quilting with a large stipple. It's definitely getting better!<br />
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A hand-embroidered binding with the baby's name and birth date for an extra personal touch. <br />
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And finished it off with a pink binding with a hint of blue to pull it all together.<br />
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I haven't seen the recipients since sending this off a few months ago, but I did receive a very nice thank you care, so I trust that Matilda is enjoying her quilt!Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-60580909156267306132014-12-01T18:43:00.000-05:002014-12-01T18:43:16.402-05:00do. Good Stitches catch upWhew, I got a bit behind with everything the past few months, including my do. Good Stitches blocks, so it's time for a little catch up.<br />
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First up, September: pinwheel stars using a <a href="http://sewingwilde.blogspot.com/2014/08/making-star.html">tutorial</a> our quilter Pam wrote for us.<br />
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Next, October (which I may or may not have just finished yesterday...): <a href="http://hyacinthquiltdesigns.blogspot.ca/2011/01/garden-fence.html">Garden Fence blocks</a> in aqua and gray with solid navy lattices.<br />
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And finally, November was a choose your own adventure month. <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/brookeali/">Brooke</a> asked that we make any block of our choosing in "boy colors" with gray background. She actually asked for prints in boyish colors, but I didn't read closely and was excited to use these <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2012/11/index-blog-hop-and-giveaway.html">orphan blocks</a> I've had laying around for ages, but at least I followed directions for the color scheme.<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-68197693342539987192014-08-29T09:22:00.000-04:002014-08-29T09:22:00.742-04:00do. Good Stitches: August 2014The Bliss Cirlce took July off from making a quilt to let everyone get caught up a bit. This month we dove back in with these <a href="http://flutterkat.com/2012/01/reverse-rainbow-starburst-block/">patchwork wonky stars</a> assigned by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/quiltmoxiebee/">Barb</a>. Instead of doing a rainbow, however, she asked for a night sky color scheme, suggested blacks, grays, blues, indigos, etc. This is my interpretation (and what was available in my scrap bin).<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-32582101306174673412014-08-25T04:57:00.000-04:002014-08-25T09:20:15.047-04:00Beach bunniesThe other weekend, a few friends and I met up for a short beach trip to the Jersey Shore. I rarely ever go to the beach, but a couple weeks earlier I got it in my head that I MUST HAVE A BATHING SUIT COVERUP, so naturally I made one.<br />
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I used some corally-pink lace paired with yellow bias-tape, all from JoAnn, for a fun, summery feel. And I used the <a href="http://april-rhodes.com/collections/patternshop/products/the-staple-dress-pdf">Staple Dress pattern</a>, which was just perfect for a project like this. I was afraid the lace would fray a bit, so I used french seams throughout.<br />
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For my <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2013/09/staple-dress.html">first Staple Dress</a>, based on my measurements and muslin, I graded the pattern somewhere between a small and a medium. For this one I just cut a straight small and I think the fit is much better. It cinched nicely in the waist and doesn't fall off my shoulders like the original does.<br />
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I used pre-made bias tape to finish the neck and sleeves in an attempt to speed the project along (though it still took me an entire day...), and I think it worked well. I really like the pop of color that the yellow adds. Bright pink and yellow is one of my favorite color combinations.<br />
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The waist cinching took a bit more thought. The pattern is written for shirring, but that was not going to work with this lacy material, so instead I again used store-bought binding. I measured a piece of double-fold bias tape to be a bit larger than the dress and, beginning at one of the side seams, sewed it on to the dress along both the top and bottom, leaving openings at either end to form a casing. Then I shimmied a 1/2 inch piece of elastic cut to be a hint shorter than my waist measurement into the casing, and stitched the opening closed. I stitched through the elastic in order to secure it and keep it from twisting. And that was it! At first it was really unevenly bunched, but after a wash it spread out.<br />
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It actually ended up being a bit chilly on the day we went to the beach, so excluding the short time we spent in the water, I mostly hung out in the coverup. It was SO comfortable. Some random woman sitting next to me even came up and complimented me on that and the socks I was knitting. This project also reminded me that I need to make a few more Staple Dresses. The name of the pattern really is indicative of how much I wear my first one. In fact, I wore <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2013/09/staple-dress.html">the original </a><i>to</i> the beach because I felt the coverup was a bit too revealing for commuting, just in case we had to make any stops (which we actually did on the way home - at a yarn shop - so good thing I planned ahead).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Both of my Staple Dresses</td></tr>
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-90491546571456112202014-08-21T08:13:00.000-04:002014-08-22T15:42:31.706-04:00Baby Gifts, part 2 - The Itty Bitty Geranium DressNext up, the ever adorable <a href="http://www.made-by-rae.com/2013/01/free-little-geranium-dress-pattern/">Geranium dress by made by rae</a>. I used the free pattern she has available for sizes 0-3 month.<br />
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I used leftover chambray from the <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2013/09/staple-dress.html">Staple Dress I made last year</a> (which gets a ton of wear and compliments, btw). and lined it with some unknown fabric from stash - pink with yellow polka dots for a fun pop of color.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo credit to mom for this idea...</td></tr>
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This dress was really fun to make. The instructions were quite clear. My only oops was when I was rushing and accidentally sewed the bodice and skirt together right side to wrong side, so the skirt was inside out!<br />
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I just can't believe how <i>tiny</i> it is. I'm a bit nervous it won't fit her at all, but I guess babies are pretty small, right? <br />
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I actually really hate buttons, so I almost used snaps for the closure, but the buttons just look so much cuter. So I sucked it up and spent a full hour touching buttons (quite an achievement for me) to finish off the dress. I definitely <i>do not</i> (nor will I ever) have a button stash, so I got these clear flowers from JoAnn. This was my first time doing buttons and it went pretty well. Thankfully my machine has an automatic button-holer, so that was good. But they all still came out different sizes. It takes a bit of finesse to close the dress, but it's doable. Certainly good practice for next time.<br />
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I cannot wait to see my niece in this. We're 100% going to be taking a twins photo in our semi-matching dresses and we're both going to look upon it fondly for the rest of our lives!<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-40778541972466312452014-08-18T16:08:00.004-04:002014-08-19T10:04:35.946-04:00Baby Gifts, part 1 - The Knit BlanketNearly a month ago now, I wrote about my brother and sister-in-law's <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-second-calling.html">baby shower</a>. Well, I'm finally getting around to sharing what I made for them and my niece!<br />
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First, there was Hugh Manatee, which I've already posted about <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2014/06/hugh-manatee.html">here</a>.<br />
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Next, I used <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/2012/11/30/two-purl-bee-classics-now-in-super-soft-merino/">this tutorial from Purlbee</a> to knit a blanket. When I purchased yarn for this project, we didn't yet know the baby's sex, so I just got colors I liked. I knew I wanted a pretty neutral background with pops of color.<br />
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I used <a href="https://www.spudandchloe.com/yarns/outer/">Spud and Chloe Outer</a> in colors Rhino (main), and from top down: Wave, Sandbox, Soapstone, Leapfrog, and Carbon. It was my first time using Spud and Chloe, but I'd heard great things about it. It did not disappoint! I absolutely <i>loved</i> this yarn. My only complaint, which isn't even really a complaint, is that the skeins are super short so I ended up having to buy A LOT (I think my final count was 13 skeins) over the course of three different trips to the store. And obviously that's mostly a result of my inability to do math and properly figure out how much yarn I actually needed. <br />
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I also wasn't very pleased with how the blanket blocked - now it's a bit misshapen - but again that's my fault because I don't have a big enough space. The only cat-free place I can block items is in the bathroom, and it's just not large enough to accommodate a blanket. But you can only really tell when you hold it out. Draped over a chair or a baby, no one will ever even notice it's not quite rectangular.<br />
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Otherwise, I'm in love with it! The yarn is super heavy and warm, so I hope it's a cold winter and my niece can cuddle underneath it. Fingers crossed I'll get to spend a lot of time cuddling with her and the blanket, too.<br />
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Check back Thursday for one more baby shower gift.<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-40907690675835494632014-08-01T11:51:00.001-04:002014-08-01T11:51:12.190-04:00So many babies!So, I've said it before and I'll say it again - I've never been a huge baby person. I'm more into dogs (and I guess cats now, too). <i>However</i>, I think that might be changing just a little. Apparently I'm at that age where people I know start to have kids, and they're kind of cute (especially since I can play with them, and then leave them with their parents). I'm opening with this to prepare you for the increase in frequency of baby-item posts that is coming. It started with the <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2014/07/my-second-calling.html">shower for my niece</a>, and continues with this blanket I made for my cousins' new son (who's bris is today, so this is appropriate timing!).<br />
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As with <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2011/11/starburst-baby-blanket.html">their first child</a>, they decided not to learn the sex. Typically I stick to green and yellow for gender neutral, but I broke out of my comfort zone a bit with this one and added orange. I'm glad I did because I really like how it looks!<br />
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The inspiration for this blanket came when my quilt guild participated in a <a href="http://dcmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2014/02/in-gallery-demonstrations-at-national.html">hand quilting demonstration day at the National Museum for Women in the Arts</a>. I'd never hand quilted before, and I didn't have any other hand projects in progress, but I had just found out that my cousins were expecting, so I picked up some fleece and pearl cotton from JoAnn, and set about making this blanket. I sandwiched the two pieces of fleece right sides together with some batting and turned it as you would for a simple throw. To secure the batting, I machine quilted a few lines horizontally and vertically, then hand quilted a few lines in both directions to add more interest. This also proved a good beginner's project to demo at the museum since the cotton is thick and easy to see.<br />
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For the final touch, I used <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2014/2/27/mollys-sketchbook-ombre-edge-throw.html">this tutorial from Purlbee</a> to finish the quilt off with a zigzag blanket stitch. The pearl cotton I used is a yellow ombre, so it's kind of fun as it fades in and out. It's probably a bit too warm for this blanket right now, but they live in Michigan, so I'm sure it will be quite useful when winter (and gray skies) set in in just a few short months.<br />
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<i>And thanks to my cousin Arlene (the baby's grandmother) for taking pictures for me. I took some on my phone before I gifted the blanket, but then my phone broke and I lost all my photos :(</i><br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-71904398423453402682014-07-22T11:14:00.001-04:002014-07-22T11:56:33.604-04:00My second calling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In my next life, I'm going to be a party planner. The other weekend was my brother and sister-in-law's baby shower for their first child (and my first biological niece!!![I love <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2014/01/lemons-and-limes.html">Rayna</a>, but I'm excited for one of my own, too. Now Mr. T and I don't have to share.]), who is due in September. Their friends were the official hosts, but seeing as they have their own adorable four month old daughter to look after, Mom, my SIL's SIL, and I all pitched in to help out. My SIL's SIL handled the bar, Mom made the desserts, and I provided decorations. The shower was simple - really more of an open house for my brother and
SIL's friends to come say hi, drop off a gift, and have some lunch.
Co-ed, no games, no present-opening at the event. <br />
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We held the party in the clubhouse of my brother's neighborhood. I had been in the room a few times, but forgot how massive it is until we actually arrived. Food, drinks, and the gift table were along the walls behind this photo, and dessert was across the room.<br />
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The main decorations were buckets of paper flowers that I made (with some help from Mr. T, Molly, Julia, and Lindsay. Thanks guys!). <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/246642517063095103/">This photo</a> was my original inspiration, and I used <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/entertaining/how-to-make-rolled-paper-roses/index.html">this tutorial</a> (though they're quite simple, so once you make one the rest come naturally). I made 448 individual flowers, 112 in each color - yellow, pink, purple, and orange. For the table coverings, I just used $2 plastic tablecloths in an off-white color, and then covered them with a loose-weave burlap runner.<br />
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Each bouquet had 4 different shades of the respective color, 3 solids and 1 print, just to add a little interest. I hot glued them to floral wire and then we filled the buckets with wet sand to hold the flowers in place. The day before the shower, Mr. T and I showed up at my brother's place with 2 paper bags FULL of flowers, and 28 empty buckets. At 10:30 that night we all (including my 7mo. pregnant SIL) gathered around the kitchen table to stuff buckets, then I frantically glued the leaves on the next morning just in time to set up before the guests arrived.<br />
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There's also a large fireplace in the room, so I stenciled a few onsies with flowers in colors to match the bouquets, then used some twine and washi tape to hang them across the mantel. Mr. T said this looked like babies strung up at the gallows, but I like it. <br />
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Mom knocked it out of the park with the desserts. She's a trained pastry chef, though she doesn't work in the industry anymore, so she's always recruited for this role at events. At Thanksgiving, she brings an entire suitcase just of dessert, and a small carry-on for her clothes.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPxliRf6Y20lApwTMCaLJs7-pv5jo2SOyQZNX5gmuGTOLhEvHrXdWw61OJhvhFylSVrA0_P84IbYXxp2vRCYOUGOZEMc4A7qXyjWqw4xQeQqoiYdh2re5akJ1lReZ498CfVZuP30KCz5f/s1600/dessert.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHPxliRf6Y20lApwTMCaLJs7-pv5jo2SOyQZNX5gmuGTOLhEvHrXdWw61OJhvhFylSVrA0_P84IbYXxp2vRCYOUGOZEMc4A7qXyjWqw4xQeQqoiYdh2re5akJ1lReZ498CfVZuP30KCz5f/s1600/dessert.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcewd352S9ebTRgoNrSlXgASaeHDJsoT4-X0UE73_tK94ZLp5__1YH2vgyWsv-Dt_qvSV5aAuR_FEvrSh8LTJodtRq37Wi8b5RxAxw6fHnZKBoQ6bjPAnhqBpnKnVY0GJhynHAfkveuKH/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcewd352S9ebTRgoNrSlXgASaeHDJsoT4-X0UE73_tK94ZLp5__1YH2vgyWsv-Dt_qvSV5aAuR_FEvrSh8LTJodtRq37Wi8b5RxAxw6fHnZKBoQ6bjPAnhqBpnKnVY0GJhynHAfkveuKH/s1600/IMG_1579.JPG" height="236" width="320" /></a><br />
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She made two kinds of brownies (chocolate orange and double chocolate), two kinds of macarons (mexican chocolate and, my favorite, salted caramel) and her famous sugar cookies (I may or may not have taken most of the leftover sugar cookies home).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gc18Be8CYTElTSN2GoPQTZXbOMxkCFc786o_xfeCP-XYPf8xN5iZf3hcAY5cwA6wY-GeK6bDEo3pIRqZ75sePwBhBcOnHPUos1kZGfDRPnjdl_bu3spkdrXxARExQcNxIs1A6zjdl6aw/s1600/cookies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6gc18Be8CYTElTSN2GoPQTZXbOMxkCFc786o_xfeCP-XYPf8xN5iZf3hcAY5cwA6wY-GeK6bDEo3pIRqZ75sePwBhBcOnHPUos1kZGfDRPnjdl_bu3spkdrXxARExQcNxIs1A6zjdl6aw/s1600/cookies.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Is that one on the left bothering anyone else? I wish I had noticed and moved it!</td></tr>
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Finally, on the gift table we had sachets of candy-coated sunflower seeds for guests to take as a party favor. Mom ordered FIFTEEN POUNDS! of seeds - individually packaging them was another of our night before activities, along with making the paper flower bouquets. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwLR7nnEZfDzWHUTV9eZPmcdpYuDvfmk_t02iZlFCTLAJScinECRHNQ_FDGGjCBOzmejZNPPqGwhwF_r5fs6nRW9OrvUBh8uHIwPoIoUwmwhK4As7Uv8zcfgxgS7u6kz6I4fWSjrg8Gh-/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwLR7nnEZfDzWHUTV9eZPmcdpYuDvfmk_t02iZlFCTLAJScinECRHNQ_FDGGjCBOzmejZNPPqGwhwF_r5fs6nRW9OrvUBh8uHIwPoIoUwmwhK4As7Uv8zcfgxgS7u6kz6I4fWSjrg8Gh-/s1600/IMG_1584.JPG" height="350" width="467" /></a></div>
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Overall, it was a success! My bro and SIL had a good time, they got some good gifts (I'll share what I gave them soon), and I got a lot of compliments on my flowers! Thankfully most of the bouquets were claimed by family and friends (I have one in my office), so I didn't have to throw too much of my hard work in the trash. I also received some advice on how to monetize my crafting, but for now it's just a fun hobby.<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-48510267684428773972014-07-14T15:48:00.002-04:002014-07-14T16:31:02.145-04:00Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap<div style="text-align: left;">
Last month I was one of the 600 people who participated in round 2 of the <a href="http://www.schnitzelandboo.com/2014/05/schnitzel-boo-mini-quilt-swap-round-two.html">Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap</a>. I probably shouldn't have, given all of the items on both my crafting and life agendas, but I did - and boy am I glad I did!</div>
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First up, here's what I sent my partner, <a href="http://instagram.com/cursivequeen">Alexis</a> (note - I lost my photos, so I stole the ones she posted on Instagram)<br />
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In the information Alexis provided, she seemed very enthusiastic about tea, so I took that as my inspiration and ran with it. I paper pieced the teapots in the four colors she listed as her favorites, <a href="http://www.equilters.com/library/PFP/cups-teapot-blocks.html">using this pattern</a> (teapot block #1), with a variety of gray background fabrics. She also said Lizzy House was one of her favorite designers. I was
trying to work only from my stash, and this was the only Lizzy House I
had, so it became the backing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq1ssuiNx9o7tTC1zWHuvXZZvaOwHBi362qU3viwx6BmD5o3ikUE38RRYm_lXMESgNEF1-pWvAp2nCfOV9mr4QDUk4cDGm1xJ1RBUgrlMYW4jKIrfszxo4yB8NdEoWNk4vapoTfIdDxEv/s1600/Mini+quilt+swap+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq1ssuiNx9o7tTC1zWHuvXZZvaOwHBi362qU3viwx6BmD5o3ikUE38RRYm_lXMESgNEF1-pWvAp2nCfOV9mr4QDUk4cDGm1xJ1RBUgrlMYW4jKIrfszxo4yB8NdEoWNk4vapoTfIdDxEv/s1600/Mini+quilt+swap+6.JPG" height="340" width="340" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz8goEgY18v5ZYcg0nXuQWOBuymf79aP6w-bV4wifRFEX3cC4rthV3se-O1zPuKC9ZlrY5fuAnfufQOelP2xMFAvCzuJ5tYrWv6hk63Ak9kNf8hq-_zCj4c_tDGGD6DHFR6RB4kvbPAIG/s1600/Mini+quilt+swap+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfz8goEgY18v5ZYcg0nXuQWOBuymf79aP6w-bV4wifRFEX3cC4rthV3se-O1zPuKC9ZlrY5fuAnfufQOelP2xMFAvCzuJ5tYrWv6hk63Ak9kNf8hq-_zCj4c_tDGGD6DHFR6RB4kvbPAIG/s1600/Mini+quilt+swap+3.JPG" height="340" width="340" /></a></div>
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Participants are also encouraged, though not required, to send a few extras. I sent a fat quart, some washi tape, note cards, tea, a Dr. Who bookmark, and a boatload of gummy candy. Everyone says it, but it was really hard to part with this quilt. I don't even like tea, but I thought it was pretty fun. At least I know it's going to someone who appreciates all the work that goes into even a mini quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOkPrgABb3bhdS2Cuaghfl-7alEgoamWPqhL6PizmdSQTpwHtiALbC9PeMvS38ERpef84ASJsuvCwl6lyTEdz1r1mnTbYya1Jgtuot7zhhyhYNaYQ_KlQHCMo_dYkDIJUPXBadl-Svf4T/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOkPrgABb3bhdS2Cuaghfl-7alEgoamWPqhL6PizmdSQTpwHtiALbC9PeMvS38ERpef84ASJsuvCwl6lyTEdz1r1mnTbYya1Jgtuot7zhhyhYNaYQ_KlQHCMo_dYkDIJUPXBadl-Svf4T/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="400" width="376" /></a></div>
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Now on to what I received! Getting my own quilt in the mail definitely made it a bit easier to part with the one I made.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBeNZVbsCJnaBt0VQSt5fzVYTNGbrVhvbxFCZq7oet4eOLlVc0AAYnd88N7LwOK87AIrjATOkpAulZOtwj3ZoKx35dSbS2IOb4-iekqMhzmLsmizOVH830TakaUtWG3RCz600ZHEtAk5R/s1600/S%2526B+Mini+-+received.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTBeNZVbsCJnaBt0VQSt5fzVYTNGbrVhvbxFCZq7oet4eOLlVc0AAYnd88N7LwOK87AIrjATOkpAulZOtwj3ZoKx35dSbS2IOb4-iekqMhzmLsmizOVH830TakaUtWG3RCz600ZHEtAk5R/s1600/S%2526B+Mini+-+received.jpg" height="340" width="340" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsQ3Dk4zbahBP1x5dLSa-CRVyR_uybW4JASvbzXauXqknRbxTwTtlRII2nsSl_FUKm6BypZUxgBeGsdMlMg7z4w4SekBqRbbk0NNqbVPcu6hzm99rRu27rL2163gxJ8rTJ9xSD9lRDESt/s1600/S&B+Mini+-+received+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsQ3Dk4zbahBP1x5dLSa-CRVyR_uybW4JASvbzXauXqknRbxTwTtlRII2nsSl_FUKm6BypZUxgBeGsdMlMg7z4w4SekBqRbbk0NNqbVPcu6hzm99rRu27rL2163gxJ8rTJ9xSD9lRDESt/s1600/S&B+Mini+-+received+2.jpg" height="340" width="340" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://angelab.me/">Angela</a> made this quilt for me and I LOVE it! I wrote that I love bright colors and retro (as in featuring retro items) prints, and she nailed it! Plus, that quilting is unbelievable. I had it taped on the what for a bit, but then it fell off. But as soon as I have time I'm going to sew a hanging sleeve on. It's already got a nice empty space of wall waiting for it!<br />
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Oh, and here's the rest of my loot!<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-30333159025368980932014-07-08T10:28:00.000-04:002014-07-08T10:29:41.184-04:00DGS June 2014A few days late, but here's the next installment of do. Good Stitches blocks, this time for <a href="http://surroundedbyscraps.com/">Linda </a>using <a href="http://shadowsoftheblueridge.blogspot.com/2014/03/tutorial-wonky-disappearing-4-patch.html">this tutorial</a>. She requested blocks of complimentary colors.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0epDmxoD6pFoKsomeZoqQyLxS41JGpxSYXz_aevbAPqm2upiNKaAF1ZQuzlZCy4-k9TxT2TnqwO5RHi3s1h4aVhEmWOOgn2d6wYCg3UMVIHObS7rTrXW85aM17p66qJ0GlFAO5drhFAS/s1600/DGS+Bliss+July+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil0epDmxoD6pFoKsomeZoqQyLxS41JGpxSYXz_aevbAPqm2upiNKaAF1ZQuzlZCy4-k9TxT2TnqwO5RHi3s1h4aVhEmWOOgn2d6wYCg3UMVIHObS7rTrXW85aM17p66qJ0GlFAO5drhFAS/s1600/DGS+Bliss+July+2014.jpg" height="310" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabric: Dear Stella (peacock feathers) and Denyse Schmidt for JoAnn (orange)</td></tr>
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And because quilters love cats: <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8CnGZROU5uzPhpsyu3NcnbeodjRxhQJHS6rQuzvnrQYxDVWo8A9E8hMX-r43e_q_DLE4FRD1RtwBa30hp5T-br7oVgezKolng9qFjtZwL2_J6bU8la8-CpuHrkXNhxLHhEcWAPTD4DDE/s1600/Mitchell!.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx8CnGZROU5uzPhpsyu3NcnbeodjRxhQJHS6rQuzvnrQYxDVWo8A9E8hMX-r43e_q_DLE4FRD1RtwBa30hp5T-br7oVgezKolng9qFjtZwL2_J6bU8la8-CpuHrkXNhxLHhEcWAPTD4DDE/s1600/Mitchell!.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitchell photobomb!</td></tr>
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-19243214894032276752014-06-25T14:27:00.004-04:002014-07-15T09:35:47.848-04:00Colombia<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"></span></span>A lot of my crafting these days is centered around surprise gifts for my brother and sister-in-law (really for my niece), so I can't share any of it just yet. Instead, I'm finally posting some photos from the <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2014/04/hola.html">trip Mr. T and I took to Colombia in March</a>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEOhVJBiFKEI8acaBrN2SOjQ1IYDF8arROV1MLrbJZqOXUkN1tebCnm1iglqDYAlaNCD8CpVYRN2sFyXsuanMLAFoI4ZyrPR4LVJ7404uGdLs535YJUD-4t2f7J21l2x1WBYlcXz5woMI/s1600/DSCF5127.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEOhVJBiFKEI8acaBrN2SOjQ1IYDF8arROV1MLrbJZqOXUkN1tebCnm1iglqDYAlaNCD8CpVYRN2sFyXsuanMLAFoI4ZyrPR4LVJ7404uGdLs535YJUD-4t2f7J21l2x1WBYlcXz5woMI/s1600/DSCF5127.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street of Bogota</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeurU0orUrSfA4vTVrHBJ-8ncI8llUuyDQ2Lvrz3tg6GtW75o24obX43iepmyG4MAS2OeyTfxVMjxdJcTKSylYF3mkdJ59DhdYJaKMWqQX3SmvTafiYVgGbPv7IeV9WAbTKr8OYQNktVB/s1600/DSCF5133.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimeurU0orUrSfA4vTVrHBJ-8ncI8llUuyDQ2Lvrz3tg6GtW75o24obX43iepmyG4MAS2OeyTfxVMjxdJcTKSylYF3mkdJ59DhdYJaKMWqQX3SmvTafiYVgGbPv7IeV9WAbTKr8OYQNktVB/s1600/DSCF5133.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hanging flowers outside of a museum in Bogota, though now I can't remember which (naturally).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G8metX6CGtLYtoCuvPAx754vh1wqPArRjYeW69Mh_cAsoj8a7dNBjG_ZsBjqzKQXH8eTIIt9RB1V9z8Qeb9H_-XgjU_LwdLWyMbNRPU9JD7noEm6fk8VURkZFalzbMumA7u-Xutd9CIT/s1600/DSCF5140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G8metX6CGtLYtoCuvPAx754vh1wqPArRjYeW69Mh_cAsoj8a7dNBjG_ZsBjqzKQXH8eTIIt9RB1V9z8Qeb9H_-XgjU_LwdLWyMbNRPU9JD7noEm6fk8VURkZFalzbMumA7u-Xutd9CIT/s1600/DSCF5140.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bol%C3%ADvar_Square">Bolivar Square</a> - llamas and pigeons everywhere! At one point a guy walked his llama to our right and we starting hearing running water. We thought the llama was peeing, but it was actually the guy....</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GV0b5C7CegawHP1yRf-rJbN_TXMs7jaefVp4MYFCvuBDiYSqlb04QiNHvzyrduhQ5bk1W8xfuuhiK8eFgirK9E64_Gfi7UzTApsOZrbN-7HoaJvOGDj5kJuF7PcdQVOQ3PwUiky_X_Xr/s1600/DSCF5143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1GV0b5C7CegawHP1yRf-rJbN_TXMs7jaefVp4MYFCvuBDiYSqlb04QiNHvzyrduhQ5bk1W8xfuuhiK8eFgirK9E64_Gfi7UzTApsOZrbN-7HoaJvOGDj5kJuF7PcdQVOQ3PwUiky_X_Xr/s1600/DSCF5143.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeding pigeons in Bolivar Square. Apparently this is going to be a recurring activity for us. We did the same thing in <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2013/02/turkey-for-real.html">Turkey</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMCtL7jN0d2rU7XoVpi5AglFnI_3yE13aIfS2cdKb81UU4roG-aLystPM09DPsVNpjfCxUPJL-qfOYkxfBolMMGC77fw50VwQnBLSegmfgyWd_lxo0uxVQAdeqNbn68smXMvFHkAq1BND/s1600/DSCF5148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBMCtL7jN0d2rU7XoVpi5AglFnI_3yE13aIfS2cdKb81UU4roG-aLystPM09DPsVNpjfCxUPJL-qfOYkxfBolMMGC77fw50VwQnBLSegmfgyWd_lxo0uxVQAdeqNbn68smXMvFHkAq1BND/s1600/DSCF5148.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zipaquir%C3%A1">Zipacura</a>. None of my photos inside really turned out, but it was neat. Though we didn't want to pay the extra money for the English-speaking guide, so what's written on the wikipedia page is about all I know.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jeK6n5ahzHv-eAkS3qmmQ2vBXZbRyAzUafQoDhKtZm4B1pXDLyONuAYSK_L63g8KAIAefybKcigIfHrTPtXsxZfEvLhvnr4CRaXJCVmXJ7BWBHlJuJQgUmPTIHGbxd4RU3IdpNQocPW0/s1600/DSCF5157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5jeK6n5ahzHv-eAkS3qmmQ2vBXZbRyAzUafQoDhKtZm4B1pXDLyONuAYSK_L63g8KAIAefybKcigIfHrTPtXsxZfEvLhvnr4CRaXJCVmXJ7BWBHlJuJQgUmPTIHGbxd4RU3IdpNQocPW0/s1600/DSCF5157.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aKgos1zNVB7O856fBn5666tQxHWtGC8rbUZGYMe-aFOIemeS7N2eAkQgi2kShP3vW78aSXf2QG-AbJGP__a-7bobP-dd8_ZuyBM1-dPkUStXVqRLDZ4t4akJoxpXXAAjvxi3rvcAjSHM/s1600/DSCF5162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aKgos1zNVB7O856fBn5666tQxHWtGC8rbUZGYMe-aFOIemeS7N2eAkQgi2kShP3vW78aSXf2QG-AbJGP__a-7bobP-dd8_ZuyBM1-dPkUStXVqRLDZ4t4akJoxpXXAAjvxi3rvcAjSHM/s1600/DSCF5162.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the <a href="http://www.centrocomercialsantafe.com/bogota">Centro Commercial Santa Fe in Bogota</a>. I was cracking up at this little animal pen. You can rent them for kids and they scoot around the mall on them. We were staying with a friend's sister in Bogota, so we checked out the mall to compare clothing prices. Based on our limited survey of the GAP, US prices are about 50% cheaper.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyPEo2QKPglWe8waxPDEg_xu88ikih6Yb3Bw95BkjLabvP2xR3XNSPXytsfyFpzlfQv-JidJesljj8b_K_ulHTM60SSIIefEx2lVpmtmfmAuTfTym4Zzvx_q0PxP0I7QezCVYcopzoU-h/s1600/DSCF5167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOyPEo2QKPglWe8waxPDEg_xu88ikih6Yb3Bw95BkjLabvP2xR3XNSPXytsfyFpzlfQv-JidJesljj8b_K_ulHTM60SSIIefEx2lVpmtmfmAuTfTym4Zzvx_q0PxP0I7QezCVYcopzoU-h/s1600/DSCF5167.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medell%C3%ADn">Medellin</a>. We happened to be there on a holiday, so a lot of things were closed which was disappointing, but it's a really neat city. Lots of young people and lots of things to do.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCwrJxURCtO45qEWRTjdPIYhqLPs_amyLAcRa3CzRzJCRhQE7pA3IjKdOiqIAMEf2pi-U39GxOhGembUxaFCrKbOBqnpXo54ioDsczaVnpzX87VuBb3pUKHxxPmy-wBQdS3WiGqg9X6UY/s1600/DSCF5171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsCwrJxURCtO45qEWRTjdPIYhqLPs_amyLAcRa3CzRzJCRhQE7pA3IjKdOiqIAMEf2pi-U39GxOhGembUxaFCrKbOBqnpXo54ioDsczaVnpzX87VuBb3pUKHxxPmy-wBQdS3WiGqg9X6UY/s1600/DSCF5171.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botero_Plaza">Plaza Botero, Medellin</a>.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBMICSZo7cpg88rAUQtdLidDO0Ni7j8Y2akMIM0C6cKITz_tM4E24-eaB2SEVJ4T38BM6qumLNc5YvKznYEtGFEDx8bL69nHal8U8TmHVHDMddXNaF6O3SYTTzOy5odhO4pDbtOJhGeE3/s1600/DSCF5175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBMICSZo7cpg88rAUQtdLidDO0Ni7j8Y2akMIM0C6cKITz_tM4E24-eaB2SEVJ4T38BM6qumLNc5YvKznYEtGFEDx8bL69nHal8U8TmHVHDMddXNaF6O3SYTTzOy5odhO4pDbtOJhGeE3/s1600/DSCF5175.JPG" height="230" width="307" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTu6Y2rkB8XIVbTjnEp222pDLxgmiOwS2fuMFXZMONOMm-SOpK20t3vQTtp9r8beCdu4TshEl-QKoS-lB82Z6Fb2JX7b_gBxl2CD5UOg7WsINlOXr6_ZqpkACnDjj9Tv6k87KFY-i9cNhn/s1600/DSCF5176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTu6Y2rkB8XIVbTjnEp222pDLxgmiOwS2fuMFXZMONOMm-SOpK20t3vQTtp9r8beCdu4TshEl-QKoS-lB82Z6Fb2JX7b_gBxl2CD5UOg7WsINlOXr6_ZqpkACnDjj9Tv6k87KFY-i9cNhn/s1600/DSCF5176.JPG" height="230" width="307" /></a></div>
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Guinea pig betting in Plaza Botero. Spectators put coins on top of the bowls to guess which one the guinea pig will enter. If he enters your bowl, you win! I think. It was unclear whether the organizer actually gave money to any of the winners, or if you were just forfeiting your coins to watch a guinea pig scurry around.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtG2v07cSfvaMJr3AWbdZgb6ACJ_CizS_qcROzqfgvTXj4CyyAvSyM79o6YaeLXyhVeZcOENT0tIJFERuZXwyIQBhk87ObbQvUurr9Q8onQb4E4OzS-IsQkYvE2u8LONA-P8WacfqGzuQR/s1600/DSCF5183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtG2v07cSfvaMJr3AWbdZgb6ACJ_CizS_qcROzqfgvTXj4CyyAvSyM79o6YaeLXyhVeZcOENT0tIJFERuZXwyIQBhk87ObbQvUurr9Q8onQb4E4OzS-IsQkYvE2u8LONA-P8WacfqGzuQR/s1600/DSCF5183.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Museum_of_Antioquia">Museo de Antioquia</a>. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Stella">By Frank Stella</a>. I want to make "his" and "hers" quilts with the design.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yd7DyxCyi2pYVVL2KH0xDEf5c7EDCXwA-UjsSxRmLAFcuUM9uFq5gy-EELuqAdTcmNPvUSzsXVXVqS7Xehs6s79UCSTN0p7IDoF4RiIfZ_PPKb3307TBfpRsEdtFwNXHPeb_GWAYxfHP/s1600/DSCF5198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_yd7DyxCyi2pYVVL2KH0xDEf5c7EDCXwA-UjsSxRmLAFcuUM9uFq5gy-EELuqAdTcmNPvUSzsXVXVqS7Xehs6s79UCSTN0p7IDoF4RiIfZ_PPKb3307TBfpRsEdtFwNXHPeb_GWAYxfHP/s1600/DSCF5198.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medellin <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrocable_%28Medell%C3%ADn%29">metrocable</a>. It's part of the metro system (which is much better than the one here in DC...) and connects some of the poorest neighborhoods in the area to the city center. It also goes to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arv%C3%AD_Park">Arvi Park</a>, but unfortunately we weren't able to go.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpUfIWeo-QPPozOHmzWsRqRTaQSQB1Elnyr93ixA9urol6_sOKD00NEcdQwTzG4Jj-_HF-WZpgjTFb8yEVp1KcysJmewSquR2qQgZoTgYByCS5NS_RbrPi_rRnN0ZJBO7WSYXF9zQVHLA/s1600/DSCF5217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWpUfIWeo-QPPozOHmzWsRqRTaQSQB1Elnyr93ixA9urol6_sOKD00NEcdQwTzG4Jj-_HF-WZpgjTFb8yEVp1KcysJmewSquR2qQgZoTgYByCS5NS_RbrPi_rRnN0ZJBO7WSYXF9zQVHLA/s1600/DSCF5217.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empty street in the early morning in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salento,_Quind%C3%ADo">Salento</a>, in the Zona Cafetera (coffee zone).</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqgZW1I-YlrH0swyOQOxf4Wf7fgIaDhtEyLKeFABBiNCNAcsmnJ7M9f51xDsEEH23sxodIBxx_iPdEjE5gdyXlRjrWnedodz0RxjlHfKccgNhwoaONxmUHO14rY5oKamvHZlAPZNFcCSR/s1600/DSCF5233.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqgZW1I-YlrH0swyOQOxf4Wf7fgIaDhtEyLKeFABBiNCNAcsmnJ7M9f51xDsEEH23sxodIBxx_iPdEjE5gdyXlRjrWnedodz0RxjlHfKccgNhwoaONxmUHO14rY5oKamvHZlAPZNFcCSR/s1600/DSCF5233.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1bOWjp-Phd5v6aI3Ltu7gSnFuz0NkCppY-qYy_HZgD4lSW2S0-f7Nqk1fZ0rVvAnRZdgawmCxIJs7fYgrLQXAMBianPIQQjK8Qna84c8lhMdDrgV0nW5ewh1YuE8SvL_LoqH9nPQfFag/s1600/DSCF5243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR1bOWjp-Phd5v6aI3Ltu7gSnFuz0NkCppY-qYy_HZgD4lSW2S0-f7Nqk1fZ0rVvAnRZdgawmCxIJs7fYgrLQXAMBianPIQQjK8Qna84c8lhMdDrgV0nW5ewh1YuE8SvL_LoqH9nPQfFag/s1600/DSCF5243.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this was my favorite place outside of Bogota. The architecture and colors were amazing!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWAavKp8-P1Kk9Jw-RdJ8UTTNFZG88lY24e4VYqQwvf0tzmF95K9ma2JwiwqoOyYXLxi2xj1ERQpATp9E-XwbrkViJzTbVUYm0ZpamjyFV7HGD_DfpSIWiSRTeWA5vNs2_GlQS88eirta/s1600/DSCF5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZWAavKp8-P1Kk9Jw-RdJ8UTTNFZG88lY24e4VYqQwvf0tzmF95K9ma2JwiwqoOyYXLxi2xj1ERQpATp9E-XwbrkViJzTbVUYm0ZpamjyFV7HGD_DfpSIWiSRTeWA5vNs2_GlQS88eirta/s1600/DSCF5245.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKFlKhFkjzSRg50Hc0SNeEfPROz5ECFAu_jtIUoghdoH2JcrFTgQHXq46BkQk3ak7ZVbA8DB0NL1bC3offqZcilGYgQmhHH96NCn4POwJVW1LFUpXZmGiQuikh-6HB8yhYWqaKo33tRyV/s1600/DSCF5263.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBKFlKhFkjzSRg50Hc0SNeEfPROz5ECFAu_jtIUoghdoH2JcrFTgQHXq46BkQk3ak7ZVbA8DB0NL1bC3offqZcilGYgQmhHH96NCn4POwJVW1LFUpXZmGiQuikh-6HB8yhYWqaKo33tRyV/s1600/DSCF5263.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naturally, we went on a coffee tour in Salento. We did <a href="http://www.theplantationhousesalento.com/coffee/coffeefarmtours/">this one</a>. Very interesting and thorough.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLyWOtK32EJzpAq2ynB00kk2j6QaavUMfrcGQJqonLnd24-54PGc2OImV-MfSuZliKCbzlpVklWgU-oNLH_X1kzt1r3jJkHPpOknomswaEO9VJe0YshayEVW28RwDdt7cFlpPHO0jrgH3/s1600/DSCF5282.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvLyWOtK32EJzpAq2ynB00kk2j6QaavUMfrcGQJqonLnd24-54PGc2OImV-MfSuZliKCbzlpVklWgU-oNLH_X1kzt1r3jJkHPpOknomswaEO9VJe0YshayEVW28RwDdt7cFlpPHO0jrgH3/s1600/DSCF5282.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Different stages of coffee beans, from unripe through roasted and ground.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPw36Q-iidv80jKsywkdB7yBK_bT017K2IRNHdv0W0j8XGBh9f3wZ-QBRRrdXitj9YH19Li8fPnER74hDfE5gUL6fIm37MNqfb63OZerwJNpSy4BMf4btpy4xj5lK-r_nvnlz8g2ALrVh/s1600/DSCF5287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfPw36Q-iidv80jKsywkdB7yBK_bT017K2IRNHdv0W0j8XGBh9f3wZ-QBRRrdXitj9YH19Li8fPnER74hDfE5gUL6fIm37MNqfb63OZerwJNpSy4BMf4btpy4xj5lK-r_nvnlz8g2ALrVh/s1600/DSCF5287.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grinding freshly roasted beans!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineapple! (They grow a lot more than coffee on the farm we visited).</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLFOcX3LZ0q1SecBiLyisWUdaWxFj0lMyu6aiP7GKqgNjhFJ3zouZwQx7BW_y7EIUi1ZFeYfv-AMu35PBR9gG5XFtnB8IXt284ozjiMhRe2b-jwLBljqaT-N06ZLMGGcu9zUh5vWkR9qR/s1600/DSCF5356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghLFOcX3LZ0q1SecBiLyisWUdaWxFj0lMyu6aiP7GKqgNjhFJ3zouZwQx7BW_y7EIUi1ZFeYfv-AMu35PBR9gG5XFtnB8IXt284ozjiMhRe2b-jwLBljqaT-N06ZLMGGcu9zUh5vWkR9qR/s1600/DSCF5356.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocora_valley">Cocora Valley</a> in the rain.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeFGaCp_erFGKVbxCSunZuTOEQQQYGmCjb60zFCFCWVhbFAuhvBq2GiMnnoChy8AHmb8ho_1rjHpUD_oNiG26AlPLoIpOUZKvAD3kR799bfKhrI4w1X6lwaW0lJxSIYW1aulioRjttmCM/s1600/DSCF5371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHeFGaCp_erFGKVbxCSunZuTOEQQQYGmCjb60zFCFCWVhbFAuhvBq2GiMnnoChy8AHmb8ho_1rjHpUD_oNiG26AlPLoIpOUZKvAD3kR799bfKhrI4w1X6lwaW0lJxSIYW1aulioRjttmCM/s1600/DSCF5371.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castillo_de_San_Felipe_de_Barajas">Castillo San Felipe de Baraja</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartagena,_Colombia">Cartagena</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jugo de mora! (blackberry juice) I love the jugo in Colombia. So fresh and refreshing, which was extremely important in the high temperatures of the Caribbean coast.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These sculptures were everywhere. I think this is in <a href="http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getseman%C3%AD">Getsemani </a>as we walked from the Castillo to the Walled City.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clock tower at one of the entrances to the <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g297476-d555214-Reviews-Walled_City_of_Cartagena-Cartagena_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Department.html">Walled City</a>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the walls.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candy stall</td></tr>
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And after that, my camera died.... Our second day in Cartagena we went on a boat trip to scuba dive and visit <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1507145-d2627873-Reviews-Playa_Blanca-Isla_Baru_Cartagena_District_Bolivar_Department.html">Playa Blanca</a>, and we dropped it in the sand/a hint of water, and now it is no more. After Cartagena we went back to Bogota for two more days. Naturally, I dragged Mr. T to a <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g294074-d1382992-Reviews-Usaquen_Flea_Market-Bogota.html">craft fair/flea market</a>. We also ate lots of <a href="http://crepesywaffles.com.co/">Crepes and Waffles</a> - 3 times in 10 days; I wouldn't put it past us to go Colombia for a weekend just to eat there again if we could find cheap enough flights.<br />
<br />
Overall, we had a really good time. Finding food was
difficult at first - we're both vegetarian - but got easier as the trip
went along. Surprisingly, I think some of the best food we had was in
Salento, a town of roughly 4,000 people.<br />
<br />
Highlights included:<br />
<br />
- Metrocable<br />
- Coffee tour<br />
- <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monserrate">Montserrate</a> at night. We ate <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=chocolate+completo&client=firefox-a&hs=thG&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=IjirU4-TBcyCqga2tIC4Cg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAw&biw=1369&bih=706">chocolate completo</a> (hot chocolate, cheese, and bread) in a small cafe at the top. <span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">Muy</span> <span class="hps">romantique</span></span>! (We tried going during the day, but the queue was at least 3 hours long. So glad we ended up going at night. The views over the city were beautiful, and we didn't have to wait at all!)<br />
<br />
Things I didn't like so much:<br />
<br />
- Playa Blanca - mostly because we're not really beach people and you have to pay to sit anywhere; also, we don't eat seafood, so the lunch options were quite limited<br />
- Zipacura - probably would have been better if we knew what the guide was saying; also, we went with some strange people who kind of soured the experience for us<br />
- <a href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g294074-d1085726-Reviews-La_Puerta_Falsa-Bogota.html">La Puerta Falsa</a> - this place got great reviews on TripAdvisor and our guidebook, so we stopped in our first day in Colombia. Maybe it's because we're veg, but it was <i>super</i> disappointing. The people working there were all very nice, but the food wasn't as good as we were expecting based on the reviews. The chocolate completo we had on top of Montserrate was <i>much</i> better.<br />
<br />
<br />
Lastly, I mentioned <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2014/04/hola.html">earlier </a>that I learned a bit of Spanish using <a href="http://radiolingua.com/shows/spanish/coffee-break-spanish/">these podcasts</a> (just the free level, not the subscription options) and they worked great for giving me a base. Unfortunately, I fell off the Spanish-learning bandwagon a week or so after we returned, but I'm determined to become proficient in another language within the next year or so, so I've jumped back on! I'm using <a href="https://www.duolingo.com/">Duolingo </a>for now. I just started so I can't provide a review, but I've heard good things. It's a similar platform to Rosetta Stone, but it's free. The concept is really cool - <a href="javascript:;">check it out</a>.<br />
<br />
Okay, a<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps">diĆ³s</span> <span class="hps">mis</span> <span class="hps">amigos.</span> <span class="hps">Hasta pronto.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
<span class="short_text" id="result_box" lang="es"><span class="hps"><br /></span></span>
Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-65097193380178983082014-06-09T12:07:00.001-04:002014-06-11T09:32:22.944-04:00Hugh ManateeA few weeks ago Lindsay Connor (of <a href="http://www.lindsaysews.com/">Lindsay Sews</a> and <a href="http://www.craftbuds.com/">Craftbuds</a>) put out a call for pattern testers on Instagram (I'm @thecraftyroach, by the way!). I haven't done much testing, but this pattern was too cute and I thought it would be something fun to make for my first niece, who's due in a few short months! <a href="http://www.craftbuds.com/hugh-manatee-stuffed-animal-sewing-pattern/">Lindsay released the pattern last week</a> so I can finally share my completed Hugh Manatee here! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDe2_8plEL3z0iIfqefv4S_61KSwyZQplnWzpAg1fbWRAl62orWBF4nEF7ZAXku8vuD8c5DLqPYy_UGxDqcaezyxaV_70NBaWmRQNiJ08xjJ8TOIwozD_60ARVptwaLQfAcFrc4Ji-gSO/s1600/IMAG0483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxDe2_8plEL3z0iIfqefv4S_61KSwyZQplnWzpAg1fbWRAl62orWBF4nEF7ZAXku8vuD8c5DLqPYy_UGxDqcaezyxaV_70NBaWmRQNiJ08xjJ8TOIwozD_60ARVptwaLQfAcFrc4Ji-gSO/s1600/IMAG0483.jpg" height="640" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hugh and I had some fun with our lakeside photo shoot.</td></tr>
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As his name suggests, Hugh is an adorable manatee plush that any child - or adult - will find cute and cuddly. The pattern calls for fleece, but I didn't have any on hand so I decided to use some quilting cotton from my stash. This Kaffe Fasset parasol print was the first quality, non-JoAnn fabric purchase I made when I started quilting - nearly two years ago now. It's so bright and cheery, so I figured it would make a great manatee. However, since his back is so busy, I gave Hugh a neutral belly to balance him out. It's definitely Kona, I think pomegranate, but I can't be sure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie71Qyw1eyu1VCf4Z_JNQxvaQsVdftOMOD3Z69ZA5JKN4eZGq0-yh346O6dGBmmSGQPMwRnfhEg664qDdUuLS1zF7RnQoo5qxZSygB9wXhYBNxGH-Fn09LJTu8liVK67Ut8YFVTbUl6Nsk/s1600/IMAG0486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie71Qyw1eyu1VCf4Z_JNQxvaQsVdftOMOD3Z69ZA5JKN4eZGq0-yh346O6dGBmmSGQPMwRnfhEg664qDdUuLS1zF7RnQoo5qxZSygB9wXhYBNxGH-Fn09LJTu8liVK67Ut8YFVTbUl6Nsk/s1600/IMAG0486.jpg" height="640" width="362" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Note that Hugh is 25 inches long, 19 inches wide (fin to fin) and 6-10 inches tall, depending on how full you stuff him!</td></tr>
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Hugh came together really easily and quickly. I did have a few issues with matching the top and bottom. The top is purposefully larger than the bottom in order to make the back fuller and more prominent than the belly, but because I used quilting cotton rather than the suggested fleece, which has a bit of stretch to it, he got a few more wrinkles and I had to cut 1/2 inch or sew off the top at the tail in order to neatly whipstitch him closed. Definitely still doable and totally cute, though. Also, I used the full bag of stuffing the pattern calls for and he's quite firm, so keep that in mind if you, too, like a firm softee. <br />
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So, now that you are in love with Hugh, why don't you<a href="http://www.craftbuds.com/hugh-manatee-stuffed-animal-sewing-pattern/"> go pick up a copy of the pattern</a>! It's 50% off through Father's Day, but after that it goes up to the normal price of $8. And also be sure to <a href="http://www.craftbuds.com/hugh-manatee-stuffed-animal-sewing-pattern/">check out the other testers</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-18923018397017502422014-06-02T10:06:00.003-04:002014-06-02T10:06:48.945-04:00do. Good Stitches - May 2014In May, <a href="http://www.13spools.com/">Amy </a>asked us to make any two star blocks of our choosing in a red wine color palette. Since I'm trying to make better use of the crafting books and magazines I own, I chose two patterns from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Quilt-Revival-Designs-Classic/dp/1620330547">Vintage Quilt Revival</a>.<br />
<br />
First up is Dove at the Window, from page 126 in the book. Amy specifically requested non-wonky stars, so I followed the directions for the tradition block, rather than the wonky update.<br />
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The fabrics are definitely a bit busy, but after staring at it for 3 days it's grown on me, so I decided not to redo it. Plus I think it will be a bit less harsh once it's put in the quilt will all the other stars.<br />
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Next up is the Star and Pinwheel block from page 62. I was a little wary of all the bias edges when making this one, but it worked out alright. <br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-35785921101657843432014-05-20T17:02:00.000-04:002014-05-21T09:49:13.856-04:00A Pillow and a HedgehogA tale of two gifts and two awesome ladies. Both of which I actually completed several months ago (the gifts, not the ladies), but only recently sent to the recipients, so I had to keep it hush-hush until they opened the package.<br />
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<u>The Pillow</u><br />
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Nearly two years ago (I can't believe it's been that long!) one of my best friends moved away. She did an awesome stint in Cairo studying Arabic and volunteering as a refugee case worker. And last fall she started law school at one of the top programs in the country. Pretty much, she's a baller. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzlJZjTf5ZkLck17MwD4JuYhu9ufwnTemYYeLgeZK_zJT29NDS_vPS-9pCV6W5iQhexNaV12vC4QddiOvBM-g3AkV_CwE9Dc6ejtjf-JaZidl2vdy8_3rpCdeaephOGy6ehHy_r1cigCK/s1600/Ohio+pillow+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidzlJZjTf5ZkLck17MwD4JuYhu9ufwnTemYYeLgeZK_zJT29NDS_vPS-9pCV6W5iQhexNaV12vC4QddiOvBM-g3AkV_CwE9Dc6ejtjf-JaZidl2vdy8_3rpCdeaephOGy6ehHy_r1cigCK/s1600/Ohio+pillow+009.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snow!</td></tr>
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Well, with her travels, etc. I missed a few birthdays - plus I just miss her in general - so this year I thought I'd do something extra special. Naturally, that meant making something. Well, it just so happened that the fabrics sent out as part of <a href="http://themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2013/08/16/the-basics-challenge-with-riley-blake-designs/">the Modern Quilt Guild's Riley Blake Challenge</a> were <i>perfect</i> for her, so my gift doubled as my entry for the competition. Win-win! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8jkzgjDCVMcgfpB9VGH1sBz_Mkk43eIWRD_DCOzes1sd0iuYi-cMSkpYSqtSgwKctflAXVoEA8MSA8exotndAXDYVdGI7tjhyphenhyphenMSaN6qX81DYCE0NmQ57X6VSE5mJzA8jOkM2TZX8Ti7I/s1600/Ohio+pillow+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy8jkzgjDCVMcgfpB9VGH1sBz_Mkk43eIWRD_DCOzes1sd0iuYi-cMSkpYSqtSgwKctflAXVoEA8MSA8exotndAXDYVdGI7tjhyphenhyphenMSaN6qX81DYCE0NmQ57X6VSE5mJzA8jOkM2TZX8Ti7I/s1600/Ohio+pillow+001.jpg" height="626" width="640" /></a></div>
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She's originally from Ohio (mistake on the lake) and, in my opinion, is obsessed with the state, so I used the <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=ohio+star+block&client=firefox-a&hs=j4C&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=sb&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=art7U8evIevFsAS3h4HwCw&ved=0CDMQsAQ&biw=1369&bih=744">Ohio Star Block</a> as the base of my design. The tiny one in the center is only 1.5 inches finished. For the quilting, I did diagonal lines about 1/2 inch apart in one direction and then based on the lines in the top going the other direction. It was getting a bit stiff with all the quilting.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlxvPHdS8s_NJyQZsc3GOxeBHIuMtdBDk_2Z5GeQg15VOuAMKJfwSFcvuSoJsb9UZjUFy1HI3DPGyqOPkN3Yr8z-ur3YAWH4MoE7GpkZemn7UAehsuqPj7Cr30Pa9T_0zEPN83W5Xcz8N/s1600/Ohio+pillow+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjlxvPHdS8s_NJyQZsc3GOxeBHIuMtdBDk_2Z5GeQg15VOuAMKJfwSFcvuSoJsb9UZjUFy1HI3DPGyqOPkN3Yr8z-ur3YAWH4MoE7GpkZemn7UAehsuqPj7Cr30Pa9T_0zEPN83W5Xcz8N/s1600/Ohio+pillow+003.jpg" height="616" width="640" /></a></div>
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For the back, I echoed the hourglasses from the Ohio Star design, pulled in the green using an exposed zipper, and set it all in some delicious <a href="http://www.pinkcastlefabrics.com/collections/collection-essex-yarn-dyed-linen/products/essex-yarn-dyed-linen-in-black">yarn dyed essex in black</a>, which I stocked up on when Mr. T and I visited <a href="http://www.pinkcastlefabrics.com/">Pink Castle Fabrics</a> in the flesh last summer. I did some light edge stitching to secure the seams because I've heard stories of the linen coming apart a bit.<br />
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My friend called me as soon as she opened the box. She told me she couldn't believe I made the pillow case, which really is the highest compliment. In fact, her excitement was deflated a bit because at first glimpse she thought I made it, and then upon closer inspection she decided there's no way I could have so it must have been store-bought. Thankfully I was able to send her process shots to prove that I did in fact make it, so her excitement is fully restored and I've been told this pillow is already on the couch.<br />
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<u>The Hedgehog</u><br />
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Now, for the other gift. This freaking adorable hedgehog whom I've dubbed "Groucho" because his nose looks like <a href="http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://pokerknave.com/files/2013/02/Groucho-Marx.jpg&imgrefurl=http://pokerknave.com/tag/groucho-marx/&h=225&w=225&tbnid=fPkNS2trVhZNzM:&zoom=1&tbnh=186&tbnw=186&usg=__uvAnfuGIz1QXzs8TFRWtZz25QqQ=&docid=nRMMZyJGPfePxM&itg=1&client=firefox-a&sa=X&ei=gL97U5iTF6m0sAS3kYBo&ved=0CKYBEPwdMA0">Groucho Marx's mustache</a>. I used <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2013/2/9/whits-knits-knit-hedgehogs.html">this pattern</a> from the Purlbee, which I've been eying since they published it. He knit up in no time using not nearly enough scarp yarn.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had some fun capturing him in the wild.</td></tr>
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Since I first saw this pattern many months ago, I knew I would make it for this particular friend. We always laugh about this (slightly morbid) story: Her family isn't much for animals, but they had a pet hedgehog for a spell when she was younger. One day the family went for a hike and brought the hedgehog along for the ride to the trail. They decided to leave him in the car while they were gone, but neglected to crack any windows lest he escape. Well, when they returned they found a sadly overheated hedgehog who could not be revived.<br />
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Needless to say, the hedgehog has become a constant refrain in our friendship. So I thought it would be nice to get her a new one that wouldn't mind being left in the car, or anywhere else, on a humid summer day.<br />
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As for the timing, my friend was recently accepted to medical school at her top choice (also the top program in the country for her specialty), which is more than enough reason for celebration...and gifts! Also, how are my friends so awesome?! I hope I can be half as amazing and accomplished as they are when I grow up.<br />
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<br />Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-91885262882523246602014-05-17T15:10:00.000-04:002014-05-17T15:10:38.964-04:00Giveaway Day Winner<br />
<a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/may2014/MayGiveawayDay.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/may2014/MayGiveawayDay.jpg " class="left" src="http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/may2014/MayGiveawayDay.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iPPzMSJJTfkVB3K2Sjcmp2ik_u5oToZqRytLXixXsHCdhx5Du9VW_dwAHg3YcJQoJKoVF-2LlxNy7CbY7iCa92sNxA1mdoM-SXklAscaW7iLkzr7P9lbEN1Y27uZnCBEifDZFAb072-v/s1600/IMAG0447.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iPPzMSJJTfkVB3K2Sjcmp2ik_u5oToZqRytLXixXsHCdhx5Du9VW_dwAHg3YcJQoJKoVF-2LlxNy7CbY7iCa92sNxA1mdoM-SXklAscaW7iLkzr7P9lbEN1Y27uZnCBEifDZFAb072-v/s1600/IMAG0447.jpg" height="400" width="277" /></a> And the winner of the Schoolhouse Tunic pattern giveaway is......<br />
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<a href="http://nosypepper.blogspot.com/">CYNDI of The Nosy Pepper</a></div>
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Congrats, Cyndi! I've emailed you to get your mailing address.<br />
Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5710734184615886159.post-41581415535230341812014-05-12T09:33:00.000-04:002014-05-16T20:05:17.285-04:00Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day - GIVEAWAY CLOSED<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/may2014/MayGiveawayDay.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/may2014/MayGiveawayDay.jpg " class="left" src="http://www.sewmamasew.com/blog2/may2014/MayGiveawayDay.jpg" /></a> I've been wanting to participate in Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day for awhile, so this year I finally got my act together! I set a reminder on my calendar and made sure I'd have time to post. If you're visiting for the first time, welcome to The Crafty Roach! I hope you'll take a few minutes to look around. I post about my adventures in sewing, quilting, knitting, crochet and cross stitch. I also like to travel, so you'll find a few posts about places I've visited recently. And now on to the reason you're here - the giveaway!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iPPzMSJJTfkVB3K2Sjcmp2ik_u5oToZqRytLXixXsHCdhx5Du9VW_dwAHg3YcJQoJKoVF-2LlxNy7CbY7iCa92sNxA1mdoM-SXklAscaW7iLkzr7P9lbEN1Y27uZnCBEifDZFAb072-v/s1600/IMAG0447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_iPPzMSJJTfkVB3K2Sjcmp2ik_u5oToZqRytLXixXsHCdhx5Du9VW_dwAHg3YcJQoJKoVF-2LlxNy7CbY7iCa92sNxA1mdoM-SXklAscaW7iLkzr7P9lbEN1Y27uZnCBEifDZFAb072-v/s1600/IMAG0447.jpg" height="400" width="277" /></a></div>
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I'm offering one copy of <a href="http://sewliberated.com/products/schoolhouse-tunic-sewing-pattern">Sew Liberated's Schoolhouse Tunic Pattern</a>. I originally purchased it to participate in a sew-along - my first time sewing a garment! <a href="http://thecraftyroach.blogspot.com/2012/11/schoolhouse-tunic-help.html">But as you can read here</a>, it didn't go very well. I've decided that this tunic just doesn't fit my style and I don't ever see myself attempting it again, so I'm hoping to find someone who will put the pattern to good use. Obviously this is a used pattern, but as I said I only made it once so it's lightly used. I also used tracing paper to copy the pattern, so all of the pieces are present on the original tissue in the original packaging.<br />
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<i>The giveaway is now closed. </i><br />
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To enter, simply leave a comment below. My first niece is due in the fall, so tell me about the best - and most useful! - baby gift you've ever given or received, either handmade or store-bought. <strike>The giveaway is open to all. It will close Friday, May 16 and I will select a winner randomly. You must either include your email in the comment or in your profile to be eligible. Good luck!</strike><br />
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<i>The giveaway is now closed. </i>Jesshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01562405435479039963noreply@blogger.com107