tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36439033578104909312024-03-12T16:49:28.688-07:00The Polka Dot ApronThe Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-33174275244075732312011-09-06T08:24:00.000-07:002011-09-06T09:08:04.758-07:00We Be Jammin'!<div style="text-align: center;">Well, summer is finally coming to a close in Utah and I couldn't be happier! I love summer, don't get me wrong, but I ADORE fall!! I have my home decorated with pumpkins and leaves everywhere (the Halloween stuff comes out Sept 21st!). To top it off, we are considering putting our house back on the market, seeing as the predictions say that we won't be able to get as good a deal as we can now for at least five years. There are obviously many positives and negatives in this situation. Negatives: keeping the house show-ready constantly with a three and two-year-old. Positives: Having a constantly clean house and an excuse to spend money to fix it up! Over the Labor Day weekend we got our back yard (finally!) ready to plant grass, which is happening tonight. I also painted our front door from a yucky red color that I loved once, to a sleek and lovely black!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-Pb0mfx2itOaKqiOhD2pefsWvat-a-EF3gkPb4jAWgdaxKZJJooIMyVm3efeh0CHtiwipxm7qFe0u06qAi8EYaAhqFQbGvqcuA8W_eEPr9kKw9qfl2QV3Xj9x6sp6S4bSW2zjtnZMnc/s1600/100_8719.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-Pb0mfx2itOaKqiOhD2pefsWvat-a-EF3gkPb4jAWgdaxKZJJooIMyVm3efeh0CHtiwipxm7qFe0u06qAi8EYaAhqFQbGvqcuA8W_eEPr9kKw9qfl2QV3Xj9x6sp6S4bSW2zjtnZMnc/s400/100_8719.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649269647642475666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Before (the paint was very matte and chipped and rubbed off on my rag whenever I tried to clean it)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MjuCQdR7Kryceiz08f4Ln50xMTtdVVeaLcpt9T6llU-3eWHK_yUUBrbzQa9mMJpqPfsGXbAa6_fEI8RWwWnjxffcB34bzor9k2t801mh2IHrZQZgYjmwgWi1AzyuAQM3DocTyiViL5o/s1600/100_8722.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MjuCQdR7Kryceiz08f4Ln50xMTtdVVeaLcpt9T6llU-3eWHK_yUUBrbzQa9mMJpqPfsGXbAa6_fEI8RWwWnjxffcB34bzor9k2t801mh2IHrZQZgYjmwgWi1AzyuAQM3DocTyiViL5o/s400/100_8722.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649269646580898450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">AFTER! Is it not beautiful?!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In further news, my design wall is a bit of a crazy hodge-podge of blocks I have wanted to try, unfinished quilt pieces, and a fun panel I ordered from the Fat Quarter Shop. I have been doing plenty of sewing, but I really don't have anything exciting to share until tomorrow for WIP Wednesday.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERTf-Bs15bYP2uRevadaH8b1baw0HpjgtH79UQfdVazNDPaVopkOQCcKL1r_PFQMB3np3KE_hoG6NsDUfKGF-K1nDzdS-an6jdhyphenhyphenhVhoPTNTwqWwOCq0tWvi6hFCjVT6-X1i3sBfIYTU/s1600/100_8673.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 364px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhERTf-Bs15bYP2uRevadaH8b1baw0HpjgtH79UQfdVazNDPaVopkOQCcKL1r_PFQMB3np3KE_hoG6NsDUfKGF-K1nDzdS-an6jdhyphenhyphenhVhoPTNTwqWwOCq0tWvi6hFCjVT6-X1i3sBfIYTU/s400/100_8673.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649270286361513202" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyze7U3NNA_qXt0S0fOP9FSR2owsMrbsMw36tzcmgOR6altUTflVWiBlvIo__cWMumhZJNv4-r7RH5m0J5oOjU1XIZhKFmyKBE1CD0oP7mFWIUidtsmXhNC8F1QErROmoLJRmp8EkF2E/s1600/100_8674.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyze7U3NNA_qXt0S0fOP9FSR2owsMrbsMw36tzcmgOR6altUTflVWiBlvIo__cWMumhZJNv4-r7RH5m0J5oOjU1XIZhKFmyKBE1CD0oP7mFWIUidtsmXhNC8F1QErROmoLJRmp8EkF2E/s400/100_8674.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649270276939220114" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is my first ever attempt at embroidery and I finished it about three years ago and forgot I had it! I think I am going to sash it up and make it into a pillow or wall-hanging!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Aside from all that, I got a smashing good deal on a case of raspberries at our local grocery store (only $15 for a case!) and we decided to make some jam. By we, I mean the whole family. When we lived in Portland, OR, we would go behind our house and pick buckets full of wild blackberries. Then we would go home and make incredible jam that we would give our families in Utah for Christmas each year. I must admit, we ROCK at home made jam, and I am going to share a cool technique that some of you may not know that makes jam making a breeze with no special equipment required! We used the recipe that comes in the package of pectin for raspberry/blackberry jam.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzQccEzrxEJHgGx_M4oPAJaHSXGo7V4RgzUDtRPYBDCoC4BwyCi9S33HKqxZW7IUwNT95bqlWj0mvghCi5CNh8SKYqhWVzUFkL3oCeMiXfqWct0l_U8Jw3T9odK3I9YykccZUWqbLyjQ/s1600/100_8689.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbzQccEzrxEJHgGx_M4oPAJaHSXGo7V4RgzUDtRPYBDCoC4BwyCi9S33HKqxZW7IUwNT95bqlWj0mvghCi5CNh8SKYqhWVzUFkL3oCeMiXfqWct0l_U8Jw3T9odK3I9YykccZUWqbLyjQ/s400/100_8689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649272562161711234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">First, mash up 6 cups of your raspberries or blackberries. The berries I had were borderline overripe, so it took all 12 pints.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uq4V_udrHFkv-rk2jVyclOoG_pjavoXoNbo7fa3FtifSGLDkk61GIKL6u3rFzyhK2W2jpm2j5BNXG5gUedleN9CP7HDiTsiJsB6NCZ8HpNrXSv3n-SbP5xHb4nchMkvoSJqUkn1VYPY/s1600/100_8700.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 272px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4uq4V_udrHFkv-rk2jVyclOoG_pjavoXoNbo7fa3FtifSGLDkk61GIKL6u3rFzyhK2W2jpm2j5BNXG5gUedleN9CP7HDiTsiJsB6NCZ8HpNrXSv3n-SbP5xHb4nchMkvoSJqUkn1VYPY/s400/100_8700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649272557033903986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Add the pectin to the berries and cook on high heat until the mixture comes to a rolling boil (meaning it is still boiling even when you are stirring). Once you hit a rolling boil, add 8 1/2 cups of sugar quickly and, stirring constantly, bring the mixture back up to a rolling boil.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA6yXlVyNd1FEwKPKv9yWSWecJgqaS9IoY_M3Whg5Xsf_M7B3t9WPF3kk3qGdSnjEpWlwZ_6oII08hk_zuJyuj26xS6vvBPOxR0MVa0Q2JrktM7Etq9eAWjqNigeh7d-KvSwg8S8di4E/s1600/100_8702.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 304px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvA6yXlVyNd1FEwKPKv9yWSWecJgqaS9IoY_M3Whg5Xsf_M7B3t9WPF3kk3qGdSnjEpWlwZ_6oII08hk_zuJyuj26xS6vvBPOxR0MVa0Q2JrktM7Etq9eAWjqNigeh7d-KvSwg8S8di4E/s400/100_8702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649272550545856450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Still stirring constantly, let the mixture boil for 4 1/2 minutes exactly. Then, turn off the heat.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-uiQtsy5mX1_4PBLS90FgHUdUsDx5Exx0C1VtgEzeINatFi9QCyDwUlZjGvuq0pMzDNVHp2l5jZ4HC8pzW8-u6QfQqce5s3QTnKgjHV1U7qKye55SfsSZNO4QjkiY_PRPkUpCnM9i_s/s1600/100_8703.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5-uiQtsy5mX1_4PBLS90FgHUdUsDx5Exx0C1VtgEzeINatFi9QCyDwUlZjGvuq0pMzDNVHp2l5jZ4HC8pzW8-u6QfQqce5s3QTnKgjHV1U7qKye55SfsSZNO4QjkiY_PRPkUpCnM9i_s/s400/100_8703.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649272549641784402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Ladle the jam into your jars.</div><div style="text-align: center;">NOTE: to prepare your jars, was them on the hottest cycle in your dish washer so they are warm when you put the jam in. If you put the boiling jam into a cold jar, it will crack. I also pour boiling water over the lid seals (the flat round disk) to loosen up the gummy stuff around the edge so it will seal closed.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeluZOM6HOyakoidg19HpaYrBSIEZDnhX55ELDosVOH0KAJ5IoM2lhN01GTTAPOjpziiAw-xm06g916NfmDHTQ0Laboj7WNQZhEwyJ4qPAU4MtTq-DqpxKLLhk7m1_dTodIlv-geLxTkg/s1600/100_8690.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 398px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeluZOM6HOyakoidg19HpaYrBSIEZDnhX55ELDosVOH0KAJ5IoM2lhN01GTTAPOjpziiAw-xm06g916NfmDHTQ0Laboj7WNQZhEwyJ4qPAU4MtTq-DqpxKLLhk7m1_dTodIlv-geLxTkg/s400/100_8690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649274508027036770" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQX12vP9Etitto_wqwzQwK6sOCRNgbVYTKl-WadE0yLUAbUyfoa3vvTgIwBp73hjd3oc6RkWhnueVSDUDqXEtXveH2UNOvLL2aJCMcdyZxw_LTXkua0kNngmHPK_XVZzTlloy-s36Ims/s1600/100_8705.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtQX12vP9Etitto_wqwzQwK6sOCRNgbVYTKl-WadE0yLUAbUyfoa3vvTgIwBp73hjd3oc6RkWhnueVSDUDqXEtXveH2UNOvLL2aJCMcdyZxw_LTXkua0kNngmHPK_XVZzTlloy-s36Ims/s400/100_8705.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649274503042415346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now, here's the cool part. After you pour the jam and secure the seals and lids, place the jars UPSIDE DOWN on your towel and set your timer for 10 minutes. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgX_jYQ0su2sq2m2G7Om0KGgVu-U26CNglAdNEJW1xiW1Xyk8N4yIK367fOas-MZB4w6IOTg145AxzRXzLc3GkYLWx5hNnV92GzDouTjHJIGn1ZKCViMoRsMQUnaqfeMXZzOLdf1hXA8/s1600/100_8708.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgX_jYQ0su2sq2m2G7Om0KGgVu-U26CNglAdNEJW1xiW1Xyk8N4yIK367fOas-MZB4w6IOTg145AxzRXzLc3GkYLWx5hNnV92GzDouTjHJIGn1ZKCViMoRsMQUnaqfeMXZzOLdf1hXA8/s400/100_8708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649274498664525778" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">When you flip the jars over after 10 minutes, the steam will act like a vacuum and suck down the seal on the lid, sealing your jar effectively so your jam can last in storage for 1 year! This is a great technique because it negates the use of specialized canning equipment!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBgjQeModmAcgMEu3m6Wx0YcdfR7nuWFmRRYoIsMv2WwO04I2Kvc0vf4ft0Nmrkcq_4620544MXnUAtADIjQTMrWthozDojZx8oUaziCpPieG6AzF8VlA9m1V9YDh2Oa0Mpy-SZqvFKE/s1600/100_8710.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzBgjQeModmAcgMEu3m6Wx0YcdfR7nuWFmRRYoIsMv2WwO04I2Kvc0vf4ft0Nmrkcq_4620544MXnUAtADIjQTMrWthozDojZx8oUaziCpPieG6AzF8VlA9m1V9YDh2Oa0Mpy-SZqvFKE/s400/100_8710.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649274493624967810" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd816Ke05JMi-vf1opIpOBh8rVDlr6dQZu570Efr1_JLVOq1fJlgqzwIa3FyojgKDzw4v-n3wkXCXQA82aUqokcS7oRe_dVpNxpHBeSKln7QkxynEObYrKgTPIjkhVtrteOhJ_Pux5ss/s1600/100_8717.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibd816Ke05JMi-vf1opIpOBh8rVDlr6dQZu570Efr1_JLVOq1fJlgqzwIa3FyojgKDzw4v-n3wkXCXQA82aUqokcS7oRe_dVpNxpHBeSKln7QkxynEObYrKgTPIjkhVtrteOhJ_Pux5ss/s400/100_8717.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649276020244244866" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sam didn't get to help much with the prep, but he made a great taster!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAZfPATerT1VtFUGYfeCqkaoS8XbMHE4x-kJFeT7FPz2RDlDyDVmTc_ksfIW6VNrSGV_9zdGAjCGSAJsXSEjC-gVElTYbvSeOoMiqa-0hNPobB18fLp1IxipgAKhYBTsUgIMO52XgYS0/s1600/100_8704.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAZfPATerT1VtFUGYfeCqkaoS8XbMHE4x-kJFeT7FPz2RDlDyDVmTc_ksfIW6VNrSGV_9zdGAjCGSAJsXSEjC-gVElTYbvSeOoMiqa-0hNPobB18fLp1IxipgAKhYBTsUgIMO52XgYS0/s400/100_8704.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649276510947735090" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And Wes felt he needed to test it as well.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9fHtKzJIU3-DICPcambw5YKJDraOt892COviX4rHsXzFNH6HuwMJFTM9KxrpUz0jc17eGXI5HqvGovvic8fJEGowPhSEgh9NjeT0OiMncM65sUqDG32KnLi1pXLY0fKSmrTg8wKauQY/s1600/100_8712.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9fHtKzJIU3-DICPcambw5YKJDraOt892COviX4rHsXzFNH6HuwMJFTM9KxrpUz0jc17eGXI5HqvGovvic8fJEGowPhSEgh9NjeT0OiMncM65sUqDG32KnLi1pXLY0fKSmrTg8wKauQY/s400/100_8712.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649276506439401890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I tell you, after this, I will NEVER buy store-bought jam again. It is pure Heaven :D</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLr2C9ff7MUamxzxybqu1tT-2wD3s-Oeh5c-GxprLtOzapumctY4kVGZUhfQPRsZrK4FyQXIMIIWt0FHzRv0yuEq0UDrUPNb-g-MlBJpC0kadLCnhS2A_desAAXNLiP6ap1AvVsCn8YY/s1600/100_8696.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOLr2C9ff7MUamxzxybqu1tT-2wD3s-Oeh5c-GxprLtOzapumctY4kVGZUhfQPRsZrK4FyQXIMIIWt0FHzRv0yuEq0UDrUPNb-g-MlBJpC0kadLCnhS2A_desAAXNLiP6ap1AvVsCn8YY/s400/100_8696.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649276502993789586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I love having such wonderful boys in my life! I remember the first year we made jam. We had been trying to get pregnant for close to six years at that point and I was devastated. I remember making the jam and imagining what it would be like to have a kitchen full of children helping out. It is so wonderful to have that wish fulfilled. I will never take my family for granted, that is for sure!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sorry for the super long post. I just have one more thing to share, I promise! Our table and chairs in our dining room have been in sorry shape for a while now. Yesterday I got a wild hair and decided to repaint the whole thing and re-cover the chairs. I don't have a picture of the whole set together yet, since I am still waiting for lacquer to dry, but here is a before and after shot of my chairs!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUjluKyM6xNt6-G5cWSLvEcNqmydi66ugqj_7tTCZcSS90yg2tdPa38Etv0JcqL3vNdWroXqdahUzMSNqxcKaPix7GPgF0uPITYXNXhWNfVDQKkb2DuOJcigSMKPSwi1zLDNw1iwBasQ/s1600/100_5723a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzUjluKyM6xNt6-G5cWSLvEcNqmydi66ugqj_7tTCZcSS90yg2tdPa38Etv0JcqL3vNdWroXqdahUzMSNqxcKaPix7GPgF0uPITYXNXhWNfVDQKkb2DuOJcigSMKPSwi1zLDNw1iwBasQ/s400/100_5723a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649277803187774994" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't take a picture of the gross chairs. This is a picture I took the LAST time I re-covered them. I swear they were starting to grow hair, they were so nasty!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNg1NBeu-tsCz8eIwN5Qk7o9uLQOh1dZ3TinF8-JumhRVYB3stlpBXfPxVGGo1adhe0JopQQu-58gOcAmloIKC9MUwHMvWEyaYtk97NA6riqhL6lf9wiG28ojuewJBOsccabZh4Dpp_Ps/s1600/100_8728a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNg1NBeu-tsCz8eIwN5Qk7o9uLQOh1dZ3TinF8-JumhRVYB3stlpBXfPxVGGo1adhe0JopQQu-58gOcAmloIKC9MUwHMvWEyaYtk97NA6riqhL6lf9wiG28ojuewJBOsccabZh4Dpp_Ps/s400/100_8728a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5649277800762706034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I used some super cheap clearance fabric to cover them, since I figure with a three and two-year-old they will be destroyed in no time! Well, as you can see, it has been nothing but busy-ness around here lately and it will only get worse! Today I am painting my boys' room and a wall in my living room. What projects are you all working on this week?</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-58511101793985463512011-08-31T10:03:00.000-07:002011-08-31T10:19:34.008-07:00Honoring Emma<div style="text-align: center;">In a couple weeks a dear friend of mine will be struggling quite a bit. On Sept. 21st last year her sweet baby girl was still born. She was only one pound and would have been her first daughter (she has two amazing little boys). She has had her share of struggles. Her first son was diagnosed with cancer shortly after birth, but beat it and it doing wonderfully. Her second son was born with a cleft palate and they have had their share of surgeries and struggles with that. Then, on top of it all, she lost her little Emma. In her memory, Marissa wanted to start a foundation that would allow mothers going through similar experiences to avoid some of the troubles she did. You see, they don't make burial gowns for micro preemies. The few companies that DO make them sell them for around $30 and charge $50 for overnighting them, which almost everyone must do. Poor Marissa had to send her mom to Build A Bear to look for a wedding dress that might work, but even those were too big! So, we got a group of ladies together the other night and got down to sewing. Marissa doesn't sew, and neither do many of the ladies who came, but we still got a lot done! She calls her foundation<a href="http://www.honoringemma.blogspot.com/"> Emma's Ensembles</a>. If you'd like to donate money, there is a link on her website. We are making dresses and donating them to local hospitals and funeral homes. As soon as I find a pattern I like, we are going to make boy clothing as well. If you'd be interested in donating fabric or lace or white trim, etc., send me an e-mail and I'll give you an address to send them to. I'm so happy to be part of something so wonderful. It takes a truly great person to take their grief and turn it into a blessing for others. Here's some pictures of our fun sewing night:</div><div>
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeVR53ojRcpER-O9h3wQ7GNAogcmPeWE0srx1RCaBGb7TkBA0-anQX57tTW9xLdpG_E0lpVnZ_vnJd1Dl3kXVgTLEAL1XVJghLBUZVPPQJfWvVTGnUEbjAud_gkegKW8Ifwmk4Hr-Gvg/s1600/100_8658.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZeVR53ojRcpER-O9h3wQ7GNAogcmPeWE0srx1RCaBGb7TkBA0-anQX57tTW9xLdpG_E0lpVnZ_vnJd1Dl3kXVgTLEAL1XVJghLBUZVPPQJfWvVTGnUEbjAud_gkegKW8Ifwmk4Hr-Gvg/s400/100_8658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647069241857172226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The dress in the middle is one that was donated to her by the hospital to use as a burial gown.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbuNTfNV-IaSe-Z58d-EHHewUNMHV8rS8aZ6TupWozFYBVexOrWW-Fv6_hcu0B8MDn9zOHXj59rtYh_gwjWgdxlzmKyXyah55PJfLMFr-CfHAZuGwkr0Jja1uidXWgGhO8jeQv5xa5sg/s1600/100_8660.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBbuNTfNV-IaSe-Z58d-EHHewUNMHV8rS8aZ6TupWozFYBVexOrWW-Fv6_hcu0B8MDn9zOHXj59rtYh_gwjWgdxlzmKyXyah55PJfLMFr-CfHAZuGwkr0Jja1uidXWgGhO8jeQv5xa5sg/s400/100_8660.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647069236055554818" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is a pattern I made up . It is open in the back and we are going to add some ribbon or velcro closures. They are generally too fragile to dress, so this makes it easier.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiia91mcMyJZ5xS3-0kOOH0pi70yuKgfvoAnFNpTW_fRAYRTlw45R4p03mApyOF-bWxOPdrOh9di2piaO5ZZmLY35JduJLs5prTxMxcQ7ItP2Fy7Wb6fPfkE6-sRRUbXXN99en1UJJ6lI/s1600/100_8662.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiia91mcMyJZ5xS3-0kOOH0pi70yuKgfvoAnFNpTW_fRAYRTlw45R4p03mApyOF-bWxOPdrOh9di2piaO5ZZmLY35JduJLs5prTxMxcQ7ItP2Fy7Wb6fPfkE6-sRRUbXXN99en1UJJ6lI/s400/100_8662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647069234583054802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here are some of the remarkable ladies who joined us to sew!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWtwhZ5SNpM3R3eU-DnfvQDBOd-g22jhII0RbUZG6K6HI-0N0wm1PxuA3sZ3KHim0o8Z4AIN9T-YYS0pct5AH2gWYckICeIyTSoxsVpFu05n8eVNvmF3s-QFxWJuM0uYGRSGMwIW92cU/s1600/100_8665.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWtwhZ5SNpM3R3eU-DnfvQDBOd-g22jhII0RbUZG6K6HI-0N0wm1PxuA3sZ3KHim0o8Z4AIN9T-YYS0pct5AH2gWYckICeIyTSoxsVpFu05n8eVNvmF3s-QFxWJuM0uYGRSGMwIW92cU/s400/100_8665.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5647069225593673346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This is Emma's mom, Marissa. She's an incredible example of quiet strength for me. She told me that she hasn't sewn since 7th grade, but look what an amazing job she did!</div><div style="text-align: center;">As soon as I figure out the best way to do it, I will post a pattern for the dress. They are scarcely 10" tall so the pattern should print out on one page. That way, anyone who would like to donate dresses to their local area can have a pattern.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Please stop by <a href="http://www.honoringemma.blogspot.com/">her blog</a> and read about her wonderful story! I love that sewing gives me an opportunity to serve others and forget about myself for a while.</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-61311997930650603182011-08-24T12:02:00.001-07:002011-08-24T12:32:28.718-07:00WIP WednesdayWhere the heck have I been? I can't believe it's been two weeks since my last post- I am so sorry! Life has been hectic (<------understatement of the century). I had a three-year-old with the biggest mystery bug in the history of mystery bugs. He had a temperature of 104 for about 6 days so there were many tests and long nights involved. On top of that, I had yet another set of cortisone injections in my neck, which always puts me down and out for a few days. Now that we are away from all of that, I can get back to "normal!" Despite the craziness, I have still managed to find time to work on some projects, just not much time to blog about them! Because I have been down so much, I have spent some time cross-stitching, which was my first crafting love :D I was that 11 year-old-girl with a Suzie Zoo cross-stitch in my lap at the park while my friends played. I can't even remember how many Precious Moments cross-stitches I did, but I always loved the quiet contentment I would feel when working on one. I recently found <a href="http://meylah.com/thefrostedpumpkinstitchery">'The Frosted Pumpkin Stitchery"</a> and fell. in. LOVE. Their designs are beyond adorable and very inexpensive (anywhere from $2-$8) to download. For the longest time, I have been doing a lot of <a href="http://www.bentcreek.com/">Bent Creek</a> designs over two threads on linen cloth, but these ones from The Frosted Pumpkin are reminiscent of the ones I loved as a girl on the big bulky 14 count Aida cloth using big stitches and bright colors. Here are a few I have completed or been working on:
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCynOaTQZoWNr5xwZbAfxuaCLwUfMvJVlXdWZG5-yWc74DmzTFwBFg7D-iIjv92oW-gWyo5651rJzwOM1duZlJzzLXI4EV8t5WV2HodwTcp9-o6s4TBD-mA-8HA74tkdxqPIef9DmZmu4/s1600/100_8611.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCynOaTQZoWNr5xwZbAfxuaCLwUfMvJVlXdWZG5-yWc74DmzTFwBFg7D-iIjv92oW-gWyo5651rJzwOM1duZlJzzLXI4EV8t5WV2HodwTcp9-o6s4TBD-mA-8HA74tkdxqPIef9DmZmu4/s400/100_8611.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644501805003037170" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">How adorable are these guys?! This one is called <a href="http://meylah.com/thefrostedpumpkinstitchery/toast-jump-pdf-pattern">"Toast Jump!"</a> I am painting a turquoise frame to put it in my kitchen!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxfSJPo5NEq8P9oAOApn3hqUi3sMSCkMNuKwW6gCJ0W64gY6WuBi8UZJJrk1Yqwr0k-UdCU11xL_LlYBM22qKj-fOalefT0UviEMz3GgmVByIGizvHPa4DPykTLwDS_258qMMEVJorcU/s1600/100_8608.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbxfSJPo5NEq8P9oAOApn3hqUi3sMSCkMNuKwW6gCJ0W64gY6WuBi8UZJJrk1Yqwr0k-UdCU11xL_LlYBM22qKj-fOalefT0UviEMz3GgmVByIGizvHPa4DPykTLwDS_258qMMEVJorcU/s400/100_8608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644501798465657426" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://meylah.com/uploads/211/images/copy12-1299694573-picture-3.png?1305217905" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is one I have been working on is called<a href="http://meylah.com/thefrostedpumpkinstitchery/candy-corn-costume-party-pdf-1"> "Candy Corn Costume Party" </a> How adorable, right? And super fast to do as well! I sometimes change them up just a bit to make them 'mine' but I think I have yet another addiction. My poor husband.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjUmP80WrCrVMEJcikxOo8V4QOdbaFB1anfAQiNIYhaI3oN9sMkA-T28pRNnG3xeuSRCXAY9beK_nQ1GSaBjvRG_cV3a-XtssZp3zFn-hhfR8bJ0DfQGp9ifTgUxSihkWdwnAurFdy3w/s1600/100_8610.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 389px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUjUmP80WrCrVMEJcikxOo8V4QOdbaFB1anfAQiNIYhaI3oN9sMkA-T28pRNnG3xeuSRCXAY9beK_nQ1GSaBjvRG_cV3a-XtssZp3zFn-hhfR8bJ0DfQGp9ifTgUxSihkWdwnAurFdy3w/s400/100_8610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644501790929708754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://www.123stitch.com/pictures/07-2439.jpg" alt="Sleepy Hollow - Cross Stitch Pattern" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">This is one I have been working on for the last year or so. It's called <a href="http://www.123stitch.com/cgi-perl/itemdetail.pl?item=07-2439">"Sleepy Hollow" by Cross Eyed Cricket</a>. Is it not INCREDIBLE? I still have a long way to go and I regret not purchasing the hand-dyed linen to do it on. Instead I took the initiative and dyed some myself. I just couldn't justify $40!</div><div>In sewing projects, I have been working on a Christmas gift for a family member in the form of a picnic quilt. I am basing it all on some Michael Miller fabric (Meadowsweet) but the pictures I've taken really aren't doing it much justice!</div><div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNG_geSQnyg2jgkvOHRrKH2uWnhbS8Y4WZqzmzCMGOSNDJGR1p0X4Awi4zOQSnVSltBVF9kL2SPjDN4342Iy86UFBzUMNflNQzhzaLR5rQo-pSOZXQ10WgsOAxDOyb_B_CXEoMAjpMIQE/s1600/100_8606.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNG_geSQnyg2jgkvOHRrKH2uWnhbS8Y4WZqzmzCMGOSNDJGR1p0X4Awi4zOQSnVSltBVF9kL2SPjDN4342Iy86UFBzUMNflNQzhzaLR5rQo-pSOZXQ10WgsOAxDOyb_B_CXEoMAjpMIQE/s400/100_8606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644503623236769730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I am using the patter <a href="http://www.cluckclucksewpatterns.com/2010/08/juice-boxes.html">"Juice Boxes" by Cluck Cluck Sew</a>. It is a very easy pattern and I have loved the simplicity of it so far!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsBnWv4NzRsT9tf1L4Vcd2NTXYep7FkaQJwJLU1VbelwqYceagpSwBkvuRMkmhZieQ4-Mh07iNVstpd5nznwBAq9XLQlKKt2T8RlwY-TRmxuGPkmsG-9F7z0jreFgrszMgF90b_k18L8/s1600/100_8607.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsBnWv4NzRsT9tf1L4Vcd2NTXYep7FkaQJwJLU1VbelwqYceagpSwBkvuRMkmhZieQ4-Mh07iNVstpd5nznwBAq9XLQlKKt2T8RlwY-TRmxuGPkmsG-9F7z0jreFgrszMgF90b_k18L8/s400/100_8607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644503616686524514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And, finally, I am ITCHING to get going on a project involving these fun fabrics! Halloween is hands-down my all time favorite holiday. I go a little nuts, actually, and I could not resist this amazing hearse print from Robert Kaufman. Do you see the coffin bouncing out the back of the green hearse? HILARIOUS!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6EM44nqQ3048sbPJOjr_pyWEplg-WWd2APozfbxg0Oo0Y8_fN_peE_OLWMZHW888TXC6cHqfKCwWPz6ZmZEYhGpIZ2JkoOV-rCRYE9mfD8KrHjyQcZfkT3LzfSyNRnUpM0cwQZIFfUI/s1600/100_8604.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 252px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf6EM44nqQ3048sbPJOjr_pyWEplg-WWd2APozfbxg0Oo0Y8_fN_peE_OLWMZHW888TXC6cHqfKCwWPz6ZmZEYhGpIZ2JkoOV-rCRYE9mfD8KrHjyQcZfkT3LzfSyNRnUpM0cwQZIFfUI/s400/100_8604.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644503614351134626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I am not sure where the spider fabric is from as it was only available in a FQ with no selvage, but I love it all the same!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnhGdEp0aNz0JOuTRGd15d_Wd181VTjO8GHkbs_JjEeaZbt3FJyvfk28B-Z6hyWLABnYk_DLJoT2LjwxNRKA_bDYrWe3bHFHttx8Rmpe1rQbvV-wYbPuSoilZ3k9Wf9mo6l2Yfa6OmQ8/s1600/100_8605.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtnhGdEp0aNz0JOuTRGd15d_Wd181VTjO8GHkbs_JjEeaZbt3FJyvfk28B-Z6hyWLABnYk_DLJoT2LjwxNRKA_bDYrWe3bHFHttx8Rmpe1rQbvV-wYbPuSoilZ3k9Wf9mo6l2Yfa6OmQ8/s400/100_8605.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644503606516289026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">These fabrics are from Riley Blake and I just adore them! The ghost is my favorite! I am thinking of doing a cute banner and some pillows using these fabrics. Or a table runner. Or some hair bows for my nieces. The possibilities are endless! Well, that's what I've been up to- what about you? Go check out <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com">Freshly Pieced</a> and see what everyone else is up to!</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-65951396525510644442011-08-10T06:16:00.000-07:002011-08-10T06:33:21.874-07:00WIP Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">Happy Wednesday, yet again! Man, it has been an insane week :D Last Thursday, I went in for (yet more) cortisone injections in my neck. Three on each side *bleh*. However, the good news is that I believe this time they may actually be working! Two days of bed rest would be well worth a pain free neck :D. Second, we woke up Saturday morning to water running in through our basement window. Yep, my sweet three-year-old decided to turn on the hose and leave it on in the window well. So, now our lovely finished family room in the basement looks like this:</div><div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUHPvlP-j_RghabjJWeQK7o3cCOE2mqYSD029cg2fI6NFTMJm7OAjwjJ4XYAtSbQft-MiOUrHhQUrnMDaaDEBFWI5BpoIDhUVu4XbDOaK_xDB5GWBd3JH6AwCqHZof2GAlVCSlc7Q7f0/s1600/100_8570.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJUHPvlP-j_RghabjJWeQK7o3cCOE2mqYSD029cg2fI6NFTMJm7OAjwjJ4XYAtSbQft-MiOUrHhQUrnMDaaDEBFWI5BpoIDhUVu4XbDOaK_xDB5GWBd3JH6AwCqHZof2GAlVCSlc7Q7f0/s400/100_8570.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639216889322300178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Yeah, hubby! You show that carpet pad who's boss!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Now, in WIP news, I decided to join up with the I'm-not-sure-yet-if-it's-official <a href="http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/comfortstitching/2011/04/crazy-scrappy-block-tutorial-and-a-maybe-quilt-a-long.html">Crazy Scrappy Quilt Along</a> with Aneela Hoey of <a href="http://comfortstitching.typepad.co.uk/">Comfortstitching</a>. It looked like a fun way to burn through my ever growing scrap stash, so of course I was in!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH_hQQviJO71vXeOR8VX7foHqrSHzWL-gJmSKSYF4ZItWU3n0M0DcDwsuLNrEuqKJlIl25ojuqRynY6S7y2xlWklYfmcRrAOKiiztKXjfem_b52-s61NLIZxmK5YIiROEDDnogGDS-fA/s1600/100_8558.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCH_hQQviJO71vXeOR8VX7foHqrSHzWL-gJmSKSYF4ZItWU3n0M0DcDwsuLNrEuqKJlIl25ojuqRynY6S7y2xlWklYfmcRrAOKiiztKXjfem_b52-s61NLIZxmK5YIiROEDDnogGDS-fA/s400/100_8558.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639216887486038418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This was my first attempt- not sure if it will make the final cut, since it isn't all monochromatic, but it was a fun one to see up on my design wall for a while!</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-UagzQ5NzZavyr_UOOOXQM3V9SYuXQWOGEgvNGHwZui17Yx3U5GtnsKqemwQoSaVvljbYtEGvKB4WWAacuuDvX0y5LCXtXgRUSBsgsPaRHEGI8zkcFc4BU-kS727rU1MyXfWsI9J01Q/s1600/100_8582.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3-UagzQ5NzZavyr_UOOOXQM3V9SYuXQWOGEgvNGHwZui17Yx3U5GtnsKqemwQoSaVvljbYtEGvKB4WWAacuuDvX0y5LCXtXgRUSBsgsPaRHEGI8zkcFc4BU-kS727rU1MyXfWsI9J01Q/s400/100_8582.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639216880979831682" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Attempt #2 ( I love having the chance to use some of my very favorite Heather Ross prints for this! I seriously only have about a 6X8 inch piece of each!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh59TSQ0tNrXgrCP6G00ajB4STSLLM9DTfHVj2v40-TAX7dJXnDdPWLv0PXKFNCZ7TeQUdwB2pTpYHktftwUVLIwRlfCXWbFKd8bxlNCFHqdvQ74j6Z3NNi-W6jlio1TW7L9gynouE-A/s1600/100_8583.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKh59TSQ0tNrXgrCP6G00ajB4STSLLM9DTfHVj2v40-TAX7dJXnDdPWLv0PXKFNCZ7TeQUdwB2pTpYHktftwUVLIwRlfCXWbFKd8bxlNCFHqdvQ74j6Z3NNi-W6jlio1TW7L9gynouE-A/s400/100_8583.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5639216872191797602" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And finally, #3. I think I'm going to love this QAL. I'm enjoying pulling out scraps I forgot I had. Some I LOVE, some are just meh. But it doesn't matter, because I'm really happy with the final product!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am working on a few other projects, but no pics yet. Go check out what everyone else is doing over at <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com">Freshly Pieced!</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-26868152383705743612011-08-06T12:57:00.000-07:002011-08-06T13:03:56.163-07:00Synchronized Squares Completed!<div style="text-align: center;">Well, the project is finally finished! For now I am using it temporarily as a quilt for my bed, since our old beat up quilt is full of holes. The animal print really doesn't scream "sexy", ya know? Anywhoo, here's some pictures of the end result!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9fWoUgmg4XqoCPsbMuAUCYQVkp-jeHZoVWAOSTxoXxMsQTLgEv6fuJc0ceeXofl_F4d6heQa8GN0ZUSK_3lkr7w9EC08UwviLMW2orkDCjKrcWjKrZR1rN6X0TKNykC1OA6Y93Vg1to/s1600/100_8574.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio9fWoUgmg4XqoCPsbMuAUCYQVkp-jeHZoVWAOSTxoXxMsQTLgEv6fuJc0ceeXofl_F4d6heQa8GN0ZUSK_3lkr7w9EC08UwviLMW2orkDCjKrcWjKrZR1rN6X0TKNykC1OA6Y93Vg1to/s400/100_8574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637835395448718850" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHc2es5uYo25B-ljdyq7KXtmiucw1tBKMsxz9ZL25mlvBpy1YnojVoAx57OT8B139kk-FLQjj_3lAOv57xVde4QAoMXOTIQQ28-DLO50zIRYx36LcZw_3TipKEc8i61B91WX1HVeX8bs/s1600/100_8578.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHc2es5uYo25B-ljdyq7KXtmiucw1tBKMsxz9ZL25mlvBpy1YnojVoAx57OT8B139kk-FLQjj_3lAOv57xVde4QAoMXOTIQQ28-DLO50zIRYx36LcZw_3TipKEc8i61B91WX1HVeX8bs/s400/100_8578.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637835389507401490" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the back- very scrappy! I used up all the fabric I purchased, which is always the goal.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX4C27Wu_-LoXKTGqcK6B9X2id7g2GYcPtR9cuDARFO13NVDdOIjr8s5KABtTmHPtbjGf-Gm7OCcLDi83CcXJTpG-AYjVYX3Roa9Kvzk_f78Ut1wGAg3HSQzYVtXRQ-2ljD7Qr36mpEw/s1600/100_8575.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 339px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJX4C27Wu_-LoXKTGqcK6B9X2id7g2GYcPtR9cuDARFO13NVDdOIjr8s5KABtTmHPtbjGf-Gm7OCcLDi83CcXJTpG-AYjVYX3Roa9Kvzk_f78Ut1wGAg3HSQzYVtXRQ-2ljD7Qr36mpEw/s400/100_8575.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637835383327979154" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here's the border I put around the edge. I like how it brightens the whole thing up. The squares are sewn on top of the white to produce a frayed effect, so once I wash it it should be nice and fuzzy, I hope!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_YrHMXNxhqqbtr3-VeRwRyjLSTnL3KJiPYwHMkS8X19-EtgTMAVA_Sghf3Skj-f_x30inpYZJlbHy-oZ0XZyHZMojiG5iiu3jhY_pCjk9TNV3cFWKmxjyljj2To1h8BiAUP8k1r19pY/s1600/100_8576.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 381px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_YrHMXNxhqqbtr3-VeRwRyjLSTnL3KJiPYwHMkS8X19-EtgTMAVA_Sghf3Skj-f_x30inpYZJlbHy-oZ0XZyHZMojiG5iiu3jhY_pCjk9TNV3cFWKmxjyljj2To1h8BiAUP8k1r19pY/s400/100_8576.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637835387031772306" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">For my pillow cases, I used the blue floral on the front with the yellow on the back. That fabric is a dream to sleep on!</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-38356399521577313332011-08-03T20:17:00.000-07:002011-08-03T20:22:23.442-07:00Lucky Lucky ME!!<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Holy COW!!! I actually won something! Samm over at<a href="http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com/"> Stash Manicure</a> has been holding a wonderful giveaway-apalooza called 'The Want To Be Quilter" (see my button on the right) and each day she is giving away something FABULOUS and I actually won on the second day. Imagine my surprise when I saw my name on her wonderful blog! I won a wonderful sewing basket full of amazing high quality sewing goodies all valued at around $120!!! Here is a picture of the goods:</b></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Truly, I feel like the luckiest girl alive right now! Thanks so much, Madame Samm!!</b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9X_cASgR-1W1g1P6DyuMqcNR6voYqvj-z4g7-ddRVsRJ2MFS5_Vb-vOl6bbfSuJUpX8BO8ss04C-aDVvYzKQ8ptw_BQ3G0FoWt85tVRKccVZOTYNb0XXPUzAOQU1mErzB25933oTlzo/s1600/%25232+WQ.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9X_cASgR-1W1g1P6DyuMqcNR6voYqvj-z4g7-ddRVsRJ2MFS5_Vb-vOl6bbfSuJUpX8BO8ss04C-aDVvYzKQ8ptw_BQ3G0FoWt85tVRKccVZOTYNb0XXPUzAOQU1mErzB25933oTlzo/s400/%25232+WQ.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636835538683105826" /></a>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-13093684399299085692011-08-03T08:10:00.000-07:002011-08-03T08:30:21.197-07:00WIP Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;">Greetings! I was putting of posting this until later today when I'd finished binding my Synchronized Squares quilt, but then I remembered (duh) that it's Work. In.<b><span class="Apple-style-span"> Progress</span></b>. Wednesday. Not "Work I've Finished Wednesday". So, here's my progress thus far:</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoiGypslcRTOwDRdZl2OT7jy2xkR8yBbX6ZFxa-6FgFtKEHul93i6aTTH9jr2zYBEcpg8zED178S-aOmLiW6iswHcfk-XGsc9jsVJtyXilL9YgN3jMxhhHeo4uyQMAj4DAFHHG3eEc-g/s1600/100_8551a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzoiGypslcRTOwDRdZl2OT7jy2xkR8yBbX6ZFxa-6FgFtKEHul93i6aTTH9jr2zYBEcpg8zED178S-aOmLiW6iswHcfk-XGsc9jsVJtyXilL9YgN3jMxhhHeo4uyQMAj4DAFHHG3eEc-g/s400/100_8551a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636648330776330402" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The quilt didn't originally call for sashing, but I added it to make it bigger. It has been a pretty fun pattern, but difficult to get everything to add up. My local JoAnn Fabric store has a problem keeping Kona solids in stock and they ran out of Kona Snow so I had to get a backup fabric because I was too lazy to wait for some (I was in the groove, ya know) so even though the colors match, the 'other' fabric stretched all crazy so some of my squares stretched and made it impossible to line up my seams correctly (grrr). I would care more if this was going to someone else, but since it will be mine to use as another picnic quilt, I am okay with the mess-ups.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbzgnALJI8UJjdLP2haorvQaJGMgxpJqPxIdk0PWXkTlfx79EmWuYpprD8v8PZdYMKuv7CNQX8lABcYZTecw0rUlljZv9jh-opxltMLtMtflC0AlG1C6iUIgZLG3uTri_SCuPV54YmAQ/s1600/100_8550a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbzgnALJI8UJjdLP2haorvQaJGMgxpJqPxIdk0PWXkTlfx79EmWuYpprD8v8PZdYMKuv7CNQX8lABcYZTecw0rUlljZv9jh-opxltMLtMtflC0AlG1C6iUIgZLG3uTri_SCuPV54YmAQ/s400/100_8550a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636648317320442914" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">AAAAAaaaannnd...guess what I got from Ireland yesterday? My Japanese import fabric swap results! Cindy from <a href="http://fluffysheepquilting.blogspot.com/">Fluffy Sheep Quilting</a> totally delivered on this! I love and have plans for each one of these lovelies!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4ErzKO3WBGe1MHeSaHHinO3Pnv9CYPlRx21Cc3k2KhfHSZPajCg8GMx8bLoZvXNSUEFeeRQVt59SZ2nkmw5xwp80IHGRomHjndvXhuZNG-1ipES3trsye-9V6MLfYT7EHdAW3mmkA58/s1600/100_8546a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 292px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf4ErzKO3WBGe1MHeSaHHinO3Pnv9CYPlRx21Cc3k2KhfHSZPajCg8GMx8bLoZvXNSUEFeeRQVt59SZ2nkmw5xwp80IHGRomHjndvXhuZNG-1ipES3trsye-9V6MLfYT7EHdAW3mmkA58/s400/100_8546a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636648303454020018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I got two each of 28 fabrics (if you count there are 27, one pile ended up hidden- oops!)</div><div style="text-align: center;">I swear, some day I will have a camera that will do fabric justice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF5TOCSLl_-igHAzA2C9GhRR69D9Rz8xdJ3whQCigfY9KoiSXHqiPJrUzO3zy8hpo83-JrPMf66vIL4TYy_34FG4PM02FOORwqFLwsPccSsFJKNjqvsaLEardzTx0k_LNcoE1oiS3Ju0/s1600/100_8548a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF5TOCSLl_-igHAzA2C9GhRR69D9Rz8xdJ3whQCigfY9KoiSXHqiPJrUzO3zy8hpo83-JrPMf66vIL4TYy_34FG4PM02FOORwqFLwsPccSsFJKNjqvsaLEardzTx0k_LNcoE1oiS3Ju0/s400/100_8548a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636648285397802066" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">A few of my favorites!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDT5wP2FdCAO_sQfge4ZPxvMquNwrDj0T-JqPdgO1uckXf16arzFv6vm_V5P3AXoIwQNaE46SM3khv2bmwlJssJtWMdJvPoYbXOLy6p7q2ZIh9-Zlu-KMWgUvgJexqjVD5IG5rEavocU/s1600/100_8549a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 353px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFDT5wP2FdCAO_sQfge4ZPxvMquNwrDj0T-JqPdgO1uckXf16arzFv6vm_V5P3AXoIwQNaE46SM3khv2bmwlJssJtWMdJvPoYbXOLy6p7q2ZIh9-Zlu-KMWgUvgJexqjVD5IG5rEavocU/s400/100_8549a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5636648274871944258" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This cute little piggy print was my contribution. I found it from a really cute shop on Etsy called "This and That From Japan"</div><div style="text-align: center;">I'm hoping to have more pictures of my Synchronized Squares quilt some time soon.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Go see what everyone else is up to over at <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com">Freshly Pieced</a>!</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-61310149510982386192011-07-27T08:04:00.000-07:002011-07-27T08:28:49.536-07:00WIP Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Where has the last week g</span>one? My camera is a cheap-o Kodak dealio and requires a plug-in charger for the battery (which got lost in my move, heaven help me) so I don't have much new to show you, but I'll do my best with photos I can find online to illustrate what I'm talking about! (Holy run-on sentence, Batman!) As you know, I finished my <a href="http://mypolkadotapron.blogspot.com/2011/07/kaleidoscope-quilt-finished.html">Kaleidoscope Quilt</a> from <a href="http://dontcallmebetsy.blogspot.com/2011/05/come-join-kaleidoscope-quilt-along.html">Don't Call Me Betsy</a>. My first ever Quilt Along and I finished it! It was such a fun pattern to make and I so appreciate the time she put into doing the tutorials and taking the time to comment on everyone's photos in the flickr stream. I will definitely be joining another one of hers if she does one in the future. I also have made progress on my <a href="http://www.psiquilt.com/2011/06/synchronized-squares-quilt-along_30.html">Synchronized Squares quilt from PS I Quilt</a>. I am seriously tempted to use it as my main Quilt on my bed, but I will have to take out the Zoo Animal print from Central Park, since that doesn't really scream 'romance'.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LoaCfOWMUQwfgFhhj1ZrsKmdGay-QTlaG_-jfclaXZVDi-W-aZBegIOMbMMpnpgnhXwhU00S6YCD0FbA6pqIuFXa-hHHLWDgHowXfaiXlG7it7M8ypVWx__EqQv-G57x-kfzR9Ym0k4/s1600/100_8499.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LoaCfOWMUQwfgFhhj1ZrsKmdGay-QTlaG_-jfclaXZVDi-W-aZBegIOMbMMpnpgnhXwhU00S6YCD0FbA6pqIuFXa-hHHLWDgHowXfaiXlG7it7M8ypVWx__EqQv-G57x-kfzR9Ym0k4/s400/100_8499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634050021539799314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLirKd_keLdh4noJOdYYe1DkzMXFIf9YbfmTZIMAxdscRqO4BZ32fMMLjPr21gH-aH3q9dkEI54BhvV4_FyrByYdZ63iQWwb5VzJXx-nd6ZU3H0WFLOs8U5BkEjGLRcFDcu0-_lmuYaM/s1600/100_8484.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 169px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLirKd_keLdh4noJOdYYe1DkzMXFIf9YbfmTZIMAxdscRqO4BZ32fMMLjPr21gH-aH3q9dkEI54BhvV4_FyrByYdZ63iQWwb5VzJXx-nd6ZU3H0WFLOs8U5BkEjGLRcFDcu0-_lmuYaM/s400/100_8484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634050014515803426" /></a>This is the binding for the quilt. I actually have made more progress than this, but my camera needs to be charged first before I can get some pictures posted.<div>I am starting a new project today for my sons, Kolton and Sam. I bought some adorable fabric from Michael Miller (Beep Beep and Toot Toot) and I am going to combine it with scraps to make<a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/2009/12/raw-edge-circle-quilt-tutorial.html"> THIS quilt</a> that has a tutorial over at <a href="http://www.cluckclucksew.com/">Cluck Cluck Sew</a>. How fun is this? My hubby is in the s.l.o.w. process of making a bunk bed for the boys and I can't wait to see how these quilts will look on it!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwI8aFjZZUexyAa76M61L2Z7wYxqY3hfNpdkiRwtVuzr32NNRjwX2PnLeZrOs89t7I3JuODmV_n9NjON9I63uv9Ci5FzMjGLOoRzP3eBmECUc-7rkGa6cxe4cTZQZyZtKymZFZwUn_8X4/s1600/IMG_1527_thumb1.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 374px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwI8aFjZZUexyAa76M61L2Z7wYxqY3hfNpdkiRwtVuzr32NNRjwX2PnLeZrOs89t7I3JuODmV_n9NjON9I63uv9Ci5FzMjGLOoRzP3eBmECUc-7rkGa6cxe4cTZQZyZtKymZFZwUn_8X4/s400/IMG_1527_thumb1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634051356355979730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpnNO8kCXkJZZrFrKzu1ExrgV0XnvA1FsDsNUlZiIpRAJiA1nbDGzywL738K3nht8SbmYhMXimw7OUfBnnO0dq2DgbjyXD9lqTJM_TQcKoS-e_FXrZ_VyfdK2DhxFwCD5devDyUhm-hg/s1600/toot+toot.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpnNO8kCXkJZZrFrKzu1ExrgV0XnvA1FsDsNUlZiIpRAJiA1nbDGzywL738K3nht8SbmYhMXimw7OUfBnnO0dq2DgbjyXD9lqTJM_TQcKoS-e_FXrZ_VyfdK2DhxFwCD5devDyUhm-hg/s400/toot+toot.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634051355591480946" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Toot Toot"</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCW8LOKZ4Ql2aSDtXcpM2OFHFMusZ3sX7ltXBDEUHUu_2wYC670EPDfa2PE2Uo8pWtXsZRvwpkEiP_CAOBRp5QXI7faSgAnxAJx1lLoFQLvhBz-T-gXV3t7WftV005tjUNq1MzjXFjoc/s1600/honk+honk.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCW8LOKZ4Ql2aSDtXcpM2OFHFMusZ3sX7ltXBDEUHUu_2wYC670EPDfa2PE2Uo8pWtXsZRvwpkEiP_CAOBRp5QXI7faSgAnxAJx1lLoFQLvhBz-T-gXV3t7WftV005tjUNq1MzjXFjoc/s400/honk+honk.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634051352722253266" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">"Beep Beep"</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am going to combine these main fabrics with scraps of reds, browns, blacks, blues etc. to make it really scrappy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Well, that is it for<a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/"> WIP Wednesday</a> this week- go check out the others who are linking up over at <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/">Freshly Pieced!</a>. One project finished, two in the works. Hopefully soon I will have some new pictures to post. I guess this means I have to clean my house thoroughly to find my camera charger, eh? *sigh* maybe my new project will have to wait a day or so! In happy news, my local Bernina quilt shop is having their usual 5th Saturday Everything-30% off sale this Saturday! Good thing we have a Christmas fund already in place, because that's how I'm paying for all that goodness! I'll show y'all my booty after I go shopping (provided my camera works, of course)</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-15938482052050871862011-07-26T07:16:00.000-07:002011-07-26T09:16:00.543-07:00Kaleidoscope Quilt Finished!<div style="text-align: center;">Oh, happy day! I actually finished this one on time! I went a little bigger on the dimensions to make this a small picnic quilt. We were able to break it in yesterday during the Pioneer Day celebration in Logan. I am really happy with how it turned out. I wish it was a tad bigger, but it fits our little family well enough for a parade or picnic.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhFXRapNhiKE44uk8a3osbWwqMFcCHiDp0xi0s9AcFLgbWkLF_GcKrioP4AuV7WvSlNA_6WOGDWWNVj78FFNrc2ZBd-fwPU3E1ohOm7-GwevQ79R50MMx8XjX4UXykljFJV2rnEHMYFU/s1600/100_8523.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 269px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHhFXRapNhiKE44uk8a3osbWwqMFcCHiDp0xi0s9AcFLgbWkLF_GcKrioP4AuV7WvSlNA_6WOGDWWNVj78FFNrc2ZBd-fwPU3E1ohOm7-GwevQ79R50MMx8XjX4UXykljFJV2rnEHMYFU/s400/100_8523.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633666128580103618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Mr. Polka Dot Apron and Kolton snuggled up for a nap before the parade</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONwREjDTFODtAsECy-rrYPc5rQ3RWhDKVEM2b8qIUstT4orHTjVXqWr_aB1BqVfBvQQyouadYJYqWRgNMXWHi2bECoZ4p_JhJ_stOuhR7A-JfRSPQplF532O-qaR5SOV3H2qK5Dg-vSo/s1600/100_8513.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiONwREjDTFODtAsECy-rrYPc5rQ3RWhDKVEM2b8qIUstT4orHTjVXqWr_aB1BqVfBvQQyouadYJYqWRgNMXWHi2bECoZ4p_JhJ_stOuhR7A-JfRSPQplF532O-qaR5SOV3H2qK5Dg-vSo/s400/100_8513.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633666123035460722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Kolton and Sam munching on chicken nuggets (got it all nice and crummy!)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXoIUn-uJySMtgrV9xbnYMxottDwWVX22gWNPhqCqO3xwhIvtE7tg0X7U1AnRyj0XF8p8OBiBjRKvLK9BxcYTL2Donf8gUqQf2GLTPohQW-pbeMzyjH2MvcZAfmEBYdkQHkuKyYwIb7g/s1600/100_8519.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 379px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYXoIUn-uJySMtgrV9xbnYMxottDwWVX22gWNPhqCqO3xwhIvtE7tg0X7U1AnRyj0XF8p8OBiBjRKvLK9BxcYTL2Donf8gUqQf2GLTPohQW-pbeMzyjH2MvcZAfmEBYdkQHkuKyYwIb7g/s400/100_8519.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633666117103936018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Aaaaand, here she is!!! I used scraps from (I don't know where) for the border and binding, but the rest is all Bliss by Bonnie and Camille for Moda and Kona Snow.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqDRs3XJBSHQ7ivjFzWloZtxQjiQS8_HTjO9PJ4_SzgGwtx88sQQOET-p5V7I5bi0OlKerP9updFhzvz9mJiuuKWYf_KB2qpuVbDwvoEz1UKuK5TTAdi1s9fkPiXN0vC8ip1fBIcvapU/s1600/100_8521.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqDRs3XJBSHQ7ivjFzWloZtxQjiQS8_HTjO9PJ4_SzgGwtx88sQQOET-p5V7I5bi0OlKerP9updFhzvz9mJiuuKWYf_KB2qpuVbDwvoEz1UKuK5TTAdi1s9fkPiXN0vC8ip1fBIcvapU/s400/100_8521.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633666113256037378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The back is all sorts of scraps left over from the front. I went a little nutso but I am actually really happy with the result! As you can tell, I quilted along the white portions of the front (sorry, it is really wrinkly from the heat and being sat on in un-mowed grass). I think this quilt will get lots of use this summer!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I am linking up to<a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/2011/07/fabric-tuesday-linky-party.html"> "Fabric Tuesday" at Quiltstory</a> today- go check out the other fun projects going on!</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-76517367018749520452011-07-20T13:09:00.001-07:002011-07-20T13:33:35.271-07:00WIP Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfJdItuI0oypuvDDiZz7LHsp99RRRGbuWA6bkJUIbECeFYXkQIPJaWZKRxtvZWaDFC4dwtm6dFf2_qHL8U59tE6zLWUezldarsoD_meuqAo4kRmkh4chNUANsQfG8a-WpCWRuLKUdNpg/s1600/wipwednesdaybutton.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSfJdItuI0oypuvDDiZz7LHsp99RRRGbuWA6bkJUIbECeFYXkQIPJaWZKRxtvZWaDFC4dwtm6dFf2_qHL8U59tE6zLWUezldarsoD_meuqAo4kRmkh4chNUANsQfG8a-WpCWRuLKUdNpg/s400/wipwednesdaybutton.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631535344777851586" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Seeing as I've missed the last couple WIP Wednesdays, I feel I should have WAY more to show than I do, but I'm doing as well as can be expected with all this gorgeous weather we have been having :D To start with, Bits O Blocks is FINALLY finished!! I just need to give him a wash and deliver him to the proud mama!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QkIFx1RmVSVv-_wx6Q35zkrCXyU-V4JdHlyg7LCy0Sy7fySs3acRUJ0vvacZ-hxZ0mVwKFvhKiY6rQbBRHNG6MbM7IDslCs0tb90A90EmjvpSinMD2YA3tz8XvnyJbpuMsJk-36aU_0/s1600/100_8489.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9QkIFx1RmVSVv-_wx6Q35zkrCXyU-V4JdHlyg7LCy0Sy7fySs3acRUJ0vvacZ-hxZ0mVwKFvhKiY6rQbBRHNG6MbM7IDslCs0tb90A90EmjvpSinMD2YA3tz8XvnyJbpuMsJk-36aU_0/s400/100_8489.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631529837384031986" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I'm still on the fence about the border, but I think with the Kona Coal as the binding, it downplays it a bit.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxw4mG1vKk8uxwBuVjtSEaEp9PDHfuBZTpM2MgMabI7hXBf0babfUuNtx-I7TT37rkO96DBeRt8girTxy_v4ELWwe10ePSET1J-pr3M3emWS_laZ_Q8QIeADGVAjz8hH0mtmZbFCmYmWg/s1600/100_8491.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 337px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxw4mG1vKk8uxwBuVjtSEaEp9PDHfuBZTpM2MgMabI7hXBf0babfUuNtx-I7TT37rkO96DBeRt8girTxy_v4ELWwe10ePSET1J-pr3M3emWS_laZ_Q8QIeADGVAjz8hH0mtmZbFCmYmWg/s400/100_8491.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631529828263683730" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This is my first attempt and making a creative back for a quilt and even though it is pretty basic, I'm still pretty darn happy about it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYhv03e08dSpPJr0r3R-YDrKYEH_Nrv8cNPkeibjzpTWmyLznQF_oxAMBb3afoJpnhooVtmYMZrv9CA5bKbIOe3M74W9zdCkoRv9qLObVKmI4Hm-IYFT48TGKK14-YV3CZA7o8fGesgY/s1600/100_8494.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYhv03e08dSpPJr0r3R-YDrKYEH_Nrv8cNPkeibjzpTWmyLznQF_oxAMBb3afoJpnhooVtmYMZrv9CA5bKbIOe3M74W9zdCkoRv9qLObVKmI4Hm-IYFT48TGKK14-YV3CZA7o8fGesgY/s400/100_8494.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631532235177264674" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a close-up of the quilting I did. I just went along each row of blocks and I think it made the back look pretty fun and funky.</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">In further news, I am ready to put my quilt top together for my <a href="http://dontcallmebetsy.blogspot.com/p/kaleidoscope-qal.html">Kaleidoscope QAL</a> and I'm really happy with it so far. I didn't have enough Bliss fabric to make it into a picnic sized quilt so I used some scraps (the brown polka dot) and I used Kona Snow for the white. I can't wait to get it done in time for the Pioneer Day celebration we will have here on the 25th. There will be booths and a candy cannon and fireworks, so it should put my boys into paroxysms of happiness.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZmmsxPMnrh57JfRINbzpA-CIDxRImQdqi57NfZPZilc98NPxpWQFwawaoXIk9_8LEy6Rt9JFO0FBNZ49_VkL7Q8b1FWZN41Lo6-07ZHiOoH3_aZdB3f4Fl_NY6v0auFw_cpOD9GZVBw/s1600/100_8500.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ZmmsxPMnrh57JfRINbzpA-CIDxRImQdqi57NfZPZilc98NPxpWQFwawaoXIk9_8LEy6Rt9JFO0FBNZ49_VkL7Q8b1FWZN41Lo6-07ZHiOoH3_aZdB3f4Fl_NY6v0auFw_cpOD9GZVBw/s400/100_8500.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631532224081231794" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The colors in this picture turned out a bit weird, but if you know Bliss, then you get the idea!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIPt16shW1ENIWauaNB_InNsf3F5q1JnTlRODx9prpScyoZstXHAkwNPDx1tK9RL62xzb_39GBABEIdjMuXndgCIbwAAziREETxvaxhKAPbvPd6A5jl-XeSizdGgFh_pEyblqcX6X6fk/s1600/100_8499.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 360px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIPt16shW1ENIWauaNB_InNsf3F5q1JnTlRODx9prpScyoZstXHAkwNPDx1tK9RL62xzb_39GBABEIdjMuXndgCIbwAAziREETxvaxhKAPbvPd6A5jl-XeSizdGgFh_pEyblqcX6X6fk/s400/100_8499.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631532198152951586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZzzlS9iY03KtCEmuyx0HXyiNrOQVpsccvUUC-ZpystD9n19v_M-5MPBDpF-DjumsEOHH_Y5JV8t33teIXWRb_jYVMjiYaY_okeGM8MVBBA5Jb099lhOQeJaMNdC8SmWF46NJWl3Eor8/s1600/100_8484.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZzzlS9iY03KtCEmuyx0HXyiNrOQVpsccvUUC-ZpystD9n19v_M-5MPBDpF-DjumsEOHH_Y5JV8t33teIXWRb_jYVMjiYaY_okeGM8MVBBA5Jb099lhOQeJaMNdC8SmWF46NJWl3Eor8/s400/100_8484.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631532188421280834" /></a></div></div><br />And last (at least for today), I have started piecing my <a href="http://www.psiquilt.com/2011/06/synchronized-squares-quilt-along_30.html">Synchronized Squares</a> together at last. I was a bit bummed when I checked my computer one day only to find that she had posted the final directions for the QAL with a notice that the drawing for the prizes would be within 24 hours of that. I had started piecing it together but knew I couldn't finish it AND post a picture of the completed quilt top within 24 hours (boo) so I put it aside and focused on other projects. I {heart} Central Park and can't wait to see it all finished! It is total eye candy and my son is having the best time helping me put together each block. I will post pics as it comes together a bit more. Wow, I have been pretty busy! Go over to <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/">Freshly Pieced</a> and see what everyone else has been up to!<div><br /></div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-29301715698943087712011-07-16T08:11:00.001-07:002011-07-16T10:17:35.636-07:00I'm baaaaaack!!!Please excuse my prolonged absence! Life has been a bit insane :D We finally cleaned out our storage area and I have been up to my armpits in boxes (most of them full of stuff to donate- why do I hold on to so much crap?!). I am also trying to take advantage of the lovely weather we have been enjoying with my boys.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhZv9PkaYmw5J6PsIvoblTyxQMiLRj9eZNzWyQtI-hBuGKp_kv-Mchv_z9jpXLWq9kyEkUzTRPiDtiLfBtd6ybfzNWy2j7ocC599btOML9sBSjzLfcaJuQDEKzmPJRji3n92wUvZlXos/s1600/100_8455.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZhZv9PkaYmw5J6PsIvoblTyxQMiLRj9eZNzWyQtI-hBuGKp_kv-Mchv_z9jpXLWq9kyEkUzTRPiDtiLfBtd6ybfzNWy2j7ocC599btOML9sBSjzLfcaJuQDEKzmPJRji3n92wUvZlXos/s400/100_8455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629968652471883570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sprinklers are Kolton and Sam's new obsession!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiZXMPFObV5BFLXs-CEmI0sdXk9v2Lpzveat4gkTqZyiFstAbUORdUU3bWVVO-nnDZjQMuuTzlrM2D18eTuZdqGVLFxkI0JssGFTyCs3LQYgow9kigX7wLqDeZZhDgl8reKvoWS1ejAg/s1600/100_8473.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiiZXMPFObV5BFLXs-CEmI0sdXk9v2Lpzveat4gkTqZyiFstAbUORdUU3bWVVO-nnDZjQMuuTzlrM2D18eTuZdqGVLFxkI0JssGFTyCs3LQYgow9kigX7wLqDeZZhDgl8reKvoWS1ejAg/s400/100_8473.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629968648069222594" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Not to mention I have been busy chasing after this little munchkin!</div><div style="text-align: center;">His hands are doing much better, but as you can see, he still has a lot of tightness from where they put the grafts, so he has to wear a splint every night to keep his hands from curling up permanently. </div><div style="text-align: center;">However, I have not completely given up on sewing! I am on a mission to add some brightness to my house. When we moved in 6 years ago after building this place, tans and browns and blacks and other earth tones were very 'in'. Now, I am dying for some color and don't have the moolah to paint, so I am sewing up some color instead!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2qwfk_jBgzN1AaMkKxpNX4i1kbcU2mFPPYrw-ZxbpEUrBbF9w4sGCiUdJM7PpfDUp1XVnelRaX9nLE9QlEYuiIEhgLlla5oOejGm57yTzfdkG5i1lkH2R4zKsyF3Mieerh_jtPxb4XM/s1600/100_8466a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF2qwfk_jBgzN1AaMkKxpNX4i1kbcU2mFPPYrw-ZxbpEUrBbF9w4sGCiUdJM7PpfDUp1XVnelRaX9nLE9QlEYuiIEhgLlla5oOejGm57yTzfdkG5i1lkH2R4zKsyF3Mieerh_jtPxb4XM/s400/100_8466a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629970700075891874" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Plain white curtains using Kona Snow and Fandango by Kate Spain on my back door.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowHUpxyo91YKXQjAncPeFz4n5MiTELxJlOeQgXk1PL9JTB-hBCqwuXPayfNaOrtkIAHjgbQi2LuVfhIkymIPQdC0x1eEKypZN5u-yFvXLwffqL21Ly0U9LQOCdTo4CoufuMdlsqFMk2g/s1600/100_8464.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiowHUpxyo91YKXQjAncPeFz4n5MiTELxJlOeQgXk1PL9JTB-hBCqwuXPayfNaOrtkIAHjgbQi2LuVfhIkymIPQdC0x1eEKypZN5u-yFvXLwffqL21Ly0U9LQOCdTo4CoufuMdlsqFMk2g/s400/100_8464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629970040862846386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I am making some new pillows for my brown couches. I used some leftover scraps from JoAnn's as well as Fandango by Kate Spain. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprQwoN0Wwp4uZgcfyBnaLfYVyRO_rp1mlmUUYP3oY1uPkaWxBQRx2UhfRZIPc2lrsemyHKQ8YsmwD_f0RUbUt8xTjZtyy6zWnh7P5jyDilIb07nj5hLatZIq8Wz3FNUvyFKNnYcM5uyE/s1600/100_8465.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhprQwoN0Wwp4uZgcfyBnaLfYVyRO_rp1mlmUUYP3oY1uPkaWxBQRx2UhfRZIPc2lrsemyHKQ8YsmwD_f0RUbUt8xTjZtyy6zWnh7P5jyDilIb07nj5hLatZIq8Wz3FNUvyFKNnYcM5uyE/s400/100_8465.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629970036410199410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I love how it brightens up the living room a bit!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_iiMtRzpi9uUKghj97S_5z0-0EdhcGZv0x1fJzvS8A00SYXF5Hf0koF9UVZBusUOAJ6l0LDmBdrXTAV71B9zM3GQKele_0ROMfSNOOg1Cc05XZYg2DOh9XC_HJwoQLfNHRSnPxPv_Dk/s1600/100_8458a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 356px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_iiMtRzpi9uUKghj97S_5z0-0EdhcGZv0x1fJzvS8A00SYXF5Hf0koF9UVZBusUOAJ6l0LDmBdrXTAV71B9zM3GQKele_0ROMfSNOOg1Cc05XZYg2DOh9XC_HJwoQLfNHRSnPxPv_Dk/s400/100_8458a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629970031417493826" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I also FINALLY finished up the very first quilt I ever pieced! I started this puppy 8 years ago when I decided to learn how to quilt. There are so many obvious mistakes, but I am so proud to finally have it finished! I gave up on sewing shortly after this and didn't pick it up again (at least the quilting aspect) until this year. I have been sewing costumes for our community theater for years, but it is so nice to have been bitten by the quilting bug again!</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjBnrj5dIHScORpMhFAnjJyWhNW8N_nHGkCR3oQJ-6bEmA8rutXTlVYqFqPo0yq3tt2kcRMp9lrX4BtgIsme3oXVORmAILXnD8wJqe3EPaHrdN-EJg0E-efOisXAVHmECTCJLZUar1Ek/s1600/100_8479.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 386px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjBnrj5dIHScORpMhFAnjJyWhNW8N_nHGkCR3oQJ-6bEmA8rutXTlVYqFqPo0yq3tt2kcRMp9lrX4BtgIsme3oXVORmAILXnD8wJqe3EPaHrdN-EJg0E-efOisXAVHmECTCJLZUar1Ek/s400/100_8479.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5629970700077765554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And last, but certainly not least, I have cut all my fabric for the <a href="http://dontcallmebetsy.blogspot.com/p/kaleidoscope-qal.html">Kaleidoscope QAL</a> and began putting it on my design wall (aka- old shower curtain!). I am also in the midst of piecing together my <a href="http://www.psiquilt.com/2011/06/synchronized-squares-quilt-along_30.html">Synchronized Squares QAL</a> blocks. So, though I haven't been blogging, I am still happily sewing away!!! I promise now that things have calmed down a bit to be more on top of my posting. In further news, my <a href="http://mypolkadotapron.blogspot.com/2011/06/bits-o-blocks-is-ready-to-be-basted.html">Bits O Blocks</a> is being bound today and will be (hopefully!) available to see tomorrow!</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-17575925116658039872011-07-01T06:55:00.000-07:002011-07-01T07:17:26.348-07:00A few small projects<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Well, after getting home from my trip, I really had to buckle down and finish unpacking my house and getting things in order. I have been known to sew despite the mess, but I prefer a nice clean environment in which to create! Yesterday, I worked on my sewing room and as a reward at the end of the day, I decided to whip out a couple things for my kitchen. I love my kitchen in this house! It is a beautiful 'cherry cobbler' red with honey gold knotty alder cabinets that my hubby made. Well, I've made about a hundred towels and pot holders for everyone I know, and none for me, so I decided to chuck my 11 year old pot holders and make some new ones (didn't use a tutorial for these, just went with it!) along with a hand-drying towel I made using<a href="http://pin-sew-press.blogspot.com/2010/05/tutorial-stay-put-kitchen-towel.html"> THIS tutorial from Pin.Sew.Press</a>.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI38szlBXLcIGwpufYxDNIyWTKr17C5uvZGSlSV0Nu4430rgUZvjk2-kwoeI7IURzpU8ldrlvX3znQF4eHbV10iL2vmJadI-75_j6bc8Ixpesbe0ieGygUqw37kDbC55BuPdM4FyDbMs/s1600/100_8388.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 317px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVI38szlBXLcIGwpufYxDNIyWTKr17C5uvZGSlSV0Nu4430rgUZvjk2-kwoeI7IURzpU8ldrlvX3znQF4eHbV10iL2vmJadI-75_j6bc8Ixpesbe0ieGygUqw37kDbC55BuPdM4FyDbMs/s400/100_8388.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624384613312652386" /></b></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XP05gOK10fEjrayl5ADrWpYlISUDcynbqZKfA7jAwWkArDOgPT0v2z2oHrUpnhhB_eWw3VnEMnTiAWZ-dFhA6Tqeb31nChz996aTLA6gVAnX82Pf_d40c2FrTy9vQlUgbtX9X8L_NAo/s1600/100_8389.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XP05gOK10fEjrayl5ADrWpYlISUDcynbqZKfA7jAwWkArDOgPT0v2z2oHrUpnhhB_eWw3VnEMnTiAWZ-dFhA6Tqeb31nChz996aTLA6gVAnX82Pf_d40c2FrTy9vQlUgbtX9X8L_NAo/s400/100_8389.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624384606639516322" /></b></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><br /></b></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEN0MhTkQRW95hUmnvuE65aT4XTzury8W57yDaWCpoXOfgbA6GsIJf1wo0stWDT18kh9aDxRQWBqZ6UzhfT6GlIU9fm73FZtcKM3rli94Adn0MXxD34mSEsiWK23fxipNpWrBaMNGX7Y/s1600/100_8392.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEN0MhTkQRW95hUmnvuE65aT4XTzury8W57yDaWCpoXOfgbA6GsIJf1wo0stWDT18kh9aDxRQWBqZ6UzhfT6GlIU9fm73FZtcKM3rli94Adn0MXxD34mSEsiWK23fxipNpWrBaMNGX7Y/s400/100_8392.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5624384604361932034" /></b></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>Isn't that fabric so cute? I got it at JoAnn's a while ago. It was the only bolt there, and it was printed crooked. Now, it could just be me, but I don't think I should have to pay full price for something that is not printed correctly, because any sewer worth their salt knows that if you mess with the grain of the fabric in order to get a design centered or straightened, it will go all wonky. Therefore, I pitched a bit of a fit when they wouldn't mark it down for me (Okay, I really just said I was disappointed, but that is a step for me) and I had a coupon anyway, so I just got a little and figured that a small project like I was doing shouldn't be too bad, and in reality, it wasn't. It does pull a little strangely, but overall I am happy with them. I really wanted to get enough to make me a new kitchen apron, but with the strange direction of the print, there was no way it would work (unless the fabric had been 60% off, then I would have made it work ;D )Sooo, there we are! New kitchen goodies! More projects to come soon!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" ><b>~Happy Sewin</b></span>g!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-550704949226063202011-06-27T09:46:00.000-07:002011-06-27T09:59:21.771-07:00Tempting...<div style="text-align: center;">Well, I'm back from my wonderful mini vacation! We drove down to Mesquite, NV on Wednesday (about a 7 hour trip), then spent Thursday in Las Vegas (just my sisters and I, mom and grandma stayed behind to hit the slots), and then cleaned my grandma's trailer home on Friday (holy BUCKETS! The woman has been a heavy smoker for her whole life and while the place was kept very clean, that stuff really sticks to everything, so much scrubbing was involved!) and drove home on Saturday! It was a whirlwind, but still some time away from home and responsibilities. Now I am pumped to get caught up with my life and back to my projects. Now, I am wasting away my time on the computer and stumbled across this Quilt Along:</div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="http://reannalilydesigns.com/2011/06/modern-row-robin-quilt-along/"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs4sBKyChp-bDzzurzx36E9m1pt2WVYivL0pJhmEDH0KXbrgMfx_naqA_c5dzMKRKOQa7d94DdnwCUfeCn16slliHltR2A4OvJt4Lm-_ZMtWlHL9zYkGJl36D53eXp61xu2Cdunz8yPw/s1600/RockinRobinBlogButton2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQs4sBKyChp-bDzzurzx36E9m1pt2WVYivL0pJhmEDH0KXbrgMfx_naqA_c5dzMKRKOQa7d94DdnwCUfeCn16slliHltR2A4OvJt4Lm-_ZMtWlHL9zYkGJl36D53eXp61xu2Cdunz8yPw/s400/RockinRobinBlogButton2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5622944322018142738" /></a><br /><br />(the button does not want to work here, so <a href="http://reannalilydesigns.com/2011/06/modern-row-robin-quilt-along/">THIS</a> is the link to the QAL)<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It sounds like a wonderful opportunity to try out different blocks and learn different quilting styles. The way it works is like a Row Robin quilt. Back in the day, women would start with a row on their quilt, and then pass it on to another lady who would add a row, and on it went until the original lady got her quilt back. This is similar, other than you keep your original quilt the whole time, but five different quilt bloggers have designed and added their own row tutorial, one which will be revealed every Monday for five weeks!! I'm on the fence, but it seems like one I can make happen using just scraps and three yards of background fabric! How do i say no?? Anywhoo...I have lots to share with y'all later, but I'm off to get some unpacking, laundry and cleaning done. Am I the only woman who scrubs her house before going on vacation only to have it destroyed when I get home? Yeesh.</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-55616155443421115962011-06-20T13:32:00.001-07:002011-06-20T14:18:08.088-07:00<div style="text-align: center;">Well, today is Sew Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations and I thought I'd link up my <a href="http://mypolkadotapron.blogspot.com/2011/06/bits-o-blocks-is-ready-to-be-basted.html">Bits O Blocks quilt progress</a> :D Go check out all the fun linkies and get INSPIRED, people! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.canoeridgecreations.com/"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5045/5334052745_5cedb19f6c_m.jpg" width="150" height="200" alt="{Sew} Modern Monday at Canoe Ridge Creations" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Also, I just entered to win a FQ Stack over at <a href="http://www.jaybirdquilts.com/">Jaybird Quilts</a> courtesy of <a href="http://www.pinkchalkfabrics.com/">Pink Chalk Fabrics</a>. I love the thought of free fabric. It just makes me (and especially Mr. Polka Dot Apron) happy! If you love free stuff as much as I do, you should go check it out! Lots of fun happening in blogland. I'm going to post my WIP Wednesday on Tuesday (I know: GASP!) because I am going to be spending my Wednesday HERE:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNs1O-X6LQ1IoPIOzSL5XvfbJfsua7HmmpeDig8X4RGYl7q8zYiA-pVgYYDGru7d0CWCKUbdhffMzkeYLZPdkhM9h78yyUS3njlW__uhPJk17VWqM8LJMQIZVh4xfXo4VHcSRoO_Z6ZeY/s1600/las-vegas-sign.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNs1O-X6LQ1IoPIOzSL5XvfbJfsua7HmmpeDig8X4RGYl7q8zYiA-pVgYYDGru7d0CWCKUbdhffMzkeYLZPdkhM9h78yyUS3njlW__uhPJk17VWqM8LJMQIZVh4xfXo4VHcSRoO_Z6ZeY/s400/las-vegas-sign.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620403700482799042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">VIVA LAS VEGAS!!!!! My sisters (I have four) and mommy and grandma are all going down to clean out my grandma's trailer home in St. George, UT and we are going to take a couple days to hit the strip! I think I've earned the right to be a geeky tourist and laugh until I pee with six of my favorite gals. I am also getting some Cortizone injections in my neck tomorrow (BTW, my spine in my neck grows backwards, weird, eh?) so I will do my best to post my WIP's but I cannot guarantee it. Anywhooo, I hope y'all have a super week as well!</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-49769236039478571922011-06-18T04:51:00.000-07:002011-06-18T05:05:41.582-07:00Bits O Blocks is ready to be basted!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><b>Well, the top is finished! I am going to put a small border around it to give it a bit more body and make it a true crib-sized quilt, but other than that, the hard part (and fun part!) is over! I'm so glad I went with the orange, it really brightens it without it being over the top, I think :D. Anywhoo, the tutorial I used was from the<a href="http://whatarajaneloves.blogspot.com/2011/02/bits-and-blocks.html?showComment=1307575176737#c31691105662383678"> "You Know What I Love?"</a> blog, which is SUCH a fun blog to read and I highly recommend you check it out! She called her's bits and blocks and I called mine Bits O Blocks (I can't help how original I am sometimes...) I altered the pattern a bit by not making my vertical strips different widths, but 2 1/2 inches each, and doing less of them to make a more narrow quilt. I also added some sashing on the top and bottom of each 4-strip block to scrap it up a bit, even though it is all still in the same color- does that make sense? As wonky as it is, I still like to have some consistencies! So, here's the (nearly) final product!</b></span></div><div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNHx-6rJU4vsGJX1YzKBIppf6ZPVyvE2qiSKb5Ef48U0hiaVz7JwUOSfMO7TYNc_Qm2sRvxjMYBytMmMZvRN_dRy0nKG-L3GSWobT2BY3dIRvtZUbXNSgw6Mc94Pqeyiww1LbqOJFy-s/s1600/100_8231.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFNHx-6rJU4vsGJX1YzKBIppf6ZPVyvE2qiSKb5Ef48U0hiaVz7JwUOSfMO7TYNc_Qm2sRvxjMYBytMmMZvRN_dRy0nKG-L3GSWobT2BY3dIRvtZUbXNSgw6Mc94Pqeyiww1LbqOJFy-s/s400/100_8231.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619527757851029858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Ta DAAAAAA!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHPBwtzG4LcDmL_cOtjArpWcXIga2jBPTYFUK3L-8Gfptsxhdu_aqCiQtLEN6tBk7zYfFQkY6AmTKhbUYGyIfB9nsO_mgDpSMWCsynB0QZ6EwmDkdjecHrBFkBfZJG0bgABgwQmDyidg/s1600/100_8232.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbHPBwtzG4LcDmL_cOtjArpWcXIga2jBPTYFUK3L-8Gfptsxhdu_aqCiQtLEN6tBk7zYfFQkY6AmTKhbUYGyIfB9nsO_mgDpSMWCsynB0QZ6EwmDkdjecHrBFkBfZJG0bgABgwQmDyidg/s400/100_8232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619527735440928978" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Kolton managed to claim it for himself (and his trains) for a moment while I made sure Sam didn't stick his hands in the toilet (yeesh). He said "Mom, I LOVE this fabric- when you make me a quelt" (His pronunciation) So, I guess I know what my next project is, LOL!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Now onto the ironing and basting!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>~Happy Sewing!~</b></div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-85131595673155762952011-06-15T11:50:00.000-07:002011-06-15T11:58:23.468-07:00WIP WednesdayWednesday already??!! So, I took your advice (well, most of you, anyway!) and went with an orange row. I went to my scrap stash (which is, at this point, a garbage bag) and realized...No. Orange. WHA???? How did that happen? So, I had to break into my Central Park (by Kate Spain) layer cake that I just got for the <a href="http://www.psiquilt.com/2011/06/synchronized-squares-quilt-along.html">PS I Quilt QAL</a>. Hope I don't have to use too much of the orange LOL! So, here is the row all ready to stitch together and add to the quilt. I think that's all I'll get done for today, as I am still busily unpacking and taking care of two kiddos with cabin fever!<div><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVqsiS3PsJFe6wvv7lRmOeEw_5ThhkQjfyWXrvi1w2OZvJirGFyQpN879v8tD40fulBy311bqudWXRs_d6mnB3W16ZF2IV-EYvZSoQxTtFWCxnfFMP_n1_Wi-3cRa-AFme4FRAuosI3g/s1600/100_8224.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCVqsiS3PsJFe6wvv7lRmOeEw_5ThhkQjfyWXrvi1w2OZvJirGFyQpN879v8tD40fulBy311bqudWXRs_d6mnB3W16ZF2IV-EYvZSoQxTtFWCxnfFMP_n1_Wi-3cRa-AFme4FRAuosI3g/s400/100_8224.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618522263825787362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiqNasmnn6DpKNEYe58FKQ560vHQIfza7ITWD0gCE_XduK3lV4mnPTwvgH4d7DSdFIi7rhyphenhyphensLvI63dWPEiHBZj7Xam6NAbyzXhnbi9KZxqoi2GEoPW4Ljo8UXArOys6WLN2fTCkeTqFA/s1600/100_8225.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRiqNasmnn6DpKNEYe58FKQ560vHQIfza7ITWD0gCE_XduK3lV4mnPTwvgH4d7DSdFIi7rhyphenhyphensLvI63dWPEiHBZj7Xam6NAbyzXhnbi9KZxqoi2GEoPW4Ljo8UXArOys6WLN2fTCkeTqFA/s400/100_8225.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618522255790225890" /></a><br /><a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO58cSQS2v11GwADEUEoLp0DCa1jDbcEJ8-bOozLkhWRr_5Zs6WLlylsvbO6jEgiNyiosCckFM9rXs20Fqdz41ahdZ-sW5EiRQtzYrc0PDKpnpOlGlHCzQxX9A12JP3B9BeZmbeDcR8V0/s1600/wipwednesdaybutton.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO58cSQS2v11GwADEUEoLp0DCa1jDbcEJ8-bOozLkhWRr_5Zs6WLlylsvbO6jEgiNyiosCckFM9rXs20Fqdz41ahdZ-sW5EiRQtzYrc0PDKpnpOlGlHCzQxX9A12JP3B9BeZmbeDcR8V0/s400/wipwednesdaybutton.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618522249080060690" /></a>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-35110104224289026562011-06-14T16:52:00.000-07:002011-06-14T19:24:28.527-07:00Opinions? Anyone??<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCsfM-RTvs1NUNyjByAa72JwYcPQ4BUvv1iCOOcdGEaougukKgYGsXQQCOsrZesjXzzODnCPrVZ3qd23-EsT8S4OiPGrv6ZJfPjaJ4My7FyAEkCUVoEbt_hyphenhyphen22AIQDx8Zj-9hISA-51c/s1600/100_8223.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWCsfM-RTvs1NUNyjByAa72JwYcPQ4BUvv1iCOOcdGEaougukKgYGsXQQCOsrZesjXzzODnCPrVZ3qd23-EsT8S4OiPGrv6ZJfPjaJ4My7FyAEkCUVoEbt_hyphenhyphen22AIQDx8Zj-9hISA-51c/s400/100_8223.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618228303045955426" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X8Chd7x9UDvKkBlv4uepta2Hq-Edk4zutCj5j0F2C-0In2vVuBG1ZhBosprdQQfdhS0IG2sUOo-7jhOyHUNuSwGEywXLY0lHsBJqwWZJgpO97_49ymGqobkYbxE4eQnM19xKckJn-dg/s1600/100_8221.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X8Chd7x9UDvKkBlv4uepta2Hq-Edk4zutCj5j0F2C-0In2vVuBG1ZhBosprdQQfdhS0IG2sUOo-7jhOyHUNuSwGEywXLY0lHsBJqwWZJgpO97_49ymGqobkYbxE4eQnM19xKckJn-dg/s400/100_8221.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618228279011705986" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large; "><b>So, apart from linking up with <a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/">"Quilt Story's"</a> Fabric Tuesday, I am posting this to receive any opinions I can get regarding this unfinished quilt top. I want to add an additional row, but can't decide on the color. I am leaning toward orange, but red has crossed my mind as well. This is another baby boy quilt (they are sprouting up everywhere in my neighborhood!). I am planning on repeating the first three rows with the row in question being in the middle, so I want it to pop! So, any opinions would be GREATLY appreciated!!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>~Happy Sewing!~</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>NOTE: Holy cow!! I would be remiss if I took full credit for this amazing design! I got the idea and tutorial from<a href="http://whatarajaneloves.blogspot.com/2011/02/bits-and-blocks.html?showComment=1307575176737#c31691105662383678"> THIS</a> site. So sorry for not giving credit earlier.</b></span></div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-22950703690444778502011-06-08T12:08:00.001-07:002011-06-08T12:19:26.758-07:00WIP Wednesday<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Well, I think my mind is officially lost because I am starting up another QAL!! Any excuse to buy adorable fabric and sew to my heart's content while watching court shows on TV during naptime, right?? Am I RIGHT?? LOL- I wasn't joking when I said that quilting and sewing is my therapy- I guess I am in serious need! So, here goes, this QAL is with <a href="http://www.psiquilt.com/">PS I Quilt</a> which is a really delightful blog to read and you should all go check her out!</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>I will put up a button as soon as I can- either I am dumb (more than likely the case) or the button she has just isn't working. It looks like a totally do-able quilt and I can't wait to see how it looks in Kate Spain's Central Park line:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsvxIC3u0Iqcls7sCfibHdOwa4WpayfdNuYW9AZYKrij3m0aFSfmgnjLB6GOXMYy1ELgL_uLOLoj-YXHA81M2TUj391L6KW_g6eBWRqYJqLZDdqwNqI9h33Tgd3oFZi527HMIm-GfQrg/s1600/CentralPark_asstd.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><b><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 350px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVsvxIC3u0Iqcls7sCfibHdOwa4WpayfdNuYW9AZYKrij3m0aFSfmgnjLB6GOXMYy1ELgL_uLOLoj-YXHA81M2TUj391L6KW_g6eBWRqYJqLZDdqwNqI9h33Tgd3oFZi527HMIm-GfQrg/s400/CentralPark_asstd.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615929765546746130" /></b></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Heaven help me, here I go!!! I hope this counts as WIP because I have been shopping for fabric, and boy does that take WORK! :D I guess going through my scraps and getting moved into my new sewing room counts too, right?</b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTBHQza36XvHGVibrQCXjbuA4DqyUVRl_rNzbfhcpU-vbckPAumTz8jpS9JEZdCHmykzjYJKkRsWzMyIPOBSeL05POcNnsjurCSOVz5r5XntE2TBiYzxhlYm24KsXrJ9gC215ft3u-AY/s1600/wipwednesdaybutton.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><b><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTBHQza36XvHGVibrQCXjbuA4DqyUVRl_rNzbfhcpU-vbckPAumTz8jpS9JEZdCHmykzjYJKkRsWzMyIPOBSeL05POcNnsjurCSOVz5r5XntE2TBiYzxhlYm24KsXrJ9gC215ft3u-AY/s400/wipwednesdaybutton.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615930187231050178" /></b></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>~Happy Sewing</b>!~</div></div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-45829757054577078542011-06-08T07:20:00.000-07:002011-06-08T10:30:09.556-07:00Here Come's Jonny Bag....<div style="text-align: center;">Here comes Jonny Bag,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Yum, yum, yummy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">He eats leftover toys,</div><div style="text-align: center;">And puts 'em in his tummy.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So keep your things,</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nice and neat.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So Jonny can't find,</div><div style="text-align: center;">A thing to eat!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FB6CeWZ2iT_uMXSVjRhFW_tz2FpyHi6obXoVP9VNRPwkvk5voK9wFCw4iGhUgT0CTZ9TIY5-d79C8RN5nXw7eEBsIDQym_c1Shf_4N0pylSXL55h2R8GarwxYQing8EQVlqnEoMbsJg/s1600/100_8202.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 358px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FB6CeWZ2iT_uMXSVjRhFW_tz2FpyHi6obXoVP9VNRPwkvk5voK9wFCw4iGhUgT0CTZ9TIY5-d79C8RN5nXw7eEBsIDQym_c1Shf_4N0pylSXL55h2R8GarwxYQing8EQVlqnEoMbsJg/s400/100_8202.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615854188233203922" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, this is Jonny Bag. A clever little idea given to my by my hubby, who learned it from his mother. She used to teach pre-school and they used Jonny Bag to persuade the kids to clean up all the toys before he got there. It works like a charm on my three-year-old and I'm going to show you how to make one today!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Start with the following supplies:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Pillowcase (I got mine from a fun sheet set at Ross), scrap white and brown (or black) fabric, a shoelace or length of fabric to make a drawstring with,and fusible webbing or Wonder Under (not shown).</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgw6X5RyWRrw0En4dLNgtpNK0j6G4SXJRALYEvLe0gz12BEGmswbNpNYzrdsLgHmPF6XUMug6Ka4wLNA_13q0bdGDEf0-QvDhVIL09d_jkyw32062-a7Ki_DfuJSu0ISmHXJnwAoBmifc/s1600/100_8181.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgw6X5RyWRrw0En4dLNgtpNK0j6G4SXJRALYEvLe0gz12BEGmswbNpNYzrdsLgHmPF6XUMug6Ka4wLNA_13q0bdGDEf0-QvDhVIL09d_jkyw32062-a7Ki_DfuJSu0ISmHXJnwAoBmifc/s400/100_8181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615855818142571522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Supplies</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVvhgXlIwBnchj5sC8TtQTSXQnSTThD5u_gAMGySo6QPZFN-3FaXNrVh3-4IXgSa5N-jnc39M6rC4azm1AaWsTGw1aYkz1ZTGUtLSWTeeFiYelS7zwCkAwF7xWYVxivZP4LRPrBiaq-E/s1600/100_8187.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOVvhgXlIwBnchj5sC8TtQTSXQnSTThD5u_gAMGySo6QPZFN-3FaXNrVh3-4IXgSa5N-jnc39M6rC4azm1AaWsTGw1aYkz1ZTGUtLSWTeeFiYelS7zwCkAwF7xWYVxivZP4LRPrBiaq-E/s400/100_8187.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615855808406923842" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I didn't use stencils or rotary cutter for my teeth, I wanted this guy to be crazy and un-symmetrical, but feel free to be as much a perfectionist as you'd like! Doubling up my white fabric, I cut out four teeth, so each tooth has two pieces. I then sewed them together and turned them out and pressed like so:</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZIMOZ_Zirc5Gjz3Sc28bPtjV7YnbD2sOjowjX-4WESlZt_sLLTJEqTta44_WP5ujLIjY1X8KI1qEpmfQnXWuBb-KB7JwTOIr8Igraa8yL_IiJtFv66C96XEW2KVa6JzAnvgXP3yUZxY/s1600/100_8190.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgZIMOZ_Zirc5Gjz3Sc28bPtjV7YnbD2sOjowjX-4WESlZt_sLLTJEqTta44_WP5ujLIjY1X8KI1qEpmfQnXWuBb-KB7JwTOIr8Igraa8yL_IiJtFv66C96XEW2KVa6JzAnvgXP3yUZxY/s400/100_8190.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615855805196437522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Pressed teeth.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48vuPRUZn3pigDsoQWuWfwmkxkbrpxrZ0upNaL-5nRnkvDKjzwq1utmzB3TJJkvoHEMDljU_T7F2Vkbg-KPu5S9HRikTlod0kZnwmRyEPx87q8DJEGYPmcrnexetMNzzytcsjGZwcZfg/s1600/100_8191.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 167px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh48vuPRUZn3pigDsoQWuWfwmkxkbrpxrZ0upNaL-5nRnkvDKjzwq1utmzB3TJJkvoHEMDljU_T7F2Vkbg-KPu5S9HRikTlod0kZnwmRyEPx87q8DJEGYPmcrnexetMNzzytcsjGZwcZfg/s400/100_8191.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615855795483804082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I then cut a line across the approximate center of the pillow case (again, no rulers, he's a monster, after all.)</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nPIOiaT4q_ZqBPJFUbsGcSvFpKa-8oG2qv6QLOc6rpzkbq7gPngGpKa9p5j7ilzzmlYy4CQvWMDQKawb4nECEFa4RiHDtH1xmu0JqI8caiRaXOnlU80JCUT4xqnwQWhewBwseL2srZE/s1600/100_8192.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3nPIOiaT4q_ZqBPJFUbsGcSvFpKa-8oG2qv6QLOc6rpzkbq7gPngGpKa9p5j7ilzzmlYy4CQvWMDQKawb4nECEFa4RiHDtH1xmu0JqI8caiRaXOnlU80JCUT4xqnwQWhewBwseL2srZE/s400/100_8192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615857211681503362" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Pin the teeth into place</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rD69oWv7jSDknKh7nU1m0aQ1Uf6fZipc0COPNhjqkTCler8u90tNT_pEcGaarUfLQ9F8YK4ff2y6FQfUzTYJg4ARW0uDNwqJ_QmEXIMslCeznxdoa1SbwHjGCe2bq9wFsJ3la-HpKWc/s1600/100_8194.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rD69oWv7jSDknKh7nU1m0aQ1Uf6fZipc0COPNhjqkTCler8u90tNT_pEcGaarUfLQ9F8YK4ff2y6FQfUzTYJg4ARW0uDNwqJ_QmEXIMslCeznxdoa1SbwHjGCe2bq9wFsJ3la-HpKWc/s400/100_8194.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615857210294082930" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Using you fusible webbing, iron on your randomly cut out eye pieces and stitch around the eye (I used brown thread, even for the white of the eyes, because I felt like it, but feel free to match up thread.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNiiRPIjIzPIi9ZAAkcA91ox_ATtsI_y1kNbo7S0hcUqFVOQZwlj-tXVHhFZtVL-HliRt08AZTwm1blU5mkn7c9Ub9NBo198J-Mu5OjHoy9X-yaxajj-tKmKwAnkhCBIGYeMzOG15qSk/s1600/100_8195.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkNiiRPIjIzPIi9ZAAkcA91ox_ATtsI_y1kNbo7S0hcUqFVOQZwlj-tXVHhFZtVL-HliRt08AZTwm1blU5mkn7c9Ub9NBo198J-Mu5OjHoy9X-yaxajj-tKmKwAnkhCBIGYeMzOG15qSk/s400/100_8195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615857199592514178" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Here he is pre-stitchery (the pic I took up close of his eyes all stitched didn't come out right, but you get the idea...or do you?)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8yeYVqBCRL1Z0eOotay_tdVtdv0n-_9sbwafkmmviESxMth6zJ0pWi3FJIwNJFinz0gChqQjkUTmOz1yhetBOxlYUS6wOGv0eOx7Js9qsKAcSU0EPrisA70uGbOXC74IXd5Yrrcf-1o/s1600/100_8198.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ8yeYVqBCRL1Z0eOotay_tdVtdv0n-_9sbwafkmmviESxMth6zJ0pWi3FJIwNJFinz0gChqQjkUTmOz1yhetBOxlYUS6wOGv0eOx7Js9qsKAcSU0EPrisA70uGbOXC74IXd5Yrrcf-1o/s400/100_8198.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615857191653099538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Finally, I sewed a small zig-zag square about two inches from the top of the pillow case (a buttonhole would work great, too) to run the drawstring through. I then folded down the top of the pillowcase and stitched all the way around to make the casing for the drawstring. Run the drawstring through and....here comes Jonny Bag!!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS_Ihn-9RoGbtKbHOiAg8VMUE-B3F6a_rWsSLWlOws1qxWTSo8MIZ5WyfetwfTmF0i_fUsOY_UIIfTJCBZG7ShjeJxFDjza-VDVvEyi-_0Y6z3NH0dnd0swTeYNw1lQHxZhmqSBNh0cw/s1600/100_8200.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJS_Ihn-9RoGbtKbHOiAg8VMUE-B3F6a_rWsSLWlOws1qxWTSo8MIZ5WyfetwfTmF0i_fUsOY_UIIfTJCBZG7ShjeJxFDjza-VDVvEyi-_0Y6z3NH0dnd0swTeYNw1lQHxZhmqSBNh0cw/s400/100_8200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5615901443650097906" /></a><br />I give my little guy about 30 minutes to put his toys away before I start coming into his room singing the song (I can't find the track for the song. It is probably 30 years old or older, but you can just say it as a poem. If I get enough requests, I might put a video of me singing it if it will help- it just depends on your torture threshold! ) Trust me. It will only take one time for Jonny Bag to have a snack, and your child will be much more willing to clean up their toys!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-72237470292849913262011-06-04T21:06:00.001-07:002011-06-04T21:20:41.421-07:00My First Ever Quilt Along!!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>I am finally taking the plunge and joining in a Quilt Along (QAL) hosted by the blog <a href="http://dontcallmebetsy.blogspot.com/p/kaleidoscope-qal.html">"Don't Call Me Betsy"</a> that I secretly stalk for inspiration. It is a Kaleidoscope pattern and something I have never tried before. Who <i>doesn't </i>need more challenges in life, right?! I have wanted to join a QAL for a long time but a few petty things have held me back. What if everyone laughs at my fabric choices? What if my seams and corners don't line up and EVERYONE notices and never reads my blog again because they have lost faith in my abilities (and by this, I am speaking of my whole 2 followers and the tens of people who have read my blog so far)??? However, I have been looking for an excuse to purchase the Bliss line of fabric from Moda and I feel like this is an really good excuse. I am surrounded by boys in my life, and I truly love it, but I long for girly things around me and this line of fabric just <i>screams</i> feminine. So, I held my breath and pushed "submit order" for a fat quarter bundle of a few of these fabrics:</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBus5vRoyGBMl0yV1thr-G1vze7CrbA8aT2i7AU4MuxdbSkEDApEjNR3Js0e5vik6eZECNXXePJyWk7SRU6hmYaamDY9C9WuEVatZk45rItAYulpyryN3xXLrOhnvd7piGyxwzOIQvmU/s1600/bliss.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPBus5vRoyGBMl0yV1thr-G1vze7CrbA8aT2i7AU4MuxdbSkEDApEjNR3Js0e5vik6eZECNXXePJyWk7SRU6hmYaamDY9C9WuEVatZk45rItAYulpyryN3xXLrOhnvd7piGyxwzOIQvmU/s400/bliss.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614583160626357106" /></a><br /><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">And now I am squealing inside because I am actually. doing. it!!!!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I will keep you updated on my progress. I can't wait to see it finished and laying across the chair that I plan on putting in my new sewing room, ready for me to snuggle up in on cold days while I peruse the net for quilting inspiration. Wish me luck! </span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">And, in Sam-Bone related news, his surgery went well and now he has a little (5" X 1") stitched up section right along the front of his pelvis to add to his bandaged hands. That is where they took the good skin from to graft onto his hands. He's holding up remarkably well and we 'get' to go in on Monday to check his progress. Thanks for the well wishes I have received on Facebook and via e-mail from many of you. I'll keep you posted.</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>~Happy Sewing!~</b></span></div></div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-69067783625528620912011-06-01T06:48:00.001-07:002011-06-01T09:50:29.818-07:00Something Awful<div style="text-align: center;">Wow! A week already! Today's work in progress is my MOVE. Our house has been rented out for the last year and we are finally moving back in. I am so giddy over this I could die. I really didn't think I'd have any time to post anything today, but here I am :D . Little Sam decided to take a nap as I was preparing to go to the house and begin unpacking so I get a little break now. We are only moving half a mile away so I not pressed for time or anything. As I mentioned in my last post, I finished two quilts this week so I thought I'd share some pics of the second one. When I was growing up my Aunt Joann made each niece and nephew a quilt when we graduated from High School. Well, since I am the only one out of my siblings who sews regularly, I decided to take the torch and carry on the tradition. These quilts are called "Awful Quilts" by my aunt because they are awfully warm and awfully soft and awfully comfy, etc. They are good old fashioned no-nonsense denim quilts made out of jeans scraps and flannel on the back. I still have mine and love it to death. It is super heavy and perfect for camping and picnicking. I will try to get a picture of it once it is unpacked. My nephew, Blake, graduated from high school yesterday so I took on my first ever awful quilt! 8X8 squares of old jeans donated by various family members backed with camo/snowboarding flannel. It went together in a jiff and I did a good old fashioned quilt tying session because I didn't want to vary from tradition. So, here she is!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Wx6tYYfQfDTEBOAIjXsZ_XQ4xeRrUtjxMT3eVng2K5P63Y07rWGtvFFgFfE14EVbTy8k26FLNP3U6MOhAWdSzli8l0n4XhGnywkvFtgymyr6HO4BAJLejymt7nw_-K32EXk9NeflQPs/s1600/100_8150a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 331px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Wx6tYYfQfDTEBOAIjXsZ_XQ4xeRrUtjxMT3eVng2K5P63Y07rWGtvFFgFfE14EVbTy8k26FLNP3U6MOhAWdSzli8l0n4XhGnywkvFtgymyr6HO4BAJLejymt7nw_-K32EXk9NeflQPs/s400/100_8150a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613291951052826194" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAdEcw5Z1nbq9oIcwMFiF_FqR7D1xgkbEpjgiRaCOczE_fTt5hYf5diGRmDC0cK9RerQOJQvvS4zI7nFIMlAoA4SipoamNT8LnTnWeP3by8CFYpRmzo9crBdAguAqlS-hoOi-Wnnie4Y/s1600/100_8151a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 362px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgAdEcw5Z1nbq9oIcwMFiF_FqR7D1xgkbEpjgiRaCOczE_fTt5hYf5diGRmDC0cK9RerQOJQvvS4zI7nFIMlAoA4SipoamNT8LnTnWeP3by8CFYpRmzo9crBdAguAqlS-hoOi-Wnnie4Y/s400/100_8151a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613291941683538018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWPFIw-hCAI4UVw4RhRAUnda3FhEWTvU2RaRjeqLqPT0Y5mvobKUfnju2frtIX9w7KGWOjtGmYPZZYLSj-DvbkghRUM0N32kCnP55ikbEqxmI8GCYT2HAlzGlXVpmZ8xZeTWmq-4NkXQ/s1600/100_8152a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrWPFIw-hCAI4UVw4RhRAUnda3FhEWTvU2RaRjeqLqPT0Y5mvobKUfnju2frtIX9w7KGWOjtGmYPZZYLSj-DvbkghRUM0N32kCnP55ikbEqxmI8GCYT2HAlzGlXVpmZ8xZeTWmq-4NkXQ/s400/100_8152a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613291934870303538" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">And here's the man of the hour! Am I really that short or is he just really tall? Congratulations, Blake! </div><div style="text-align: center;">In further news: A wonderful linking party is happening over at <a href="http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/">Blue Cricket Design</a> today! Check out all the wonderful project ideas and tutorials she has posted and see if you can spot 'yours truly' :D</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1109/5159705972_49be14a673_m.jpg" width="150" height="150" alt="WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced" /></a>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-85120006569914034992011-05-31T16:35:00.000-07:002011-06-01T09:50:29.818-07:00<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Hello, All!! Remember how in my last post I said something about not working on any projects this week?? Seriously, I have a problem. I have finished TWO (count 'em) quilts since posting that last little tidbit. In my first ever post I mentioned that quilting and sewing in general is my therapy. Well, I guess I needed some time on the proverbial couch because I got right to work and enjoyed every second. The bad part? I am moving tomorrow and there is So-HO much to do that I really can't even justify posting about this- but I will :D</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">Here is quilt #1- for my dear friend who just adopted a little baby boy after three failed placements (the birthmommies changed their minds). She has two adopted girls and wanted a boy so badly and one day she randomly got a call saying that there was a birth mother in labor in Vegas and she didn't know what the gender was. Well, my friends were the only ones who had not specified a gender preference so they went immediately to the top of the list! Seriously- are adoptive couples really that picky? We didn't care about color or gender, but I guess some people feel that if they have to adopt, it is their prerogative to pick out that stuff. In my opinion, not only should beggars not be choosers, but whatever child is meant for you will come to you no matter what. Kay, ***steps off soapbox***Now on to the QUILT!</span></b></div><div> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMmYAuLf0IS-HqpweB7C4bXd6Y4ZGp87Oe7oXP9P_tdRIGmMWhAdiOeM8YtbsYrf1Q3jN8UrO_UJgokP4phseQsQCbD02yiXsI4yFBfCVnp9YYb2Bz2yR7pMXmuLeuvj1e5NSLYwmw4I/s1600/100_8118a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 345px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfMmYAuLf0IS-HqpweB7C4bXd6Y4ZGp87Oe7oXP9P_tdRIGmMWhAdiOeM8YtbsYrf1Q3jN8UrO_UJgokP4phseQsQCbD02yiXsI4yFBfCVnp9YYb2Bz2yR7pMXmuLeuvj1e5NSLYwmw4I/s400/100_8118a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613030083038685906" /></span></b></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">So, I based this quilt entirely on<a href="http://www.modabakeshop.com/2011/05/windy-days-quilt.html#more"> THIS quilt featured on Moda Bake Shop by Sarah B Designs</a>. I loved the pattern and I already had the Kona Coal on hand as well as a bunch of blue scraps. Thus this little beauty was born.</span></b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHBSb3tSDIqtPB6l4MxBDZoynnToNCQL8-RxVkWR0q1XOO02iEmBY6xbLo0VLb5kdkfbS8nsqYhYKrqiu-HSKhkmw9DG9_iELQSLfmZV85OS1giNakjGAlZxdk1S4zztfHNhYJqEE7dY/s1600/100_8112a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIHBSb3tSDIqtPB6l4MxBDZoynnToNCQL8-RxVkWR0q1XOO02iEmBY6xbLo0VLb5kdkfbS8nsqYhYKrqiu-HSKhkmw9DG9_iELQSLfmZV85OS1giNakjGAlZxdk1S4zztfHNhYJqEE7dY/s400/100_8112a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613030082122278306" /></span></b></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I did my first ever attempt at straight line quilting and was pretty happy with how it turned out for my first try. **Gets back on soapbox**I have decided that the imperfections in quilting are what makes it special (provided there aren't too many !! ) If I wanted something perfect, I could purchase it from a mass producer. I love the imperfections in anything hand made. Mr. Polka Dot Apron made our gorgeous bed as well as our sons' cribs and some other various furniture. He showed me where every ding and dent and mess-up is, and I cherish each one because it is what makes that piece unique. But, I digress...back to the issue at hand! (I really have to get a handle on my rantings...)</span></b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhot_DL9ru4XcrdB0vm7JAB7AMNwBfV4Qp9YSzukvVuzQ2cbsc0MTQ7h3pnliesNNCgZP3NpWoROEX1mU5PGbtWseni7l9QazSBOQKfePkk20LtDRO0rTxcjOBFcAtkod5db1BXxfzoT_M/s1600/100_8114a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhot_DL9ru4XcrdB0vm7JAB7AMNwBfV4Qp9YSzukvVuzQ2cbsc0MTQ7h3pnliesNNCgZP3NpWoROEX1mU5PGbtWseni7l9QazSBOQKfePkk20LtDRO0rTxcjOBFcAtkod5db1BXxfzoT_M/s400/100_8114a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613030078372348082" /></span></b></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">The binding (gasp) was not hand sewn but zig-zagged. I am moving folks, and that extra touch of perfection was just not gonna happen. All in all, I love how this turned out and I am actually going to start on one with more of the Kona Coal and some green scraps to make for another friend who has two girls (biological, not adopted) and is expecting her first boy! Ironically, she and the gal I made the other quilt for are thick as thieves so I am happy to provide them with semi-identical quilts for their boys!</span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span">I will post more about the second quilt a bit later. I am off to finish packing. Heaven help me, I can't WAIT to get into my house again. Remember how I said it was a long story? I'll try to sum it up. We own a house in Northern Utah. My hubby worked right around the corner from said house reading meters for the power company. They automated the meters and he lost his job and had to transfer within the company to a little (understatement) town called Montpelier, Idaho. We were blessed to find renters within a week of us having to move. Hubby applied for a job closer to our house and got it **cheers** so now that their lease is up we get to move back home! </span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><b>And in Sam update news, he is going in for surgery on Thursday to have the skin grafted on his little hands. Please, if you are the praying type- say a little prayer for my little guy. I will let y'all know how it goes. Happy sewing, y'all!</b></span></div><div><br /></div></div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-84734856734439259332011-05-26T17:11:00.000-07:002011-06-01T09:50:58.427-07:00When it rains, it pours around here<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l0SUf2kWbzT0mQskBJIOyVb26lCwQ5_is0YniAen3Uo_ijigUt6lU3IxSDoA3F9QnwsoKuRUp6Vsu6ovYaSsKnKv9K71iri0Bj5nRN8mAmBETKRy5FmbHzD-tcdkQ_LYclKzHCKJMIc/s1600/100_8021a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 393px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_l0SUf2kWbzT0mQskBJIOyVb26lCwQ5_is0YniAen3Uo_ijigUt6lU3IxSDoA3F9QnwsoKuRUp6Vsu6ovYaSsKnKv9K71iri0Bj5nRN8mAmBETKRy5FmbHzD-tcdkQ_LYclKzHCKJMIc/s400/100_8021a.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611185572909734946" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Well, all quilting and sewing projects have been a bit on hold this week due to my poor little Sam burning his hands on the fireplace on Sunday. It was like a bad dream all in slow motion watching him toddle toward the gas fireplace (which had just BARELY been turned on by Kolton, my three-year-old) with his hands outstretched and I knew I couldn't make it across the room in time. His little fat hands were on there for about three seconds and they were grey/white when we rushed him to the ER. Between them and the Burn Clinic at U of U, we have been very blessed to have worked with such an amazing group of doctors and nurses. Anyway, so if you don't hear much from me on the project front for a week or so, I hope you will understand! Between Sam's needs and us moving next week, I'm pretty sure I have my hands full. :D</div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing (without me)!~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-23877681587550198362011-05-25T07:15:00.000-07:002011-06-01T09:51:36.885-07:00<a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi981w1U52oh3wfFWsn3qWrFVdnfcEiPL9PQ36USIyW11_eW0WsoDuPsSyeaPcBsNR26onfF_yBz3MmLIOG61qYx8nS63SStnburlUQifuoJRYHRMded5Y6kOxrIEQWpHVc97eBMrs_jI8/s1600/wipwednesdaybutton.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 152px; height: 152px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi981w1U52oh3wfFWsn3qWrFVdnfcEiPL9PQ36USIyW11_eW0WsoDuPsSyeaPcBsNR26onfF_yBz3MmLIOG61qYx8nS63SStnburlUQifuoJRYHRMded5Y6kOxrIEQWpHVc97eBMrs_jI8/s400/wipwednesdaybutton.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610657416448342626" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I've been contemplating joining in with <a href="http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/">Freshly Pieced</a> and their Work In Progress (W.I.P.) Wednesdays because this would include an actual amount of commitment from me *blush*. However, this is the kick in the pants I need to get some of my unfinished projects done, so here goes!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I started a new project this week. I have been dying to try out the <a href="http://www.littlemissshabby.com/2010/04/stashbuster-block-2-tutorial/">stash buster block from Little Miss Shabby</a> and I finally started cutting out my stash which looked like this:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89Y7YCqXzcLmeUFKydLK_eE3jXKeLfXoHw3R0STzMXUUhws0ikq1j0bTvDWqfwZl3A9bW1UZLrXQR9Y3kMPAfdFv1hqBK3QGkMiCv1LUE3jnBfOo5m3sAxhwFLmwKlyXWhpCdipRz9Yo/s1600/100_8041.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh89Y7YCqXzcLmeUFKydLK_eE3jXKeLfXoHw3R0STzMXUUhws0ikq1j0bTvDWqfwZl3A9bW1UZLrXQR9Y3kMPAfdFv1hqBK3QGkMiCv1LUE3jnBfOo5m3sAxhwFLmwKlyXWhpCdipRz9Yo/s400/100_8041.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610658584676729634" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Then like this (again, my camera is old and crappy- please excuse the less than perfect pictures)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-M1WNBfybKsbsK-fMTmgbDn26D4-FPVXeZb26-TeNtwAvth_OUP0hm-IBVZ1DEKKekYBfn8Y96sGHhzQURm8o12XYfoe2Jug7hKv-Ly7KjCvclAHoq6Or1hmUlARZHARHMEsesRpyQ0/s1600/100_8044.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq-M1WNBfybKsbsK-fMTmgbDn26D4-FPVXeZb26-TeNtwAvth_OUP0hm-IBVZ1DEKKekYBfn8Y96sGHhzQURm8o12XYfoe2Jug7hKv-Ly7KjCvclAHoq6Or1hmUlARZHARHMEsesRpyQ0/s400/100_8044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610658575538457314" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">And now a bit more like THIS~</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3ZYhLHNWgqm_XKoixHskKfyR7WFLUMc_YQq-q0x9FTprPetpB4A81aYS-HEBnPiUfEotHcPbAKgR0wWW0vBoz63sIQHSCT-ohJgDZ4_OeHDjtZQSzSf-YBqSIkMZIv9UbH6LeQ46q8E/s1600/100_8047.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs3ZYhLHNWgqm_XKoixHskKfyR7WFLUMc_YQq-q0x9FTprPetpB4A81aYS-HEBnPiUfEotHcPbAKgR0wWW0vBoz63sIQHSCT-ohJgDZ4_OeHDjtZQSzSf-YBqSIkMZIv9UbH6LeQ46q8E/s400/100_8047.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610658570113928450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I have actually started the construction of this little beauty, but I will save that for later date. For now, I am happy with my little stacks of perfectly cut squares and the beautiful picnic quilt they will help create.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In further news: We are moving <b><span class="Apple-style-span">back</span></b> into our house ( I swear it's a long story) over the next couple of weeks, so the work on these projects will be rather slow, but they are my sanity for when the packing is getting overwhelming! I hope everyone else is working on their W.I.P's today- let me know if you are and what you are doing! </div><div style="text-align: center;">~Happy Sewing~</div>The Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3643903357810490931.post-63757906723437248192011-05-21T06:17:00.000-07:002011-05-21T19:59:37.394-07:00Thread Catcher Tutorial<div style="text-align: center;">Welcome, one and all, to my very first tutorial! May I just give a shout out to all you bloggers I love but don't know personally who make posting a tutorial seem so effortless? I applaud you, bloggers. **clap clap clap**</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Okay, moving on! What is a thread catcher, you say?? Why, it is an essential for any sewer, scrapbooker, or lover of a place to put stuff. I bought one at a Farmer's Market in Logan many years ago before I truly became a sew-aholic. I thought it would be a good garbage bin for my paper scraps when I scrap booked. Later I threw it on the arm of my couch and placed my remotes in it. When I was commissioned to sew a thousand (okay, 16) skirts for our production of "Crazy For You" in 2005 I pulled out my thread catcher and a love affair ensued. It is a weighted pin cushion and garbage bin in one and it is one of my favorite sidekicks when I am sewing up a storm and I am going to teach you how to make one!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">**WARNING: THIS IS A PICTURE HEAVY POST**</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't help it- I feel it's the best way to explain the steps and, besides, the fabric was sooo pretty I needed to see it over and over (and over) again!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Readers, meet, the thread catcher:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7W28XvglEbv3H3tiFq44QWtG6cfcRBS9vo9aLrXcRyEhXZV0nEMtA58yd_kGj7NOD-haKmguxu-9k4xwAVESvvEDfP3n2A5MCip4i3clHYlKc98v2WNNTdvvnWzYojcSu3fbNoH5NcA/s1600/37.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg7W28XvglEbv3H3tiFq44QWtG6cfcRBS9vo9aLrXcRyEhXZV0nEMtA58yd_kGj7NOD-haKmguxu-9k4xwAVESvvEDfP3n2A5MCip4i3clHYlKc98v2WNNTdvvnWzYojcSu3fbNoH5NcA/s400/37.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609160817809508978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Beautiful, eh??</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Kay, what you will need is one 16 1/2 X 8 1/2" (A), two 6 1/2" squares (A1), and two 3 1/2" squares (B) of your main fabric. Then cut two 6 1/2" squares of junk fabric (C) ( you won't see these- they are to line the pin cushion). Finally, you will need another 16 1/2 X 8 1/2" (D) piece of your lining fabric. You will also need wheat, rice, or Polly Fill, as well as 17" of Belting. Now, get your basic sewing supplies (scissors, machine, matching thread etc) together and let's get crackin'!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9tWGpPRgHLl80vwsFjl2dcvlUMEVRVtvXlBdCXISqAN9uSd2LIoj-VhiwGPQlmessMp_xHzusyCCCeRA3-aQgxnyI1TSKXEd9WV8ghC3lF-mb8cZv5-LCW2gNHU4DUJRmeW8G8EzQpg/s1600/Susan.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9tWGpPRgHLl80vwsFjl2dcvlUMEVRVtvXlBdCXISqAN9uSd2LIoj-VhiwGPQlmessMp_xHzusyCCCeRA3-aQgxnyI1TSKXEd9WV8ghC3lF-mb8cZv5-LCW2gNHU4DUJRmeW8G8EzQpg/s400/Susan.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609163212044465810" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">First, please allow me to introduce Susan. She's my Brother XL-3750. She's a good girl (mostly) and has served me well. She's no Bernina or Janome, but for the most part she gets the job done!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrlgjXWWJgX6aRSOu1R3Te9L59i5zUV2jUO6sNtb21pkw8YY9JlcuCu5z79QCQz6XBbEkG1udjbxbc-ZsnP5l9xVIUyGGU5N1j2MS_jIHHV3KU8WIkKDXJEy2s5f0Vid2Sq5MdoD_Xlg/s1600/one.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 290px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrlgjXWWJgX6aRSOu1R3Te9L59i5zUV2jUO6sNtb21pkw8YY9JlcuCu5z79QCQz6XBbEkG1udjbxbc-ZsnP5l9xVIUyGGU5N1j2MS_jIHHV3KU8WIkKDXJEy2s5f0Vid2Sq5MdoD_Xlg/s400/one.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609163207311732418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Your starting lineup of fabric cuts. (My fabric all came from "JoAnn Fabrics")</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA8fu7FgRlCeojyJIvnK4JLlUf0kW3i94jHug2tsudyl5qHD4VxVcpNwmMyAIocPbWKS_TqcY1zEG2AvYCYywNenURE4BsU3PIwrbfu40bLXLhD5VSLozHu3Y5o1rENPMo2DhDBXwV60/s1600/two.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZA8fu7FgRlCeojyJIvnK4JLlUf0kW3i94jHug2tsudyl5qHD4VxVcpNwmMyAIocPbWKS_TqcY1zEG2AvYCYywNenURE4BsU3PIwrbfu40bLXLhD5VSLozHu3Y5o1rENPMo2DhDBXwV60/s400/two.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609163190242394098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Start by sewing together your two 3 1/2" (B) squares right sides together down the sides.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvRgsA2G-2pRITPEpY0bxiEK1flFfuRB0HkJIPJEHBvG3xV4zhvGW01fXUImsIi7EGHMOktwxFmhjAjiGREPBpqVpz8QXiu5bCC0qxii-bzeBbadnmzaXoOPjUcAqZ3zXnbtg95ulQsg/s1600/3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvRgsA2G-2pRITPEpY0bxiEK1flFfuRB0HkJIPJEHBvG3xV4zhvGW01fXUImsIi7EGHMOktwxFmhjAjiGREPBpqVpz8QXiu5bCC0qxii-bzeBbadnmzaXoOPjUcAqZ3zXnbtg95ulQsg/s400/3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609163183207116610" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Turn and press.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXi5U6Izukky9H4SjS6WgUkhMZH2su9UNon7YchNtErj0Y5Yh6uccEn2f06PZNfBxEQuOxi741BOi8xYFu0lzbhImJ-aAyerm6ejEqGt61PEtIhw_NVvEbnbprljnt09LTjhkj4MzbeZo/s1600/4.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXi5U6Izukky9H4SjS6WgUkhMZH2su9UNon7YchNtErj0Y5Yh6uccEn2f06PZNfBxEQuOxi741BOi8xYFu0lzbhImJ-aAyerm6ejEqGt61PEtIhw_NVvEbnbprljnt09LTjhkj4MzbeZo/s400/4.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609164885805884034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Fold (A) and (D) pieces in half with right sides together and short ends touching and sew down to make side seam. You will now have a stitched 8 1/2 X 8"-ish piece.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeRgq_9NcLQyfX_SQneVOVNfrvPvuScGCNGiD7vKJfawPFoTxcsaBLdKnXGXyKFnWG6g2ohEzgledNAWdjWdw7dDpAFjCFjNf-RMVwSdt7ckxgG1VEHTLMRCT21PVmr_mqs9bpvnORnM/s1600/5.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTeRgq_9NcLQyfX_SQneVOVNfrvPvuScGCNGiD7vKJfawPFoTxcsaBLdKnXGXyKFnWG6g2ohEzgledNAWdjWdw7dDpAFjCFjNf-RMVwSdt7ckxgG1VEHTLMRCT21PVmr_mqs9bpvnORnM/s400/5.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609164881030295330" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Press seam open.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tzoBEwJRLyO6w_fXPHGAc0aQuDO43Jv5HeoOrammJVWejn8C2QtgpKt2mNFYYPL3qjjQwRoDsyXPjJDXX1H6MRbMxIZ6VT_kUxa2GJqfxNgFmgBtNCK-jXA-YF-HcK5Wisaru4MtRQQ/s1600/6.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tzoBEwJRLyO6w_fXPHGAc0aQuDO43Jv5HeoOrammJVWejn8C2QtgpKt2mNFYYPL3qjjQwRoDsyXPjJDXX1H6MRbMxIZ6VT_kUxa2GJqfxNgFmgBtNCK-jXA-YF-HcK5Wisaru4MtRQQ/s400/6.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609164872333242434" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now sew a bottom seam.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gdUPjp60F193HMvcZ3nzpLv95olyjg1Wpg8MHXYC62Q63QZyOYDF1cd3FOpK_39IWZPf1_9dD7jr9aSCRBOpfA_0axhp7UZ1XXjToZDwGPVhWkKvk5-ZzTCcFmdomcMt7f9oMEdnzXo/s1600/7.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9gdUPjp60F193HMvcZ3nzpLv95olyjg1Wpg8MHXYC62Q63QZyOYDF1cd3FOpK_39IWZPf1_9dD7jr9aSCRBOpfA_0axhp7UZ1XXjToZDwGPVhWkKvk5-ZzTCcFmdomcMt7f9oMEdnzXo/s400/7.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609164868213516690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">This part is the trickiest part, but it's easy once you've done it. Press the bottom seam open by laying on your ironing board and flattening out the corners. This is how you will make the bag open up on the bottom.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmMhdMlY8kaZ4Q307W9d7Mdxotk8ER8D3UeibIrYaHYe9mJ5rUOo_BP6t4n9_m5j6UzHBNQLfDFzaYr95Y3KQBoI6gQQavTgaCflfDmrzq-Q0Qm6AGPks3mLWQbM3a4Oemt3k2TJnrrw/s1600/9.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzmMhdMlY8kaZ4Q307W9d7Mdxotk8ER8D3UeibIrYaHYe9mJ5rUOo_BP6t4n9_m5j6UzHBNQLfDFzaYr95Y3KQBoI6gQQavTgaCflfDmrzq-Q0Qm6AGPks3mLWQbM3a4Oemt3k2TJnrrw/s400/9.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609166915897049138" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div style="text-align: center; ">Pin corner and mark a line 1 1/4" from bottom of corner.</div><div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: center; "><br /></div></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6nBZ0BETctt5_rQ8CUPU91FQRTfiZ_TB4YSAN-RI0uB2aNj-i9BpBnS-mMwhEGZpz-AnLFPMEYJd7ECHOvz9reynbSrSfBIzWVP81ZuMOS3HGFqXga1yZ5U2Ie4zAmJqot7-6ef2sFU/s1600/10.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6nBZ0BETctt5_rQ8CUPU91FQRTfiZ_TB4YSAN-RI0uB2aNj-i9BpBnS-mMwhEGZpz-AnLFPMEYJd7ECHOvz9reynbSrSfBIzWVP81ZuMOS3HGFqXga1yZ5U2Ie4zAmJqot7-6ef2sFU/s400/10.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609166910789978338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoylJeX4vKlfBFYvYdnFwfGiiQnAeWZIB5SJOer6ohBYjve3_CRfDpPH-2nZ3f4sjyUw-v_Zf8UAVpClWUiGcXRtFvLxhoXm6LDPOG212ILBw293sb0Wr0WIEs1alotoPKk0IWIIlLeg/s1600/11.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoylJeX4vKlfBFYvYdnFwfGiiQnAeWZIB5SJOer6ohBYjve3_CRfDpPH-2nZ3f4sjyUw-v_Zf8UAVpClWUiGcXRtFvLxhoXm6LDPOG212ILBw293sb0Wr0WIEs1alotoPKk0IWIIlLeg/s400/11.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609166907796275106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sew Along marked line and cut.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqFOxH7FutXnyIn1-WF6gCaSXP-oHem3h_UQHa7y668Az3baFmQ3wAfHHQrRHMQjOa-EwYYq0LVMhvD1gbZyTJVPVGRbl5WhHEwhywhVqZk9XrLDGMWglVEh-5lthwWmNPdU8o9mHQrI/s1600/12.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNqFOxH7FutXnyIn1-WF6gCaSXP-oHem3h_UQHa7y668Az3baFmQ3wAfHHQrRHMQjOa-EwYYq0LVMhvD1gbZyTJVPVGRbl5WhHEwhywhVqZk9XrLDGMWglVEh-5lthwWmNPdU8o9mHQrI/s400/12.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609168757125875474" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgjq5xKSvAus38Pj940M0LtRo7GFlyvMxuv9C7OoL0ShY7_GC1jruYMatoCTrHhFfeHgAyVSlgvYB4nW13ZYXuwgH7UecU5LVWlbRoBP9Js4HjKCP87bXFCfMLLVPP9jhyLz9XsRJYrc/s1600/13.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRgjq5xKSvAus38Pj940M0LtRo7GFlyvMxuv9C7OoL0ShY7_GC1jruYMatoCTrHhFfeHgAyVSlgvYB4nW13ZYXuwgH7UecU5LVWlbRoBP9Js4HjKCP87bXFCfMLLVPP9jhyLz9XsRJYrc/s400/13.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609168748557258754" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now you have a lovely bottom!! (he he he- yes, I'm 10). Repeat this process for both A and D sections.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdXRfp1KP8DJBcK3_7T1xMiJNgkNG9CUWfnHv3iACOZQZUU22Rzf7j1ypxUjRHXpIHMlgbms82P60vD5RC0lKRjPUQkUa2hx3fPjnvhgBP5wfQBNw2wNS2Tj_N_Go_Qrza9DctZdar3M/s1600/14.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdXRfp1KP8DJBcK3_7T1xMiJNgkNG9CUWfnHv3iACOZQZUU22Rzf7j1ypxUjRHXpIHMlgbms82P60vD5RC0lKRjPUQkUa2hx3fPjnvhgBP5wfQBNw2wNS2Tj_N_Go_Qrza9DctZdar3M/s400/14.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609168740985604418" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Place (A1) squares right sides together and lay Junk (C) squares on top and bottom. This will line your pin cushion and make it more durable. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJjJqlKP19LleQbxiqHXQKUXP3X1pKD_FrZEjM-D9Cz4heobioXfjbOfKaWpciBuEvKJT0Xu4pxZgMNyM35uXsI3mOvqlSUBBAmR0_aeV7qDQwKV58WyA248jaoeTBDYcdaF7zWiEkzs/s1600/16.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcJjJqlKP19LleQbxiqHXQKUXP3X1pKD_FrZEjM-D9Cz4heobioXfjbOfKaWpciBuEvKJT0Xu4pxZgMNyM35uXsI3mOvqlSUBBAmR0_aeV7qDQwKV58WyA248jaoeTBDYcdaF7zWiEkzs/s400/16.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609168731307039522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">In between the four layers center your finished (B) section and leave the end poking out (can you see it in the picture? It turned out a bit fuzzy)</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdauoQfRGUyYFTedKBJayoV0s23BCu-HI63UcpoIcWFo5bf65qgEBXsXmkvTf-LLcV6a38-hQIMa1iogIMDVfptNxDDKXLUwcCetXR0u1zToX3YFgvdZSIgBcTemU5miTf18S80jtHPLE/s1600/17.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdauoQfRGUyYFTedKBJayoV0s23BCu-HI63UcpoIcWFo5bf65qgEBXsXmkvTf-LLcV6a38-hQIMa1iogIMDVfptNxDDKXLUwcCetXR0u1zToX3YFgvdZSIgBcTemU5miTf18S80jtHPLE/s400/17.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609171364472736018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Sew 1/4" around all edges, leaving a gap for turning out.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wzcEo7SvJmBouj-pL1se1TEaX2whMgnBJupFzUExgeQA2PVVNY2OlNmmRshde2HQUefntYkOR0ihq_X-yJtnaZFrczgIvcouDPifqckkuFqpc_qOpXB_Wg4xiQIkC3-OybfdELLkEW4/s1600/18.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9wzcEo7SvJmBouj-pL1se1TEaX2whMgnBJupFzUExgeQA2PVVNY2OlNmmRshde2HQUefntYkOR0ihq_X-yJtnaZFrczgIvcouDPifqckkuFqpc_qOpXB_Wg4xiQIkC3-OybfdELLkEW4/s400/18.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609171354075720978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Turn and press and VOILA! There's your pin cushion!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQhcx29-YumTu4FSzM7ib0PRF-LFV3L6uYrKt4ayPyLpwQlZjUDdcZCHGVWpXvMT0wH5N-HyAiAZfiB5UKq4OwEVaNsw82smwNNPB4wxgx-G6Xfqzb9yEtR4kk9q1acJeFqRpbxc2OBI/s1600/19.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQhcx29-YumTu4FSzM7ib0PRF-LFV3L6uYrKt4ayPyLpwQlZjUDdcZCHGVWpXvMT0wH5N-HyAiAZfiB5UKq4OwEVaNsw82smwNNPB4wxgx-G6Xfqzb9yEtR4kk9q1acJeFqRpbxc2OBI/s400/19.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609171348597209746" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now, laying your (A) piece flat with seam on the side and right sides still together, Mark the center (it should be around the 4" mark). Lay remaining edge of (B) strap centered over your mark. so the (A1) pin cushion is on the bottom (as in above picture). Place (A1 and B) unit inside your (A) bin (seen in below picture), matching center dots.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG82MBRxI5qk7MDslEqj58j61szlfZZ9-Wchi7SUwwWjvh1dqcWgItwiRVD44FhQ2GLeHTtQ4UjnSBWFUwiZm0QgC_E6SeaBjNZjs0-ekwuzxqoW6vZ7Vc3lXdLhCP26nZzXdat_yeb1g/s1600/20.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG82MBRxI5qk7MDslEqj58j61szlfZZ9-Wchi7SUwwWjvh1dqcWgItwiRVD44FhQ2GLeHTtQ4UjnSBWFUwiZm0QgC_E6SeaBjNZjs0-ekwuzxqoW6vZ7Vc3lXdLhCP26nZzXdat_yeb1g/s400/20.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609171338691091634" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKhjaYvvm1aai5wp5P2TU33l3G88PQ2TRn2H00T9-iyqUxQaT3-BnrBzPh1pZaUwV4ivrOIvam921nGeuBQjcZhzpjF1xQo5IcHZcygXVMgGV1egt0vP-H1OjIXfTPMLlHiITvvqAmYI/s1600/22.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYKhjaYvvm1aai5wp5P2TU33l3G88PQ2TRn2H00T9-iyqUxQaT3-BnrBzPh1pZaUwV4ivrOIvam921nGeuBQjcZhzpjF1xQo5IcHZcygXVMgGV1egt0vP-H1OjIXfTPMLlHiITvvqAmYI/s400/22.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609173684109573378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now turn lining (D) fabric right-side-out and place in your Bin (A) so (A) and (D) are right sides together. Sew around entire opening, leaving about three inches for turning.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VNX0s8oCw-CFOoPlrxcIRFrTT041XACyHBeuvxF9Fff1_jg0jmbH1eikKZkwn1AlO-t6C7bDZ-OJaApMaNrkBROutASs-yxeqz0SwOh3iYD0oaUpm3MI6dKcxWqy9ACKiNVTeBhc4LA/s1600/23.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VNX0s8oCw-CFOoPlrxcIRFrTT041XACyHBeuvxF9Fff1_jg0jmbH1eikKZkwn1AlO-t6C7bDZ-OJaApMaNrkBROutASs-yxeqz0SwOh3iYD0oaUpm3MI6dKcxWqy9ACKiNVTeBhc4LA/s400/23.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609173675715967474" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Turn and Press.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLy2-OGXQlvd_MJFOzBp_088xhjo6YU5Z_xEAdL4rGD02nnBM5gTiqKKsaloGtzELxhHTVTNt0v50ztNErbx8jlpY1kWXU7M43blG_tH2fD4zOBf_P0g7j07pLvYJCfm9f3XQK0tPgOk/s1600/24.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWLy2-OGXQlvd_MJFOzBp_088xhjo6YU5Z_xEAdL4rGD02nnBM5gTiqKKsaloGtzELxhHTVTNt0v50ztNErbx8jlpY1kWXU7M43blG_tH2fD4zOBf_P0g7j07pLvYJCfm9f3XQK0tPgOk/s400/24.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609173668005381618" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Holy Cow!! Did we just do THAT??</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdKw-ZL_g8-pw4L3AjvEfXHLdOWIHjFVqVUd-UXWeJbLK7Jq2HaUKmiCMh3y4fyeJeMmZP2zBZ89cod2pvy0MYsVhfl8-cdxEERlwycZxQrBB_LNJUdKeYma2UFJX2cUwGcDt46VOc2g/s1600/25.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbdKw-ZL_g8-pw4L3AjvEfXHLdOWIHjFVqVUd-UXWeJbLK7Jq2HaUKmiCMh3y4fyeJeMmZP2zBZ89cod2pvy0MYsVhfl8-cdxEERlwycZxQrBB_LNJUdKeYma2UFJX2cUwGcDt46VOc2g/s400/25.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609173663132960514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now it's time to add your 'Belting'- (Just ask for it at JoAnn's- it's about $2.45/yard)</div><div style="text-align: center;">It is a stiff yet flexible band that you will insert into the top of your thread catcher to hold that puppy open. You will need about 17" for one catcher.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWkCK3pDBRlxe86zXDNbbpVsOnCx3tPDLP-AayxTgC-8jfidOI2gGRDr69JRFt7BOuWlSwtOgJdwyOkCzlwFg4NxfWIOVaaG9t-4e1OMZT2IAPcLpHQeO2ZzuF4UMHjTllhvXATYY1cQ/s1600/26.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWkCK3pDBRlxe86zXDNbbpVsOnCx3tPDLP-AayxTgC-8jfidOI2gGRDr69JRFt7BOuWlSwtOgJdwyOkCzlwFg4NxfWIOVaaG9t-4e1OMZT2IAPcLpHQeO2ZzuF4UMHjTllhvXATYY1cQ/s400/26.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609364640181045010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Stitch around the entire cylinder about 1 1/2" from the top</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnBbIwKYSCOyJjoEzDegjqcNqFhT_mPCtfk9AYiR2ZMGNkqNSFHF1H-E94UktOrWEPCcZC_J3pM_JCo3QRjI7MC0CQfESnfS1kwlJ0fA7kUEyySAY5MmecGYLBQWrfGWzmOFrA-ETJWs/s1600/27.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJnBbIwKYSCOyJjoEzDegjqcNqFhT_mPCtfk9AYiR2ZMGNkqNSFHF1H-E94UktOrWEPCcZC_J3pM_JCo3QRjI7MC0CQfESnfS1kwlJ0fA7kUEyySAY5MmecGYLBQWrfGWzmOFrA-ETJWs/s400/27.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609364626577491522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Insert the belting and loop it around. It is stiff enough that it should go all the way around with very little coaxing.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmAA8ydFzWvP01ynnGQqqj5reVfhjd9Xdu8lI7wxat-a2lKWxoniyYksYMLv99ltGj2HTndbBxID_l5iae72eLPud-gR8oav2b6ndv-GQIxzfnDtzuornDdB1wFbC8qJ2hN8kzB2Cikk/s1600/28.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibmAA8ydFzWvP01ynnGQqqj5reVfhjd9Xdu8lI7wxat-a2lKWxoniyYksYMLv99ltGj2HTndbBxID_l5iae72eLPud-gR8oav2b6ndv-GQIxzfnDtzuornDdB1wFbC8qJ2hN8kzB2Cikk/s400/28.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609364620994471394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4hLg1XZtd4VshCcQ6x-mEND9jC-oSk2njmaYWesDD09ax3NDozUXy3wYIjy8H7XQLjBE_T82-4fCa7yBMfmU3WYlEH_tA6T_82g75IAY4O-tEke4AX-p06xWgOShKkuBbgQ4tJmtugE/s1600/30.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk4hLg1XZtd4VshCcQ6x-mEND9jC-oSk2njmaYWesDD09ax3NDozUXy3wYIjy8H7XQLjBE_T82-4fCa7yBMfmU3WYlEH_tA6T_82g75IAY4O-tEke4AX-p06xWgOShKkuBbgQ4tJmtugE/s400/30.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609364619184197906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now sew the two ends overlapping an inch so the belting is a 16" circle.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoAERtO3riXtFIo4pF2rzel2ump-oKQE_IKpTC2J9LYpYrYoP6A5xb-l1x4J63khQw31CSKYFIaSmx3ies8R57dUOsljC5xag79RG2EXohGFdEjWptYrDrpDOTstuU5xdtEZZq1W1Br5w/s400/31.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609366195130059346" /><div style="text-align: center;">I know it's hard to imagine what a 'great' seamstress I am when you see that amazing stitch job, but please believe me- my son changed the settings on my machine while I was changing my other son's diaper! LOL</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3OquW2HwCfSQW16OqsbndGAZ6ViaWVjDBHBmu2O1_xTzStX9Qwe-qqPYwz4AJoh8bhQOHtyPK7uzV3bMM1HrRf-VJK3uiQU7fa81UxaVld_hr177QT0p_8cslK4hDppUSpLGWPPSo2A/s1600/32.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA3OquW2HwCfSQW16OqsbndGAZ6ViaWVjDBHBmu2O1_xTzStX9Qwe-qqPYwz4AJoh8bhQOHtyPK7uzV3bMM1HrRf-VJK3uiQU7fa81UxaVld_hr177QT0p_8cslK4hDppUSpLGWPPSo2A/s400/32.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609366191498670386" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">TADA! You now have a nice opening for your bin! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRMPdvDwxhikSlTtcYP8mWyoGNzC4bhtkojxoDbMrtaJcgR4cNPmRFg6NvImAraURMC8mjLo_pcHoLyvY6OQisnDqnI6xzwEWnTu_vXV6wwXolNDyCQfNzkI3B6WzZ_IRns8XsUDjU44/s1600/33.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRMPdvDwxhikSlTtcYP8mWyoGNzC4bhtkojxoDbMrtaJcgR4cNPmRFg6NvImAraURMC8mjLo_pcHoLyvY6OQisnDqnI6xzwEWnTu_vXV6wwXolNDyCQfNzkI3B6WzZ_IRns8XsUDjU44/s400/33.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609366182829519490" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Now, stitch the top closed and run the stitch all around the top about 1/4" from the top.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAiuRydyte-jM2brr1jxuCj5ZYKp6TaHiwZ7tN_Wz2991zFmYLACUmEeq1JOZmAX5bh7HJlRazsUoGG3C7nkJDGzNDt6BBFMHjzlHTBI-kOOHJraD48mo5QqfVhJiBjq0EUTzHe59LYI/s1600/34.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAiuRydyte-jM2brr1jxuCj5ZYKp6TaHiwZ7tN_Wz2991zFmYLACUmEeq1JOZmAX5bh7HJlRazsUoGG3C7nkJDGzNDt6BBFMHjzlHTBI-kOOHJraD48mo5QqfVhJiBjq0EUTzHe59LYI/s400/34.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609366173637444386" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Do you have much of this in your storage? If so, pull it out now! If not, you may purchase Polly Pellets or use rice.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqziqgqVUJMA_Ty3KsgnRF6j7nQzId-1hyRKm2rAErUceSOIwXKZgcJGccpN1YvVVXWpng8y91c-xz5gOh-DQerovfS4805kifqxNEedqUCKMJAG9yD4I3wP7pgcXl-2sl4FumWEyZkZA/s1600/35.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqziqgqVUJMA_Ty3KsgnRF6j7nQzId-1hyRKm2rAErUceSOIwXKZgcJGccpN1YvVVXWpng8y91c-xz5gOh-DQerovfS4805kifqxNEedqUCKMJAG9yD4I3wP7pgcXl-2sl4FumWEyZkZA/s400/35.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609368249545944962" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">I put my wheat or whatever I'm using in a 1 liter cleaned out water bottle so it is an easy funnel to use for the small opening in my pin cushion. Fill your cushion with approx. 1 - 1 1/2 cups of your filler and sew the opening closed. (I use my machine because I am lazy, but you can hand sew if you don't want your stitches showing!)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnoYvFTdfJnmrnNu_nzRie1MDPIqO8Mteh_EUgRwdIoo-6HzanYPSjIMN1HZpNQISkSU6Bsk9XhR8M-wlM5tskODY11iVVkSArLJEamK8nKYGDSCntQziqreH1x6p5NxyWxJaniHxqog/s1600/36.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitnoYvFTdfJnmrnNu_nzRie1MDPIqO8Mteh_EUgRwdIoo-6HzanYPSjIMN1HZpNQISkSU6Bsk9XhR8M-wlM5tskODY11iVVkSArLJEamK8nKYGDSCntQziqreH1x6p5NxyWxJaniHxqog/s400/36.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609368249357061106" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">HOORAY!!! Look at the nifty sewing tool you have made. Give yourself a hand!</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEJEBkX-Io3d91KZL-Q_vyTc7M2aCOrRzpksLSH6u5As9bXvidfeKON8OuV_CZkd5K-yHmCB1es1z1Dy0ISA2EZ4IhE0akUUw7cr9FSGvGi84zfWvKJlDYjhK3s8__5jdRMlOB6PWRm4/s1600/38.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEJEBkX-Io3d91KZL-Q_vyTc7M2aCOrRzpksLSH6u5As9bXvidfeKON8OuV_CZkd5K-yHmCB1es1z1Dy0ISA2EZ4IhE0akUUw7cr9FSGvGi84zfWvKJlDYjhK3s8__5jdRMlOB6PWRm4/s400/38.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5609368244577716114" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Please leave a comment and let me know how you find this tutorial. I am relatively new to this and would truly appreciate any constructive feedback. And when you have finished one, please send me a picture so I can see all your beautiful work. Happy Sewing!!</div>~TabithaThe Polka Dot Apronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02633353892767064425noreply@blogger.com46