tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88605678210363869252024-03-13T20:21:34.643-04:00OlivethebeachRachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.comBlogger105125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-32438488933167180002011-09-12T19:42:00.001-04:002011-09-12T19:42:56.337-04:00Swap Mini!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35981592@N04/6138377457/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6064/6138377457_b6494970fc_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35981592@N04/6138377457/">IMG_2817-e</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35981592@N04/">meganalayne</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>This is the little mini quilt I made for my swap partner Jill Lee for this month. She loves turquoise, Kaffe Fassett and geometrics.</p>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-45035880546505476642011-08-30T18:19:00.001-04:002011-08-30T18:19:24.238-04:00Kaufman Kona Challenge for TMQG<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35981592@N04/6047585547/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6203/6047585547_d105096e16_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35981592@N04/6047585547/">IMG_2727-e</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/35981592@N04/">meganalayne</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>Here I am with my Nighttime Daytime quilt for the Kaufman Kona challenge we did for our Triangle Modern Quilt Guild. Love a finished tablerunner quiltie!</p>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-68180173853210933792011-07-06T11:57:00.006-04:002011-07-06T12:44:21.102-04:00ProcessesMy quilt projects for this month are numerous, if only in my head! I am working on a "true mini" for a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/725005@N21/">flickr group</a>. I scratched my head for awhile because mini isn't really my speciali-T. But, it's time to stretch myself. I thought maybe paper piecing would be good for a mini in order to keep my seams straight and true. I found a cool mini snail's trail and printed off my pages. And picked out some fabric. And voila:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEjdnLah7ds/ThSKGjBOcTI/AAAAAAAAAps/SO8iohO0BAA/s1600/firsttrymini.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 314px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EEjdnLah7ds/ThSKGjBOcTI/AAAAAAAAAps/SO8iohO0BAA/s400/firsttrymini.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626273679576822066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What the heck happened? I don't know. It looked like bad origami on the right side. And you know, I'm fairly proficient at paper piecing. I sad ta heck with that and started something else that felt right and is stretching me a bit in the applique department. Here is how I started with some teeny tiny circles. All of which remind of that Richard Scarry story The Teeny Tiny Woman.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2izg9Mu2dA/ThSNeaj6gMI/AAAAAAAAAp0/3v6xvhT2o3w/s1600/circlesmini.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 351px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H2izg9Mu2dA/ThSNeaj6gMI/AAAAAAAAAp0/3v6xvhT2o3w/s400/circlesmini.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626277388158140610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Then I got some cool fabrics cooked up and am off to a start and almost a finish. Hope my swappee likes it!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQLLN-zK9M8/ThSPiLHgyyI/AAAAAAAAAp8/DKkgedWqS7w/s1600/trueminirow.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 140px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QQLLN-zK9M8/ThSPiLHgyyI/AAAAAAAAAp8/DKkgedWqS7w/s400/trueminirow.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626279651755215650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AD3_K04lm3k/ThSQLMGospI/AAAAAAAAAqE/LkbC-OSzb9c/s1600/minitrue.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 226px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AD3_K04lm3k/ThSQLMGospI/AAAAAAAAAqE/LkbC-OSzb9c/s400/minitrue.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626280356394611346" border="0" /></a>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-41659202438680661972011-06-14T14:34:00.013-04:002011-06-14T22:42:56.220-04:00Aw man and false starts<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B_Aheh1RRK4/TfgZRfkiZLI/AAAAAAAAApA/WlSsDtd3EHk/s1600/IMG_1195.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B_Aheh1RRK4/TfgZRfkiZLI/AAAAAAAAApA/WlSsDtd3EHk/s400/IMG_1195.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618268323467912370" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I received a bag of lovely little girl clothes and big girl shirts to make a quilt for a friend's daughter who is heading off to college in the fall. I love these projects and she had such a great idea to save her most favorite kid clothes to turn into something memorable. I definitely feel the pressure to do a bang up job and honor this special quilt!<br /><br />I have run into some challenges though. I thought since I would be using some knits in the quilt, I should try and do a paper pieced quilt to cut down on the stretching. When I did the marathon quilt, I used both fusible and sewn interfacing to face each tshirt. That was time consuming, and in addition, I wasn't 100% happy with the appearance of the fused tshirts after washing. I nixed that idea for this quilt. These pieces will be much smaller, so that is a bonus.<br /><br />After much thought, sketching, more thought, sketching, I thought I had a great idea. But I wasn't in love with it, though I thought I could make it work. It's a traditional square in square block.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJiqMsRwklQ/TfgZxsusSbI/AAAAAAAAApQ/0VjTm8wc-hM/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kJiqMsRwklQ/TfgZxsusSbI/AAAAAAAAApQ/0VjTm8wc-hM/s400/IMG_1194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618268876755978674" border="0" /></a><br />You heard that, right? Traditional. As in, not really me. I started four blocks and after the fourth one, I just knew the quilt and I, as planned, would not be continuing our relationship. It didn't feel right, I couldn't see how it would all come together and look right, so I scrapped that idea.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZgvA-a61y4/TfgZcwn7OgI/AAAAAAAAApI/S9vSU29OnGQ/s1600/IMG_1196.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IZgvA-a61y4/TfgZcwn7OgI/AAAAAAAAApI/S9vSU29OnGQ/s400/IMG_1196.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618268517024086530" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Panic! New idea!!! I always go to flickr first. And I did and came up with <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivethebeach/galleries/72157626837632111/">a gallery of favorites</a> that caught my eye for this project. So, off I go again. To choose and to begin and to finish. I'm glad I have learned to trust my quilting gut enough to call uncle when necessary. I'll keep ya posted. Keep your fingers crossed for me!Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-23092580174263062522011-05-27T09:27:00.003-04:002011-05-27T09:55:45.819-04:00Who wants Scraps?No pics today. Terrible, right? What is a blog post without pictures from a quilter? Jeesh.<br /><br />I've been in between mode. As in, my studio needs a cleaning, a getting rid of really. One of my cabinet drawers wouldn't even close it was so full of fabric I don't really use. I would open it up and stare at some lavender fleece that I bought 4 years ago to make my daughter some cute jammies out of. She's full swing tween now and hates lavender. I would slam it shut, it would bounce back open, and I would walk away.<br /><br />This week I took on a small commission for a friend's daughter going off to college. I looked around that cluttered sewing room with scraps busting out of 5 containers and unused fabric with no hope of being used and a basket full of UFOs and UFOs hanging in the closet and said Enough of this sh*te. I started with the overflowing scraps. I got that down to two smallish baskets and one of potential backing fabric. Wow. Major accomplishment. I was unnerved by the smallness of some of the scraps I save. I was also surprised that there are only 2 or 3 fabrics that I consistently love to the point of not parting with scraps each time I see said fabric. I put all those scraps in big ziplocs. Who wants scraps??? Seriously, send me an email. I'll send you scraps.<br /><br />Yesterday, one kid was under the weather (the super active one) and the other just likes getting crafty. I took both kids in the room under the guise of letting them use their creative brains and got busy on that cabinet. It really is easier to purge fabric when surrounded by kids who try and save everything. I don't want to contribute to any hoarding tendencies, so out it goes if I'm not going to use it. One got started on a charity quilt and the other made paper house. And I was so successful in clearing out fabric I'll never use and I know someone else will.<br /><br />Which brings me to my next clarity moment. When I first started quilting, I would buy and buy and buy and not sew much. When I got a little more serious and house bound (by babies!), I realized that buying compulsively meant I didn't have to be scared to try new things or make the worlds ugliest quilt or quilt blocks. I started sewing more and shopping less. Of course, when I joined coops (sniff I miss them), that shopping thing was so much easier and less time consuming. But gradually, I stopped buying so much and I am working through my stash. I think it also helped that the fabric industry, though way too pricey at retail in my humble opinion, releases gorgeous fabric season after season after season. So, my new rule is, if I love it, but I don't have a specific project in the works, I have to reallllly love it to buy it. Because otherwise, I might end up with a cabinet full of 5 year old sad fabric. And I have made some ugly stuff. If I can't bear to throw it away, I pack it off to goodwill. Yes I do.<br /><br />I have to tell you, the inspiration to get purging came from Sarah over at<a href="http://thehouseofkrom.blogspot.com/2011/03/got-your-steel-toe-boots-on-cause-im.html"> House of Krom</a>. Yay! Inspiration is good. So, you peeps out there? Want some fabric? Scraps or fat quarters, I got em for ya!Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-80585160915063698792011-05-09T14:23:00.019-04:002011-05-09T16:12:37.049-04:00May already?Wait, what? It's May? Whew.<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">SO, my fam and I were very lucky to take a trip to Portugal this spring. My husband travels an insane amount for work, so those airline and hotel points add up to vacation for us! We love to travel. Here I am on a beautiful beach. Like how I can sneak a beach trip in anywhere in the world? Hehhehheh.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBZKGl17aak/Tcgy8he7JhI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/m1nYQhOC2KM/s1600/Rachonbeach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hBZKGl17aak/Tcgy8he7JhI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/m1nYQhOC2KM/s400/Rachonbeach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604785751624197650" border="0" /></a><br />Here are the other parts of Chez Ellington.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BqJuq6No1j4/TcgzcXQ068I/AAAAAAAAAnY/JBSE4Z9E0jg/s1600/famonbeach.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BqJuq6No1j4/TcgzcXQ068I/AAAAAAAAAnY/JBSE4Z9E0jg/s400/famonbeach.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604786298636528578" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">There are so many incredible things to see in the world. And eat. My husband and I are big on food. See how happy I am with this big Sangria pitcher in front of me?<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGNVufoDzxQ/Tcg0C5LDwYI/AAAAAAAAAng/5oqDT3fhFvU/s1600/Port51.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kGNVufoDzxQ/Tcg0C5LDwYI/AAAAAAAAAng/5oqDT3fhFvU/s400/Port51.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604786960574169474" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">This was my (and Joe's) most favorite dish in Portugal. Just looking at this picture makes me hungry. Oddly, it was a very thick sort of zuppa de pesce or bouillabaisse. Normally, I'll not order something like that, just not my very favorite. But, wow. What a dish.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c80Xggn7kaQ/Tcg1xk_PfVI/AAAAAAAAAnw/4fcM-GteZgo/s1600/Port95.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c80Xggn7kaQ/Tcg1xk_PfVI/AAAAAAAAAnw/4fcM-GteZgo/s400/Port95.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604788862121377106" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Ok so on to other creative mis-endeavors. Remember the purple quilt with the paper pieced border? It's been sitting in my Finish IT pile for awhile now. I picked it up and decided I just did not like the border on it. So, with trusty seam ripper in hand, off it came. Here is is after being quilted (red flowery things) and pinning the binding. Yes, I machine bind everything.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YW_2RykknuI/Tcg2NDmF3iI/AAAAAAAAAn4/6Xf8oLKMwNI/s1600/IMG_1061.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YW_2RykknuI/Tcg2NDmF3iI/AAAAAAAAAn4/6Xf8oLKMwNI/s400/IMG_1061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604789334193856034" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrSKbqNI_p8/Tcg1b0yi5pI/AAAAAAAAAno/4NyLHosnvIM/s1600/IMG_1060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BrSKbqNI_p8/Tcg1b0yi5pI/AAAAAAAAAno/4NyLHosnvIM/s400/IMG_1060.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604788488405968530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">With both of my bees ended, I turned my attention to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/sarahandmollysfreepiecingstudy/">free piecing group on Flickr</a> that I am in. Whoa, I realized, I am 3 months behind! So I got cracking. Some things worked out okay. Like below:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66QA4IG0Alg/Tcg3xs-IM4I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/5yGkkrCBcrw/s1600/IMG_1051.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-66QA4IG0Alg/Tcg3xs-IM4I/AAAAAAAAAoQ/5yGkkrCBcrw/s400/IMG_1051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604791063287444354" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1CEHDy7pJI/Tcg3MGuLSNI/AAAAAAAAAoI/c6dTgMdzM7Y/s1600/IMG_1054.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E1CEHDy7pJI/Tcg3MGuLSNI/AAAAAAAAAoI/c6dTgMdzM7Y/s400/IMG_1054.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604790417364830418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPTr36c18_Q/Tcg2v7c_UFI/AAAAAAAAAoA/c5TGXHpD_o0/s1600/IMG_1056.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BPTr36c18_Q/Tcg2v7c_UFI/AAAAAAAAAoA/c5TGXHpD_o0/s400/IMG_1056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604789933303615570" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">And some things just went kerplooey. This poor sad star is going in the Outta Here pile:<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwHtxwk8fqI/Tcg4DBMkaSI/AAAAAAAAAoY/M2Zvb9Sq12o/s1600/IMG_1055.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZwHtxwk8fqI/Tcg4DBMkaSI/AAAAAAAAAoY/M2Zvb9Sq12o/s400/IMG_1055.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604791360774498594" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Oddly, I keep having star problems. Not the first time, either. It's not a complicated block, but my brain just refuses to play with it. I'll power through them and maybe say good bye star block for awhile.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLP49GmRbYU/Tcg4YWc5sVI/AAAAAAAAAog/ROEAJgAn3dQ/s1600/IMG_1058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bLP49GmRbYU/Tcg4YWc5sVI/AAAAAAAAAog/ROEAJgAn3dQ/s400/IMG_1058.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5604791727257399634" border="0" /></a><br />See? Just more than wonky and will require a little rippage and resew. Whatevah. It happens!<br /><div style="text-align: justify;">Next up for me are next month's free piece block, and I start cutting for the <a href="http://trianglemodernquilts.ning.com/">Triangle Modern Quilt Guild </a>Kona solids challenge! Those nice Kaufman people sent us 40 charm packs!!! <a href="http://www.quiltdad.com/">John</a>, the swap swami extraordinaire, chose the dusty color set- very cool. Really, the ideas are still percolating. Which means I need to sketch. And the weather is so perfect for sitting on the deck and sketching. SO that's where I'll be, maybe with some sangria too.<br /></div>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-1201855569816466302011-03-21T19:59:00.002-04:002011-03-23T22:03:57.864-04:00Some new fun things I've been looking at. Getting some inspiration going here!<br /><ul><li><a href="http://www.thehappyzombie.com/blog/">Happy Zombie<br /></a></li><li><a href="http://fatquarterly.com/">Fat Quarterly</a></li><li><a href="http://danitaart.blogspot.com/">Danita Art</a></li><li><a href="http://thecartbeforethehorse.blogspot.com/http://thecartbeforethehorse.blogspot.com/">The Cart Before the Horse</a></li></ul>I'm enthralled by almost all art. Masters, modern, you name it. I have a special place in my heart for folk art and art that is humorous. I just remembered I have a print I need to frame from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/badbird?ref=pr_shop">Badbird's shop</a>. That will be some great inspiration! Who's working on something new?Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-3745411772290419652011-03-21T19:17:00.007-04:002011-03-21T19:28:24.906-04:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3-HC0mGnkA/TYfeQJ_HYZI/AAAAAAAAAmU/t5mmoYMVUiQ/s1600/IMG_0468.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 299px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3-HC0mGnkA/TYfeQJ_HYZI/AAAAAAAAAmU/t5mmoYMVUiQ/s400/IMG_0468.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586678231916306834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Wow. It's March 20th. Time is marching and all that. I have been working on a marathon quilt now for at least half a year. It's not a marathon quilt because it took so long to complete (which it did), but because it's comprised of over 50 t-shirts representing a marathon run in each state and DC. Not run by me. I should really bold that statement. Not run by me. The gentlemen who ran the marathons thought it would be great to have a quilt of his t's and I was happy to take on that project. I just didn't know it would take me so long to complete! Quilt has been delivered and I am happy to share some pictures now.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X6VOKkGrwuM/TYfd1oNkPHI/AAAAAAAAAmM/2TIOI0PTLjc/s1600/IMG_0471.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 337px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X6VOKkGrwuM/TYfd1oNkPHI/AAAAAAAAAmM/2TIOI0PTLjc/s400/IMG_0471.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586677776173513842" border="0" /></a><br />And here is my super jazzed face after working an afternoon and delivering a quilt! Yay! Finishing a project feels so good and making quilts for people really does make me feel good too.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xlmAAic29VM/TYfe9sy0N7I/AAAAAAAAAmk/YrBYdO2pL-k/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 306px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xlmAAic29VM/TYfe9sy0N7I/AAAAAAAAAmk/YrBYdO2pL-k/s400/IMG_0479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586679014354073522" border="0" /></a>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-27535302956865002792011-03-01T20:29:00.008-05:002011-03-01T20:48:15.558-05:00Quilting Tutorial for Buzz CuttersFor all of you non-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">quilty</span> types, this may be dull, or fascinating! Depending on how interested you are in sewing. I'm posting a tutorial for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1029693@N22/">Buzz Cuts</a> quilting bee on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Flickr</span> which has been around for 2 years!<br /><br />This month, please use your solid, batik, marbled, or near solid stash/scraps. I'm happy to send some to you if you don't have any. I'm open to any crazy color combinations, so go nuts! I just started sewing this one this way, so if you know of a different way to get the same sort of effect, go for it. You can be wonky or exact-whatever floats your boat. I did a wonky block, as you will see here. We're making 12.5" x 12.5", but if yours turns out smaller or larger, no biggie, send it along. I'm very flexible!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTKGUVsdnKg/TW2epE08IxI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/oMzkjINhvDE/s1600/strips%2B3-1-2011%2B7-12-30%2BPM.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gTKGUVsdnKg/TW2epE08IxI/AAAAAAAAAlQ/oMzkjINhvDE/s400/strips%2B3-1-2011%2B7-12-30%2BPM.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579289941889524498" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">First cut your strips - wonky, straight, measured, whatever. You'll want to cut the strips longer than 12.5" because you will need a slightly larger block since we'll be cutting and re-sewing the strip block. I aimed for 14<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ish</span> inches and that worked out well. If you need to piece your strips, that is fine too!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxBZ7IOd62w/TW2fE6dPGOI/AAAAAAAAAlY/ynYr63NBC7M/s1600/sewnstrips%2B3-1-2011%2B7-12-45%2BPM.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxBZ7IOd62w/TW2fE6dPGOI/AAAAAAAAAlY/ynYr63NBC7M/s400/sewnstrips%2B3-1-2011%2B7-12-45%2BPM.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579290420142086370" border="0" /></a>Then, sew your strips together. Straight, wonky, whatever.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx5anYmZrwY/TW2fYGzBDJI/AAAAAAAAAlg/Yn6EqDQ5jE8/s1600/3cuts%2B3-1-2011%2B7-31-29%2BPM.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Bx5anYmZrwY/TW2fYGzBDJI/AAAAAAAAAlg/Yn6EqDQ5jE8/s400/3cuts%2B3-1-2011%2B7-31-29%2BPM.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579290749872180370" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">After your strips are sewn together, you may want to straighten up some edges (or not). Then make between 2-4 cuts in the block.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyOn1ZTmbpk/TW2gQCb8EEI/AAAAAAAAAlo/mx7LurHNvE8/s1600/arrange%2B3-1-2011%2B7-33-03%2BPM.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyOn1ZTmbpk/TW2gQCb8EEI/AAAAAAAAAlo/mx7LurHNvE8/s400/arrange%2B3-1-2011%2B7-33-03%2BPM.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579291710774317122" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Arrange and rearrange the segments until you get something different than the strip block then sew them all together!<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVcErmNM5Tk/TW2guKtA5WI/AAAAAAAAAlw/opvUXe5oPHY/s1600/Buzz%2Bblock%2Bby%2Bme%2B3-1-2011%2B7-39-11%2BPM.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVcErmNM5Tk/TW2guKtA5WI/AAAAAAAAAlw/opvUXe5oPHY/s400/Buzz%2Bblock%2Bby%2Bme%2B3-1-2011%2B7-39-11%2BPM.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579292228389496162" border="0" /></a>Voila! Press it, trim it, call it a day!<br /><br /></div>Thanks so much! Have fun! Send me a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">flickr</span> mail, email, or comment if you have questions!Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-78528950691281474772011-01-28T09:41:00.007-05:002011-01-28T09:54:44.817-05:00These last few weeks, I've been working on a number of things. I was having a hard time actually focusing on one task at a time in the first few months of the year, but I got on the stick and got a fair amount accomplished. I love to sew and given the choice, I would do it about 18 hours a day. But there is life, work, family, friends and these are important as well.<br /><br />The marathon quilt is chugging along. I just don't have any pictures to show you.<br /><br />I joined a new <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/sarahandmollysfreepiecingstudy/">free piecing sewing group on Flickr</a> and I love it! Free piecing basically means no pattern. That is so me. "The only rules I follow are the ones I make myself." Seriously, I have a tile in my studio with that printed on it. This month we worked on birds and log cabin houses. Here are the birdies I came up with. Haven't taken photos of the houses yet.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULXYE6B9PI/AAAAAAAAAkw/LhBkuqUEqAE/s1600/Bird1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULXYE6B9PI/AAAAAAAAAkw/LhBkuqUEqAE/s400/Bird1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567248898017326322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULXRjNlayI/AAAAAAAAAko/KO_aFsODG6w/s1600/Bird2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 397px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULXRjNlayI/AAAAAAAAAko/KO_aFsODG6w/s400/Bird2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567248785893321506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULXLdBVYxI/AAAAAAAAAkg/Ej5Dw6xdtFo/s1600/Bird3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 394px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULXLdBVYxI/AAAAAAAAAkg/Ej5Dw6xdtFo/s400/Bird3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567248681152111378" border="0" /></a><br />That middle guy looks like a baby dinosaur! hahahahahaha.<br /><br />I've also worked on some flickr bee blocks:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULX8nZFTTI/AAAAAAAAAlA/k4jVAia-6hs/s1600/janbee.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULX8nZFTTI/AAAAAAAAAlA/k4jVAia-6hs/s400/janbee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567249525749665074" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULX26XdEEI/AAAAAAAAAk4/jG9NhbNnesI/s1600/janbee2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 395px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TULX26XdEEI/AAAAAAAAAk4/jG9NhbNnesI/s400/janbee2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5567249427763892290" border="0" /></a>That first one was actually the second one I did. On this bottom one, I was looking at pattern, not color. Top one, I focused on color. Interesting how I can get very involved in the detail close up and forget to consider the overall effect. Wow. That probably applies to much of my life!<br /><br />I've also been quilting a baby quilt that a local gal put together and asked me to quilt. That is fun and makes me want to save my pennies for a handiquilter or a long arm. I'll be saving a lot of pennies for those! Have a great Friday friends!Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-31265757962089303442011-01-28T09:31:00.004-05:002011-01-28T09:41:00.333-05:00Winner!!On Facebook, I invited friends to post on my blog to win a little somethin somethin in honor of my 100th blog post. River you are the winner!!!!!<br /><br />Here is River's <a href="http://www.experiencethebreath.com/ExperiencetheBreath/%22Experience_the_Breath%22.html">website</a> which describes her heart opening work and beautiful setting where she lives with Coyote.<br /><br />Have a great day friends.Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-89398206805174214202011-01-11T20:32:00.006-05:002011-01-11T21:45:51.792-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0NLNtEdiI/AAAAAAAAAjo/vZS439eQiq4/s1600/glamquilt%2B1-9-2011%2B9-55-07%2BAM.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 301px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0NLNtEdiI/AAAAAAAAAjo/vZS439eQiq4/s400/glamquilt%2B1-9-2011%2B9-55-07%2BAM.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561115601180849698" border="0" /></a><br />Here is the body of what I am calling my Glam Garden quilt. The fabric was donated to my local quilt guild <a href="http://trianglemodernquilts.ning.com/">(Triangle Modern Quilt Guild)</a> by <a href="http://www.robertkaufman.com/">Robert Kaufman Fabrics</a>. We each got a 10 Square (40 pieces of 10" from the Glam Garden Gala line) and our rules were to use only one other fabric. I am using Kona cotton in Crocus. Say that 10 times fast! The fabrics are really POW! so I wanted to do a simple quilt to highlight the pow factor. I did this wonky square in a square thing which measures about 3' x 3'. I thought I was going to leave it at that, but then this idea that I got from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-York-beauty-Traditional-contemporary/dp/B0006S27IY/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1294799882&sr=1-8">Karen Stone's NY Beauty book </a>has been percolating in my head for awhile and it seemed worthwhile to add on a border like this.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0O_u8fUqI/AAAAAAAAAjw/igVyy0_ol6c/s1600/border3%2B1-9-2011%2B9-53-33%2BAM.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0O_u8fUqI/AAAAAAAAAjw/igVyy0_ol6c/s400/border3%2B1-9-2011%2B9-53-33%2BAM.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561117602968720034" border="0" /></a>I drafted it myself (yay, go me!) using sketch pad paper,which I have decided is a much cheaper option than foundation paper sold at the quilt shop, and is basically the same product. I paper pieced the spokes, made a few boo-boos, and kept on going. I used my rotary to cut those curvy lines. Here is the spires/spokes pre-cutting.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0PynQMr8I/AAAAAAAAAj4/oExFeSkMA2A/s1600/border2%2B1-9-2011%2B9-53-26%2BAM.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0PynQMr8I/AAAAAAAAAj4/oExFeSkMA2A/s400/border2%2B1-9-2011%2B9-53-26%2BAM.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561118477077229506" border="0" /></a>To complete this top border, I laid the curvy cut border on a piece of Crocus Kona, traced the curvy line, cut it, and then pinned the two together. Then I sewed those pesky curves. Usually, I am great at curves ala NY Beauty. But I feel a tad out of practice on this border.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0FPsUBSPI/AAAAAAAAAjg/uVxxhXlrWRM/s1600/border4.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 348px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0FPsUBSPI/AAAAAAAAAjg/uVxxhXlrWRM/s400/border4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561106882023737586" border="0" /></a>Here is a pic of the border on the quilt, hanging off my ironing board, but not ironed. I like the look of it, but it was fairly labor intensive and I don't see that happening for the other 3 borders.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0QhDlnOVI/AAAAAAAAAkA/H_A9iw7NoSo/s1600/borderandglam.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TS0QhDlnOVI/AAAAAAAAAkA/H_A9iw7NoSo/s400/borderandglam.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561119274957224274" border="0" /></a>This quilt will live at home, since I have so few hanging around. Stay warm if you're in the cold part of the world.Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-53781723091323282282011-01-04T11:23:00.005-05:002011-01-04T11:41:21.663-05:00I am sitting at the computer, getting lost in the shuffle of check this, check that, do that, do this. Ugh! Well, here are some recently completed items.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TSNKU508IiI/AAAAAAAAAi0/cL9dcz5IQfE/s1600/IMG_0823.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TSNKU508IiI/AAAAAAAAAi0/cL9dcz5IQfE/s400/IMG_0823.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558368088086028834" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TSNNKplh8eI/AAAAAAAAAjE/gDK1ThDTMcM/s1600/beeblocknov.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TSNNKplh8eI/AAAAAAAAAjE/gDK1ThDTMcM/s400/beeblocknov.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558371210462622178" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TSNLhVOE5CI/AAAAAAAAAi8/W6nuAYGdx5E/s1600/novbee.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 395px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TSNLhVOE5CI/AAAAAAAAAi8/W6nuAYGdx5E/s400/novbee.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558369401109275682" border="0" /></a><br />I'm working on the commission quilt right now, and my brain is slipping around thinking of a new quilt for home, despite the multiple UFO's that occupy my space and brain! Does anyone resolve to finish or pass along the UFO's? I need some goal tracking ideas! Enjoy your day.Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-4029849775593624882011-01-01T19:07:00.003-05:002011-01-01T20:01:48.147-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TR_OQmEX4TI/AAAAAAAAAis/5B_Htq8OqJI/s1600/anniv3.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 224px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TR_OQmEX4TI/AAAAAAAAAis/5B_Htq8OqJI/s400/anniv3.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5557387249690599730" border="0" /></a><br />Wow here is 2011. I'm not a resolutionist type, but I do reflect on the past year and sometimes that makes for some disharmony in my first few days of the New Year. Not that each year has been bad, but I am pretty hard on myself and we all know that time is in short supply in each of our lives.<br /><br />Or is it? I've been reading some interesting things lately about having our lives reflect what is really important to us instead of reacting to things that come our way. I try not to dwell on regrets, so I will simply say that I am looking forward to seeing more of my friends in 2011, participating more in creative endeavors, and enjoying my little ones more.<br /><br />This first quarter of 2011 will have me understanding my own creative pursuits, finishing up a commission quilt, and delving into two family gifts. What strikes me as odd are the few quilts I actually have in my own house! This will be the year I make a dent in the UFOs intended for my immediate family and myself.<br /><br />I am always amazed at the resources online for both quilting and sewing clothes. I have sewn a few garments, mostly for my Thing 1 and I hope to add to my own wardrobe this year. I have been a member of <a href="http://sewing.patternreview.com/">Pattern Review</a> for the last year and I find it to be a helpful, although personally underused, resource. For quilting, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivethebeach/">Flickr</a> has been my starting, and often stopping, point for inspiration. In fact, I was thinking the other day that joining groups on Flickr allowed me to find my quilting "voice" and still pushes me to try new techniques or color combinations that I normally would not do. I've also virtually met a number of creative, fun, like-minded people that astonish me with their endeavors.<br /><br />Last year opened up some roads in my life that I never expected, that frankly took me out of many of my creative loops. To manage, I found myself reading, watching movies, and listening to lots of music, which I love to do anyway. The creative process seemed a bit too overwhelming for many of 2010's months, so my brain found solace in things that bring me comfort. That only reminded me how much I love the written word and how important music is in my life. On most days, I listen to <a href="http://wknc.org/">The Revolution</a> and <a href="http://www.npr.org/">NPR</a>. I am a huge fan of my Iphone, Itunes, etc. I regularly listen to <a href="http://www.thisamericanlife.org/">This American Life</a> and <a href="http://www.themoth.org/podcast">The Moth</a>. These are small things that give me great joy-listening to stories and excellent reporting.<br /><br />For my spiritual fix, I listen to Mars Hill podcasts and a few meditation podcasts. In 2010, I started doing yoga about twice a week. I've continued throughout the year and I am happy to say, I am getting into <a href="http://www.yogajournal.com/poses/468">bakasana</a> now, although only for about 5 seconds at a time. I'm okay with that. I have worked out for years, often through painful limitations of feet, back, or legs. Yoga has helped me understand that sometimes the body doesn't need to be beaten into submission, but coaxed into position. I've learned to feel the minute changes a subtle reaching or stretching of a muscle can produce while in poses. Let me assure you, I am not anywhere near Bendy Wendy status, but I feel happy with my practice. This year will involve more of my own home practice now that I feel more confident in the poses.<br /><br />I also turned 40 this year. The joy in receiving so many well wishes from so many amazing friends gave me a renewed spirit. I am blessed a thousandfold by the love and presence of my friends. They have really buoyed me through the year and kept me in stitches when I needed it.<br /><br />I hope you have plans for a joyous year. I hope to write more and read more of your blogs and hear about your intentions and favorite things, and the sucky things too. Because life ain't always a bowl of cherries! Cheers friends. Hello 2011!Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-10544583734908529492010-11-15T21:52:00.000-05:002010-11-15T21:52:39.053-05:00Backlog<div style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TOHx8z0ZZVI/AAAAAAAAAh8/m4xzNLBR1DU/s1600/IMG_0576.JPG"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TOHx8z0ZZVI/AAAAAAAAAh8/m4xzNLBR1DU/s320/IMG_0576.JPG" /></a> </div><br />Hello little sad blog! Life is busy, as it is for all of us and unfortunately, blogging has fallen behind. Today, I'll just update one of the things I've done over the last few months! These little gems were for my <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/beelovely/">Bee Lovely</a> group and are peacock feathers! What a great idea! <a href="http://burkeshires.blogspot.com/2010/09/peacock-time.html">Ramona </a>thought up this fabulously creative idea for blocks. I've taken up a new part time job which has cut back on my hours of random creativity, but it is a great gig. I've also been working on a quilt commission that is taking me a much longer time to complete than I anticipated. Luckily, my client is patient! As the holidays start swinging into view, my mantra this year is "I'm only human." Hoping your creative endeavors are going well!<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-13326747002561204692010-08-20T10:12:00.002-04:002010-08-20T10:14:11.203-04:00Woohooo!Look what I signed up for:<br /><br /><a href="http://thesketchbookproject.com"><img src="http://arthousecoop.com/images/templates/sketchbook5/sharing/500x550.jpg" width="500" height="550" alt="The Sketchbook Project: 2011" /></a><br /><br />Nope, I'm not really a sketch type. But, you know what, I can be!Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-50284289262639043702010-08-03T12:44:00.006-04:002010-08-03T13:44:42.071-04:00Fabric and the Small Business HandcrafterThis is the lonely blog right here! I have been neglectful, but it is summer and my kids are home, so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bloggy</span> is last on the list right now. I also just don't have pics ready to post and I think that in order to post, I must have pics! Well, I'll give you a few and then I want to write about something that has me thinking.<br /><br />Please forgive the state of the pictures. These were taken not in sunlight and are a bit dark.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TFhIe9jqjLI/AAAAAAAAAf0/RJabpouosAw/s1600/Spring+Summer+2010+154.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TFhIe9jqjLI/AAAAAAAAAf0/RJabpouosAw/s400/Spring+Summer+2010+154.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501226641590488242" border="0" /></a><br /><br />These are my favorite fabrics from a layer cake I bought called Botany. All of the fabrics are great, but I was drawn to the blues. Of course! I am not sure if all quilters love fabrics and get excited about new lines, but I'm pretty sure they do. Over the years I have amassed quite a stash. Mostly, I control myself now, but every once in a while I get the fabric buying bug. I started my small <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">etsy</span> business to more or less be able to buy fabrics without dipping into the family budget. Some months are better than others in that regard!<br /><br />When I began sewing with the intention of making a little money, I realized that I would never be able to recoup my costs if I bought fabric at retail and charged what is reasonable for the buckets, pouches, and quilts that I sell. For those of you who sew, this doesn't surprise you at all. But for those of you that don't sew, you will be surprised by how much quality fabric costs. Just as in true with clothing, often you get what you pay for and this has especially bee true for quilting cottons that I use. What is different about a high quality cotton from my perspective? First, the colors and patterns in a quality cotton are beautiful. Secondly, a quality cotton fabric's hand (the way it feels) is like Baby Bear's bed-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ahhh</span>, just right! Third, it washes well, keeping the vibrant color. Fourth, these fabrics sew well. They don't get stuck under my needle or bunch up in odd places or slip and slide all over the machine throat.<br /><br />Retail, these fabrics run from $8.99 to $14.99 a yard in a local quilt shop or in an online retail shop. One little bucket that I make uses about a half yard of fabric. A twin quilt easily uses a total of 8 yards of fabric (front and backing). My prices also need to reflect the other notions I use (batting, interfacing, thread) and my time. In addition, my prices have to be reasonable for the item. I believe in each <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">crafts person</span> charging a reasonable price for their goods that reflects the materials and labor put into the item. I also expect not to charge as little as the "made in china" goods that are multiplying before our eyes.<br /><br />It is easy to see how much money would be put into a quilt if the fabric is bought at retail prices. In order to actually price my items fairly, I joined a few online fabric co-ops. These co-ops are made up of lots of small business people (and some home sewers) who depend on buying fabrics at wholesale prices to be able to sell their goods.<br /><br />In order to be a manufacturer's wholesale customer, a minimum number of bolts of fabric must be bought, depending on the manufacturer. Each bolt, again depending on the manufacturer, has between 15-20 yards on a bolt. A yard at wholesale generally costs about $6.50 not including shipping. In a fabric co-op, sewers commit to buy yards of fabric until the bolt is full, pay the co-op mama for their fabrics and wait for that fabric to be manufactured and shipped. The co-op mama's job is hard, and often volunteer. They decide which fabric lines to run,collect payment, place orders, keep in touch w/ fabric reps about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">time lines</span>, receive fabric, cut fabric, and ship it out to all of the co-op sewers. This is all done because one single person could likely not afford to maintain the sheer volume necessary to have a wholesale account with a fabric company. So we band together! A <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">pre-sale</span> buying group! Great!<br /><br />It has been great. Until lately. For a reason beyond my understanding, some of the fabric companies (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kauffman</span> and Michael Miller) have started shutting down co-op access to wholesale accounts. This has happened to at least 3 co-ops that I know of and likely many many more. These companies have no policy against co-ops, but they are now refusing orders because we are not a brick and mortar store. Wow. What that means is I won't be able to use some of these very popular fabrics for items that I plan on selling in my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">etsy</span> store. Big business once again rears its head and tries to squeeze small business out of the loop. Now, I'm sure these companies have their reasons, but doesn't this activity-choosing prices for certain customers-fall under the Clayton Antitrust Act? Why is it okay for a fabric store to make money off of the fabric, but not a small business person? Things that make me go <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">hmmmmm</span>. That is all for today's rant. Hope you are enjoying summer. I know I am.Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-17787694924438552812010-06-26T15:12:00.009-04:002010-06-26T15:35:56.143-04:00A little bitWho comes home from the beach with a cold???? Yep, me. Luckily, the humidity outside of my house makes it feel like 104 degrees, so I keep going outside for relief. Crazy! Since I can't taste anything, I went to the farmers market in Raleigh to buy pretty things.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZRijXVCLI/AAAAAAAAAek/pVjFUZfV41w/s1600/fmjune.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZRijXVCLI/AAAAAAAAAek/pVjFUZfV41w/s400/fmjune.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487162850048018610" border="0" /></a><br />Pretty, right? Tomatoes, bell pepper, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">cukes</span> for gazpacho, peaches for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">eatin</span>', patty pan squash to be stuffed with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">shrimpies</span>, and I just couldn't resist that beautiful basil and mint. And I might fry the okra. Even if I can't taste, it will still be pretty.<br /><br />I did finish up another set of quilt blocks for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/beelovely/">Bee Lovely </a><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">flickr</span> bee. The instructions and parts that came from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47336910@N06/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Tigerlita</span></a> looked intimidating at first. But, the block actually came together quite easily.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZTeZb3BuI/AAAAAAAAAes/eYBM1jbTlug/s1600/junebeelovely.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZTeZb3BuI/AAAAAAAAAes/eYBM1jbTlug/s400/junebeelovely.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487164977686447842" border="0" /></a><br />I was thinking this block would be really interesting in<a href="http://www.joeldewberry.com/MMCoolStream.html"> Cool Stream Modern Meadow</a> prints. Joel Dewberry fabrics are often my favorites.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZUF0_xJ8I/AAAAAAAAAe0/ajOKZORYTX0/s1600/JD32Lake_s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 117px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZUF0_xJ8I/AAAAAAAAAe0/ajOKZORYTX0/s400/JD32Lake_s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487165655099713474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZUUCyTQEI/AAAAAAAAAe8/GMsQCj6L0pk/s1600/JD39Lake_s.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 117px; height: 117px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZUUCyTQEI/AAAAAAAAAe8/GMsQCj6L0pk/s400/JD39Lake_s.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487165899319492674" border="0" /></a> When I came back, my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kona</span> cotton color card was waiting for me! I ordered it from <a href="http://www.purlsoho.com/purl"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Purlsoho</span></a>. Super quick shipment from them. It is heavenly-like fabric paint chips.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZWIkt9TwI/AAAAAAAAAfM/nEprdVjoc2Y/s1600/rkcolorcard-450x118.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 105px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TCZWIkt9TwI/AAAAAAAAAfM/nEprdVjoc2Y/s400/rkcolorcard-450x118.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487167901292908290" border="0" /></a>I needed it to match a particular orange to the UT orange for a quilt commission. And now I can drool over all the pretty colors I want as well! In fact, I think I'll go drool over those colors right now. Have a great weekend.Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-47949001961733228402010-06-17T21:47:00.009-04:002010-06-17T23:18:25.504-04:00Sunshine and RainClassic funk tunes have been bouncing around in my head this week.<br /><br />I promised some quilty photos, so I will do that to start off with. Also, a question-what photo software do you use? I have been using Corel because it came with the computer and in the past I have used Adobe which is very similar to Corel. However, I've noticed that Corel changes the colors of my pictures and when I upload them to say RitzPix, the pictures look like those Obama posters. Not what I am looking for in my photos!<br /><br />Here is a block I started and finished today for the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/1029693@N22/">Buzzcut flickr</a> quilt group. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/sunflowerquilt/">Sunflowerquilt</a> sent us the <a href="http://littlemissshabby.blogspot.com/2010/03/scrapbuster-block-tutorial.html">tutorial</a> link by<a href="http://littlemissshabby.blogspot.com/"> Little Miss Shabby</a>. I wasn't familiar with her blog, but now she's on my reader! Talk about pretty things!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrfV7x-l9I/AAAAAAAAAd0/f8tKRkN0Wf4/s1600/buzzjune.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrfV7x-l9I/AAAAAAAAAd0/f8tKRkN0Wf4/s400/buzzjune.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483941064194562002" border="0" /></a><br />I found this great<a href="http://zenhabits.net/creative-habit/"> post</a> on Zenhabits about the habits of highly creative people. I myself endeavor to be highly creative, but sometimes only manage slightly creative. The post offers some interesting suggestions from successful creative types that I enjoyed reading. One must always remember though that what works for one person, might not for another. The only disappointing part of the article was the section on "Creative Greats." I would have enjoyed seeing some women mentioned because I tend to appreciate the ways in which women are able to be creative because often, our creativity has to be fit into our lives while we care for others. Off the soapblog now :).<br /><br />One of my habits, of the slightly creative person if you will, is straightening up my studio whenever I start feeling stuck or making faces when I walk in the door. I really honestly do better work when my area is relatively neat and tidy. Here are some photos of my clean studio. No befores here!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrjjKNpIQI/AAAAAAAAAd8/xtdhAsTMMA4/s1600/studio2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrjjKNpIQI/AAAAAAAAAd8/xtdhAsTMMA4/s400/studio2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483945689453502722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrjy0nibGI/AAAAAAAAAeE/IDDObppzHII/s1600/studio.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrjy0nibGI/AAAAAAAAAeE/IDDObppzHII/s400/studio.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483945958534442082" border="0" /></a>There is only one item on my cutting table! You may have seen it before. I started working on the little table runner before my last show. I am just getting around to binding it now that all the sisterly wedding stuff is done.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrkXV2CIMI/AAAAAAAAAeM/HRWV4xj0PVg/s1600/flowertr2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrkXV2CIMI/AAAAAAAAAeM/HRWV4xj0PVg/s400/flowertr2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483946585928900802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrkpBVy4mI/AAAAAAAAAeU/f5nzlzNUfhY/s1600/flowertr.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 353px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/TBrkpBVy4mI/AAAAAAAAAeU/f5nzlzNUfhY/s400/flowertr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483946889662620258" border="0" /></a><br /><br />When I got this fabric, I really liked it. I still really liked it when I cut into it. However, I think I should have gone with another coordinating fabric because now I don't like it as much as I did when I bought it. Oh well! So tell me about some of your favorite blogs to get your creative mind churning.Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-72274346215219453302010-06-15T22:37:00.003-04:002010-06-15T22:50:47.917-04:00I don't have a lot of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">quilty</span> pictures to post. Sadness! For the last few weeks, I have been working on getting things done before my sister's wedding, traveling to wedding, helping with wedding, and now I am home. I made one <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">girly</span> dress, a feather hairpiece, 7 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">boutonnieres</span>, and 11 quilt blocks for my local guild bee. Whew. Just writing that made me tired.<br /><br />I did have a great time in Salt Lake City hanging with my sister and doing lots of wedding prep and being the "wedding manager" as she called it. We had some fun times with our cousins (there are five of us ranging in age from 39-28<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ish</span>) and assorted aunts and uncles. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">SLC</span> is beautiful and it has lots of fun, funky places to check out. We had a wonderful sushi dinner at <a href="http://www.takashisushi.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Takashi</span></a> with my parents and one kid. Had drinks and played pool with the hubby at the <a href="http://www.greenpigpub.com/">Green Pig</a> on a sneak away from the kids afternoon. On the Sunday after the wedding, my husband and cousin headed down to <a href="http://www.squatters.com/">Squatters</a> to watch soccer. Of course, I joined later, cause I do love a pub. One morning we had breakfast at <a href="http://www.ruthsdiner.com/">Ruth's Diner</a> which has the largest biscuits I've ever seen. And beautiful scenery too.<br /><br />I had no time to go fabric shopping :(. But all that good food was great. Promise, next time, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">quilty</span> pictures.Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-80118740981380549922010-05-14T05:56:00.003-04:002010-05-14T06:04:21.394-04:00I'll stop the worldSometimes, life throws a curve ball. I don't play sports, so I'm thinking one should either get out of the way or get smacked by the ball. After my period of intense sewing to get ready for a show, I'm back to my puttering about the studio. The show went well, although foot traffic was slow. Some friends stopped by to see me, which is always fun. And as always, I had time to think about what sells, what doesn't and what I really want to be spending my time doing. Sewing, naturally. The summer is coming up and as a sahm, that means I won't be sewing as much as during the school year. I like to sketch and read though when we're at the pool or the beach and that helps to keep my ideas percolating. I've decided I have way too much fabric, so I may be going on a fabric diet this summer as well until I sew down some of this stash. Does the summer change what you do?Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-70240978801362740802010-04-29T20:54:00.002-04:002010-04-29T20:55:46.691-04:00Next step<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivethebeach/4563946283/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3205/4563946283_a0ae2efe1c_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: 2px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" /></a><br /><span style="margin-top: 0px;font-size:0.9em;" ><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivethebeach/4563946283/">Next step</a><br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/olivethebeach/">Olivethebeach</a></span> <p>I am moving and grooving here! The upcoming <a href="http://www.designersdowntownmarket.com/">craft show</a> next weekend has me churning out tops, I am happy to say. I have been using ideas that I sketched at various times, in various places and pulling from my stash. I keep finding these interesting fabrics I forgot I had. I do see the benefit of sketching or keeping an art journal, if not regularly than at least consistently. I'm gonna keep on sewing.</p>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-5258313319250329522010-04-27T12:03:00.001-04:002010-04-27T12:03:13.076-04:00Flowers In Progress<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivethebeach/4554942218/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/4554942218_f78c94a091_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivethebeach/4554942218/">Flowers IP</a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/olivethebeach/">Olivethebeach</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>I am not much of an applique fan, but I'm trying out a new for me way to do it- sewing fusible interfacing to the wrong side, turning it inside out, iron it down. I'll let you know how it turns out.</p>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-70907203604858406122010-04-27T12:00:00.001-04:002010-04-27T12:00:05.979-04:00Stuff I'm making!<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivethebeach/4554304321/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/4554304321_57250e54f9_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a><br /><span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/olivethebeach/4554304321/"> </a> <br />Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/olivethebeach/">Olivethebeach</a></span><br clear="all" /><p>I've been on a tear starting new things, like NY Beauty! I never get tired of those. I'm keeping it short here since I have a show on May 8th and all these cool things I'm piecing together still requires quilting and binding. What's a girl to do?</p>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8860567821036386925.post-34737428253977558422010-04-18T19:14:00.006-04:002010-04-18T20:47:09.638-04:00But You Got to Use Your Own Two HandsSo, Ben Harper is one of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">fav</span> musicians/songwriters/singers. <a href="http://www.benharper.com/#/media/videos/lay-there-hate-me">This</a> is his new video on his website. I love his Motown sounding voice, the way he sings about Jesus, life, love, his outstanding lyrics. I could go on and on, but I won't. What does this have to do with quilting? It's about inspiration. I am never at a loss for inspiration and today I thought I'd show you some of what I see that gives me good vibes or makes me want to sketch, sew, make something, in no particular order other than my brain's.<br /><br />First up, <a href="http://septemberbird.wordpress.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Lucyellen</span>06</a> who also has a great <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">flickr</span> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/harthillfarm/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">photostream</span></a>. Her quilts are whimsical, brilliantly colored, fun, beautiful, and exciting. Ah. I truly enjoy seeing what she comes up with in her sewing. We are in a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">flickr</span> quilt bee together and when she sent my block, she also sent this fun chipmunk with some of my fabrics:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/S8ub6o6w35I/AAAAAAAAAc0/aRBKlLl2Ahg/s1600/lucyellen.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/S8ub6o6w35I/AAAAAAAAAc0/aRBKlLl2Ahg/s400/lucyellen.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461630404835467154" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Second is something I have on my wall. I got it during a beach weekend with my girl friends from high school. The ones that know me better than I know myself often. One of them, the bossy one, said we HAD to get some <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">tchotcky</span> to remind us that we must always have beach trips. Me and the other friend smiled and rolled our eyes, called her bossy, and went along. They said this is definitely me- the quote, not the likeness:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/S8uczPaMYoI/AAAAAAAAAc8/Y_eM9qQL2i0/s1600/rules.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 389px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/S8uczPaMYoI/AAAAAAAAAc8/Y_eM9qQL2i0/s400/rules.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461631377240515202" border="0" /></a><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Soooo</span> true. I try to remember that in my creative endeavours when the doubt creeps in and I look up at that and laugh like mad. Yep, I do.<br /><br />Third up, new friends and old friends who do different creative things. I have a good friend who is a Montessori teacher. She could also give the Dog Whisperer a run for his money. She is smart as a whip and reads like the wind and listens to NPR!We have great discussions about everything from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ikea</span> furniture to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">POTUS</span>' latest policies. And she loves to laugh and I always do around her as well. Her impersonations always crack me up. I have a new <a href="http://southerncitymysteries.blogspot.com/">friend</a> who is a mystery writer. She also is a broadcast journalist, a prolific blogger, and a great public speaker. Just two examples of many friends that make me feel like making stuff because they live so fully.<br /><br />And art. I have no formal art training. I even had to drop out of art <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">appre</span> in college because I kept falling asleep in that cool, dark room. I find that I cycle through artists that inspire me. I've been enjoying <a href="http://tars.rollins.edu/Foreign_Lang/Russian/chagall.html">Chagall</a> for awhile now. His paintings tell stories of people in love with each other, and often feature random goats and chickens here and there. Really! I haven't done any research on the symbolism of the animals, so I don't know. I just like them.<br /><br />I could go on and on, but enough for now. I need to go make some stuff!<br />One last thing: the NY Beauty quilted!! Ta <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Da</span>!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/S8unEE6clLI/AAAAAAAAAdE/489fipflY1U/s1600/nybquilted1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_FzZp1pNjWhA/S8unEE6clLI/AAAAAAAAAdE/489fipflY1U/s400/nybquilted1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461642661597058226" border="0" /></a>Rachel Ellingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00017905475543437240noreply@blogger.com3