tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75884438786454138902023-11-16T01:07:32.271-06:00Just LifeRecycled and Upcycled QuiltingJust Mehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16388783354605487793noreply@blogger.comBlogger187125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-37546067453555633272014-03-06T10:56:00.000-06:002014-03-06T10:56:20.309-06:00Quilt Blocks and one of our horses story<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I haven't been sewing, Ive kinda been obsessed (and yes... crazy obsessive) with other things lately and I really feel I need to get balanced. I have been so freaking moody lately too. Watching a 2 year old when you just feel irritated most of the time is challenging to say the least. Who knows this blog may end up being one woman's crazy account of menopause. I think some of the emotional upheaval and obsessiveness has to do with hormones... the weird thing is I know I'm not acting like myself, I know im off kilter and have no idea how to get back to normal!<br />
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My first attempt is to redirect! lol Yesterday morning I made a to do list for myself for the weekend and I am trying to just keep plugging away at it instead of this emotional, mental wandering around doing nothing productive thing that I've had going on for the last month or so.<br />
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First on the list... snap photos of my block for the Dream Circle of Do.Good Stitches. Here it is. I am feeling very insecure about this one, I hope it is what she wanted. Im sure my confidence will get better as I make more blocks. (i actually did this a couple weeks ago)<br />
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I also wanted to help Little Island Quilting with some blocks for quilts she is putting together and sending to an orphanage in Mexico City. She is taking donations of 12 1/2 in blocks and she is assembling them. Appropriately I went to my orphan bin for the orphanage!<br />
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A couple plus blocks. These were left over from the big X quilt I made for a customer and I just put a border around them.<br />
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A little of this:<br />
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And a little of that:<br />
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And Finally... I put the labels on the two donation quilts i finished months ago and have them ready to ship!!!<br />
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There... now dont I feel better! All of my donation projects are done and I can move on to finishing that dang tshirt quilt!!!<br />
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The garden is coming along we have planted so far red potatoes, leeks, shallots, garlic, red onion and texas sweet onion. We have two more beds constructed and ready for compost and dirt. I have started indoors some beets and sunflower seeds.<br />
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I also have a little project of extending a water line to the garden on my list this weekend. Ive had the parts for a year and just need to dig the trench.<br />
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On the Ranching side.... I have the story of King to tell. King is a 29 year old horse with really bad arthritis and this winter has been a tough one on him, his back legs visibly hurt and I wish there was more we could do for him. He has a sad history and has lived off and on at the ranch for the last 15 or so years. He either belongs to us or the methamphetamine dealer next door. (since we have bought him more than once I really think us... but the neighbor doesn't see it that way.) Sidetrack here... Yes.. we know that our next door neighbor deals drugs and we know that he is the one who was supplying our boys with them. We have called the sheriff about it many times and they never do anything. Right now there is a story that went national about a murder (and drugs were related) in Hemphill Tx, that they suspect the local sheriff covered up.. well... that would be the same sheriff I reported the drug dealer next door to. The murder cover up doesn't surprise me and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't make a little something off of our neighbor. Its so bad that when this guy was shooting at our home (yes, shooting a gun through the trees over our house with our grandchildren playing outside) and my husband called the police they told him there was nothing they could do (he has felony convictions so therefore cannot own firearms so they COULD do something) when my husband said "then my only recourse is to shoot back at him" they threatened to come arrest my husband. I know it doesn't sound real to me either... how stereotypical southern small town with crooked cops can we be?<br />
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But back to poor old King. In his day he was a barrel racer for the neighbors daughter. He did well and could fly those barrels, he was a spitfire. She is grown with children of her own now and King when he lives with us is our babysitter, he is a gentle old gelding that teaches our weanlings and yearlings manners. He is patient and mellow and eventually the babies end up mellowing out right along with him. I think as well as our stud throwing some of the brightest and gentlest quarterhorse genes, King's babysitting also plays a roll in the sweet, curious, mannered babies that we end up with.<br />
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King has been laying down alot this winter. When we see him laying down we make sure he can get up and the poor horse must think these humans are crazy and wont let an old man take a little rest!!! I dont know what were going to do if he isn't getting around a little better this summer. We like to let them choose when its their time to go and a part of me is expecting that one of these times he will have taken that time and I will know that he lead a full life and he is free of pain. Another part hates to see our King gone... he has served us well. </div>
Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-21298123117327306732014-02-18T13:14:00.000-06:002014-02-18T13:28:56.808-06:00I won!! and the Why...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://blueyurtfarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Screen-Shot-2014-02-17-at-8.44.37-AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://blueyurtfarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/Screen-Shot-2014-02-17-at-8.44.37-AM.png" height="332" width="640" /></a></div>
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I won a survival Seed Vault from <a href="http://blueyurtfarms.com/" target="_blank">Blue Yurt Farms</a> and these other great blogs!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.littlehomesteaders.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Five Little Homesteaders</a><br />
<a href="http://faulkfarmstead.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Faulk Farmstead</a><br />
<a href="http://www.thisoriginalorganiclife.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3fb5c6; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">This Original Organic Life</a><br />
<a href="http://www.earthwormsandmarmalade.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Earthworms and Marmalade</a><br />
<a href="http://www.riddlelove.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">RiddleLove</a><br />
<a href="http://homestead-honey.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Homestead Honey</a><br />
<a href="http://jahnerfarmstead.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Jahner Farmstead</a><br />
<a href="http://learningandyearning.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Learning and Yearning</a><br />
<a href="http://www.greeneggsandgoats.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Green Eggs and Goats</a><br />
<a href="http://thetoupsaddress.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Toups Address</a><br />
<a href="http://www.olyfarmstead.org/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Farmstead</a><br />
<a href="http://littlehomesteadontherange.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Little Homestead on the Range</a><br />
<a href="http://therandazzofamily.com/" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #147381; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro'; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23.00200080871582px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">The Randazzo’s</a><br />
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I have been reading these blogs lately and have learned SOOO much from them. Great garden tips and some really good recipes. It isn't all milk cows and acreage either... many of them are urban gardeners and homesteaders.<br />
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But pt. 2 of whats going on in my head lately....<br />
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Ralph and I have talked some about what "turns me on" about the homesteading blogs I'm reading and all of this "hippy back to nature stuff" Don't be offended by the question, he is as much a hippy as I am but being a cowboy he doesn't like to admit it... my first clue is his favorite musician is Guy Clark. He does admit he likes the idea too and I think we have summed it up into a few reasons.<br />
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1. That is how things were when we were a child. I remember the full acre garden, eating carrots straight from the ground and planting seeds. He remembers not having electricity, cotton fields, pea crops and feeding the pigs. We both have good childhood memories of those things. (and a few bad.. i had to promise if we get a milk cow we will get an electric butter turn so he will NEVER have to do that again.)<br />
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2. We never had time for this before. When we owned Zippys Pizza w were working 16 hr days in a restaurant... who could plant a garden? In fact we have neglected the pastures, the fences... there is a whole bunch that needs to be done. With horseshoeing we usually leaves out in the morning and we are home by 2 pm... we finally have time!! We have been workaholics all our lives and although this has been how I have wanted to live, I never had time to DO it and I do now... so i will.<br />
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3. this little guy (and the other 15 grandchildren)<br />
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Tristan lives right next door and loves animals. (he is now napping on my bed with both puppies) I think growing up doing chores and working with animals builds character and we want all of our grandchildren to have those experiences.</div>
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4. It really isn't that big of a leap. We have horses, 100 acres, we always shop the outside of the grocery store because we believe the stuff on the inside shelves are full of preservatives, sugar, salt and other horrible things (not to mention cost a fortune vs preparing a healthy "real" food meal.) We buy local when we can.... after this winter is clear we have to start collecting our own firewood, why not just garden and add a couple animals to the place???<br />
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5. Zombie Apocalypse? I doubt it.. but... there is a chance that something in this world could go wrong: epidemic disease, no power grid, collapse of our economic system... maybe its because so many people on facebook keep posting their conspiracy theories, none of which really seem plausible but then again when we got hit by a hurricane, none of what we saw there seemed plausible before either. It does make me think.... what kind of shape would be in... really?<br />
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6. Ralph said to throw in here I'm cheap like his mother. lol. But it does make sense economically to produce what we can.<br />
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Those are the reasons we are going back to our roots and turning the ranch back into a working ranch and farm.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brood Mares grazing on the back 40 (sadly it doesn't look like this anymore!!)</td></tr>
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Next Post... its going to be quilty. I have some blocks Im sending off for the do.good stitches dream circle and for quilts for an orphanage in Mexico City. </div>
Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-60519315260133757672014-02-13T12:29:00.000-06:002014-02-13T19:41:16.692-06:00The What<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ralph and I both feel like we are on a journey.... I plan to blog about that journey and to begin, I'm going to start with the who, what, when, where, and how....<br />
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today I am going to focus on the what... what we want out of life.</div>
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Love: we have a wonderful relationship. We have worked together and have spent almost every day together for 13 years. We enjoy each others company and we want to continue to grow in love. We want to spend quality time and improve communication. We both have our bucket list of things we want to see and do and we want to work towards those, together. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pulled out an oldie here: This is 2008 at the Western Music Association Awards Ceremony. We used to be the hosts of a radio show called "Ralph's Backporch"</td></tr>
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Family: We want to see our family succeed and prosper. We want to see these young adults (Ralph has 7 children) spread their wings and become strong. We have had some battles with drugs, some with relationship problems and we know we can't solve them but we do want to help them become stronger, better and happier. We want our grandchildren to be a part of our lives, our home and our ranch. (I HAVE to also add... we do NOT want their parents to move in with us ever, ever again)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tristan, one of our little cowboys</td></tr>
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Security: We want to live comfortably. We have been under financial stress for the last few years and we are tired of living that way. Financial security to us is as basic as knowing if it rains for 3 weeks, we don't have to worry about our animals having to skip a meal (or us for that matter) to... knowing that if something happens to one of us... we have a back up plan. It also means for us.. getting out of debt. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://egoscuenashville.files.wordpress.com/2013/03/poor-broke.jpg?w=468&h=468" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/" target="_blank">We are Dave Ramsey Fans. Be sure to check out his website if getting out of debt is one of your goals.</a></td></tr>
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Simplicity: We want to live care free. We want to continue to simplify our lives and continue to be self employed. We want to reduce our expenses and needs. To raise and grow our own food, to find a way to produce our own electricity (cuz i wont live without it!). I will say to him that means were going to move to yurt in the back pasture and to me it means were going to get some chickens and a compost bin... we are going to have to continue to define what this means to us and find the common ground. </div>
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Health: Ok... so our overall health sucks. We both need to shed a few lbs (me more than him) and I need to quit smoking again (i started again last July with all the stress) He needs to see a heart specialist to see how his ticker is doing (that requires health insurance) there are just alot of health things we need to fix about us and we are going to do that. I think part of our quest is to improve our health and live healthier, natural lives.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi276j521ybvr3Ro9y7KBEVA9TpYNs_4z-rPnOAFaguD3sHNBDPmPZhyphenhyphenm9oXNsyDIcqmCSagi_Av-P0VG7BVWbtlVGko9SWXzC6GkEQ6PYADRcxAT6eYeQ-V8jpVcc1VRqpQtEzsIRtflQ/s1600/Healthy+Living+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi276j521ybvr3Ro9y7KBEVA9TpYNs_4z-rPnOAFaguD3sHNBDPmPZhyphenhyphenm9oXNsyDIcqmCSagi_Av-P0VG7BVWbtlVGko9SWXzC6GkEQ6PYADRcxAT6eYeQ-V8jpVcc1VRqpQtEzsIRtflQ/s1600/Healthy+Living+copy.jpg" height="272" width="320" /></a></div>
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Creativity: We are both creative people and have expressed that in various ways in the past. Whether it was the time we were DJ's, my experience in graphic design, making quilts, the jewelry he makes or just the art of Pizza. We both find happiness in expressing our creativity. Our goals definitely have to include expressing ourselves creatively. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper bracelet Ralph made for his daughter</td></tr>
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I think that about sums up the "what we want from life" question...<br />
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I am linking up to the Home Acre Hop. Im doing this because I would love to make friends with like minded people! so... if your visiting from there, say hello, introduce yourself and your blog... and I would love to have you follow mine.<br />
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<a href="http://oak-hill-homestead.blogspot.com/" title="Oak Hill Homestead"><img alt="Oak Hill Homestead" src="http://www.theselfsufficienthomeacre.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/really-small-homeacre-hop-button2.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-83232930884834885152014-02-12T14:47:00.000-06:002014-02-12T14:47:03.214-06:00Life Goals<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I think we are still in the process of redefining and refining our goals in life. It was hard to get a grasp on them when we were just running in one of those hampster wheels to stay ahead while the family of 5 lived with us. Since they have left we have been able to get more on track with budgeting and bill paying. We are looking at what expenses can we reduce and how can we be more self sufficient. and dang it.. that question of what do we want to be when we grow up??? I am getting tired of that question, really!<br />
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We have also talked alot about diversifying our income. We have all of our eggs in Ralph's horseshoeing basket and thats a dangerous job. I would feel more comfortable if it were only 50% of the income rather than 90%... however I have no desire to get a traditional job (and i really dont NEED to... if i did NEED to I would)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1/1463913_519414461489443_1820397624_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://scontent-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/t1/1463913_519414461489443_1820397624_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ralph, doing what he does...</td></tr>
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We have 100 acres. Being from Michigan.. im not used to land just going unused like ours, so Ive been looking into what we want to do with the land. Up until a few years ago we raised quarter horses but the horse market tanked. It has taken us 5 years to accept that! Cattle is the obvious choice of course.. but, I have been looking at what to do and the search lead me to tons of "homesteading blogs" and I have been obsessed and fascinated with them this past week. There are so many things I like about the homesteading concept....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GZ4hwhZPfL0Yz4qJE0BPNdb26A353ELKUQbWcHersD3u9W2K0cHZCdmi5QXz3KyyasilRxJeY2puzUqwqf-sq73NmhlCXAz5K5vTT21pldVoI_ujaeDel_6ezEVUyRKFinL5ap4Kw8-9/s1600/ralph+and+cutter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GZ4hwhZPfL0Yz4qJE0BPNdb26A353ELKUQbWcHersD3u9W2K0cHZCdmi5QXz3KyyasilRxJeY2puzUqwqf-sq73NmhlCXAz5K5vTT21pldVoI_ujaeDel_6ezEVUyRKFinL5ap4Kw8-9/s1600/ralph+and+cutter.jpg" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ralph on Dry Talos Cutterbill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Q1Gurr0k24t8ictxUhVM7FSYPmQNUCMyId9-dLJP4Z7tCiHgQ_XdBcgAC2YGFL1BbdgxZ8v8JyhE3jrGa1Vka1OjHAqLlYXe3zgSn-wVw2uFdBu5Q-sHg_Ir97JdKIIT13wqF18weKKq/s1600/ralph+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Q1Gurr0k24t8ictxUhVM7FSYPmQNUCMyId9-dLJP4Z7tCiHgQ_XdBcgAC2YGFL1BbdgxZ8v8JyhE3jrGa1Vka1OjHAqLlYXe3zgSn-wVw2uFdBu5Q-sHg_Ir97JdKIIT13wqF18weKKq/s1600/ralph+after.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just found this picture of my husband... I love this picture!</td></tr>
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One of the things I have felt reading the homestead blogs is I miss the personal side of blogging. I started this blog when I quit using my myspace blog and planned on blogging about "just life." It morphed into a quilty blog where I only post about quilty things... but... there are days I want to talk about "just life" I want to talk about my garden, my grandkids, things that interest me other than quilting...<br />
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so... im going to start doing that so yall... in addition to quilty blogs I'm going to start blogging about this quest of what are we going to do when we grow up and my quest in gardening, canning... livestock... homesteading ect.<br />
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-87062901336058314732014-02-01T09:31:00.002-06:002014-02-01T09:31:47.894-06:00January Finishes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Wow January went by way to quickly. But it was the best month in a loong time. No I didn't stay focused... in fact I hardly sewed and I did mail one package out really late. Im soo sorry... but it seems like life changed daily and it just kept getting better and better. Ralph and I tried to stay up with the pace... but it was overwhelming at times.<br />
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For those who are new. The last year has been trying. My husbands sons both started doing methamphetamine. These were two boys making 25 bucks an hour as construction linemen. Smart hard working charming fathers who I wouldn't have given you 10 cents for when they were doing these drugs. We got custody of a 2 yr old grandchild last year, then in august the other one was arrested and once out of jail, moved in with his family of five. they lived here for 6 months.<br />
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I have been miserable for 6 months. I love them, I love the grandchildren... but i did not love sharing my home and life with them. I think over the last 6 months my husband and I took turns sinking into horrible depression then just being angry, then just resignation that until he could get it together... we were stuck.<br />
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I knew both boys were beating the drugs. They were no longer doing them and it was as if the one living with us was fighting himself every day. He messed up his life the worst... it may take years to get back on the track he was on. At the same time I just wanted to shake him and say... get the heck over it, you have a family to support. you need to put your big boy panties on and go do it!<br />
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the new year came... slowly things started getting better. They all had a different attitude... a little more hope.<br />
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CPS closed my grandsons case. His dad is free of drugs and did what was required for him to get his child back. I cant tell you how proud I am of his dad. They live right next door and he will still be dropping him off every day while he goes to work so we will still see ALOT of the little guy. But his dad accomplished a miracle in cleaning himself up and doing right. There have been times that i have wondered if the drugs didn't do permanent damage to him. He was just not "right" in the head. Hard to explain but he wasn't right. But these past 3 weeks... he has been as normal as apple pie.<br />
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Then the family of 5 that was living with us moved out. As quickly as they moved in, they moved to my daughter in laws mothers house and he already has a job. 6 months!! We supported them for 6 months and within a week of moving out he is working. I have mixed feelings about that one. But it was time. I guess he put the big boy panties on and he got a job, not doing lineman work (he messed that opportunity up too badly) but a paying job non the less.<br />
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So... have I done anything towards my goals. Kinda... I have a flimsie made from Bon Jovi concerts. (including Dublin and Sydney) Im not picturing it till its done, I dont want to ruin the reveal for my customer.)<br />
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I finished 2 baby quilts:<br />
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I used the moda bakeshop pattern<a href="http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/10/simply-woven-quilt.html" target="_blank"> "simply woven"</a> for this. Let me tell you if your 1/4 in seam is not perfect... this block will let you know!!! The fabric is upcycled sheet for the white and a jelly roll that I got for Christmas. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf9NYRoyv9q1qjo8HPqrkPRdG-xvGIS-N3Xm2AK5RNa2clNfx2duh8Zjc8ZcL7wTHGAa7NA26olTMPvba0etZFfto9XOCW7wfkAZ00XQ08PDI-0gWuo1tTL-1Z9Z7wSIzxehqvXaRRLks/s1600/100_2718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaf9NYRoyv9q1qjo8HPqrkPRdG-xvGIS-N3Xm2AK5RNa2clNfx2duh8Zjc8ZcL7wTHGAa7NA26olTMPvba0etZFfto9XOCW7wfkAZ00XQ08PDI-0gWuo1tTL-1Z9Z7wSIzxehqvXaRRLks/s1600/100_2718.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then another simple vintage sheet baby quilt from 4 1/2 in squares. I sell these quickly in my etsy store and I need to keep them in stock.<br />
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and a bunch of these sewn....<br />
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Im paper piecing them and I finally have my system down for mass producing them. It seemed like they were taking forever to get even one of the 4 pieces you see done. I now have my piles of precut scraps for the 4 pieces and its moving quicker.<br />
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but that is as close as I got and soon.... soon I will be back in my sewing room but for now Im cleaning and enjoying OUR home. Im sitting by the fire on really cold days (no heat in the sewing room) and my husband and I have reclaimed our kitchen and are cooking some kick butt meals. </div>
Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-81058229105535822102014-01-21T10:35:00.002-06:002014-01-21T10:37:46.732-06:00Classic Meets Modern Quilt Along Block<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have not participated in many quilt along's but I really liked the idea of this one. Each month she will give a traditional block and we are to reinterpret it modern. Now... I'm not sure what modern quilting is to me yet, I've yet to define it and don't like most of the definitions I have seen. I do know that I LIKE modern quilts and my style lately tends to be a scrappy modern twist on traditional quilts. lol... hows that for a style!<br />
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I do like that we will be redesigning something traditional and that's what i like most about quilts...<br />
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Here is my polar bear claw block:<br />
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and here is a link to the quilt along if yall want to join in too!</div>
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<a href="http://www.sewathomemummy.com/2013/12/the-classic-meets-modern-qal-at-sew-at.html" target="_blank" title="Sew at Home Mummy"><img alt="Sew at Home Mummy" src="http://i848.photobucket.com/albums/ab46/sewathomemummy1/9b96ca11-fe49-4a07-84be-2fed7fb87810_zps3ad83995.jpg" style="border: none;" /></a></div>
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I guess I am going to make a sampler quilt out of the 12 blocks I will end up with so I am going with the scraps from a solid quilt I have yet to finish. They are to me beachy colors and I like them (my husband hates them... oh well) The "inspiration" block was with 4 paws and a square in the center.<br />
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Other things I'm working on.... the quilt for the livestock show.... paper piecing and value... my lessons for January!!! I'm getting the hang of both and having a blast making the little blocks!<br />
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But... things just got interesting here in my little neck of the woods... or at least the dogs think so. I have the county clearing the ditches and a whole bunch of beeping trucks in the front of the house and out back I have about 10 weanling calfs making quick work on the hay bale.. problem is we don't have cows, we have horses... have to find out which neighbor is missing some cows before they eat all the horses hay! (and before these barking dogs wake up the sleeping grandbaby!)</div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-31813892069418765752014-01-14T08:50:00.000-06:002014-01-14T08:50:15.346-06:00My first Class!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I decided a present to myself would be the Color Play class on Craftsy. A few days after Christmas it went on sale and I just happened to have enough on my paypal to buy it!! woo hoo.<br />
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I am still taking the class. But the other morning I woke my husband up all excited and said "I GET IT" I have always picked my fabrics by what I think looks good. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I didn't know why when I had a fail. I was picking fabrics for a quilt and one of my choices wasn't working and I knew WHY it didn't work! I was so excited. (Ralph, not so excited... and was a little grumpy)<br />
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It starts off slow with making a color wheel yourself from paints.... I live in the sticks and to get these paints would require a trip to a major town at least 50 miles away... so I just watched that part and didn't make the color wheel. I may still someday when I get to town... but i did learn from watching that part. It has been a series of light bulbs going off in my head! So.. if your struggling with color I vote go for it! this is a good class.<br />
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<a href="http://www.shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=440523&u=897526&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack=" target="_blank"><img alt="Online Quilting Class" border="0" src="http://www.shareasale.com/image/29190/CPQ_0001_300x250_v1.jpg" /></a>
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I do have to say here... that If you click this link to buy the class I will receive financial gain. I have signed up to the affiliate program of Craftsy. Regardless, the above review is really my opinion. If you would like to sign up as an affiliate to Craftsy and receive commission on purchases from them, you can too! here is a <a href="http://www.shareasale.com/shareasale.cfm?merchantID=29190&SSAID=897526" target="_blank">link to sign up.</a> You can choose what and how to advertise and you do get some pretty cool perks in the process. (perks worth the time to join!)<br />
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Meanwhile, I am still pulling fabrics for a value quilt... with my new knowledge.<br />
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-6448097663405393432014-01-07T18:46:00.002-06:002014-01-07T18:46:37.877-06:00Goals... why cant I stay focused???<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I was looking through my blog for my wrap up of 2013 and i laughed at how many times i set goals... and ended up posting most of those to my unfinished pin board!!!<br />
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Once again Im going to try to set some goals... here goes... maybe prizes will motivate me.<br />
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I am going to join the Lovely Year of finishes. You post your goals at the begining of the month... and your finishes at the end of the month. Check it out if you need some motivation like I obviously do!!<br />
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<a href="http://fiberofallsorts.blogspot.com/p/2014-lovely-year-of-finishes.html" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="A Lovely Year of Finishes"> <img alt="A Lovely Year of Finishes" src="http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/image002.jpg" height="180" style="border: none;" width="180" /></a></div>
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My January goals....<br />
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For this I am just going to focus on one or two projects that NEED to be done... I do have a LIST of 10 things that i want done.....<br />
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What I need to get done are two tshirt quilts for a customer and a quilt for our county for the Houston Livestock and Rodeo 2014. 3 quilts... none of them started... but i have to have done by the end of the month.<br />
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The T-shirt quilts are concert t-shirts. Shouldn't be that hard. (this woman is a HUGE Bon Jovi fan and I have enough concert shirts for 2 queen size quilts!)<br />
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For the quilt show... I cant use a quilt I have already made, since one of the rules is you have to use quilt store quality fabrics and honestly I do not even have a TOP that I can finish that isn't a mixture of quilt store fabric and upcycled fabric. So... a new quilt it is.<br />
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I of course plan on a scrap quilt... because that's what i make! I started by looking through quilt books, magazines and online. I had picked up a quilting book at Hastings about a month ago. Most of the quilts were dated as far as fabric because it was a 1980's book but there were a couple designs I liked in it. This was one of them. It used templates and I hate using templates, but it clearly can be paper pieced (and I am anxious to do more of that) so here we go... my paper piece template. (now what book? I searched my house for it today and I'm sure my grand-kids have taken it into their parents room which I refer to as the black hole. I don't know if I will ever see it again. I am certainly going to try)<br />
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Today I did a test block. I was going to do 8 1/2 in squares but I found I have very little scraps that big. So I drew up another that is a 6 1/2 inch (4 of them will give me a 12 1/2 in 4 pointed star) and I am going to use that instead. So... let me get a few blocks together and I will show ya what I'm shooting for! I still haven't decided on the size. I will probably do a bed size though, that's the other thing I tend to do!<br />
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The other thing I'm excited about is this is a value quilt. Lights, mediums and darks. I cant wait to play with scraps and really see if I get this concept... lol... so far my husband swears I don't.</div>
Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-28695677120663397192014-01-02T20:44:00.000-06:002014-01-02T20:53:04.114-06:00Long Arm Table... for 25.00!!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ralph and I stopped by my favorite Goodwill today. I haven't been in ages, its in a town about 40 miles away. I only found one shirt to upcycle... we paid for it but on the way out, there was a rack with a great vintage pillow case... I went back inside to buy it but couldn't figure out how much it was so went to the room where they keep their sheets.... and NO WAY!!! there it was... I knew looking at it it was a Grace Quilting Table... It was in pieces... but the sticker was only 24.99!!! I have fit it into my room but it is missing a piece (a pretty important piece) so I'm hoping they still stock them and that it doesn't cost too much!!<br />
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I don't have a picture yet cuz its still in pieces... but i will share when its totally assembled. We wrote down our goals the other day and a Grace Table and new machine was on the list. This is a Little Gracie (although i think it has the extensions to do King size quilts. Older model... but at least I will have something to get started on to see if its something i want to have!!<br />
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I do have to also apologize... I have been remiss in that I keep forgetting to blog about this:<br />
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Isn't it the cutest little zipper pouch???<br />
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It was essential when I was doing all those Christmas ornaments and the little flowers for a customer. It is my new hand sewing bag, has my needles, thread, scissors... and a bunch of buttons down there when i feel like throwing one on something.</div>
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It was made by <a href="http://thecollegeseamstress.blogspot.com/2013/12/2013-year-in-review.html" target="_blank">Elizabeth from The College Seamstress</a> who is a very talented young lady (I am totally impressed with her clothes making ability!!) She participated in Pay it Forward... she got a towel and potholder and the deal is she had to make three things to pay forward over the next year. What a cool idea! So... I quickly responded and got this. Now I have to make three things in the next year to pay forward... (still thinking about what to pay forward... but I'm excited about the prospect!)</div>
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So... Thank you Elizabeth. It is sitting next to my computer right now, ready to throw my hand sewing projects in and grab as I go out the door.</div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-49153381383350136682013-12-31T06:07:00.001-06:002013-12-31T06:07:56.417-06:00End Of the Year Housekeeping<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
What haven't I finished... hmmm... My sister posted a pinterest board of all of her unfinished projects... It inspired me to post my own. My goal is to only have 10 projects roll over next year instead of 38! lol<br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/tamaraboatright/unfinished-projects/" target="_blank">My unfinished Projects Board</a> <br />
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/beckijob/in-progress-project/" target="_blank">My Sister Becki's Unfinished Project Board</a><br />
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I then thought... hmm... what did i finish? so i updated my 2013 finishes tab (look at the top of the page)<br />
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What are my goals for 2014</div>
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Ralph and I have been working on a bubble project. We both feel stuck and unable to move forward with our current situation... so we started with what we are doing now (for him horseshoeing, for me sewing) and we then drew a line, another bubble and what else we could do or want to do, adding bubbles out from our current situation... (for me, sell new fabric as well as upcycled, get a long arm machine, sell at trade days... and for him, start a horseshoeing school, train and start cutting or stock horse showing, breaking colts, ect)</div>
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We are still working on them but the plan is that we each are going to choose one of the where we could be and start DOING it. That is our goal for 2014!!</div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-35700737351684199182013-12-28T14:10:00.001-06:002013-12-28T14:10:13.239-06:00Sewing with Certainty - Free Motion Quilting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I priced getting my first quilts done by a local long arm quilter... yes it is "quilting with your checkbook!" and at the rate I was kicking out quilts it would have to be a BIG checkbook. (I started with a goal to make quilts for 16 of my family members!) I quickly decided that if I was going to quilt... I was going to have to learn how to quilt them on my home machine.<br />
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I am the queen of "straight line" quilting.... notice the quotation marks... there is really nothing straight about the lines I quilt as I'm cramming half of a king size quilt through the tiny neck of my machine... but if you squint your eyes when you look at them you can see where i intended for them to be straight..... my husband sees straight lines.... at least that is what he tells me.... and why I love him so much!!<br />
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I have tried FMQ with a free motion foot... I have not figured out the tension problems yet... it is still on my list of skills to master. But... for the most part I'm happy with my straight lines... so I'm not in that big of a hurry and may wait till I buy a better machine.<br />
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So... If you do not quilt your own quilts... here is my list of things i have learned along the way.<br />
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1. You don't need a walking foot...I'm sure it might make it easier... but since I don't have one... I don't know.<br />
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2. My first few quilts looked terrible... but i finally figured out that the basting of the quilt was my problem.<br />
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I baste my quilts on my hard surfaced floors. The first thing I do is tape the backing to the floor as tight as I can. Lay the batting down and smooth it out from the middle. Then lay the quilt top down and smooth it out from the middle. I start pinning in the center and smooth more out as I go. (I don't stretch it like the backing, just smooth) I try to figure out how Im going to quilt before I pin so that I can put my pins between where my lines will be. (I confess my quilt tops are rarely perfectly ironed when I pin them... so maybe I wouldn't have as much smoothing out to do if I did that... i just hate ironing big things!)<br />
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Invest in good big safety pins for basting... and put them no more than 3-4 inches apart. I buy the bag from Walmart that are less than 6 bucks for 50 or 60 of them. I have two bags and usually can have one big quilt and one small quilt pinned at one time. I do use more than one bag on the queen and king size quilts.<br />
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I then trim any excess backing fabric and quilt batting to 4 inches. (if I have more than that I tend to get it folded over somehow and sew it to the back of the quilt.)<br />
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3. Take the time to roll up the excess quilt on each side and have support to the left of your chair for it to rest on. When I get lazy and don't roll up the excess or the shoving through side, i end up with wrinkles. I use a stack of tubs (2 large and one under bed is the right height for my desk) to rest it on.<br />
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3. Quilting lines.... I have drawn my lines on the quilt with tailors chalk once. (and my knees ache enough after pinning... I just don't want to stay down on the floor that much!) Usually I follow some pattern in the piecing and eyeball it.<br />
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I have three different MO's for my quilting....<br />
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first choice and easiest.... I quilt on both sides of my seams. I like the look it gives. (Christa suggested wavy lines across it and i may try that on a quilt soon)<br />
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second choice on small things like table runners - the straight line or matchstick quilting... I think I mentioned in my last blog post this is therapeutic for me, sew a line, lift the foot swing it around, lift the needle, put the foot down, put the needle down... sew a straight line. do it again and again and again. Honestly my table runners use as much thread as i use on a throw or twin size quilt!!<br />
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third choice is diagonal lines. I eyeball these as well and sew from one corner of the block to the other... works best eyeballing if your squares are smaller than 6 inches!<br />
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and of course.... combining them...<br />
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Really it is not hard to quilt on your machine. Afraid to start with the big stuff... make a table runner!</div>
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I am linking up to <a href="http://quiltyhabit.blogspot.com/2013/12/sewing-with-certainty-4-free-motion_22.html" target="_blank">Quilty Habit's Sewing with Certainty</a> series</div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-71680673254069402612013-12-27T03:23:00.000-06:002013-12-27T03:23:01.377-06:002013 looking back<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
sometimes you have to look back to see where you are going!<br />
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In January 2013 my husband and I sold our restaurant to his daughter. I was tired, it was doing ok, but not good and we were tired of fighting the fight.<br />
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Although we are both still helping her out by working there once in a while... i haven't regretted the decision, I think Ralph has... he keeps talking about opening another restaurant... I've been there done that and have no desire for a stick and brick store. I decided that i was going to find a way to make money doing something with sewing...he decided to grow his horseshoe business back to where it was. The first couple months were tough financially... but we soon got to where we were making more than we were at the restaurant....and we were both happier!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5CaIj8sEfTqiD13mr2JA8V3a9Uj5ECMlvF-gouvhCrqufpxLAhVJgFBbTCZnx1yl3IH6MqhfZ0QJZpTQPsIii51vkSh1Ue3idoilcsk6X8D4R0pU0N0ICEx3iQm-RNOd1-TyBrdjcUGI/s1600/100_1817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5CaIj8sEfTqiD13mr2JA8V3a9Uj5ECMlvF-gouvhCrqufpxLAhVJgFBbTCZnx1yl3IH6MqhfZ0QJZpTQPsIii51vkSh1Ue3idoilcsk6X8D4R0pU0N0ICEx3iQm-RNOd1-TyBrdjcUGI/s320/100_1817.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first commissioned quilt</td></tr>
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As if that wasn't a big enough change in life.... its been a rough year emotionally....<br />
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Two of Ralph's sons started doing hard core drugs. It nearly tore their families apart and destroyed their careers. Although neither of them are doing the drugs anymore... they are still struggling to put their lives back together. We have had custody of one of our grandchildren for most of the year... and a family of 5 moved in with us.... their struggles have also been our struggles...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I fell in love with straight line quilting on table toppers and runners... i think it is therapy for me.</td></tr>
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At the end of July, shortly after our 1 year wedding anniversary, I wondered what else could go wrong! That is when everything pretty much fell apart. We had 5 children (or children in law) arrested, one of them twice; Ralph had a heart attack, i had my appendix out, a daughter in law was diagnosed end stage renal failure and one of the boys was hurt badly at work. If it wasn't for bad luck, we would have had no luck at all!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcmCAkTUxPOJKs133inuNDjBWIm5cMRJrmv8euItnQ2wF2xA6RZIdc6cXOQAua7lxZvOPA1Qxbun3kTM5-lG3-r_JM6_gMI0Oy_Yf6iUd3z0aTaKaAKO2sncrzo6n21bHKdq98mU9tXlh/s1600/100_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipcmCAkTUxPOJKs133inuNDjBWIm5cMRJrmv8euItnQ2wF2xA6RZIdc6cXOQAua7lxZvOPA1Qxbun3kTM5-lG3-r_JM6_gMI0Oy_Yf6iUd3z0aTaKaAKO2sncrzo6n21bHKdq98mU9tXlh/s320/100_0894.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A quilt for a friend.</td></tr>
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But... month by month things have been getting better. Ralph went back to work... I have found my peace with what i am doing... the kids cleaned themselves up and started doing the right things... our daughter in law is still sick, but we continue to buy her more time.... his son healed and is back to work... he has passed his drug tests and we no longer have custody of our grandson.....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pile of UFO's I wanted to get thru this year... that are still UFOs!!</td></tr>
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The remaining challenge is the family of 5 living with us... I love them with all my heart but i really really don't like living with them... I don't see an end in the near future so for now we are doing the best we can to cope.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNJEJap3LiLfEswf9w6iF56d4Wdg6CnihyphenhyphenCgZiKj7eWQAfZromywWMhuxpX_KptYNZ3Dptfp2EPJBStVYDuzA8tgnRW5ErS8hjuQT_ttMufvqz9qgz_Q7zsNtZyjZvSeFXIPNnD0spq71/s1600/100_2271.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNJEJap3LiLfEswf9w6iF56d4Wdg6CnihyphenhyphenCgZiKj7eWQAfZromywWMhuxpX_KptYNZ3Dptfp2EPJBStVYDuzA8tgnRW5ErS8hjuQT_ttMufvqz9qgz_Q7zsNtZyjZvSeFXIPNnD0spq71/s320/100_2271.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Little Sophie... one of the three grandchildren still living with us. </td></tr>
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I honestly believe this has been the hardest year of my life.<br />
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But... i do have a wonderful husband and i love him more today than ever before. We have made it through these things together... and are still madly in love. I love that he supports my desire to work from home (even when i don't want to BE at home! lol) And the best thing... he makes me laugh... I worried a few times during this year if we had lost that ability... but we find it again... and we laugh and we get thru the mess....<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this was last year...</td></tr>
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I have high hopes for next year... and i know i will keep on sewing! Thank yall for reading during the past year...I have been pretty hit and miss as we went thru this. I know I have a few new readers after the giveaway too... thanks for joining. I will do my best to keep showing my works in 2014.<br />
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-69886273795062795222013-12-19T16:32:00.001-06:002013-12-20T12:27:11.693-06:00a sunny day and a donation quilt<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Its christmas time... am i making homemade gifts for every family member... nope. I gift those all year long and I dont feel pressure to make them anything now. But... we aren't that big on gift giving here anyways, a few for the grandkids (ok there are 16 but our rule is we have to SEE you in order to give you a present.. so we dont buy for all 16 every year, this year it is 7)<br />
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I finished those tshirt quilts which drove me crazy and I couldn't imagine jumping in to make the other two a customer wants after christmas... so... charity quilts. Christmas makes me feel like making quilts for charity...<br />
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I got this box of fabric from <a href="http://www.sewonderfulquilts.com/" target="_blank">SEWonderful Quilts</a> They are an organization that I found online and their mission statement spoke to me....<br />
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<b style="background-color: #ffccff; text-align: -webkit-center;"><span style="color: red; font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Our Mission is Threefold:<br /><span style="font-size: 4pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Comic Sans MS;"><br />To <span style="color: red;">gift</span> SEWonderful Quilts to children in need<br />To <span style="color: green;">recycle fabric</span> into SEWonderful Quilts with help from Volunteers<br />To <span style="color: teal;">keep</span> discontinued fabric out of landfills</span></b><br />
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I am all about the upcycling of fabric!! I emailed a wonderful lady named Francine who promptly sent me a box of fabric....<br />
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Now... looking at them... it is not for the faint of heart. They were decorator weight fabric. I have used small bits in a quilt here or there of scraps, but not in this scale.... but i dove in.... and here is my flimsy...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavOGabW11FwshyKDnKISb2dwvRfaqRUA30yYJMiQx0E4HuNspaBrwtYjcSar5NVumpTTJzKBvg1le7axUBmjM3w0haPoEGu8qAk9eUmt68exXOAX-8d5LkIQxWrSqNN-kZY-oqd4S9qas/s1600/100_2378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjavOGabW11FwshyKDnKISb2dwvRfaqRUA30yYJMiQx0E4HuNspaBrwtYjcSar5NVumpTTJzKBvg1le7axUBmjM3w0haPoEGu8qAk9eUmt68exXOAX-8d5LkIQxWrSqNN-kZY-oqd4S9qas/s320/100_2378.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It is now quilted and I expected it to be heavy and stiff... but its not, it is soft and fluffy! I did throw in a few other fabrics... mostly the bright red. </div>
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but... charity quilt # 1 finished.... I have 2 more that have been in the "to be quilted" pile that im going to pull out and send along with it...<br />
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Linking up to <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2080153781&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=17131&link=aHR0cDovL2NyYXp5bW9tcXVpbHRzLmJsb2dzcG90LmNvbS8yMDEzLzEyL2EtY3VzdG9tLXF1aWx0Lmh0bWw&frame=1&click=0&user=0" target="_blank">Finish It Up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts</a></div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-91176428916939115242013-12-14T12:00:00.000-06:002013-12-14T12:00:37.970-06:00Who are the lucky ones???<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I have had so much fun this week reading and commenting on where yall were from. (and ok, i spent way more time than I want to admit entering giveaways and I'm sitting here by my little gmail box waiting to rake in the loot! lol) But how cool! The quilting community is such a global community. I think I posted just a few posts ago about feeling a part of something here online that I don't get from my local community and yall made that sink in just that much more.<br />
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so... what yall are waiting for. The winner of the vintage sheet bundle is #10<br />
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<dt id="c5077267366975051313" style="background-color: white; color: #202020; cursor: pointer; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.333333969116211px; line-height: 18.19444465637207px; margin: 10px 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.25em; white-space: nowrap;"><span dir="ltr">t<a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/12126606410477190629" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc; text-decoration: none;">aniab</a></span> said...</dt>
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I live in Burnaby BC Canada. I love the views of the mountains and the fact that we are close to beaches too. </div>
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The winner of the upcycled mens shirts is # 51</div>
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<span dir="ltr" style="line-height: 18.19444465637207px; white-space: nowrap;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/13696466017753378689" rel="nofollow" style="color: #1155cc;">Born4Travel</a></span><span style="line-height: 18.19444465637207px; white-space: nowrap;"> </span>said...<br />
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I live in rural Ortonville, Michigan. I live on 5 acres with a bog in my back yard. The thing I love the most is hearing the frogs sing in the summer. Thanks for the chance to win!!<br />
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I will email yall after this is posted to get your address so I can get those out in the mail.</div>
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What I was working on this past week when I wasn't entering giveaways are these... OMG I didn't think I was ever going to finish them. I delivered them just a few hours before her Christmas party started today! akk. In fact the pictures are in HER driveway, before I would let them have them, I had to take at least one shot of them! lol.</div>
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And the piece de resistance.... were the labels. she wanted me to use this very thin gauze shirt that her mother bought in france in the 1930's. (and she gave it to me after one was already finished!) I couldn't imagine a prettier use of it.</div>
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I have learned alot from the tshirt quilts. These were my first. I have 2 more for a customer and as I am working on those, I decided I am going to write a tutorial from all that I learned in this process. I have used 6 different kinds of interfacing... i quilted all three differently and one was easier and i like the look of better... i just learned alot.</div>
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I left room for her to make her own statement on the labels. Woo hoo i was done... umm.. but now she saw these little flowers and asked if I had enough shirt left to make more (this woman was tiny... my 2 yr old granddaughter could have worn this shirt) so now by christmas I have to make 8 more frameable flowers with her mothers name on it...<br />
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lol I told my husband I am now the curator of the Tarver family historical textiles.<br />
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I have some other finishes to show but since it was icky and I HAD to give her the quilts... I took these pics, mud in the background and all... the others will have to wait for sunshine!</div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-59910021697282936912013-12-10T06:15:00.004-06:002013-12-10T06:15:57.348-06:00Giveaway!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
How cool is this... a whole week of giveaway posts!! I just HAD to join in. go check it out... my blogs are loaded with lots of goodies that you can win!<br />
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<a href="http://www.sewmamasew.com/2013/12/giveaway-day-supply-giveaways-fabric-patterns-etc/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilbX_uYzPCRinS6nq9QYtqsvpN4aHm4uuScALas6TdyNJ2SXS3XCh9ZbC_Nq8htbR6e23T9j8U8hgicLGmLrdbK6QqWXjpC8QT_Mp0ak4X5dq_axITbTHjAi5YD30aIxexuTXrSt6EPjJd/s1600/1.jpg" /></a></div>
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For those who are new... welcome! My name is Tamara and I hope that yall will look around and come back for another visit soon.<br />
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Lets get on to business. I use upcycled fabric in most of my projects. So... fitting that I am giving away your choice of 6 vintage sheet fat quarters!<br />
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In addition I will send an equal amount of scraps from other projects! total of 3 yards of vintage sheets... enough for most small projects or to combine with what you have for a big one!<br />
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As a bonus I will give a 2nd place winner a bundle of shirt backs and a bundle of scraps...<br />
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I love this red bundle and the textures in this bunch are fantastic!<br />
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I will ship internationally... so it is open to everyone!<br />
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I have moved around alot in my life and I am always fascinated by where everyone is from and that as a bloggy community we are everywhere. So for a chance to win leave me a comment telling me where you are from and what you love about where you live.<br />
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Me... I live in Deep East Texas. My favorite thing about this place is the smell of spring, its this deep earthy smell that lets me know the winter is almost over!!<br />
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For a second chance to win either be a follower or become a follower of my blog... and leave a second comment.<br />
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I look forward to getting to know some of you better! thanks for visiting and good luck this week on all the giveaway goodness.<br />
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this is open until December 13 at 5 pm and I will announce a winner on Saturday!<br />
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com124tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-17781826694324603802013-11-30T08:33:00.000-06:002013-11-30T08:40:27.912-06:00Finished for my Dad<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I finished this last week. I started it 2 years ago cutting 4 inch squares from my left over plaid fabric. I had alot at the time, and not sure what to do with it since I had finished the 4 quilts for the grandbabies... so i cut and cut.... then sewed them into 4 patches.... and it stalled.<br />
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<a href="http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Beth at Love, Laugh, Quilt</a> inspired me to get it out again and work on it with an idea for the border. It was waaay to plaid and needed something and she had the answer. So... I just put 3 borders on using the pieces I had... and voila... a plaid quilt for my dad!<br />
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(The adorable little girl in the picture is grandbaby Sophie. She was in EVERY picture but the corner one... she LOVES having her picture taken! lol.)<br />
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(sorry about the bad pictures, its cold and wet outside and the kids playroom actually was picked up and I had room to lay it out!)<br />
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I have not seen my dad in almost 4 years. He doesn't travel any more and I haven't gone up to Michigan. He now has Korsakoff Syndrome which is like alzheimers disease. He sometimes remembers he has a daughter named Tammy, sometimes not.<br />
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But he is my other man in plaid... I used to steal his flannel shirts as a teenager... they were so comfy. My dad wore darker plaids than my husband, but I think he will appreciate the plaid quilt!<br />
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My sister posted this picture of him yesterday on facebook. Hes 86 now.<br />
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I am linking to <a href="http://apassionforapplique.blogspot.com/2013/11/time-to-link-up-your-ufos.html" target="_blank">A Passion for Applique Nothing but UFO's</a> and <a href="http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Finish it Up Fridays</a></div>
Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-37843776196734403972013-11-29T14:09:00.002-06:002013-11-29T14:09:51.820-06:00Sewing with certainty - perfection<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Ohh the dreaded perfectionist is all of us rears its ugly head!!!<br />
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I tend to beat myself up for my lack of perfection. the last couple months because I was not putting in the time i needed to "grow" my etsy stores... because i was not spending disciplined time on sewing... and because i have a UFO pile that out numbers my finished quilts pile!<br />
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I think my great epiphany that i recently had was to stop beating myself up! initially i thought it meant to lay off sewing for a bit BUT... When I let that go of the guilt that i wasn't doing everything perfectly the creativity and desire came flooding back and Ive been busy, I've enjoyed myself, and I got out of my "creative" rut. Im still not doing it perfectly... but... its ok, i said as long as this family of 5 is living with us... im not going to expect perfection! (and i think i should learn from this lesson and never expect it again... but alas... i do know it will rear its ugly head again!)<br />
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I have wanted to make quilts (like my mother) since i was in my early 20s... at 45 I finally did it! well, I had started the quilt tops 4 years prior... and I finally quilted them at 45! I honestly was afraid to start and that fear came from wanting it to be perfect.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">9 patch quilts, I finished 2 for my twin grand daughters.</td></tr>
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Even today i struggle with this. I have this project that has stalled for almost a year because it has applique, I'm not sure about that!! but i will get to it.<br />
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I think the immediate thing i need to work on is my confidence with Tshirt quilts, they are taking too long to complete because I'm afraid I am going to mess up. I have two due next weekend and another two that I would like to finish before Christmas. These are orders i will get paid for!!! what is taking so long... just insecurity so... I'm gonna start right now... Tshirt quilts here i come.<br />
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-78499904878847329572013-11-25T08:30:00.002-06:002013-11-25T08:30:34.111-06:00Sewing with Certainty - my goals for my quilting<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I saw this series a few weeks ago but figured I didn't have time to participate... but... i'm going for it anyways! I like that its designed to improve my skills and the skills of others... not just a show off what i made party! lol... i do like showing off what i made though! lol.<br />
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What are my sewing goals... i have actually put alot of thought to this for the last month so here it is...<br />
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1. I have a wonderful husband and due to him I do not have to get a paycheck.. for the first time in my adult life.... however being the work a holic I am I can not stand that I am not contributing to our finances... so my big goal is to make 1000-1500 per month with my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/scrappyamericana" target="_blank">sewing</a>, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/uneedapattern" target="_blank">vintage sewing patterns</a> and <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/upcycledfabric" target="_blank">fabric</a>. Now I have decided to take some pressure off myself and just kinda work on this on the side because we have a house full of grandchildren (and their parents right now) but it is still my goal. So for this goal Im going to work on time management and doing the online stuff I need to do to continue growing those etsy stores.<br />
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2. This is a big one and one i haven't said on my blog yet.... I think I want to write quilt patterns. I dont ever USE patterns... probably because i hate authority and have never followed directions well... but I do think i have the creativity and the understanding of the math and geometry (and the writing skills although my blog tends to ramble i can be concise when i need to be) to write them. So my immediate goal is to write some tutorials so I can see how i do at that! I have two in mind that I want to write up and put on my blog for tutorials. A table runner and a quilt.<br />
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3. I want to make some quilts that show my ability to select color. I tend to make really scrappy quilts without alot of regard to color (and i LOVE them) but I think i need some work on putting fabrics together to make unified and pleasing quilts. I also want to do this without buying a collection of fabric from a designer... matchy matchy is not my thing either. So.for this one I want to use my stash for a quilt that has regard to color!!<br />
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4. FMQ... I've tried it... I have gotten mediocre results but I want to keep practicing to where I can use it.<br />
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5. Curved piecing... I want to make something with curves...<br />
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There are my goals for the Sewing with Certainty series... I dont think its too late... join us!<br />
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-36046448140632849942013-11-24T10:23:00.001-06:002013-11-24T10:23:31.914-06:00what have i done? and a local quilt show.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
the big fundraiser here is Relay for Life. There are several teams that throughout the year raise huge amounts of money. We have won awards for how much they raise per capita. Not bad for such a small town I think. We have several customers that are on the Fire Department team called the Cancer Kickers, so we end up donating alot of pizza and things to them each year.... Well... they are having a winter extravaganza on December 7th and they asked me to put a booth there with my items to sell... and I said yes! what was I thinking??? I dont have enough stuff for a booth!!<br />
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So just when I decide that Im not going to put pressure on myself to create.. i need to create! opps... lol.</div>
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My plan is to do enough christmas ornaments to cover a tree, maybe a couple denim tree skirts, (I'm going for a cowboy themed christmas) my table toppers, I might do some easy tote bags... we will see. I have to finish 2 tshirt quilts before I can start though because they are due on the same day... so... my plan was to make tshirt quilts this weekend! opps.. before I could finish them though I had to finish the plaid monster I am making my dad because it has all the safety pins in it. I refuse to buy more because I will just end up with alot of pinned quilts and never quilt them!</div>
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and well being an attention deficit disorder quilter... i couldn't just work on the quilt and finish it... i had to take breaks so here are the ornaments i finished this weekend.....<br />
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I have several others started but to get the frayed edges you have to wash them so they are in process.<br />
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Saturday Ralph and I went to a local quilt show. the flash is broke on the camera so I couldn't take pictures but honestly, there wasn't much that wowed me. I am not a part of a local quilt community mostly because they are well.. snotty. I tried to start a conversation with one of the long arm quilters that was there and she was very stand offish. We dont have a local quilt guild, just a bunch of women that gather at the quilt store so my kind of quilting is looked down on. I use recyced fabrics... i use sheets on the back.... lol... they dont ever use solids (because the quilt store doesn't sell any), OH and I quilt my own which really puts the 6 long arm quilters in the areas nose out of joint... for some reason. I do try to support the local quilt store because the owner is nice, but I do my best to avoid her other customers.<br />
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Ralph however came away from it excited and determined that i am going to start entering quilt shows. He said my stuff is better than theirs any day and I could win. (he is so sweet... and charming) I explained that if the person i made the quilt for loved it... thats all the recognition and reward I need... who knows maybe someday i will, i just dont feel the need right now.<br />
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But I guess thats why I blog... to be a part of SOME community because I dont have one locally. I have considered joining the Guild in Nacogdoches, but its a 45 mile drive each way... maybe this spring I will have time.<br />
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It was a rainy day saturday... this is what the driveway looked like when we got home from the quilt show... our fall colors in texas. I think this will have to be inspiration.... I love the scrappiness of the picture and can see a scrappy quilt with those colors just thrown about it! (and yes that is my boot toe in the picture... it was a perfect day to sport the cowboy boots)<br />
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I have to hand sew the binding on my dads quilt (which i plan to do while working at the pizza shop today since its slow on sundays) so pics of that once its finished!!! (and since i have to work all day... opps the tshirt quilts are exactly where they were friday!)</div>
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I also want to say thank you for the kind words Michelle sent me (you are a no reply blogger so I couldn't email back) I often avoid talking about personal life (partially because all i want to do right now is complain! lol) but I appreciate you encouraging me to keep blogging and talking about... just life.</div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-19687041126148797922013-11-19T20:21:00.001-06:002013-11-19T20:21:23.813-06:00Ive been lost in thought<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Have i shared with yall that I have a wonderful and supportive husband? yep i do! I am at another one of those crossroads in my life, (did i have any idea at 21 when i declared what I wanted to be when I grew up that I would come to so many crossroads where I had to make that decision again??)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Im on the left - at 21</td></tr>
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I had determined I want to do something with sewing, fabric, quilting, something that I love from home. Etsy is the place for me right now... but I was getting frustrated because I was not being disciplined (as i usually am) and I was not doing what I wanted to do. I have been struggling with this for about a month and then I realized that with his son, daughter in law and 3 additional kids in the house... the place for me is NOT working a stay at home business... i HATE being at home. I know, hate is such a strong word... but i do mean hate. We are both miserable with this arrangement and we are biding our time till they leave. That is not to say that I don't LOVE them or our grandchildren. I do very much... i love the little zombies to death. I just HATE sharing my home with anyone...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waylon and Tristan... my superheros ... that is the first quilt i finished on the bed!</td></tr>
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So... for now, Im working at home when I can stand it.. I'm making a few sales... I'm sewing when I just can't stand that I haven't been creative in a while... and I'm going to post when the spurts of creativity happen... but, for now... im not really WORKING at what I want to do. Ralph and I have discussed it, for now I am going with him horseshoeing when I am needed (and when I'm not because I enjoy being with him) and I'm going to continue to work for his daughter at the pizzeria. Most importantly I'm going to quit beating myself up because i didn't accomplish what i wanted to do yet.... Im going to enjoy what I am doing.... </div>
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Today I didn't have to work anywhere else and i was itching to be creative so I worked on some Christmas items to sell. I rarely buy novelty or seasonal fabric... but the denim was calling me.... here are my creations for today. (ralph and i ended up babysitting the kids so I managed to accomplish something with kids! I'm happy!)<br />
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-41433980605652674682013-11-12T10:53:00.000-06:002013-11-13T20:27:15.375-06:00A quilt for Audrey and works in progress<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This beautiful little girl is my Great Niece Audrey!<br />
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She is 4 months old now... and just the cutest little thing. Since I made my great nephew a quilt, I needed to make her one too! I enjoyed this one... I love the colors. Her mom decorated the nursery with jellyfish, I decided to do the chevron and on pattern from quilty because, they kinda look like Jellyfish in a modern sort of way! lol.<br />
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I used a vintage sheet with big roses on it for the back and bound it in the pink polka dot. I had planned an orange, not thinking about how it would go on the back... the pink went with the roses much better!<br />
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I quilted with straight lines with the teal color.... this fabric was just my favorite and I dont know where it came from! I want more of it!<br />
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Its off in the mail to Michigan to cuddle the sweet bundle of joy!</div>
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For the works in progress I have a couple things im working on...</div>
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first are these. Im making rice bags for Christmas presents. I have been looking for projects to practice FMQ on and these are perfect. i am getting better... believe it or not! lol. I am using orphan blocks or pieces of them for the blocks and using scrap batting.</div>
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I am also quilting a few flimsies that I have finished. I haven't decided where this one is going. Its either for our bed or I'm going to send it to my Dad for a christmas present... Dads probably gonna win.</div>
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Here is a stack I have ready to quilt... i need to get busy!</div>
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I am linking up to <a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/2013/11/fabric-tuesday-come-link-up.html" target="_blank">Quilt Story: Fabric Tuesday</a> and <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/11/wip-wednesday-waiting-waiting.html" target="_blank">Works In Progress Wednesday on Freshly Pieced</a></div>
Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-3237141513523317612013-11-11T00:30:00.000-06:002013-11-11T05:38:32.526-06:00For the Boys<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Thank you Madame Samm and Amy for letting me participate in my FIRST Blog hop!! I have been so excited about this post, my husband thinks I'<br />
ve lost my mind!<br />
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I know a little something about making quilts for boys. I have 4 step sons, 2 son in laws and 9 of my grandchildren are boys.... and my husband of course. He is very opinionated about what he likes and doesn't like in my quilts!!<br />
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But in honor of veterans day, I'm going to begin with the quilt I made for my husband for our bed. Because it is by far my most patriotic quilt. It is called "Lonesome Dove" because I stitched the binding while watching a Lonesome Dove marathon one Sunday.<br />
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I think the belief that you should not use florals in a man's quilt is crazy. They appreciate flowers too and as long as its not predominantly flowers. I see no problem. Lonesome dove was my first HST quilt and surprisingly not my last!<br />
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I also quilt outside the box in that I rarely (in fact only 1 quilt I have ever made) use all quilt shop fabric.I like using upcycled fabric in my quilts, its what my mom did, my grandmothers did and I'm sure all of my ancestors before that. They used what they had and what they could afford.... and so do I. So, most of my quilts use mens shirts, yardsale fabric, and of course stuff from the clearance isle at my LQS. and i usually use vintage sheets on the back.<br />
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I made 4 different quilts from 2 different patterns out of mostly my husbands shirts. These were called Paw Paw's Puzzle and Paw Paw Kisses. Landon, Trevor, Waylon and Wesley use these every day. Its nice seeing a grandchild wrapped in something you made!<br />
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For the 6 Men (sons and son in laws) I made a series of Denim quilts. I started to make rag quilts but they were just too messy for me. I decided to peice the 6 in squares and double stitch them. Each quilt back had a different pattern on them... depending on the recipients personality. I think one of these was the ugliest quilts I've ever made because it was my interpretation of camo.... but he loves it!<br />
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This one is being enjoyed in Alaska by our grandbaby Kegan. We haven't met Kegan but he does have a quilt where I used fabric from my clothes, my husbands and some of our parents! </div>
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I made this one to sell, it is from striped shirts and I loved it... so did our grandbaby Tristan and it is The Quilt he uses at our house! lol.</div>
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Ok.. bad picture... but i did one to include this one. Its called Cowboy and it was a donation to the local Cowboy Church. </div>
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Finally my most recent... and the only quilt I have made entirely from quilt store material. It is called This way (pattern in Quilty called Chevron and On) and it is for my first Great Nephew Joey.</div>
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Thank you for visiting today and I hope I provided some quilty inspiration. I hope yall enjoy the blog hop and be sure to go check out the other great posts today!!!<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><a href="http://tamaraboatright.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Upcycled Fabric</a> (you are here)</span></div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com57tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-83511410059196875702013-10-31T09:08:00.002-05:002013-10-31T09:12:21.743-05:00A quilt for Joey!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A quilt for Joey.... he was born Sunday so I had to hurry up and finish this one!!!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3EjS3nspBZ9Ill7PXPUQ3vfdaiFuH4CpzjPe-EaGYZuYSezDwFuV2udsgCelB95dNoKkF3ldz3tOBdO_4ER9ibaoQQ5aiSsaYgf6zMvBN7TMzDEVM7Ae4RVHjG-vhRBuZNRTDTdjRfAx/s1600/joey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ3EjS3nspBZ9Ill7PXPUQ3vfdaiFuH4CpzjPe-EaGYZuYSezDwFuV2udsgCelB95dNoKkF3ldz3tOBdO_4ER9ibaoQQ5aiSsaYgf6zMvBN7TMzDEVM7Ae4RVHjG-vhRBuZNRTDTdjRfAx/s320/joey.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So little Joey is getting this....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud4lKOOrCdHGsn7C26HkIxFmGsxyyMCU9vUK2EW0YhTjp2CKSEb8Jo1XBPxroernH2GMW472XYNYMdJfIvziJe2iYYAG1FaNeYIN3xEwi0ODg8h_ev0HHJPEKMdqiHmthCOxee7ozG38Q/s1600/100_1964.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgud4lKOOrCdHGsn7C26HkIxFmGsxyyMCU9vUK2EW0YhTjp2CKSEb8Jo1XBPxroernH2GMW472XYNYMdJfIvziJe2iYYAG1FaNeYIN3xEwi0ODg8h_ev0HHJPEKMdqiHmthCOxee7ozG38Q/s320/100_1964.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It is from the pattern in the latest Quilty called Chevron and on. I used a combination of chicopee by Denyse schmidt and Michael Miller fabrics. I dont know why I bought these but when I looked at the bedding she had on her baby shower list, they were perfect.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7r1FUEP1nAfakDp08ktwF80E-lx6F5AtY1AFPNshqkyL0w5BG8TIR9hkAyV4UbBkZUtH1QzeOdySCGne1f4W4-8-Dk4lJd5tYGXtgz4cZjktUmrmyKX7NdTgMdQQP6_Z-eEMgTSS2sur/s1600/100_1975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7r1FUEP1nAfakDp08ktwF80E-lx6F5AtY1AFPNshqkyL0w5BG8TIR9hkAyV4UbBkZUtH1QzeOdySCGne1f4W4-8-Dk4lJd5tYGXtgz4cZjktUmrmyKX7NdTgMdQQP6_Z-eEMgTSS2sur/s320/100_1975.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My plan was to practice FMQ on this... but little children had been playing with my machine settings. I have never ripped out so many seams in my life... so i decided to do color thread (stepping outside the box for me!) and do my traditional straight lines.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The back is left over peices of the Michael Miller fabrics. Big dots, little dots and stripes. Binding is the grey dots.....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pictures are horrible because we have rain forecasted for the next few days and its dark in here! But... wanted to finish this and share it on<a href="http://quilterinthecloset.blogspot.ca/2013/10/i-am-hosting-tgiff-finish-friday.html" target="_blank"> </a>TGIFF Octoberquest.... but i read the rules and one per week, this makes more than one... so... its posted here:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have one other baby quilt to finish and they will be off in the mail for my great nephew and great niece! My goal is to finish it today for one more TGIF Friday finish!!!</span><br />
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-64096736871677625322013-10-26T15:00:00.001-05:002013-10-29T13:11:48.169-05:00OctoberQuest #4<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yeah! the finish is actually on my goals list!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynTfPNfQY3VdMPH25A1CeSDdClsUGPPrFnQqcqmf8i1W19oOc35LQ7xqbPymYzLA2BxUU-hp_L1eiDqt-QxDdQt0Fv8R2mJdtH3Le6f5HHrN8ySavg0HSlq0UuT8xK-y4V-JbCj2_MAkJ/s1600/100_1896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjynTfPNfQY3VdMPH25A1CeSDdClsUGPPrFnQqcqmf8i1W19oOc35LQ7xqbPymYzLA2BxUU-hp_L1eiDqt-QxDdQt0Fv8R2mJdtH3Le6f5HHrN8ySavg0HSlq0UuT8xK-y4V-JbCj2_MAkJ/s320/100_1896.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I had started doing two x five strips of red, blue and yellow 2 1/2 in squares.... i dont even remember their purpose or what i was going to make with them... i just had about 10 of them done.<br />
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In my quest to rid myself of unfinished projects taking up space... i made them into this....<br />
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the border was a blue sheet (same one i am using in the plaid quilt) and the back was a sheet I bought at a yardsale.<br />
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Partially why i finished this one is because i am out of my go to peicing color of thread.... im waiting for my shipment of thread and batting from connecting threads. I had blue... blue quilting would work!!<br />
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Oh no! I was out of the red and white stripe I use on all of these red and blue projects. I had some of this red and white vine... I think it works!<br />
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Other things i have been working on. I didn't use Beth's border exactly... i decided to use the extra 4 patch blocks I had... but i like how it turned out.<br />
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My pile of ready to be quilted is growing. They go in this pile when there is a flimsy, a back and binding prepared!! (i have a whole tub of ready to be quilted flimsies... without the back and binding)<br />
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Just to keep track of my quarterly goals:</div>
<ul>
<li><strike>Darla's Quilt</strike></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2 Tshirt Quilts</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Riding out the Storm (ready to be quilted pile)</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Home Grown Tomatoes</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Twin Vintage Sheet</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Liberty</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Dallas' Soar</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">HST Vintage Sheet Throw</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Orange it Great</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><strike>Red, Blue and Yellow 2 1/2 in squares</strike></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Square Dance</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><strike>Cloth Napkins</strike></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Train Wall hanging</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Plus Quilt</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Vintage Star Quilt</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">things I've started that weren't on the list:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">jellyfish for Audrey (ready to be quilted pile)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">chevron and on for Joey (ready to be quilted pile)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">plaid monster for Ralph and I (ready to be quilted pile)</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">I am linking to <a href="http://quilterinthecloset.blogspot.ca/2013/10/i-am-hosting-tgiff-finish-friday.html" target="_blank">OctoberQuest at Quilter in a Closet</a></span><br />
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and <a href="http://quiltstory.blogspot.com/2013/10/fabric-tuesday-friends.html" target="_blank">Quilt Story: Fabric Tuesday</a><br />
<br />
and <a href="http://www.skiptomylou.org/"><img alt="Skip To My Lou" height="150" src="http://rsc.skiptomylou.org/buttons/new_button.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<ul>
</ul>
</div>
Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7588443878645413890.post-91004807397954722002013-10-23T11:29:00.000-05:002013-10-23T11:29:16.867-05:00Mad about Plaid?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I finished the flimsy I was working on yesterday so when I got home last night I didn't have anything in my "to be sewn" pile. I did something i shouldn't have! I pulled out one of those unfinished projects and started working on it. I had this huge pile of 4" blocks sewn into 4 patches.... I first thought i would make a baby quilt out of them... but kept sewing.... then it became a throw..... now i think i have enough for a queen quilt and im thinking i will keep it for Ralph and I.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZ9cn_Y3ORQnRIvL1PlCS_AwIvbbSVjKG83nYnImLwjiWrJp4yLljyjj2FAP35MvgWO-a2mpHvCW_CMfMmZObf_lxtajRGqXHprMq07P6LCt58bJJfLSRFU9KXCCtYtbJOSZjL9D7d_dx/s1600/100_1829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZ9cn_Y3ORQnRIvL1PlCS_AwIvbbSVjKG83nYnImLwjiWrJp4yLljyjj2FAP35MvgWO-a2mpHvCW_CMfMmZObf_lxtajRGqXHprMq07P6LCt58bJJfLSRFU9KXCCtYtbJOSZjL9D7d_dx/s320/100_1829.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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How the pile of 4 patches started is a while back one day I decided I had too many men's shirts scraps. I really did, more than a large tub of them. I sell the shirt backs on my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/upcycledfabric?section_id=12741767" target="_blank">etsy store</a> but the fronts and short sleeves end up in my stash. I had a 4 inch ruler and its easy to cut 4 inch squares so I started cutting. I was planning a large queen quilt for Ralph, but i still needed a BUNCH of squares, and I just wasn't loving the quilt... they never got cut.<br />
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Then I saw what Beth did at <a href="http://lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com/2013/10/friday.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LoveLaughQuilt+%28Love+Laugh+Quilt%29" target="_blank">Love Laugh Quil</a>t with her plaid quilt. I admit, i have a border phobia, i am just not creative with them because i dont like putting them on... i am getting better and braver... however, this would be perfect to break up the monotony of the plaid squares.... so... i felt inspired to pull it out again. I have enough 2 1/2 in precut plaid squares for the border, putting a border on means i dont need anymore 4 in squares!! i can do what she did! Thanks Beth for the inspiration... so here it is again, on the table and im working on it again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WyEU8XeS6wCSexAtkv2u5gdXz3y8qo5fZfXcJBwsiV3wd8Jx15OdbS5cpl9QCNa76zWjminrHHRZmZRZGuMnpOcLuocqVR5bSrd_y4pBS-lcMiy4Nh6ZIKDVPD7Gv1BjDHSGz0awLVDD/s1600/100_1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1WyEU8XeS6wCSexAtkv2u5gdXz3y8qo5fZfXcJBwsiV3wd8Jx15OdbS5cpl9QCNa76zWjminrHHRZmZRZGuMnpOcLuocqVR5bSrd_y4pBS-lcMiy4Nh6ZIKDVPD7Gv1BjDHSGz0awLVDD/s320/100_1835.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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the bad thing is... i had set these quarterly goals for myself... yes i have finished 2 but look.. the three projects I'm working on now weren't even on the list! maybe i shouldn't make lists! lol.<br />
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most of the list is on hold because I'm waiting on batting. I've ordered some from connecting threads so i should be able to knock a few of them off quickly when I get that package.<br />
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Just to keep track of my quarterly goals:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><strike>Darla's Quilt</strike></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">2 Tshirt Quilts</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Riding out the Storm </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Home Grown Tomatoes</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Twin Vintage Sheet</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Liberty</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Dallas' Soar</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">HST Vintage Sheet Throw</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Orange it Great</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Red, Blue and Yellow 2 1/2 in squares</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Square Dance</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><strike>Cloth Napkins</strike></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Train Wall hanging</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Plus Quilt</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Vintage Star Quilt</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">things I've started that weren't on the list:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">jellyfish for Audrey</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">chevron and on for Joey</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 18px;">plaid monster for Ralph and I</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I am linking up to <a href="http://www.freshlypieced.com/2013/10/wip-wednesday-big-finish-and-exciting.html" target="_blank">WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced</a></span></span></div>
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Tamara Hamptonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01674933834356629713noreply@blogger.com5