tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77056312600080258092024-02-19T19:32:31.970-05:00Betsie Bay Fiber ArtsA Place Up North For Lovers of Fiber to Gather.Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-29883380536946725432010-10-24T12:30:00.001-04:002010-10-24T12:33:26.284-04:00Freddy's HouseI started working on my version of a Freddy's House quilt back in 2002 when a pattern appeared in Quiltmaker magazine. I worked on it diligently for a while and then set it aside. Once in a while, I would get out the blocks I had worked on and look at them, thinking that I should get back to piecing it. I would buy fat quarters of fun fabrics and add them to my stash, still not sewing anything. And then last weekend, I started working on the quilt blocks again. I'm up to 17 blocks with only 31 to go! Yikes - maybe I'll make the quilt smaller. Here is a sample of my blocks: <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've been printing some of my favorite photos onto fabric to use them as doors or windows.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5NWIr6_wWVGSjvzFcFJaw1WM6zAWY6pql_9v7G6MljGfoorKB4OsmbYJ0jqXJXKzovkrXS47CJ5cv8aL4TNmVHSX69k9uD0hsnAyKqToQZ22OoTS-Km5QfXScm0AVoNeBWRF8rmxTPhB/s1600/P1020278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5NWIr6_wWVGSjvzFcFJaw1WM6zAWY6pql_9v7G6MljGfoorKB4OsmbYJ0jqXJXKzovkrXS47CJ5cv8aL4TNmVHSX69k9uD0hsnAyKqToQZ22OoTS-Km5QfXScm0AVoNeBWRF8rmxTPhB/s320/P1020278.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Perhaps by posting my blocks, I'll be inspired to continue working on the quilt! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div>Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-14782704488490539742010-04-11T20:26:00.000-04:002010-04-11T20:26:12.470-04:00Vintage Sunflower Quilt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyWr6Pn998EoWGqsAhbSMD73TqU7OicquoYLZ7Eeko6eO30YkvGH1W6GXyq1mQXVCzx_ej5ab3g__FDTgn2zSR5SapEk72UMix1RPgZB_dBcrOnwAZigw325axAAItTQbaTyEZVWY55g4/s1600/P1020003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyWr6Pn998EoWGqsAhbSMD73TqU7OicquoYLZ7Eeko6eO30YkvGH1W6GXyq1mQXVCzx_ej5ab3g__FDTgn2zSR5SapEk72UMix1RPgZB_dBcrOnwAZigw325axAAItTQbaTyEZVWY55g4/s320/P1020003.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div>I acquired this vintage sunflower quilt some time ago. It is a gorgeous quilt with remarkable applique and hand quilting. My first thought is that it was a Marie Webster design. Marie Webster's patten appeared in a 1912 edition of Ladies Home Journal. You can see a photograph of the Marie Webster Quilt by linking to the website of the Indianapolis Museum of Art. <a href="http://www.imamuseum.org/art/collections/artwork/quilt-sunflower-marie-d-webster">http://www.imamuseum.org/art/collections/artwork/quilt-sunflower-marie-d-webster</a>. Marie Webster's quilt has some spider web shaped quilting. <br />
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If you look at the Marie Webster design, you can see that mine is different. In particular, look at the stems. After some searching, I found a quilt similar to mine on The Quilt Index. <a href="http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?pbd=MichiganMSUMuseum-a0b5n6-a">Sunflower Quilt</a><br />
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It appears that my quilt is based upon a Mountain Mist pattern and was made sometime between 1930 and 1949. Here is another similar quilt. <a href="http://www.quiltindex.org/basicdisplay.php?pbd=MichiganMSUMuseum-a0b4y4-a">Sunflower Quilt</a><br />
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You'll note that my quilt does not have a border as do the two shown from The Quilt Index. <br />
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Here are some additional photos of my quilt. The quilting is in the designs of sunflowers and leaves. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil6hyphenhyphenfw0VIShBAf-E7dtFmfm7Opr2_lV_xAbSQpo2n3ZhYVB58t6owc53XaqNUdPwjLQdNHBxs1fegzcNzp0FXvcOLS-xf6BBUgl0mHNN0Q8YX91X_1conJWYLx6w06__YvslSxmoMtpo/s1600/P1020010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiil6hyphenhyphenfw0VIShBAf-E7dtFmfm7Opr2_lV_xAbSQpo2n3ZhYVB58t6owc53XaqNUdPwjLQdNHBxs1fegzcNzp0FXvcOLS-xf6BBUgl0mHNN0Q8YX91X_1conJWYLx6w06__YvslSxmoMtpo/s320/P1020010.JPG" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ani6ZSi3MEWeFzc7hO_g8M75U5u-_u5_QC6Z-7wY3lISwsF-YAiQzeIIQNYCXzrFksPftS5FG-whFfwFA4nvAN1RUg0dE7WDFb6V9M-IFDI5R40m_lNG13rBMQeC1HB72EXlStOp5-hA/s1600/P1020008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ani6ZSi3MEWeFzc7hO_g8M75U5u-_u5_QC6Z-7wY3lISwsF-YAiQzeIIQNYCXzrFksPftS5FG-whFfwFA4nvAN1RUg0dE7WDFb6V9M-IFDI5R40m_lNG13rBMQeC1HB72EXlStOp5-hA/s320/P1020008.JPG" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1_BZvxAfZ6P9Hyd5OK-y0pA-aDh8rk1U9cKFizJo2VCZKgq7sBZeUtEVtfJ6zIVbEhVbVHQMO4qffLivsDUCSk30nlEU6jxxLaYUHWznCw59r82LGywLQksyvY8tI3Qq8itqB_3K73fN/s1600/P1020005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL1_BZvxAfZ6P9Hyd5OK-y0pA-aDh8rk1U9cKFizJo2VCZKgq7sBZeUtEVtfJ6zIVbEhVbVHQMO4qffLivsDUCSk30nlEU6jxxLaYUHWznCw59r82LGywLQksyvY8tI3Qq8itqB_3K73fN/s320/P1020005.JPG" wt="true" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep8Tzf0laPQ7QFpijGv8WkViiP48mt1pYhyphenhyphenmauM74jtHFK3IcJfjf_lpR6ECNxAvkQkmGUhMYBwxzixZYyEhe_oW-CiWDgwlLMXwEalspm410v7l51BrO2aqpTpVe0jWP6Woufb0QrIMV/s1600/P1020004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjep8Tzf0laPQ7QFpijGv8WkViiP48mt1pYhyphenhyphenmauM74jtHFK3IcJfjf_lpR6ECNxAvkQkmGUhMYBwxzixZYyEhe_oW-CiWDgwlLMXwEalspm410v7l51BrO2aqpTpVe0jWP6Woufb0QrIMV/s320/P1020004.JPG" wt="true" /></a></div>Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-48626105359533740312009-12-04T13:37:00.000-05:002009-12-04T13:37:08.083-05:00One Hour Wrap Skirt? You've Got to be Kidding!Over Thanksgiving, my niece and I were looking at a copy of Stitch magazine. She saw a photo of the Biker Wrap Skirt and suggested that I make one for her. I checked out the magazine - the pattern was online as a PDF download. The instructions for the waistband confused me and the pattern printed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper that you were supposed to tape together. And, there was no pattern for the applique which is why Sarah, my niece. liked it in the first place.<br />
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So, I motored over to JoAnn's and bought a pattern and fabric. The pattern envelope said that it was a One-hour skirt. Obviously, the person who decided it would only take an hour to sew didn't count the layout and cutting of the fabric, interfacing, seam finishing, and making buttonholes. Even if I hadn't decided to make my own applique for a pocket (which I made too), it still would have taken me hours. Here's the pocket:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS4n72x3BMIiJwUaBmqUPtutYkE3LfgW5_01oJC0v9eMDvXxgQAWQfx15uEAPvNcxyuWteFkTD7ggHQOF8sD_B7T1Iux5CYGFrbrBIqMn2ayKyjzrKC3zN9MSMcxIpgyXVgcfztcD6DPo/s1600-h/Pocket.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS4n72x3BMIiJwUaBmqUPtutYkE3LfgW5_01oJC0v9eMDvXxgQAWQfx15uEAPvNcxyuWteFkTD7ggHQOF8sD_B7T1Iux5CYGFrbrBIqMn2ayKyjzrKC3zN9MSMcxIpgyXVgcfztcD6DPo/s320/Pocket.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The waistband was tricky - it wouldn't have been if I hadn't tried to fit it upside down on the skirt the first time....<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfP6arMSVIPoWBhgEdfIA-QfDJGd7Siwe7vJv9_YPuNsqMYriWD7OgVHWspvuiXaufl-kYpnoGH2WLLmWqF8PRK7UYOIV8wFilPI4_KwQ1Uox7muwCGqfRD62sd3mstW7WnuOZTwEgd1WO/s1600-h/skirt+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfP6arMSVIPoWBhgEdfIA-QfDJGd7Siwe7vJv9_YPuNsqMYriWD7OgVHWspvuiXaufl-kYpnoGH2WLLmWqF8PRK7UYOIV8wFilPI4_KwQ1Uox7muwCGqfRD62sd3mstW7WnuOZTwEgd1WO/s320/skirt+2.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There are two buttonholes in the waistband. I had to practice making them - nine attempts before I actually made them on the skirt. I sure hope this fits Sarah - she can move the buttons to make it bigger or smaller. Oh wait, I mean that her mother can move the buttons! Here's the finished product.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa3yR70tR60jllSndejaZadnSw1cLR_ladftAv81lb8UrvtmxQJ4GzyYExkuD7yoW_diZ1zh9lpnS74GF7edDDjVXjrnR6__ZB2Sp1QSwMoZxYb7ALiDRpYjwlnFSf4r1US4G895wIah_/s1600-h/skirt+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxa3yR70tR60jllSndejaZadnSw1cLR_ladftAv81lb8UrvtmxQJ4GzyYExkuD7yoW_diZ1zh9lpnS74GF7edDDjVXjrnR6__ZB2Sp1QSwMoZxYb7ALiDRpYjwlnFSf4r1US4G895wIah_/s320/skirt+1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No one else is getting a skirt for Christmas - at least not Christmas 2009. I need to make quicker projects. I hope you like my Not One Hour Wrap Skirt.<br />
</div>Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-87306214458139048132009-12-03T19:34:00.000-05:002009-12-03T19:34:45.949-05:00Cute Birdy Christmas NapkinsI love birds. When I found these napkins, I decided I had to make some holiday napkins with cute birds. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI95z0-D2zhsW_scCzDqMroS9NknLWUBzOzMtTBAPfg5ZKqKQMP67S6utYKM83nBeC9YFrRA7q9qXvs2GTdD0j5nGXDMldz0xDetMyc6JWvawj149B_lUz42FJgGLhsqj9hO3AhPUiKTw8/s1600-h/napkin+four.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI95z0-D2zhsW_scCzDqMroS9NknLWUBzOzMtTBAPfg5ZKqKQMP67S6utYKM83nBeC9YFrRA7q9qXvs2GTdD0j5nGXDMldz0xDetMyc6JWvawj149B_lUz42FJgGLhsqj9hO3AhPUiKTw8/s320/napkin+four.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cute Chickadees!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLYqzluEgt7x3ZHulPpkDdUCFv2EXBMdmtXbF8y9nL7XbrYJk-p6DkeowghcpYDMLtu2KK5JXtii8vG1xyb8_DhmkZDeUkOOIe8ngap_6bChehVQpLEVXHDaOdCHuU3worTFRpL_8qCHT/s1600-h/napkin+three.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" er="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLYqzluEgt7x3ZHulPpkDdUCFv2EXBMdmtXbF8y9nL7XbrYJk-p6DkeowghcpYDMLtu2KK5JXtii8vG1xyb8_DhmkZDeUkOOIe8ngap_6bChehVQpLEVXHDaOdCHuU3worTFRpL_8qCHT/s320/napkin+three.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>The set I'm selling on Etsy has two chickadee and two cardinal napkins. I actually have another cardinal napkin but, my machine went crazy (it couldn't be me, could it?) and while the cardinals look great from the front, the back has some bird's nest threads. Oh well! Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-70462415507742574442009-11-21T08:06:00.000-05:002009-11-21T08:06:15.480-05:00Where Have I Been?I haven't posted for quite a while. I've been traveling for work and haven't been able to devote much time to crafting. I'm back at it now. Here is my latest creation - a machine embroidered bath towel:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZuHd78pXf4zACLzwwYucSFDNgVayZGozWLtaqq23pkYREGk6pEJJ-P3WZZ_8rqz_XQXOVzIL2Cpm0F2Z8m8hVfwEBk5bGt6Big1Lj3PvxgvHltP8Ztm28dSCHasAz7JaxdlEncrCXI-f/s1600/poodle+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZuHd78pXf4zACLzwwYucSFDNgVayZGozWLtaqq23pkYREGk6pEJJ-P3WZZ_8rqz_XQXOVzIL2Cpm0F2Z8m8hVfwEBk5bGt6Big1Lj3PvxgvHltP8Ztm28dSCHasAz7JaxdlEncrCXI-f/s320/poodle+1.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I made some special order towels for an incredibly patient buyer on Etsy. I ruined one towel and one washcloth in the process when my embroidery machine decided that it had a mind of its own and messed up the design. I think the final results are cute. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX-YdgYxCDaPZR7E852UaaF5xZlXucN7cvOUiz0HPZjwU2d0fLeuejW71Wlfc0l55WgHWPjCSeVxBOUYpbERL27CgZY4l-y6_TU-nmAGxNj7jSMpSZ6SwfBINePZl94zGdzJ34sAQhGEL/s1600/evan+lucas+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigX-YdgYxCDaPZR7E852UaaF5xZlXucN7cvOUiz0HPZjwU2d0fLeuejW71Wlfc0l55WgHWPjCSeVxBOUYpbERL27CgZY4l-y6_TU-nmAGxNj7jSMpSZ6SwfBINePZl94zGdzJ34sAQhGEL/s320/evan+lucas+1.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And one other special order for <a href="http://serendipitytreasures.etsy.com/">serendipitytreasures</a>. Ali, the owner of Serendipity Treasures is one of my Etsy friends. She has lots of vintage hankies - and I have to say that I now own some of them. This towel is named for Ali's dog, Hero.<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAXW-xBKQJQWM2U3-m2TWnlrVepJ85oJeQY5aSRQC3t-tkG0qMkFzdN6HJd7N3Zf5fQCQSUxhZTW2_wqLHtY95DOIiyC5OHWXHld9ygUqhYx9iBBF8t9B9QxWvdYGNpqhl-MKT4aVH1Kc/s1600/Hero+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLAXW-xBKQJQWM2U3-m2TWnlrVepJ85oJeQY5aSRQC3t-tkG0qMkFzdN6HJd7N3Zf5fQCQSUxhZTW2_wqLHtY95DOIiyC5OHWXHld9ygUqhYx9iBBF8t9B9QxWvdYGNpqhl-MKT4aVH1Kc/s320/Hero+1.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div> I hope to be able to sew or embroider (or both!) today!Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-2430665048538055852009-10-11T20:03:00.001-04:002009-10-12T06:29:17.416-04:00A Finished Quilt Top!The last time I saw this quilt, it was in pieces on Janet's design wall. She sent this photo today with the title, "I finished it!"<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA7eBgzRLKrCVzbTozSRlP09h7CZzIgyMkKB-24anqKViU1KkYrwV3SRWC8B9uxRDT9elHYp65mp_TvvkQ_cn-pUjSvKW6dbsEyHIDKgUUqHhVfJE7IJNOf7j0kPEtjFoTSigKuimJY3V/s1600-h/quilt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPA7eBgzRLKrCVzbTozSRlP09h7CZzIgyMkKB-24anqKViU1KkYrwV3SRWC8B9uxRDT9elHYp65mp_TvvkQ_cn-pUjSvKW6dbsEyHIDKgUUqHhVfJE7IJNOf7j0kPEtjFoTSigKuimJY3V/s320/quilt.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Gorgeous!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This quilt is made from a variety of Kaffe Fassett fabrics. Janet does beautiful work! You would think I would be motivated to work on one of my own. Instead, I'm going to watch the Colts play football.<br />
</div>Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-48882221032499666322009-10-04T11:43:00.000-04:002009-10-04T11:43:46.168-04:00The Sister Challenge Part 2My twelve blocks are finished! They measure 14" by 15". It turned out that I didn't need to add any other fabrics. I did have to use some of the lights as darks, but since my choices were pretty random, it didn't seem to make a lot of difference. The block is a Court House Steps variation. It is rectangular instead of square. I have to admit that I initially thought some of the design combinations in the fabric clashed. Here are the blocks laid out on my bed.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvTYq8jVbrE4Cq46x3lLjo-glVlRAn09zxlkr0uMVrH4wrKtLDKKLwwUxTP6A4eWfAZKxfW29qKFsy3_UTWfNWJfiB8gzToGFiVy8x0wkWklmsyAkPGhrbE2Cs8mDJiYPagNIcbWX0b7z/s1600-h/blocks+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimvTYq8jVbrE4Cq46x3lLjo-glVlRAn09zxlkr0uMVrH4wrKtLDKKLwwUxTP6A4eWfAZKxfW29qKFsy3_UTWfNWJfiB8gzToGFiVy8x0wkWklmsyAkPGhrbE2Cs8mDJiYPagNIcbWX0b7z/s320/blocks+1.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I used a bright red fabric for the center of each block for consistency. I was organizing (I use that term loosely) my stash and found 2 yards of a bright red batik for the sashing. Here is a glimpse:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbMXhvVhLLgpWTF7giScwgsQZZh-jTEKGAZ6OVyadGgWxHcIXHowhj4L1FrpqdZdDhXeUXD9ziBFm-eSOwxbmNIq85k-JwKRvRq4JLtY0btweVI_s97MzRcZzcSUqglaj7_2SNk8XR0Jv/s1600-h/blocks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAbMXhvVhLLgpWTF7giScwgsQZZh-jTEKGAZ6OVyadGgWxHcIXHowhj4L1FrpqdZdDhXeUXD9ziBFm-eSOwxbmNIq85k-JwKRvRq4JLtY0btweVI_s97MzRcZzcSUqglaj7_2SNk8XR0Jv/s320/blocks+2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I like it!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This picture shows the difference in the look of the blocks with red sashing vs white sashing (my bedspread).<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtrmwV-Po4_cqXacxXTKYB0lk3GlwdWA8656mGIk9sMPyERaoMfCMIPKmY7K9U0r7yzBq_1nuuSN_d_ZL-72yT2u0ErDPIMvkH1ntCz-E-NPZveEmreSscfduWOwC9q-Bhao8RScEM0ms/s1600-h/red+and+white.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUtrmwV-Po4_cqXacxXTKYB0lk3GlwdWA8656mGIk9sMPyERaoMfCMIPKmY7K9U0r7yzBq_1nuuSN_d_ZL-72yT2u0ErDPIMvkH1ntCz-E-NPZveEmreSscfduWOwC9q-Bhao8RScEM0ms/s320/red+and+white.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Wins!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you remember the robots and owls from my first post? They are in there. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWfxkeyb_8fyiwde5x4hhwfiTB0V_ka-H9S_Gy2DihDgJTz71te7cwd7WB5Y4wHShdsje1JgWj0iko8aP4jNnuilxc2zjVGrIlqSYhsPCoKiip1BZlwKtrNjmFQWTw7yJtZHqKVoxT9OC/s1600-h/owls,+robots+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVWfxkeyb_8fyiwde5x4hhwfiTB0V_ka-H9S_Gy2DihDgJTz71te7cwd7WB5Y4wHShdsje1JgWj0iko8aP4jNnuilxc2zjVGrIlqSYhsPCoKiip1BZlwKtrNjmFQWTw7yJtZHqKVoxT9OC/s320/owls,+robots+1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not overly obvious from a distance.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Take a closer look<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSXiy3SluYT3s0qHLBGWADUZhZi4o_Ny2WpBrCNngnPVGplz-yXTR79jz7YlGetsvL-zJQpvrKY_hlbWEk6LOVsMTmy1l32ohASFzeN07KhMpg6QoIhYJ0hTtaHfAlPYtG4rnFtpYeIZR/s1600-h/owls,+robots+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $r="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSXiy3SluYT3s0qHLBGWADUZhZi4o_Ny2WpBrCNngnPVGplz-yXTR79jz7YlGetsvL-zJQpvrKY_hlbWEk6LOVsMTmy1l32ohASFzeN07KhMpg6QoIhYJ0hTtaHfAlPYtG4rnFtpYeIZR/s320/owls,+robots+2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Owls and robots make me smile.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If I'm lucky, I'll be able to cut out the sashing and do some sewing today. I have to admit that the fabric selection was a real challenge. I decided not to worry too much about the different fabrics sitting next to each other. I think I was able to make each block without repeating a fabric in any individual block. The red is going to tie it all together.<br />
</div>Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-44881098402862084272009-09-26T16:04:00.000-04:002009-09-26T16:04:51.602-04:00The Sister Challenge Part 1My sister, Carol, has a real eye for color. Sometimes she mixes fabrics that one might not think would go together. When the project is done, it is always eye-catching and always looks good. So when she told me she was sending me 40 2 1/2" strips of mostly oriental fabrics for the Sister Challenge, I was excited. Carol sent a set to our other sister, Janet, and kept a set for herself. Here is the roll of fabric:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU_ZFwXs1kXYT8v4W3dC_lXER_UAckL3FLdwAJX7na6n45b9u6VPd3wDowwAhLFu-5DycLh8WyXHk03u5F7DiynzpJZdw0bgSBI5kF4QB-Lyb_4cXumIjYycfuD2Hx-H_EpMptvBiey3p/s1600-h/Sister+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpU_ZFwXs1kXYT8v4W3dC_lXER_UAckL3FLdwAJX7na6n45b9u6VPd3wDowwAhLFu-5DycLh8WyXHk03u5F7DiynzpJZdw0bgSBI5kF4QB-Lyb_4cXumIjYycfuD2Hx-H_EpMptvBiey3p/s320/Sister+2.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It looks beautiful, doesn't it. My challenge is to pick a pattern and make a quilt. Not too hard, you say? Here is another view of the fabric:<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr-DHSGmtZn97IHQUfz9zGLVfgcasU7FyO84NF_NplaDx3XSiweyJr23Md53kf-hR2TWnmOAzuB6ScHCuOpXHzwsLYdWSzyQOGcE9044EMQ_czcXm9CJBvyhOdQRtwE6kK7FqLSw8wMUI/s1600-h/Sister+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHr-DHSGmtZn97IHQUfz9zGLVfgcasU7FyO84NF_NplaDx3XSiweyJr23Md53kf-hR2TWnmOAzuB6ScHCuOpXHzwsLYdWSzyQOGcE9044EMQ_czcXm9CJBvyhOdQRtwE6kK7FqLSw8wMUI/s320/Sister+1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Aha! So pretty and so well coordinated! Well, Carol likes a challenge. I divided the fabrics into darks and lights. Look what I found:<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7Q-ADGRUw71nMV0eCOoCIIQOhO7PyZ0pqYQwnuVvCOYMzSiM2mRQ5bBaPWVjV6hK7LXkMM0uhyJ19VHYRC41IGPAiOlDBDMnZKYKvj6CbXF6uLfe_d6fuo8kXkAFco9jSHz8BZdA_uuw/s1600-h/Darks+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7Q-ADGRUw71nMV0eCOoCIIQOhO7PyZ0pqYQwnuVvCOYMzSiM2mRQ5bBaPWVjV6hK7LXkMM0uhyJ19VHYRC41IGPAiOlDBDMnZKYKvj6CbXF6uLfe_d6fuo8kXkAFco9jSHz8BZdA_uuw/s320/Darks+1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Cute Little Owls!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Well, they should blend right in. But wait...here are the light fabrics: <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Xl4cTacdaO3qcZxMpOy6AXwEEjcSJvdjlIxd3Ctb88Tkcs-q7dUHqvgSwhoNpBQK7nFHlP9ycpRmsfv7oHOfqy9PBviPauhThA5qTXwigrnw3LG5ZxVBXpqBxLVBB1QbwGVkilsjIooe/s1600-h/Lights+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2Xl4cTacdaO3qcZxMpOy6AXwEEjcSJvdjlIxd3Ctb88Tkcs-q7dUHqvgSwhoNpBQK7nFHlP9ycpRmsfv7oHOfqy9PBviPauhThA5qTXwigrnw3LG5ZxVBXpqBxLVBB1QbwGVkilsjIooe/s320/Lights+1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Robots!!!<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now this is getting interesting! How will these look? It is a good thing I follow Freddy Moran's advice which is basically, 10 fabrics are not enough, 100 looks just right. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I have a dilemma. The pattern I picked out uses 48 2 1/2 inch strips. Should I add more from my own stash or pick another pattern? I'm heading down to my craft room (currently a disaster area) to roll in my fabric and see what I can find. I just got some Kawaii fabrics with dogs. Should I toss them in? Why not? I already have owls and robots. I'll let you know how the project progresses.<br />
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</div>Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-53656499592787529452009-09-20T17:05:00.000-04:002009-09-20T17:05:14.502-04:00On the Road<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I've been traveling for work from one end of the state to the other. All this traveling has cut into my crafting time. I've been thinking a lot about quilting and especially fabric. I love fabric. There are a couple of great blogs you might want to view. First is <a href="http://www.trueup.net/">True Up</a>, a blog about fabric. The True Up folks love fabric as much as anyone on the web. Another great blog is <a href="http://www.materialobsession.typepad.com/">Material Obsession</a>. If you haven't read the book by Australians Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke you are missing a treat. <br />
</div><br />
I've been making towels to sell on Etsy. The latest is a black on white doxie kitchen towel: <br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIwK_7YEilsCVFyrPevo8L4OQYxRbVV66v650iBmgzl3yMzEo6SVJlkhWYimKbUvcN3PhbfxVRZ2cbe4aR1R62z8LJXmoe6QMztktvbI0ZwmPt6BVDHMITQQcQ1NHWHsotKen_xmR_t5k/s1600-h/Black+doxie+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" iq="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQIwK_7YEilsCVFyrPevo8L4OQYxRbVV66v650iBmgzl3yMzEo6SVJlkhWYimKbUvcN3PhbfxVRZ2cbe4aR1R62z8LJXmoe6QMztktvbI0ZwmPt6BVDHMITQQcQ1NHWHsotKen_xmR_t5k/s320/Black+doxie+1.jpg" /></a><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">It is so cute! I've made the same design in blue and pink. You can see them at my Etsy shop, <a href="http://rhinocerosrose.etsy.com/">Rhinoceros Rose</a>. <br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">For more great embroidery designs, check out <a href="http://cdosehn.etsy.com/">Chris's Craft Shop</a>. Check out her cute <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26168781">Roosters</a>.<br />
</div>Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-12891145500787826512009-09-14T20:20:00.000-04:002009-09-14T20:28:15.115-04:00Betsie Bay Fiber, Day 2<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4y2xqnQDcVH2kDrt4WTMx81IvPEx21Zx4jGLBHv5oDBOXg9NoTvb6BPGJbUDWOzZmJahK9Z6gTTLSnPZDSmOrRVAmOykBNOsofpjHytHif48L6RolAH6lzhcXasYUEMfJ6wtai25NNm3/s1600-h/Sailing+Oops+July+2008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381483317355192914" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 241px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN4y2xqnQDcVH2kDrt4WTMx81IvPEx21Zx4jGLBHv5oDBOXg9NoTvb6BPGJbUDWOzZmJahK9Z6gTTLSnPZDSmOrRVAmOykBNOsofpjHytHif48L6RolAH6lzhcXasYUEMfJ6wtai25NNm3/s320/Sailing+Oops+July+2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZAYh9muh2oWEnKi8-A39O5gbFv7bOLbXW_K1iHuOf3hpKd9DgXmZXPXdz-3owcispBXjVfSstBQQ_Q3WgQ4Uiz-l4fN2spO_w2N15co2bpRUnmd06tF9DCt-X125zvuJi4tnevjbCBaW/s1600-h/Sailing+July+2008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381483082674626994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 239px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAZAYh9muh2oWEnKi8-A39O5gbFv7bOLbXW_K1iHuOf3hpKd9DgXmZXPXdz-3owcispBXjVfSstBQQ_Q3WgQ4Uiz-l4fN2spO_w2N15co2bpRUnmd06tF9DCt-X125zvuJi4tnevjbCBaW/s320/Sailing+July+2008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Hmm, the store of my dreams will have to wait for me to stock the shelves with wonderful fabric. I'm going sailing. Of course, sailing requires some skill. <br /><br />Ah well, despite a few problems, we have fun. Sailboats often have lovely names that speak of leisurely days or perhaps, a loved one. We named our Sunfish "Irving". Don't ask why; I don't know.Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7705631260008025809.post-82453644411975142132009-09-13T09:32:00.000-04:002009-09-14T19:58:03.194-04:00Welcome to Betsie Bay Fiber Arts<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVgEOrf6G8Mk7tOwF3DZE0aEqjKZLBj8B9nYPlZdu0TeWxoNrLqjSe1ww-hGFzE9uVFLuRGhsg_L7VQYaRJNJp-7OkZHIvDnBIcwYI-Dn3OL5OIG1-SScraR79Vj3PidITE8COHPE2PE2/s1600-h/P1000902.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVgEOrf6G8Mk7tOwF3DZE0aEqjKZLBj8B9nYPlZdu0TeWxoNrLqjSe1ww-hGFzE9uVFLuRGhsg_L7VQYaRJNJp-7OkZHIvDnBIcwYI-Dn3OL5OIG1-SScraR79Vj3PidITE8COHPE2PE2/s320/P1000902.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380945961263764610" /></a><br />What is Betsie Bay Fiber Arts? At this time, it is a thought, a dream, a vision for tomorrow. If it was brick and mortar, it would be located on the shore of Betsie Bay in the beautiful town of Frankfort, Michigan. Frankfort sits nestled on the shore of Lake Michigan way up north. Across the bay is the village of Elberta, sadly worn down in places but on its way to being revitalized. <br />I’ve been visiting Frankfort and the surrounding areas of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore for over twenty years. It is where my family goes for vacations. It is the epitome of small town USA, which is just one more reason to love it.<br />In my dream, I live in a big house on Forest Avenue. In the summer, I bike to work. My dog, Emme, now white-faced with age, rides in a cart behind the bike. She is happy and barks at the box trucks bringing early morning shipments to the vendors in town.<br />Emme and I unlock the door to the shop and flip on the lights. The store in on Main Street, across from Betsie Bay. We’re not right downtown as we had to find a location with plenty of parking spaces. You know we are busy with lots of quilters arriving each weekend to delight in the newest fabrics from our favorite designers. I can smell cherry pie being baked at the bakery next door. I sniff appreciatively along with Emme.<br />Emme waddles slowly over to her dog bed, quilted of course! She stares at her water dish and barks at me to fill it with cool, fresh water. As I fill Emme’s bowl with water and set down another with kibble, my sister, Janet, flies through the door, with Buddy right behind her. They have driven over from their house on Crystal Lake. Cooper has stayed home with Janet’s husband, Al. Both Al and Cooper have too much energy to spend the day playing with fabric. Buddy sticks his head in the bowl of kibble and inhales it. Emme looks at him and shakes her head at his gluttony. She is too comfortable on her bed to get up and bark at him. Buddy turns three times and flops down on the bed next to Emme.<br />My other sister, Carol, isn’t in town. She owns a piece of Betsie Bay Fiber Arts but, she is still living in Salt Lake City. Soon, she says, she will join us in Michigan. She just has to convince Norman that he wants to move back to the Midwest. <br />The store won’t open for another hour. Janet starts a pot of coffee and we smile happily at our good fortune.Barb of Betsie Bayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06634141113348593853noreply@blogger.com1