tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7550354072821162272024-03-05T10:50:30.951-05:00mystic valley musingsgardening, permaculture, vegan cooking, animal welfare, sewing, quilting, historical costume, epic fantasy, candle making, soap making, dungeons and dragons, dance parties, karaoke, cocktails, good friends and good times.sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-19898063087050949772019-04-08T14:45:00.002-04:002019-04-08T14:46:33.393-04:00I forgot this blog existedHi.
ʕ·͡ᴥ·ʔsarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-12162566274465306842012-04-06T13:19:00.000-04:002012-04-06T13:19:02.020-04:00Gearing up for SpringSeedlings are going full tilt under the grow lights and everything's pushing up in the perennial garden (including lots of weeds)!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiQnoNbNjP2tz7yC97t-XFI-TeNuR2BS2Wws7PRnrlHcvl78Pv5gRXegNuIECjliyc3wSm8WOWQEoFSGtIRaUJHAJHmKQWhF6DRy0_BDsTgm-zNGonq6GwdWzoZKFKC21_we7Hi5P5e4E/s640/DSC02948.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFiQnoNbNjP2tz7yC97t-XFI-TeNuR2BS2Wws7PRnrlHcvl78Pv5gRXegNuIECjliyc3wSm8WOWQEoFSGtIRaUJHAJHmKQWhF6DRy0_BDsTgm-zNGonq6GwdWzoZKFKC21_we7Hi5P5e4E/s640/DSC02948.JPG" width="350" /></a><br />
basil, parsley and beet seedlings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfTbWVYOcw9xv9ESqP2nDAt2YKfqTS9mhBvc94JZSolXM_hyWStuFYIRlLtkbCNDLHM5mSssT51k_s60hsFjWP68S5i4vyGG-agcOcmw90FOyC89JIRQ-bkW2LmktYoih2wWcHXoJS9r3/s640/DSC02947.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjfTbWVYOcw9xv9ESqP2nDAt2YKfqTS9mhBvc94JZSolXM_hyWStuFYIRlLtkbCNDLHM5mSssT51k_s60hsFjWP68S5i4vyGG-agcOcmw90FOyC89JIRQ-bkW2LmktYoih2wWcHXoJS9r3/s640/DSC02947.JPG" width="350" /></a><br />
peppers and beets<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCcEjM4kmceYPBPCKCDKXiuB3acNf2qbuXgLH1TPacR2Mqd7IDzptVRBLP8mgkZdOn8AxAZ3cqzhIzPSyE-JlbNO7pdae0jxg87ntJgYvVQmyF8t8D4sTEz5D2VSWgjixWckUSHzm4QR3/s640/DSC02945.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifCcEjM4kmceYPBPCKCDKXiuB3acNf2qbuXgLH1TPacR2Mqd7IDzptVRBLP8mgkZdOn8AxAZ3cqzhIzPSyE-JlbNO7pdae0jxg87ntJgYvVQmyF8t8D4sTEz5D2VSWgjixWckUSHzm4QR3/s640/DSC02945.JPG" width="350" /></a><br />
sooo many tomatoes (i always go overboard, what can i say?)<br />
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<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xC3ahocxsSE/T37eT8DDboI/AAAAAAAAFyo/ScuunV7XMOw/s640/DSC02946.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-xC3ahocxsSE/T37eT8DDboI/AAAAAAAAFyo/ScuunV7XMOw/s640/DSC02946.JPG" width="350" /></a><br />
misc seedlings<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk8IJdoWmJ23E5RqFhrsQOEzW4ZOqYWtxGvmbWD_6L9lfW92ts72ZLCv3c6SbrZql04y0-YF13rBTKbvDUiu9t4TEX82EFm8ESnSgbHBbnL6K2G9U5pHqbX9dzowzRDExhlEUpVsCjUoH/s640/DSC02939.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikk8IJdoWmJ23E5RqFhrsQOEzW4ZOqYWtxGvmbWD_6L9lfW92ts72ZLCv3c6SbrZql04y0-YF13rBTKbvDUiu9t4TEX82EFm8ESnSgbHBbnL6K2G9U5pHqbX9dzowzRDExhlEUpVsCjUoH/s640/DSC02939.JPG" width="350" /></a><br />
hellebores have been in bloom for over a month<br />
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<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O2wM4LorP8s/T37eCqFGnlI/AAAAAAAAFww/5yJmMJbzmBM/s512/DSC02931.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O2wM4LorP8s/T37eCqFGnlI/AAAAAAAAFww/5yJmMJbzmBM/s512/DSC02931.JPG" width="350" /></a><br />
asparagus poking up. this bed has everything going against it -- it's in shade, never gets water, and is just generally neglected -- but they just keep trying to grow anyway.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t3FoszPDdCtgc3Tr_P4fiPBf9qKwNajbI_wU2im_iNImrxQCZDVCi19XVe-XlH88c3U_Mi2m4SOA5B1JXkyJYsSu5oo5UIuH_kTAb8p6viKnhf7RLj9yDKGFIRxkAYBUdoaPiOEEPgk7/s640/DSC02930.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7t3FoszPDdCtgc3Tr_P4fiPBf9qKwNajbI_wU2im_iNImrxQCZDVCi19XVe-XlH88c3U_Mi2m4SOA5B1JXkyJYsSu5oo5UIuH_kTAb8p6viKnhf7RLj9yDKGFIRxkAYBUdoaPiOEEPgk7/s640/DSC02930.JPG" width="350" /></a><br />
solomon's seal poking up amongst the weeds in the shady bed.<br />
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<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3UUvjY7d3io/T37eA9q6koI/AAAAAAAAFwg/QvHA4YS9Z1s/s640/DSC02929.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-3UUvjY7d3io/T37eA9q6koI/AAAAAAAAFwg/QvHA4YS9Z1s/s640/DSC02929.JPG" width="350" /></a><br />
daffodils and hyacinth have been at it for a while now.sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-26278365998911393942012-03-13T10:58:00.000-04:002012-03-13T10:58:02.730-04:00candy mushrooms, ferns, and gears, oh my.These delightful images aren't actual mushrooms and ferns and gears... they are candy! Made by the magical <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/andiespecialtysweets">andiespecialtysweets on etsy</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn0fW8rpDnyOecivwnDTp0YM5gndF1XiEEJD4anFniLszLzx8o7ozwaIBCgNBw6UQME0H-vLaExF8x77bE3ZUOGwSuLlp04MM2r2wpjonGEx5K_CW-Q_hWv8OzOI6ogLMk_0EgWt0FvXv/s1600/mushrooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn0fW8rpDnyOecivwnDTp0YM5gndF1XiEEJD4anFniLszLzx8o7ozwaIBCgNBw6UQME0H-vLaExF8x77bE3ZUOGwSuLlp04MM2r2wpjonGEx5K_CW-Q_hWv8OzOI6ogLMk_0EgWt0FvXv/s320/mushrooms.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v7omuz-SVbemONKFG_9OnoILWtEU0yQlVi4dX5MDAVUai2aV-hHNYfW9wQnFkR_3Y6GiA1K7llJKBSB4iJDstlvd3mewzzL0jqWuiypQbeSTh25iAcJxB9NMaCK1UEIuwXQv9Tqyxtpz/s1600/ferns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4v7omuz-SVbemONKFG_9OnoILWtEU0yQlVi4dX5MDAVUai2aV-hHNYfW9wQnFkR_3Y6GiA1K7llJKBSB4iJDstlvd3mewzzL0jqWuiypQbeSTh25iAcJxB9NMaCK1UEIuwXQv9Tqyxtpz/s320/ferns.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTe1oSsvV2Pd3RDUVjrSxzUE8HvU8jgKZoUyhPZ9U-dKw7WcCU2uCqgBnGJo-INu7ZvR70Qvgod_XZs1ErYimCRWV8JzTo5nG9EsbDxBoulkXf4eG6GR3Xiv_8BHheiPPvKNG8yWAoohf/s1600/gears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTe1oSsvV2Pd3RDUVjrSxzUE8HvU8jgKZoUyhPZ9U-dKw7WcCU2uCqgBnGJo-INu7ZvR70Qvgod_XZs1ErYimCRWV8JzTo5nG9EsbDxBoulkXf4eG6GR3Xiv_8BHheiPPvKNG8yWAoohf/s320/gears.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-13482696405500341002011-08-15T10:11:00.000-04:002011-08-15T10:11:25.968-04:00opal owl lap quilt - doneAfter sitting around without binding for a few weeks, my opal owl lap quilt finally got the finishing treatment yesterday. It's definitely the most colorful thing I've made yet, and I have to admit I like it more than I thought I would. I think there will be more playing-with-color in my future.<br />
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<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jHeYKXN4VvE/Tkknoudj57I/AAAAAAAADgw/SiT6_fZ06rk/s512/IMG_20110815_095449.jpg" width=350>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-31814512467894508692011-07-18T13:38:00.001-04:002011-07-18T13:40:22.702-04:00opal owl lap quilt - in progressMy sister and niece are visiting, and a random craft inspiration hit us last night to whip up a quick lap quilt for another relative. We raided the stash and ended up using a few prints from Tina Givens' <a href="http://www.freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/gallery.php?gal_id=308">Opal Owl</a> collection. Here are the blocks, laid out for the next step...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-su-il_O9lCU/TiNw_vCBwPI/AAAAAAAADKs/bTaUngqCOwU/s512/IMG_20110717_193202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-su-il_O9lCU/TiNw_vCBwPI/AAAAAAAADKs/bTaUngqCOwU/s512/IMG_20110717_193202.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Just after taking the picture, we sewed them together. And of course NOW, looking at the picture, I really want to change the layout of the squares. Laying out the squares always makes me crazy. They are just never right... anyone else have that issue?sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-31394345282837427832011-06-01T10:37:00.000-04:002011-06-01T10:37:59.415-04:00In the Yard - 6/1/11It's starting to feel like real summer in the perennial garden...<br />
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iris and salvia<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLQTwR6KHEjaljOjVqjjdTKfoNj6TunwHrvm77FrcCN2nOrf4B5UPf3cF06Nthpj85gZmHYG4Qz8GDJCB7oKZ8-N4YEs1QpJ4LwqqP9Is22VyQE7iCm1gNbmz0rx75yLeNcX97WJbVSIPW/s640/IMG_20110601_083132.jpg" width="350"><br />
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peonies<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSCtXeFfzeOcKCMZgvP4oP75V70QbhrRVt9oXI3YLM5waqGIkLBQhSDKLKt8CkN_yH1YTq-auyDoQ-xV2WniVH0HdjhzuSXVGq7IDU5jyzpl52pNNIqfQX34Os6MbX0Qv9MGESRWQ2W-pq/s640/IMG_20110601_083142.jpg" width="350"><br />
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dianthus and salvia<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguKD7CiyozyR5c5Ykeu138ve2CKDSwdbAhz4fe3x4RPNKy6nsLagfvj3V0P7NPFT1VkYXLt0lEfeBEW7dJ4cPkHRmTOLcc1l2IbwWI_bjUV9KP6hmivjVmMhTsCQzFUl8XOR04-2ilW7Gn/s512/IMG_20110601_083205.jpg" width="350"><br />
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blushing knockout and iceberg roses<br />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5CVz79Dd9wg/TeY8Iurmt2I/AAAAAAAADFE/uj33x5ny6bA/s512/IMG_20110601_083225.jpg" width="350"><br />
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love that path<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7uc0Q2etk6dvysg2KPPTySh5MH7zx6Ep7CvZO4frQVQZBx28kb8PH7MEN2thD2rwqpSLAruJd5cjAlZNiyQkcv0iojtpBX-12PF_LINc1_FJWnN4ZBtXV79Z3lljVGnBfyQEOnhJBossg/s640/IMG_20110601_083317.jpg" width="350"><br />
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spiderwort<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33AlYy50qqqHaX4LNPQ8Ihyphenhyphen4O7Y4a4ILhjDcfF0ZXGKB9fHYx6W1MmgAM7RSuM2baMKvl01h7edvx1j5L6tCoLw65wRhL58TxEzpVgzuwrggpf-Z7-fwta-FvW_OKbeMFkxMUgCPCd-vU/s512/IMG_20110601_083336.jpg" width="350">sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-84556963413682853842011-05-25T09:28:00.001-04:002011-05-26T10:34:22.749-04:00In the Yard - 5/25/11<p>columbine is going crazy<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8qWxrqq1WzYvT4qu2JF-InRpX0MXMk17fD8yN3sigr2pyeUmdvW3eqMUqTvuFO-wjWNnH0qWn0kmSuNfuB8uJKc_1bf4CipCQcsKg56Hm8vhR4YLQmh1b9a-xf8PH92WNW0gc_NT-Pw_k/s640/DSC02042.JPG" width="400"> <br />
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<p>first peonies!<br />
<img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/Tdz2kj7i3bI/AAAAAAAADDk/pfi8vZue29A/s640/DSC02049.JPG" width="400"> <br />
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<p>a new "brilliant pink iceberg" rose <br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVA-U7gOWihSJOvd9Tow1nIbldur-dlFkyb6-W5AHV7BBimGbS3u22aXBiKfwQ1RFj_zjViWbkH9ImlCpMDVOuYelLiA47wsaRaYTXMUX4ISCkJyXmLFZnk8FDk7HLYEtx4_LCle2wWq7/s640/DSC02047.JPG" width="400"> <br />
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<p>dianthus "indian carpet" and salvia "may night"<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZX4Z5OFTtYEWfJNMi_QC5AbjPfLgxiJmLgp405A9i9ND7Ert4D_HLOHXniCPlnNjM7RJh9STLpmEVLMkbpzmsdRAI51KXUNdXqj6Epkxj4Bh4YxfXEbvcm6k-xdk4zdpcQDI-VmFgt8xb/s512/DSC02050.JPG" width="400"> <br />
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<p>sea thrift<br />
<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/Tdz2lrQQ9WI/AAAAAAAADDs/D0zWrV5BOIw/s640/DSC02051.JPG" width="400"> <br />
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<p>cranesbill<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVBMdvaw4UBxpDj_gd3brnyZZbvFA78X1LxK0daGWrNBJmbZdt6Uz_NHClguWje5A_AeUB601TMRISfWQsp7xUjA6_WYMkkIu2O7M0TnpYKhClu1O73Ai29zQ6KaXvy82VAC3BaaFGggZ/s640/DSC02054.JPG" width="400"> <br />
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<p>some sorta sad woodland phlox. wow this pic looks jungley. <br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-a906b6ZkjWfMZL6RIH852IgzZ1yb8-6t3DZQHhTzo8WrFQxirWrON6Np8bFHMGl7B83ogl5U844Y3Z6w0-FcG_kANhyenzxjcE0KOhCSYsvGO97u6KSpTdtTIHrzVbWe0bFhCTtYzcw/s512/DSC02053.JPG" width="400"> <br />
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<p>close up of the pink iceberg. they smell delicious!!<br />
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv6mxcfHPaklyZHRYYb_78zxw_-d4sxjBE3birnqK9n2zAro5X58hHYwn5rvQ3LhjZ9DaTyeX-qcjHDSJSDib9hwY7R_8hOcsonDxfK1eVCTiA2essOobJOeI3wZODHENqLWpCP4uxxIPA/s512/DSC02058.JPG" width="400">sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-63362457472007732011-05-16T10:05:00.001-04:002011-05-16T10:05:42.081-04:00I thought it was supposed to be April Showers?<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/jh4wVpwMNw" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right;margin-bottom:1em;margin-left:1em"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYBX9YY73ejcoaWcNHpwMVhahcimjgrQDSV7yeCJ0rnvJ-QWtQf5CGX5qoNkUTXtk1vfHBEwpWy7QkvV0MXxwugDjd_1mRZEIBloj089AS9WEoWHkcf0KESV29uVPDDlvJ_EB9LyKCmJ6E/s512/may-rain.jpg"></a><br />
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Ugh.sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-80709898293829404412011-05-04T15:55:00.001-04:002011-05-04T15:59:11.782-04:00a bee on a strollYesterday I encountered the strangest thing... a fluffy yellow bumblebee, walking its way through my garden. It was very deliberately hitting up each little tuft of creeping thyme currently inhabiting the path. I'm not sure if she was unable to fly, or if she just felt like taking the scenic route, but I'm choosing to believe it was the latter. <br />
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Here's the bee in question, on the 'road'...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7H58IdbbaYKmXK7JnPR8wzknuki3gukfihAn-5CpF5za0yzkRxVDOa5cAbAMkRPa5Sy1XNPdgp_CzP56TfTX0f7dkgursS8SX7BJVHcZrdcvaVdaIp6F-GhXyjUMqbQXsKjkV-voG5cJ/s720/IMG_3765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk7H58IdbbaYKmXK7JnPR8wzknuki3gukfihAn-5CpF5za0yzkRxVDOa5cAbAMkRPa5Sy1XNPdgp_CzP56TfTX0f7dkgursS8SX7BJVHcZrdcvaVdaIp6F-GhXyjUMqbQXsKjkV-voG5cJ/s720/IMG_3765.JPG" /></a></div><br />
...taking in some flower juice...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRROJAOZA7cbO_7JBnHE995pFbSyM2D-QrIe3-9f62_96C-T-sMWZ0zFZxzZoMjUJf6-PcdDCrPzGEEFOja-qOSI-WAt9td2teCWWH-GtG1dFHhquxetK6qI0r2D1H-FZIFAiH2LBBY3ps/s720/IMG_3766.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRROJAOZA7cbO_7JBnHE995pFbSyM2D-QrIe3-9f62_96C-T-sMWZ0zFZxzZoMjUJf6-PcdDCrPzGEEFOja-qOSI-WAt9td2teCWWH-GtG1dFHhquxetK6qI0r2D1H-FZIFAiH2LBBY3ps/s720/IMG_3766.JPG" /></a></div><br />
...and back on the move. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7BUcb0KYV51xpJlEZOYxtpw6jCUAgB06eQm-Cc3nZmhLEE4Cp49AQy8k0G180EP9WGSsKiA9b_Vmvma6fDpn1T591XI39MXb0TlVXyFTdmasUOsgr3XJzX2n58blaoEKT-AYgVNgXJqE/s720/IMG_3775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-7BUcb0KYV51xpJlEZOYxtpw6jCUAgB06eQm-Cc3nZmhLEE4Cp49AQy8k0G180EP9WGSsKiA9b_Vmvma6fDpn1T591XI39MXb0TlVXyFTdmasUOsgr3XJzX2n58blaoEKT-AYgVNgXJqE/s720/IMG_3775.JPG" /></a></div>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-31246581335121568572011-05-04T15:35:00.001-04:002011-05-04T15:56:30.646-04:00In the Yard - 5/4/11All the perennials are coming along, but not too many blooms to be seen, except for these Hellebores that have been in bloom for at least a month now, I think...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jPM_d4CubcNvcrpkWHiNzMW0zjbSdryNyHllpxqlB57iMzWXeXe5XQd1llDGaAmRIMzOgX3jZEBmxPB2xSBAHD1lwBZdKnjQcJcsyudg1cKcWl2lWQG8UUOTbx-eI4xmSshjHdJOGGzr/s720/IMG_3779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jPM_d4CubcNvcrpkWHiNzMW0zjbSdryNyHllpxqlB57iMzWXeXe5XQd1llDGaAmRIMzOgX3jZEBmxPB2xSBAHD1lwBZdKnjQcJcsyudg1cKcWl2lWQG8UUOTbx-eI4xmSshjHdJOGGzr/s720/IMG_3779.JPG" /></a></div><br />
...and the various tulips that are scattered around...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6IUCRcf2gsZ8e5m5foERHyJP6PNAueOZEySc3kikqogwaXLrT6EBJbFUmdGjiG_KNnz8189C7IK_9XoYiujgHewrH5abi5zaaShb14hrFecW95RPStdUjjw5MzAZyJ7f7vmyJOY5_CcU/s512/IMG_3781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6IUCRcf2gsZ8e5m5foERHyJP6PNAueOZEySc3kikqogwaXLrT6EBJbFUmdGjiG_KNnz8189C7IK_9XoYiujgHewrH5abi5zaaShb14hrFecW95RPStdUjjw5MzAZyJ7f7vmyJOY5_CcU/s512/IMG_3781.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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...and the window boxes that were just planted this weekend. Can't wait to see how this mish-mash of flowers grows up!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TcCAGa_HRlI/AAAAAAAAC-s/IMTfnElZVp4/s720/IMG_3780.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TcCAGa_HRlI/AAAAAAAAC-s/IMTfnElZVp4/s720/IMG_3780.JPG" /></a></div>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-14708113430376919822011-04-26T14:12:00.002-04:002011-04-26T14:15:53.647-04:00Time for Tulips<div><br />
<img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKym55jwya4jWAqSWB0UKghOVeDFxqWgwfj4-tXi9NxWZ9dPe4ah6054SHs4rO_oaVzTIZdvFcoeteDy1nLe9un-PIXd605ZdFGbRiCr34QQAJynOjDEN1kdcG9SMNw5apSbTuFRPTwqFp/' /></div>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-74051981852387706432011-04-09T17:42:00.000-04:002011-04-09T17:42:24.692-04:00The veggie garden is officially underway!I just came in from a full day working in the yard in some glorious spring weather. For a minute there I even thought I might get a sunburn! The new veggie bed is now fully fenced in with a simple chicken wire fence, compost has been worked into newly dug beds, paths have been mulched with saltwater hay, broccoli and brussels sprouts have been transplanted and peas, lettuce, arugula, carrots, spinach, beets, cilantro, dill and parsley have all been direct seeded. Building the fence wasn't part of today's work -- what kind of workhorse do you take me for? -- but it has been a long day nonetheless. <br />
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My camera with the decent wide angle lens is touring Europe right now, so here's what I could squeeze into one pic with my other camera:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYPTUL2xxjd-V4ZOWT6wVBK7DOO2o9G60q1tV4177HFxzf9ul4DIJS99PcUhr-Qb4dJ75aEFnQcpbIyDABgd63M-GLnVd6_0oJmnbT9Fu0c4zoaTletjtmKpMUe-xGYN0yvaz2R4q173X/s800/IMG_3722.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYPTUL2xxjd-V4ZOWT6wVBK7DOO2o9G60q1tV4177HFxzf9ul4DIJS99PcUhr-Qb4dJ75aEFnQcpbIyDABgd63M-GLnVd6_0oJmnbT9Fu0c4zoaTletjtmKpMUe-xGYN0yvaz2R4q173X/s800/IMG_3722.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Meanwhile, in the house, the tomatoes need to be transplanted to larger pots IMMEDIATELY but I am so pooped from being in the yard all day, that I think they might have to wait til tomorrow morning. This is why I am so bad at starting stuff inside. Oh well!sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-35888646890377628282011-04-04T12:52:00.001-04:002011-04-04T12:52:36.245-04:00Far Far Away II baby quilt<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtL0HbHZG8-taeTKFc1c9nFN7ZD-VAjGQN_zYsAkw_WYhkDgGqSi2MhB2MduK3MLIUNtaBYFCLt3AFU3_w9wHAvpR3-B4MS7P44t0rcxYl7Fu8fOPiMrf1NJt8QvZNQHPS1sqyMVhDv5m/s720/IMG_3711.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtL0HbHZG8-taeTKFc1c9nFN7ZD-VAjGQN_zYsAkw_WYhkDgGqSi2MhB2MduK3MLIUNtaBYFCLt3AFU3_w9wHAvpR3-B4MS7P44t0rcxYl7Fu8fOPiMrf1NJt8QvZNQHPS1sqyMVhDv5m/s720/IMG_3711.JPG" width=350></a><br />
My latest baby quilt creation is my favorite yet! This one is was done with <a href="http://heatherross.squarespace.com/journal/2010/4/22/introducing-far-far-away-ii.html">Far Far Away II</a> by Heather Ross, with Tangerine and Baby Blue Kona Solids to sash, bind and back. <br />
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I started off making 12 wonky nine patch blocks and thinking I'd just sash and stagger them in a standard way. But once I put sashing on a few of the blocks, I realized how much I loved them all lined up. So I went with it. In retrospect, I would do the sashing in long strips instead of short block sized strips, but I'm not much for ripping out and resewing when I can get away with being lazy.<br />
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For the back I just did a fussy cut of the owl & the pussycat scene with a tangerine frame. And for the quilting, I did a free motion rectangular meander. Many thanks to <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/">Oh, Fransson</a> for the <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2010/02/crazy-ninepatch-lattice-quilt.html">wonky block</a> and <a href="http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2010/11/tokyo-subway-map-sandwiching-and-quilting.html">quilting</a> inspiration!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWcGRXDjh5bmQoJTDfn_ZeO-nXTGBjpAJmq208PTP2R64m8sdjGKbufjb487RJmqI7kXz6LDYGTOBfsJxrLHk6MwFGRXUah0oMzIueEQSKw4UGxJSxtJGFCy66tq-gwvJ2vSs5V8ZrwQ1/s720/IMG_3720.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAWcGRXDjh5bmQoJTDfn_ZeO-nXTGBjpAJmq208PTP2R64m8sdjGKbufjb487RJmqI7kXz6LDYGTOBfsJxrLHk6MwFGRXUah0oMzIueEQSKw4UGxJSxtJGFCy66tq-gwvJ2vSs5V8ZrwQ1/s720/IMG_3720.JPG" width=350"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHLSyRU8BGoITbhaTBxoN_IJ4YCYGaRnQuRCzbIYYrfGKJBuyEmiePg49fJz9uYLglElbn-G7C6nHP4p1-V1Hq5q8rO_pzDu9f99QARhEuoODAJU3KYE3UhO554E1KkgLliJ60SD_XIHK/s720/IMG_3717.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwHLSyRU8BGoITbhaTBxoN_IJ4YCYGaRnQuRCzbIYYrfGKJBuyEmiePg49fJz9uYLglElbn-G7C6nHP4p1-V1Hq5q8rO_pzDu9f99QARhEuoODAJU3KYE3UhO554E1KkgLliJ60SD_XIHK/s720/IMG_3717.JPG" width=350"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGCNHP-RWJW4Elpi-y8sJZAY2egIYemgFBxdD1Qrv0OzoRvMsSoUgPheXdMiurebihpWNqQ2wERc952IOeaY3SYxovP9FFHIdwHZsyEtm3RVyyq-3PwKf5VfgWmuz0-U-0aUXJYgDk1Z2/s720/IMG_3716.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGCNHP-RWJW4Elpi-y8sJZAY2egIYemgFBxdD1Qrv0OzoRvMsSoUgPheXdMiurebihpWNqQ2wERc952IOeaY3SYxovP9FFHIdwHZsyEtm3RVyyq-3PwKf5VfgWmuz0-U-0aUXJYgDk1Z2/s720/IMG_3716.JPG" width=350"></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVq4QVsOLvl3bXVFMDg2YSl6BVX-ln0BNT-BbZdNbYSOLO2HjV5V3Pf4atwX-JfE5Q3o4UN_mMKQwZYl6r7SPSPf3r-N-RM4OM3m_7R9DWfcodulx1Z4atHoxjn4UxM5bnQgzAmtrlB7k0/s720/IMG_3715.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVq4QVsOLvl3bXVFMDg2YSl6BVX-ln0BNT-BbZdNbYSOLO2HjV5V3Pf4atwX-JfE5Q3o4UN_mMKQwZYl6r7SPSPf3r-N-RM4OM3m_7R9DWfcodulx1Z4atHoxjn4UxM5bnQgzAmtrlB7k0/s720/IMG_3715.JPG" width=350"></a><br />
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PS. It looks like there's plenty of <a href="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/heather_ross/far_far_away_2">Far Far Away II left at Hawthorne Threads</a> (one of my fav online shops) if you want to stock up!sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-16606802863369357022011-03-16T15:44:00.000-04:002011-03-16T15:44:18.156-04:00Northwest Edible Life: Backyard Orchard Culture: Too Good To Be True?Awesomely inspiring blog post about growing fruit on a small scale. You'd better believe I will be giving this a shot in my backyard this year!<br />
<blockquote><a href="http://www.nwedible.com/2011/03/backyard-orchard-culture-too-good-to-be.html?spref=bl">Northwest Edible Life: Backyard Orchard Culture: Too Good To Be True?</a>: "I have struggled for a few years with a desire to have more fruit trees than my 1/3 acre lot can accomodate. A third-acre is actually pretty..."<br />
</blockquote>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-81571053956653521182011-03-16T15:29:00.002-04:002011-03-16T15:32:29.609-04:00UN Report: Eco-Farming can double food production in 10 yearsA new UN report gives a giant thumbs-up to "ecological methods" in agriculture. <br />
<blockquote>"To feed 9 billion people in 2050, we urgently need to adopt the most efficient farming techniques available," says Olivier De Schutter, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food and author of the report. "Today’s scientific evidence demonstrates that agroecological methods outperform the use of chemical fertilizers in boosting food production where the hungry live -- especially in unfavorable environments."</blockquote>Just to clarify, the report defines agroecology as the "application of ecological science to the study, design and management of sustainable agroecosystems" and states that:<br />
<blockquote>The core principles of agroecology include recycling nutrients and energy on the farm, rather than introducing external inputs; integrating crops and livestock; diversifying species and genetic resources in agroecosystems over time and space; and focusing on interactions and productivity across the agricultural system, rather than focusing on individual species.</blockquote>Essentially, everything that modern industrial farming is not. But you know that already, right? In any case, it's great to see things like this surfacing. Now if only the US would follow the report's recommendation to "implement public policies supporting the adoption of agroecological practices". <br />
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Thanks to <a href="http://www.vegnews.com/web/articles/page.do?pageId=3061&catId=8">VegNews</a> for pointing this out. You can find the full pdf of the original report <a href="http://www.srfood.org/index.php/en/component/content/article/1-latest-news/1174-report-agroecology-and-the-right-to-food">here</a>.sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-52685463541674396292011-03-14T15:58:00.002-04:002011-03-14T16:18:40.245-04:00New veggie bed in the worksThis weekend we double-dug our new veggie bed and started marking off where our path will be. Next we're going to surround it with a chicken wire fence to help ward off the varmints. As you can see, we're going for a somewhat keyhole style plan, except not round. Well, whatever the shape, before you know it, I'll be planting peas!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TX4NUJ2vZ-I/AAAAAAAAC3Q/wXwAJWU3Gt0/s640/DSC02034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TX4NUJ2vZ-I/AAAAAAAAC3Q/wXwAJWU3Gt0/s640/DSC02034.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Please disregard the chaotic nature of my yard at the moment... stacked up yard furniture, misc canoe, cold frame placed randomly on the grass, and raised beds perched precariously above ground. What can I say, the snow just melted and all I have time for is getting ready for planting ASAP!sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-48075710078359103112011-03-14T11:35:00.001-04:002011-03-14T16:19:13.347-04:00The heralds of springSpring is right around the corner, which means I'll probably be posting a lot more gardening related stuff. For example, I've already got some seedlings going for spring planting!<br />
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So far I have onions, celery, a few annual flowers (sweet pea, pansy and impatiens), bell peppers, hot peppers, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and eggplant underway. This will be the first year I've tried celery or eggplant, and the first in a while that I've bothered trying broccoli and brussels sprouts, but I'm hopeful.<br />
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Here are a couple pics of the happy wee plants:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TX4NS48oJPI/AAAAAAAAC3E/PX9fiZQaEc0/s640/DSC02030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TX4NS48oJPI/AAAAAAAAC3E/PX9fiZQaEc0/s640/DSC02030.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TX4NTeoajEI/AAAAAAAAC3I/jpou796Yukg/s640/DSC02032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TX4NTeoajEI/AAAAAAAAC3I/jpou796Yukg/s640/DSC02032.JPG" /></a></div><br />
And in other springtime-is-near news, bulbs are pushing up their noses around my yard! I think only a gardener could understand just how THRILLING that is to see after a looong and snowy winter. :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKInt71vzhpn4vSmHVag94VDf44b8ZUOJ8Rw8A7AzpmJhxe2Fx69sKFyPomRx-1hrtfA5q-5RYcoRXkIz-AQwcI29HzcvkxwZbK7nX3tGF2oPMbOK_shMhdfs0CFL1TdN6r7CT54krYVb/s512/DSC02038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKInt71vzhpn4vSmHVag94VDf44b8ZUOJ8Rw8A7AzpmJhxe2Fx69sKFyPomRx-1hrtfA5q-5RYcoRXkIz-AQwcI29HzcvkxwZbK7nX3tGF2oPMbOK_shMhdfs0CFL1TdN6r7CT54krYVb/s512/DSC02038.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAnCyIvq6ahAtY9Io6ea2qVYhR_Z2aEmEw8QdbJmgfv3MDjwB5JAnfN0ZfxlmBLdvMBv9g5Vqrrcsz_8_vM4VgLKEtHDodb5PWnUTmE39HCWPrwe2BYsJOXnodvfd4w3eGbTi_7LOiMTw/s640/DSC02040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAnCyIvq6ahAtY9Io6ea2qVYhR_Z2aEmEw8QdbJmgfv3MDjwB5JAnfN0ZfxlmBLdvMBv9g5Vqrrcsz_8_vM4VgLKEtHDodb5PWnUTmE39HCWPrwe2BYsJOXnodvfd4w3eGbTi_7LOiMTw/s640/DSC02040.JPG" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGH9jstn4b3wusaoxWEic7MjoIsx66l2SGO9gKq0O6foJRGmy2qmInpAfmdfim0H8oJr_1DFTtLRslDTYSGRMuNL9FfaCy6qHtUyhkqSvH22C8PdG9azGWoFwzI1-2xzAuPSI3HsJEHMv/s640/DSC02041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGH9jstn4b3wusaoxWEic7MjoIsx66l2SGO9gKq0O6foJRGmy2qmInpAfmdfim0H8oJr_1DFTtLRslDTYSGRMuNL9FfaCy6qHtUyhkqSvH22C8PdG9azGWoFwzI1-2xzAuPSI3HsJEHMv/s640/DSC02041.JPG" /></a></div>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-28356973255362505792011-03-14T11:25:00.000-04:002011-03-14T11:25:28.823-04:00Megumi Sakakibara Free-Motion Quilt - Done!Okay, this has actually been done for a while but I'm a slacker about posting. I decided to vary the binding just for fun, and to add a little extra excitement since I made the back so boring (all white). <br />
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The light makes the colors kind of hard to see, but I'm guessing you get the drift.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ1mzhVhY07zoO_AlYE16vL0GOCcBZlFoD3jF3Z67LdYWc9kZTcJKl6MUGMSot9cfA39zCNB9_cA0IKL-Wo4C54zAA0vhrwrPCSBROYaRJ_IL799xEOL8ZMfyZUeXTo-RSl8r66d2o2MK/s640/DSC01959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPQ1mzhVhY07zoO_AlYE16vL0GOCcBZlFoD3jF3Z67LdYWc9kZTcJKl6MUGMSot9cfA39zCNB9_cA0IKL-Wo4C54zAA0vhrwrPCSBROYaRJ_IL799xEOL8ZMfyZUeXTo-RSl8r66d2o2MK/s640/DSC01959.JPG" /></a></div>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-17204873749940564772011-02-07T09:39:00.000-05:002011-02-07T09:39:00.509-05:00Free-Motion Quilting!I swallowed my fear and dove in for some free-motion quilting on my latest baby quilt... and I think it came out pretty damn well. Hopefully the squiggly lines make up for the fact that I got lazy and just backed it with a solid kona snow. <br />
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Next up, binding!sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-36215479359075893072011-01-24T11:35:00.001-05:002011-01-24T11:39:26.869-05:00Megumi Sakakibara Baby QuiltWhile pulling out fabric for yet another baby quilt, I found a stash of awesome Megumi Sakakibara prints, perfect for a baby girl's blanket. I was thinking that I'd do something simple just to bang this quilt out in a relatively quick time, so I cut out a bunch of 5" squares and sashed them with some <a href="http://www.heatherbaileystore.com/product-p/ab-nj-hb12cream.htm">Heather Bailey Nicey Jane "Hop Dot"</a> in cream. <br />
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Now I'm starting to think it's a little too.. something. Busy, maybe? I dunno that I'm crazy about the sashing choice, but I don't hate it, so this is how it's gonna be. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TT2JszwxpKI/AAAAAAAAC0o/11guGMKoqaE/s640/DSC01948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TT2JszwxpKI/AAAAAAAAC0o/11guGMKoqaE/s640/DSC01948.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OzyOxAMDfOu13xmjbYAOrD6bGpdB1dNxANqYnS0kgEX0HFM6KOaAI27I_DshkLkcMdPNxZgYVM5nN6TA3ETiggbR4Uq1363YuU2GI9O-C_3iyivmeN5fOn2U2eSuX8Rq4UJsL1ZSREjg/s640/DSC01941.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3OzyOxAMDfOu13xmjbYAOrD6bGpdB1dNxANqYnS0kgEX0HFM6KOaAI27I_DshkLkcMdPNxZgYVM5nN6TA3ETiggbR4Uq1363YuU2GI9O-C_3iyivmeN5fOn2U2eSuX8Rq4UJsL1ZSREjg/s640/DSC01941.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The colors aren't showing up great on these pics, but I think you get the drift. And yeah, my squares aren't lining up great, but whatever. I doubt baby girl will care. :P<br />
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Now, should I back it in something cuddly and minky? Or just regular quilting cotton, so it's better for throwing on the floor and letting a wee one roll around on it?<br />
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For the record, you can find a lot of this fabric at <a href="http://superbuzzy.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=88_95_136">superbuzzy</a> or <a href="http://www.fabricworm.com/mesa.html">fabricworm</a>.sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-12698789079514183662011-01-07T09:56:00.001-05:002011-01-07T10:03:25.746-05:00Simple Echino pillowsI took my first shot at making a couple of pillows this weekend, and made what amounts to about the simplest covers for a throw pillow that I could conjure. They ended up being slightly too big, but if they ever end up getting washed, that might be taken care of a little bit. <br />
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This was also my first excuse to use some <a href="http://www.fabricworm.com/etsukofuruya.html">Etsuko Furuya by Echino</a> fabric, which I am always admiring from afar. My soon-to-be-a-teen niece is redoing her room and hopefully these will be an accent, or at least an inspiration. They are backed with Echino solids in purple and blue, respectively, as you can kind of see in the second picture here.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjG8AWsaaZ2eIsLjaV5Rk6qbqaU2sxVaqxHatiALWJ6MlKXj5qcKRmSflNWOFMEsSea5MasS0YOV53vVj088gjfZufdP53EUUSCZUBdRtDvyya4Ri7uGxziSPj4Yvriap7ZVb4AhiDiYvC/s1600/pillowsboth.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjG8AWsaaZ2eIsLjaV5Rk6qbqaU2sxVaqxHatiALWJ6MlKXj5qcKRmSflNWOFMEsSea5MasS0YOV53vVj088gjfZufdP53EUUSCZUBdRtDvyya4Ri7uGxziSPj4Yvriap7ZVb4AhiDiYvC/s320/pillowsboth.JPG" /></a></div><br />
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For the record, the prints I used here are the <a href="http://www.fabricworm.com/ecfa20byesfu4.html">Wild Forest</a> (or <a href="http://www.hawthornethreads.com/fabric/designer/etsuko_furuya/fall_2010/woodland_friends_in_natural_and_pink">Woodland Friends</a>, depending on which of these quilting shops has the "official" name -- who knows?) in Natural & Pink from Fall 2010, and what I think is called <a href="http://www.fabricworm.com/ecbyetfufa2018.html">Quiet Ground</a> from the Fall 2009 line. My local fabric store, <a href="http://www.fabriccornerinc.com/">Fabric Corner</a> in Arlington, MA, had a TON of Etsuko Furuya fabric in stock so I just bought what I liked, and am not positive of the actual names.sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-57833917829087336672011-01-07T09:45:00.000-05:002011-01-07T09:45:57.987-05:00Owl Quilt: DONE!Duh-du-du-dun! It's finished!<br />
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I'm not actually planning on it staying on the bed like this, but it was the best way to see the whole thing:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TSaOe3OnKhI/AAAAAAAACyc/RDpguc63Gek/s640/DSC01923.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="385" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TSaOe3OnKhI/AAAAAAAACyc/RDpguc63Gek/s640/DSC01923.JPG" /></a></div>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-78955579401073416942010-12-30T17:38:00.000-05:002010-12-30T17:38:13.226-05:00the owl quilt and forays into mid-arm quiltingI got the new sewing machine just in time to help finish up the top and back for Alex's owl quilt. And, since it IS a freaking large quilt, I decided there's no time like the present to learn how to use the quilt table. After many stops, starts, thread breakage, loops, and what-the-hell-is-going-on-here moments, I finally quilted the top. Granted, it kind of looks like shit, but hey... it's my first try! There are a number of spots on the back that are particularly terrible -- wads of looped up bobbin thread and other such horrors. But, Alex being the "who cares" kinda guy he is, and me being too lazy to hand fix it all (at least right now), I think for now it's going to stay this way. It's my ode to learning. :)<br />
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The front:<br />
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The back: (witness my shame)<br />
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All trimmed up and ready for binding!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TR0GGvb7YuI/AAAAAAAACx8/n1fS7R_bPO0/s720/DSC01918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_1yRTF1S5BQQ/TR0GGvb7YuI/AAAAAAAACx8/n1fS7R_bPO0/s720/DSC01918.JPG" /></a></div>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-12207679277451774602010-12-30T17:31:00.000-05:002010-12-30T17:31:26.303-05:00New sewing machine!You'll see me quilting a lot more in the coming months, because I got a sweet new sewing machine. It's a Janome 1600p that I managed to snatch up on craigslist, along with a Little Gracie II quilt frame (that barely fits in my house). I'm heading for the big(ger) leagues!<br />
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Now if only I can figure out how to properly use them...<br />
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The machine:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-0tjwmfW0Tdd9i6p6wki3dhp9JRmcGCClvluPqZWPQ9jj9ivfVudmkUpjZehG1C5xRHrKfiZbA-PkEUPHQhKIje5ogsiNeCoJiGPHGdv1fVhmC1FDXQZ5Mpp5uMdfxuIZq8cDAR9tiBX/s720/DSC01896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_-0tjwmfW0Tdd9i6p6wki3dhp9JRmcGCClvluPqZWPQ9jj9ivfVudmkUpjZehG1C5xRHrKfiZbA-PkEUPHQhKIje5ogsiNeCoJiGPHGdv1fVhmC1FDXQZ5Mpp5uMdfxuIZq8cDAR9tiBX/s720/DSC01896.JPG" /></a></div><br />
The beast:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzaKdpus39OUu9Dt1Z1aP1FuYNjpPiMrBHk9JuSZ8xDq3zBnjojBEiJwCIAxG9tCtCgpuyZ2Ax3raEcLP5ND4bdfMvrx_bOERxzLy4Wsz9N-LQ7GaU8V-JrcJWnsv-EOQkthVFKYBFEie/s720/DSC01917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixzaKdpus39OUu9Dt1Z1aP1FuYNjpPiMrBHk9JuSZ8xDq3zBnjojBEiJwCIAxG9tCtCgpuyZ2Ax3raEcLP5ND4bdfMvrx_bOERxzLy4Wsz9N-LQ7GaU8V-JrcJWnsv-EOQkthVFKYBFEie/s720/DSC01917.JPG" /></a></div>sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-755035407282116227.post-12592941934880564772010-12-21T11:35:00.001-05:002010-12-21T11:37:18.680-05:00a 70's inspired log cabin quilt for AlexMy next big project is a curl-up-on-the-couch quilt for Alex. Wintery nights usually find him wrapped in a giant Sesame Street blanket that is nearing the end of its life... my aim is to replace it. <br />
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A while back I came across some owl fabric that he really liked, so this has become the inspiration. The colors are all 70's yucky (or not, if that's your thing, as it is Alex's): browns, oranges, red and cream. <br />
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Here are the blocks all set out on the floor as I figured out the layout:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3YC-2QCcjnBTKZXpCU5IRhy2msOYwAdXwpzWIL6x8WQry_9WgpouTGYrdxYyos2Me7IchfDXaVMaeOtKj2xahBwpDx33jGFxuHZ4GSEXSoNpPpU1kG3RpqapR2-4BeC54d766vMzMaf3/s640/DSC01883.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv3YC-2QCcjnBTKZXpCU5IRhy2msOYwAdXwpzWIL6x8WQry_9WgpouTGYrdxYyos2Me7IchfDXaVMaeOtKj2xahBwpDx33jGFxuHZ4GSEXSoNpPpU1kG3RpqapR2-4BeC54d766vMzMaf3/s640/DSC01883.JPG" width="400"></a><br />
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I am going to sash them with a creamy solid, so it won't be THAT dark.<br />
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Last night I finished squaring them off. One of the great things about having a drummer around is how many giant flat drumhead boxes there are around that I can use to make big 14.5" square templates! This was my evening last night:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWJPPPMvUs7wFSz1IZhHQM7z8RlyaKdJiZ3GeJ0-DMG8yet_PCKMgRRM4QRkBJfvPvi4iWGTxI3ONSOM3OG3QK-rFcLxLK8vSROnoknpg7ljqO_zHi6cRaGAJiGkxsCnsmmKecLKPAuow/s640/DSC01888.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCWJPPPMvUs7wFSz1IZhHQM7z8RlyaKdJiZ3GeJ0-DMG8yet_PCKMgRRM4QRkBJfvPvi4iWGTxI3ONSOM3OG3QK-rFcLxLK8vSROnoknpg7ljqO_zHi6cRaGAJiGkxsCnsmmKecLKPAuow/s640/DSC01888.JPG" width="400"></a><br />
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And here's a closeup of the stack waiting to be squared up. Love those owls!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3e5u_KBWaPpkyV3uMUcibFu2BiuxGB553KETxJ_GM_styXdfKxsTXbAdmk1h7P0IbwTRLRG_ufC9riVhOR5B2qk3mDRW4-nVPklJqFp8vSe9FTfbINRNGouEAMMWpraNHha2tFJHvbp5/s640/DSC01890.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3e5u_KBWaPpkyV3uMUcibFu2BiuxGB553KETxJ_GM_styXdfKxsTXbAdmk1h7P0IbwTRLRG_ufC9riVhOR5B2qk3mDRW4-nVPklJqFp8vSe9FTfbINRNGouEAMMWpraNHha2tFJHvbp5/s640/DSC01890.JPG" width="400"></a><br />
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My goal is to get the quilt top done before xmas, and the quilt itself done by the new year! Here's to dreaming big!sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05954427299596578855noreply@blogger.com3