tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9506105147046684902024-03-13T21:04:17.795+11:00A little bit of KaosOut of complete chaos comes creative solutions! This blog is a record of my crafty adventures. Konstant Kaos is my business name and I when I get time I sell things on etsy and also at local markets. I am also a mother and I work part time as a teacher librarian.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.comBlogger852125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-10221497923356483662020-08-20T23:52:00.001+10:002020-08-20T23:52:31.083+10:00Teacher To-Do list on Redbubble<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I've been playing around with RedBubble, bringing some of my designs across from Society 6.</div>
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Here are some <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/mug/Teacher-To-Do-List-by-KonstantKaos/55472031.9Q0AD" target="_blank">mugs</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/mug/Teacher-To-Do-List-by-KonstantKaos/55472031.9Q0AD" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="745" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnJkWbBaFrNxgjG7MtzrtVHykcE6GmDFx0-rPQ5BQOBX7xsCIT-kvmGAB2Ec-VMrXr9B4c677Y_BfJvO2ks8UXRZMXk5JEeVjDYOocgyQaUwzrp_ys8Xo5diclp032_qIg-t5X7Nzx_OR/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-08-20+at+11.45.06+pm.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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The ever popular <a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tote-bag/Teacher-To-Do-List-by-KonstantKaos/55472031.MLCYP" target="_blank">correction bag</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/tote-bag/Teacher-To-Do-List-by-KonstantKaos/55472031.MLCYP" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="551" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrS9wzkuc6Ti4Ur3KjLthb5t0Yx8SIdnSHPPzKJyQAgIEigguLv8BQfPzjGODj8gxWQLmehAvqj6Ri1K7xWVSiNxmOYAkwSV80W7ru_Yltw9PTcjZZN1fcMfpwsj3v2eRBEL495bbdsrv2/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-08-20+at+11.47.19+pm.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/throw-pillow/Teacher-To-Do-List-by-KonstantKaos/55472031.K27HU" target="_blank">Pillow</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://www.redbubble.com/i/throw-pillow/Teacher-To-Do-List-by-KonstantKaos/55472031.K27HU" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="497" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBfhdKguovU-aEylixyW7VnAF9YUqcrjC4ZymBswSKpmLHsDhxPbUbHHwHHSslu6coMt5r-7Wu8v8uKVe2iVz5idGeIurIyJ07_ySq6dpAEe_rBLOz-rCkMgVScr0tJXHvi_LSwme35cK/s320/Screen+Shot+2020-08-20+at+11.45.29+pm.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-16172561576009208992020-07-28T11:14:00.001+10:002020-07-28T11:15:03.912+10:00Covid19 Fabric MasksI've been busy making fabric <a href="https://www.instagram.com/konstantkaos/" target="_blank">masks for friends and family</a>.<br />
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It has been interesting few weeks, pulling the Konstant Kaos materials out of their hiding spaces and using beautiful fabrics that I have been hoarding for many years.<br />
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There are lots of mask patterns, but I have gone for the two piece "streamlined" masks with an inner lining and pocked for a filter.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0jGGijsmY/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1198" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4goWyH8APjNyrgoVy5sK_jReEuIPzaEQQqgguXNVDLSjLkdPImJ0QPq-wU42ntyoUpkLU5z7uMa_VOz5LXJOpzC9pnHm07ZjI1O6PsY6mrHKONFUD1kTKQEDRQqOXktEWeumtnp2ym5t/s400/FabricMasks.png" width="398" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CC0jGGijsmY/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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Each time I make a batch I change a little thing, refining the pattern a little bit more or the process.<br />
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I tend to make a stack of "insides" and then a stack of outsides and then have one evening where I put them all together.<br />
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The process has made me itchy to start making the beautiful bags and fabric pouches that I used to love making. I love working with the fabric and creating a smart looking end product, with of course my branding on it.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-32386035111103116052020-01-14T13:47:00.000+11:002020-01-14T13:47:17.302+11:00Bushfire Blocks: Quilting for CharityI received a message from a friend about the bushfire blocks that the <a href="https://wmqg.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild</a> are putting together. It seems doable and something that I can do!<br />
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Here is what they have posted as inspiration!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNNLKVUZ8XQ7PRJE5obxV15I9R1SwOI9wvQraWo8_c4BrKvS6oH9ltrxJzLrplhx8K57VIbUZV49WFbGz4jnN__pFVnCpLkiM-jOzIAbBQjHDRfiN66YaYgT6OR1-qceIw4-JdK_NoI_2/s1600/WMQG+Tree+Block.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="596" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZNNLKVUZ8XQ7PRJE5obxV15I9R1SwOI9wvQraWo8_c4BrKvS6oH9ltrxJzLrplhx8K57VIbUZV49WFbGz4jnN__pFVnCpLkiM-jOzIAbBQjHDRfiN66YaYgT6OR1-qceIw4-JdK_NoI_2/s320/WMQG+Tree+Block.png" width="318" /></a></div>
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"<i>Wollongong MQG are asking for "tree blocks" as they are symbolic of life, nourishment and regrowth. There is no restriction to one type of tree block. Feel free to improvise. The below quilt blocks have been designed and supplied for inspiration, but please feel free to use your own tree-based ideas and colours.</i>"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjerOoOhaqdFUGhS9vE3OTGj61NEmkkwLnzP4C-qPe-RNKj9h5xi7wK5jev-MO2OXyRvxVk9rooJvq_bRyBrQtGNx8qypdoEHXw-qCLs7_tunhSwZxnJWYPkxieTGJ28KCNDCTnfk6H2ln/s1600/WMQG+Tree+Block2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="593" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjerOoOhaqdFUGhS9vE3OTGj61NEmkkwLnzP4C-qPe-RNKj9h5xi7wK5jev-MO2OXyRvxVk9rooJvq_bRyBrQtGNx8qypdoEHXw-qCLs7_tunhSwZxnJWYPkxieTGJ28KCNDCTnfk6H2ln/s200/WMQG+Tree+Block2.png" width="198" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIXVzOBH5xizQcfK5blCDqNCRMFsfy2ejdvpMPNR_B-FjfATTNhh_yJEtNIsjBcC4xrtwmRT1JgDquWYjOyfKsFK8ww1L2PlQA94JJBNVNG2NJq4oMm1vMWANGwB2pEGLB8PN9amvHVnO/s1600/WMQG+Tree+Block3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="532" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIXVzOBH5xizQcfK5blCDqNCRMFsfy2ejdvpMPNR_B-FjfATTNhh_yJEtNIsjBcC4xrtwmRT1JgDquWYjOyfKsFK8ww1L2PlQA94JJBNVNG2NJq4oMm1vMWANGwB2pEGLB8PN9amvHVnO/s200/WMQG+Tree+Block3.png" width="198" /></a></div>
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"<i>If you would like to help, please make a tree block of a generous <b>12.5 inch square</b> using a low volume / white or pale grey background. Once completed please send to:</i><br />
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<i>Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild</i><br />
<i>PO Box 54</i><br />
<i>Jamberoo, New South Wales </i><br />
<i>AUSTRALIA 2533</i><br />
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<i>We are going to distribute the quilts made to the families who have lost everything.</i><br />
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<i>We would like to ask that blocks be mailed for arrival by the end of February. We thank you in advance for your support.</i>"<br />
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I did a bit of hunting and found some more ideas for tree blocks that you might want to consider ...<br />
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<a href="https://www.gathered.how/sewing-and-quilting/quilting/free-palm-tree-foundation-paper-piecing-pattern/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="718" data-original-width="800" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbGqIfp3mVDz6QwWvINQ7o8abrTIOfKx_cGtyzGChLiQu6dC15L_6MZzbeKm24bXNWf8NWtLjL2lfUBY8axWlW4B69J9zQa7rRfV6xQ9d2GEm8jTD4d4iIVLQlU_zaJMsLioJuJicafGWm/s320/palm+tree+block2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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From <a href="https://www.gathered.how/sewing-and-quilting/quilting/free-palm-tree-foundation-paper-piecing-pattern/" target="_blank">gathered</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAQTZyFkENi73OIuuncfVyGrY9sk8zlyjSwooiQbp4tCQvDmyZ2CMago1MuldofLjASVXv_4Zx9l9o1dW0XlAgUEHzdzEBKRRYeubxdXgKi7EJ0EDgh2ZM81jzoNg9NB0Zb9YT__VaKn0/s1600/palm+tree+block.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1588" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAQTZyFkENi73OIuuncfVyGrY9sk8zlyjSwooiQbp4tCQvDmyZ2CMago1MuldofLjASVXv_4Zx9l9o1dW0XlAgUEHzdzEBKRRYeubxdXgKi7EJ0EDgh2ZM81jzoNg9NB0Zb9YT__VaKn0/s320/palm+tree+block.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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I found this one on Pintrest, but couldn't find the original source.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLjSgNovhDaTDPTtOzy5T4a80DNEbYH2NF7pjVgDqT7U-bRXAofelIINor2RH4h6PoXVLegtvxP0aRNSzPyoTOItrzZhu0dLDBjnjVpJh1Wa_T6E53vptEaQVPhhYpZedVYHVjPD-yqnl/s1600/Lynne-Edwards-Tree-of-Life-Quilt-f778169.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="620" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLjSgNovhDaTDPTtOzy5T4a80DNEbYH2NF7pjVgDqT7U-bRXAofelIINor2RH4h6PoXVLegtvxP0aRNSzPyoTOItrzZhu0dLDBjnjVpJh1Wa_T6E53vptEaQVPhhYpZedVYHVjPD-yqnl/s320/Lynne-Edwards-Tree-of-Life-Quilt-f778169.webp" width="213" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.gathered.how/sewing-and-quilting/quilting/sew-lynne-edwards-tree-of-life-wall-hanging/" target="_blank">Tree of life, paper patching and embroidery patch</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUmwX2PyZFxr-XOCSw8XcJgbyrPbLX1_pt2J8H7cwP296GWPtk_DV2FEGp51V7wIwJrHkPi2_ixUtylZAYaYONZq9VmlT_2ca9ChDj0RmodL0JsRx3DK55PsAGrpAu2hzkmB4kxxqTRTW/s1600/forest_quilt_paper_piecing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaUmwX2PyZFxr-XOCSw8XcJgbyrPbLX1_pt2J8H7cwP296GWPtk_DV2FEGp51V7wIwJrHkPi2_ixUtylZAYaYONZq9VmlT_2ca9ChDj0RmodL0JsRx3DK55PsAGrpAu2hzkmB4kxxqTRTW/s320/forest_quilt_paper_piecing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is another <a href="http://www.finecraftguild.com/paper-piecing-quilt-patterns-animals-flowers/amp/" target="_blank">paper patched block</a>, you could do one design per block for the challenge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-78ScdxoErvEKOO4qK02BJhhnNH89qWWWJQKn-2a5pBzBi6OBxs6g4FxOGsLToEXxfLbimr3pvsgbO0N8xnokOV8ubYy5UvgAWWBBiE5M54-C0yZuFpcCMOLbgCLk3lmBMRM26O3czTw/s1600/heart-tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-78ScdxoErvEKOO4qK02BJhhnNH89qWWWJQKn-2a5pBzBi6OBxs6g4FxOGsLToEXxfLbimr3pvsgbO0N8xnokOV8ubYy5UvgAWWBBiE5M54-C0yZuFpcCMOLbgCLk3lmBMRM26O3czTw/s1600/heart-tree.jpg" /></a></div>
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Or if you want to show the love, a <a href="https://rudyandthedodo.com/2012/07/11/hearts-and-hands-tree/" target="_blank">hearts and hands tree</a>.</div>
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I've also been thinking that this is a very "Curlypops" initiative and it made me reflect on the <a href="https://alittlebitofkaos.blogspot.com/search?q=Hottie+Challenge" target="_blank">hottie challenge</a> that I did years ago. It is coming up to the one year anniversary of Cam dying and I still see her everything crafty that I do.<br />
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"What would Curlypops do?" she would make as many quilt blocks as humanly possible for this challenge.<br />
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Good luck with the challenge.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-64669021868081047982019-12-30T17:05:00.000+11:002019-12-30T17:05:09.255+11:00Surviving Christmas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXwB2c4NNua3bRWn7EUZ7QueFTrU04unjp1WBESWhH8uJH1J7rXAPbH9fXsThtkJ8J4VD407UWlBWo-UQ7R9rgsvbUD_NSch7DMFQ3_fmVp2Q1hnONDL0zmRdfQvIit_TUUjBFoOJKVuk/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-12-30+at+4.44.20+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="599" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEXwB2c4NNua3bRWn7EUZ7QueFTrU04unjp1WBESWhH8uJH1J7rXAPbH9fXsThtkJ8J4VD407UWlBWo-UQ7R9rgsvbUD_NSch7DMFQ3_fmVp2Q1hnONDL0zmRdfQvIit_TUUjBFoOJKVuk/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-12-30+at+4.44.20+pm.png" width="398" /></a></div>
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I'm rather glad that Christmas is over. It isn't so much the material build up that bothers me but the social expectations that are rammed down your throat by media and advertising. The visions of kids opening their presents, getting excited by meeting Santa.<br />
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Having a boy that has a disability makes the Christmas experience very different for us and not one that I am totally at ease with. For his sister, there are the usual gifts and revelry. But for Nicholas, it is just the same day as yesterday and so long as he has water, cookies and iPad he is happy with the world. It is hard to plan a "special Christmas" when there is no excitement in receiving a present; no curiosity, no engagement.<br />
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The upside is that there is no arguing over what to wear or what gifts to get. For Nicholas we got him practical gifts.<br />
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A cordless hair clipper.<br />
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It doesn't sound like much, but the trips to the hair dressers have gotten painful. He doesn't like the sound of the clippers or the sound of the salon. Screams, pinching and biting are normally part of the experience for us as we try and make the experience as painless as possible using iPads and cookies as a hook to get him to cal down. After reading an article on <a href="https://www.findingcoopersvoice.com/2018/08/22/haircuts-and-autism/" target="_blank">Finding Coopers Voice</a>, we decided to bring the experience home. If we do it often enough he will get used to it. The first time we used the clippers we still had screaming, pinching and biting (broken skin). But at least it wasn't in front of a salon full of people wanting "me time" by getting their hair done.<br />
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Social Stories, I hear you yell out! Nicholas isn't cognitively strong, so social stories don't have the impact that you would hope for. Believe me we have tried many strategies; we know our son and how he reacts to things.<br />
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So I am glad that Christmas is over and done with and that we didn't over buy for Nicholas things that he wouldn't play with or destroy.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-67560585378928619892019-11-10T17:14:00.000+11:002019-11-10T17:14:35.842+11:00National Novel Writing MonthI've been busy this month doing <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo</a>, National Novel Writing Month.<br />
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The write club that I work with at school has ten girls interested in writing stories for <a href="https://nanowrimo.org/" target="_blank">NaNoWriMo </a>and they have committed to writing 3,000 by the end of the month. I've been doing entries over at my <a href="http://infowhelm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">teacher librarian blog</a>.<br />
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I, however, have committed to the 50,000 (of course). Not sure if I will get there but I am going to give it a try. I have a few ideas for my story, so lets see if I can get there.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4gOz57nQpg/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="600" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6tFcns2WeDciVqP_Qr5zQhyu_QndjcmAJF_Q5cJ0hPneq5h-HZh7sv58JPFxFFJE8ciGbC9IGaPsCazJ6CdMTEFnqcy295VFyW-DkByR1_AVT0UJg55SwhW5a0_9i4Aa0UVkGQ4VP_oTL/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-11-10+at+5.07.42+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B4gOz57nQpg/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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But that doesn't mean that I am not creative. I've been busy making little quote cards for the students that they can use as inspiration to keep writing and of course button badges.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-22526525611869750802019-10-08T16:26:00.002+11:002019-10-08T16:27:08.460+11:00Making your own book weight<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ftZGCA9op/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="752" data-original-width="872" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8LKj6SjHJM_vk0Qs0f_0gTrXIo21uHjIXfsiOl3ATyusqj_oyQExVTN4Mv9md4hU5np1g55ibisooNGdsLo2uKNwz2CyOZQVUeygp5s2Cdf4sgYcQoPcvZMndfS0Cc4y24lFnRczG2d4/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-10-08+at+4.15.03+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ftZGCA9op/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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A friend has this <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ftZGCA9op/" target="_blank">beautiful leather book weight</a> that she uses when she has to power read though a book. In lieu of one, I used my grain filled heat pack to keep the pages open as I was ploughing my way through the Margaret Attwood book, "The Testaments", last week.<br />
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But here are some crafty alternatives if you have a spare afternoon.<br />
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<b>Simple Book Weight</b><br />
Martha Stewart has <a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/919108/how-make-book-weight" target="_blank">a simple pattern for a book weight</a> to keep her cook books open.<br />
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<b>Book Weight Carrot</b><br />
I <a href="https://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1424582476"></span>love this idea<span id="goog_1424582477"></span></a> and I can see it being done in lovely patchwork fabrics in orange and green.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ilDGem-GEOfr_V8kArtyFaPFZDxD04dBc1TUXArEq7DiBs6_NZOCz0anvl2OEyQeNACVlyZh6kBG9Ckbm0sXosborWpmVd9ZBY6R_KkcwGDQl4LHZ7jCwwXWFl8zho27DcMQzNrTJyKh/s1600/carrot_page_weight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="450" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ilDGem-GEOfr_V8kArtyFaPFZDxD04dBc1TUXArEq7DiBs6_NZOCz0anvl2OEyQeNACVlyZh6kBG9Ckbm0sXosborWpmVd9ZBY6R_KkcwGDQl4LHZ7jCwwXWFl8zho27DcMQzNrTJyKh/s400/carrot_page_weight.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://bookriot.com/2018/07/27/best-book-holders/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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<b>Book Bone</b><br />
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This is a pattern for a <a href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/free-dog-bone-pattern-2977708" target="_blank">soft toy bone</a>. But simply replacing some of the filling with weights, would make it into a lovely Book Bone to hold your pages open.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbG17OjfK9agRNn3RX-0iZA7VjVc6SHo1tV1y3-VyMPAoLlwbAZBZUJLB2Qs2fMDbOyZTnnVUvim1BytMHgv3p98Hy8M-trz4-KWYkMew9yBftbG-S_oae9-4T4K7iNBruJNPRefJU9qe/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-10-08+at+4.17.42+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNbG17OjfK9agRNn3RX-0iZA7VjVc6SHo1tV1y3-VyMPAoLlwbAZBZUJLB2Qs2fMDbOyZTnnVUvim1BytMHgv3p98Hy8M-trz4-KWYkMew9yBftbG-S_oae9-4T4K7iNBruJNPRefJU9qe/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-10-08+at+4.17.42+pm.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Once you start looking at soft toy patterns there are so many possibilities. <a href="https://www.thispilgrimlife.com/bendy-snake-tutorial/" target="_blank">Bendable snakes</a>, <a href="http://gotosew.com/2015/04/seahorse-pillow-pattern/" target="_blank">Sea Horses</a> or little starfish as weighted objects to keep your book pages open. If you are not in a crafty mood you can buy a soft toy and open it and fill it with weights.</div>
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Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-72830561921826993102019-08-06T00:39:00.003+10:002019-08-06T00:39:50.650+10:00Foxy Four Patch Baby Quilt (Part 4) Quilting and BindingIt took me ages to settle on the quilting method for this baby quilt. I tried some quilting samples using the machine, but wasn't happy with how it looked.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByfI66nnl0-/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1078" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKpGtKWJ1QS1wHbRDcIgJ6sGKEVSCCWi0FudFDJFF7l50Tnmj-Wv_9BsJVmi0Kfgn5ZnzjETojFHPYjFzL9kmx9X2T9ABrVIdyjBYgaS1FIlCWEUim7JrRD-vrmWfZWZi6MAEfnFojeJD/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-07-25+at+9.49.09+am.png" width="393" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ByfI66nnl0-/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
I wanted to go for something more delicate and "handmade" looking.<br />
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After unpicking lines of machine stitching and lamenting over my strategy, I found some <a href="https://www.suespargo.com/store-detail.php?cat=90&ID=2" target="_blank">Sue Spargo Embelishment Perle</a> threads at <a href="http://www.honeysucklepatchwork.com.au/" target="_blank">Honeysuckle Patchwork in Bendigo</a> and a beautiful orange gingham backing fabric.<br />
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A sample line of top stitching cemented my thinking and some tailors chalk kept me on track.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0M5s5WnZ5V/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1082" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2NYWuHhLJejAWFzQLSZocpUc_Cz7lFERqp50ouhmb_Crq6CG5-KEheaGzVWGFPMluSWJ9OBJkwkhYrIcz35Lr5mUTktRqAVXEyAC6cM8oFUwTuDGb1OSUaI5kJWfuB6KQJmE9nW69B79/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-07-29+at+12.41.33+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0M5s5WnZ5V/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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Really happy with how the stitching looked. I opted not to go through every square vertically, but I did every horizontal line of stitching. I liked the way that it looked.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZF9_YqnNJDknjBKzm3JQPVMJnP290seVtUuL6LdAzT8TfqqXiT5mLAOZUAlanv_QVKBGfRDNCANH_vyTc5BcI75pzFGtxKLzfARmMHOsZV-igFJD_3vBX5No73wcZlCw1EhJFlUYGSlu/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-07-29+at+12.43.26+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1080" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDZF9_YqnNJDknjBKzm3JQPVMJnP290seVtUuL6LdAzT8TfqqXiT5mLAOZUAlanv_QVKBGfRDNCANH_vyTc5BcI75pzFGtxKLzfARmMHOsZV-igFJD_3vBX5No73wcZlCw1EhJFlUYGSlu/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-07-29+at+12.43.26+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0Qk07KnzNI/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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Binding was done with orange home spun. I sew a 2.5 inch width strip of fabric (folded over so that it is 1.25 inches in width) sewn to the edge of the quilt and then I hand stitched around the edge of the quilt. I am hopeless at doing binding corners, so I just do one side at a time and try and make it look as neat as possible. I like the heaviness of the jelly roll strip binding.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLVvPH6VzItnNIehwfWS5RUxuhty55d3enx8JwONoVkonvRy6T28dBbooVJ65NTCmn87wfSXAuzKO-2_l7TzYTm8zUq4zjdGryDyZVHg2a0-eReLO9TQyzlvmyrm1AyyzceEyu0Ni3hJd/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-07-29+at+12.45.06+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1084" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYLVvPH6VzItnNIehwfWS5RUxuhty55d3enx8JwONoVkonvRy6T28dBbooVJ65NTCmn87wfSXAuzKO-2_l7TzYTm8zUq4zjdGryDyZVHg2a0-eReLO9TQyzlvmyrm1AyyzceEyu0Ni3hJd/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-07-29+at+12.45.06+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0VVVgAnTkL/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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The quilt has now been washed, pressed and gifted and it awaiting the arrival of it's new human!<br />
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Moving onto the next project!Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-30759917827191595932019-07-31T10:03:00.000+10:002019-07-31T10:03:14.600+10:00How to make Harry Potter WandsIt is Harry Potter day on Wednesday 31st July and the daughter and I decided to make some wands for the display in my School Library (Learning Commons).<br />
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<b>What you will need:</b><br />
<ul>
<li>Sandpaper</li>
<li>Old Chop sticks or twigs from the garden. Make sure that they are nice and dry.</li>
<li>Glue Gun</li>
<li>Glue</li>
<li>Primer</li>
<li>Paint (acrylic)</li>
</ul>
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<b>Step 1:</b></div>
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Make sure that your chop sticks are nice and clean, just run some sandpaper over them to take off any rough edges (or left over food).</div>
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<b>Step 2:</b></div>
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Using the glue gun, start to built up the shape of your wand. Once you have applied the glue, dunk it into a tumbler of cold water to set the glue and then move onto the next wand.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0YAIAdnU1m/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1078" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyby-0q6MWuzDJ69NGsHVgQIL8i6vUj1RoYCxwJRG9zs2JAOXZnjQSDa1P89BJPrWmEkjAkhyphenhyphenBoteSuhMf-HJqcMjvugcJQrfObEup_92S_QYhZbG1UGngfEhy2g_1nUAp-BsLiCNNpsXQ/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-07-31+at+9.54.29+am.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0YAIAdnU1m/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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<b>Step 3:</b></div>
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One the wands are dry again, prime them with a base colour, we chose black.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0fvWxtndC5/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1078" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ5LzgIwzUrS7RqU97qnf3tSC5kEv26dUJaPqCatLii_HY2s9pYcJZ6HMWaovwyvU4ZJkEtm1uy5enCsfuaPQYWZWfhbMZGyocoOFGaAmJ2sRjDl1rlRSCtLbjX9HoYfEFeZN0bWY78KOY/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-07-31+at+9.54.39+am.png" width="395" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0fvWxtndC5/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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<b>Step 4:</b></div>
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Once the prime colour is set, use acrylic to dry brush your colours onto the wands. We used some acrylics that we got from the cheap $2 shop.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0fy5KYnBzv/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1084" height="393" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9l-kXL5WWdqY7XHGjxA_9yVzTtPBeD8GSBGP8r5_8yw3coNRL3HcWQJ6qm9O7oBPSjPFapZ7MLDaSpXPL9JyUdKnDdut3DtQdkUrkpSOYd4CoBPkLOjTWCxuywzApWTD7ZhIzbaH4vSK_/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-07-31+at+9.54.46+am.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0fy5KYnBzv/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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<b>Step 5:</b></div>
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If you want, you can coat your wands in clear lacquer to protect the paint.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0huzoKnjn1/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1078" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0orBfpMH4IUWyfQMSyGUbcQJLSuUx18TkJ9wGXMn6JFOLdT0os-SbaXACDWAssHfq5-ukyBAdF7MhVJwvCpbcxwvZJ-4XGxGC76ThyeCAGd7cTdU1R6iyXAdQx4C-RUEZyk_QpLJHSu-7/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-07-31+at+9.54.54+am.png" width="396" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B0huzoKnjn1/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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Enjoy! </div>
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Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-89961563579269620402019-06-26T17:33:00.000+10:002019-06-26T17:33:17.110+10:00Vintage Test pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Doesn't this just look like a quilt pattern crying out to be constructed!</div>
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There are some other great pictures <a href="https://kottke.org/19/06/vintage-tv-test-patterns" target="_blank">on this site as well</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvZ4nd-pi95TXJOsf68IuJJba6wlkdbAm6AVCBCSs41-kzK8FyQNR74mr2mgqNTx4AAG2UPDdG-hH8DUIsUqPKbPJ05Wfy_LqkKF6DgoN54FGE3urIMtlW3JGw43xCjwC6IVNOa-lVUTe/s1600/tv-test-patterns-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="720" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOvZ4nd-pi95TXJOsf68IuJJba6wlkdbAm6AVCBCSs41-kzK8FyQNR74mr2mgqNTx4AAG2UPDdG-hH8DUIsUqPKbPJ05Wfy_LqkKF6DgoN54FGE3urIMtlW3JGw43xCjwC6IVNOa-lVUTe/s400/tv-test-patterns-02.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://kottke.org/19/06/vintage-tv-test-patterns" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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If I have a spare hour, I might work out pattern components.<br />
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Who would be interested?Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-77561746870875746352019-06-25T21:45:00.003+10:002019-06-25T21:45:47.565+10:00Foxy Four Patch Baby Quilt (Part 3) Border SashThe next section to the quilt top is to decide how you want to sash or border your quilt.<br />
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Different colours or combinations will create different effects. An orange border will make the orange patches jump out in a different way to having a grey border.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxJcmmIYvfaDTPAOhQRconCojzjpAPMRPaDnqWntZ2u1cXGukVmuFSB_3XXISz5oBCWklM9yB2Pw_aDck0kipGklDqgdQ064YP3reEFXl-iYB3q6jWJZUvVGjNlzHUGOsnU7arHWHrwtr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-06-02+at+1.28.55+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1094" data-original-width="978" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuxJcmmIYvfaDTPAOhQRconCojzjpAPMRPaDnqWntZ2u1cXGukVmuFSB_3XXISz5oBCWklM9yB2Pw_aDck0kipGklDqgdQ064YP3reEFXl-iYB3q6jWJZUvVGjNlzHUGOsnU7arHWHrwtr/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-06-02+at+1.28.55+pm.png" width="285" /></a></div>
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You can sash the patchwork in the same colour, but I've opted to give each corner a small 2.5 inch square.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNLbFGa_hqAoGcWvHqYk1sRScQ4KCTKSUjZEH791CvFtz9GfUJVV145N6_-qHEAVCjU3xDLRcKC34YwG7DspwAhQRfdxsK8_1nVTuYfSno3lRPV7C4SbShM1ZOPWg3Om-6tse3Kyx81Jr/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-06-02+at+1.28.46+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="982" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioNLbFGa_hqAoGcWvHqYk1sRScQ4KCTKSUjZEH791CvFtz9GfUJVV145N6_-qHEAVCjU3xDLRcKC34YwG7DspwAhQRfdxsK8_1nVTuYfSno3lRPV7C4SbShM1ZOPWg3Om-6tse3Kyx81Jr/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-06-02+at+1.28.46+pm.png" width="286" /></a></div>
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<b>Sewing the sash</b><br />
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Sew the sashes onto the opposite sides of the quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJD47Q8pSQi9UNCGkw9pozqIF1Fc0mCxKmpY5eoyho9VWp_Tj4vrND6PQsnvmNgB01zhk36AhIx_5ziRS5U1_7UnT8HmpomRuag_cz2zJTW8DeUdtf2JiNX2D5EXmMRtNGNjLr7LsdCJu8/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-06-25+at+9.12.04+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1042" data-original-width="1286" height="321" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJD47Q8pSQi9UNCGkw9pozqIF1Fc0mCxKmpY5eoyho9VWp_Tj4vrND6PQsnvmNgB01zhk36AhIx_5ziRS5U1_7UnT8HmpomRuag_cz2zJTW8DeUdtf2JiNX2D5EXmMRtNGNjLr7LsdCJu8/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-06-25+at+9.12.04+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Then prepare a sash to be sewn to the top and bottom of the quilt. Getting the seams to line up might be a little tricky.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyO4GnhHhRizY9w1aBsstJfdvXoX2LEoWacr2_uWNAqIwDRhvmUV8ZDo9BRroPaZKj-8RlfbwUFXxtk7dycSqGVEIQM1z5ZI1U0fXs0ENrsihUQmkJw75f_hjS7JFODe-3vBJvZHt2h73r/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-06-25+at+9.26.05+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="642" data-original-width="1146" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyO4GnhHhRizY9w1aBsstJfdvXoX2LEoWacr2_uWNAqIwDRhvmUV8ZDo9BRroPaZKj-8RlfbwUFXxtk7dycSqGVEIQM1z5ZI1U0fXs0ENrsihUQmkJw75f_hjS7JFODe-3vBJvZHt2h73r/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-06-25+at+9.26.05+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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When attaching the top sash, I don't fully sew attach it. I use the iron to work out where the seam will be and then I trim and sew the corner square in place.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyO4Nxa2vQCYMdDl8c19tyy3q_pZkY2X0DcdH7VAB1sdrsVFsj7IS82KfarKCfzHCEqQWzU7u959O3LdC1h9A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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One the corner square is on the sash, finish attaching the rest of the sash to the quilt.<br />
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Voila! A finished four patch baby quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUcK-ALJNTkaDVnUmK8GdYyhsh79zFZ-Z4KThRbUKHNI0jP287mK-8EJygiiUWoGV0Uf7JlRD_jt3ATCWrmfUOm_jHuTNsiUR0a6Jfj5mwVCZM8en7PDRp9mklE7X6WTHxQwntZk0yZrp/s1600/IMG_2050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1592" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUcK-ALJNTkaDVnUmK8GdYyhsh79zFZ-Z4KThRbUKHNI0jP287mK-8EJygiiUWoGV0Uf7JlRD_jt3ATCWrmfUOm_jHuTNsiUR0a6Jfj5mwVCZM8en7PDRp9mklE7X6WTHxQwntZk0yZrp/s320/IMG_2050.jpg" width="317" /></a></div>
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Time to think about how to quilt it!<br />
<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-80279499754468684052019-06-16T15:50:00.000+10:002019-06-16T15:50:20.305+10:00[slow craft] Constellation QuiltsOver the last few days, pictures of the most gorgeous constellation quilts have been popping up on my feeds. It is either the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baader%E2%80%93Meinhof_effect" target="_blank">Baader-Meinhof effect </a>or something else is happening in the universe!<br />
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I have finished my <a href="https://alittlebitofkaos.blogspot.com/2019/05/foxy-four-patch-baby-quilt-part-1.html" target="_blank">Foxy Four Patch Quilt</a> top, have pinned to the back with batting and now I am just lamenting over the type of quilt stitching it needs. Hand or machine? Abstract or linear? I am undecided. I have some weeks up my sleeve, as the baby is not due until August.<br />
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But these gorgeous quilts kept on popping up and tempting me with their complexity and fascination.<br />
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<a href="https://blog.cashmerette.com/2016/02/haptic-lab-constellation-quilt.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="729" data-original-width="750" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLfklkqo-ufI45n-UbCCGzxUwcGhsDiYjQQ4Owb5kL567rufmyyntAEC6xB8T29P4wrNNFvq4VkJcUFTJtbRCTyWWrcMKFAw_C-E8CvKr66ONwdHk-K8EolwXTxJxq9CBVOeWbVhxjLslb/s320/Quilt-5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://blog.cashmerette.com/2016/02/haptic-lab-constellation-quilt.html" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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I love the detail that is in the hand quilting, as blogged about by <a href="https://blog.cashmerette.com/2016/02/haptic-lab-constellation-quilt.html" target="_blank">Cashmerette Pattern blog</a>.<br />
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It is a natural progression from <a href="http://alittlebitofkaos.blogspot.com/2012/12/1876-ellen-harding-bakers-solar-system.html" target="_blank">Ellen Harding Baker's Solar System Quilt</a> or <a href="https://jimmymcbride.com/section/278657-SPACE-QUILTS-2007-2011.html" target="_blank">Jimmy McBride's Stellar Quilts</a>. These quilts take hours, but look at the detail in them.<br />
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If I wanted to quilt this constellation, then Haptic Lab have done most of the hard work for me, mapping the <a href="https://www.hapticlab.com/products/diy-constellation?variant=329387393" target="_blank">Southern Hemisphere</a> and putting it onto a pattern for me.<br />
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<a href="https://www.skymania.com/wp/southern-hemisphere-sky-chart/" target="_blank">Skymania</a> has maps of the Southern Hemisphere Skies that you could easily transfer onto a pattern for quilting. You can use their tools to set a time and also invert colours so that it makes it easier to print out and copy.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9u0CF8-iWN_w-3Ed_Pt_7TmWavVeWr5CLAaW-9M__cUOjDpQnQ8iTyEJo5c-tDExCrVDgc8N6z9owgjbO3brmvYHxZY2kot7xtLQiv1IQpCjkT1PS3CfTzWuqpl1Xb2DUssu14fVJ2ry/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-06-16+at+3.45.58+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1228" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9u0CF8-iWN_w-3Ed_Pt_7TmWavVeWr5CLAaW-9M__cUOjDpQnQ8iTyEJo5c-tDExCrVDgc8N6z9owgjbO3brmvYHxZY2kot7xtLQiv1IQpCjkT1PS3CfTzWuqpl1Xb2DUssu14fVJ2ry/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-06-16+at+3.45.58+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I will add this idea to my "to make" pile. One day perhaps!</div>
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-19984935374743764252019-05-30T12:27:00.000+10:002019-07-29T12:49:12.023+10:00Foxy Four Patch Baby Quilt (part 2) Constructing the patchwork rowsWhen working a piece of patchwork there are some big decisions that need to be made.<br />
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Do you create each four patch block, sash it and join it together (A) or sew half the sash to the four patch block and run a strip along the top of the blocks (B)?<br />
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Certainly (B) is a lot faster in the short term, but consider the advantages from doing (A).<br />
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<b>Option A</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOIuD_i-pXMZfZZ0nFOUgtIa3lVOHhYSpZiGWktNhgyZEhKf4JgTBLLynpOYgXzlEBDE1dwWY2kLoq1Lw5c6dJxLbDxq3MN4qBov1W3ENVPF7S_yOfIofDiX7P6bKFGInbOzU7gFdF_ly/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-29+at+3.17.54+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="764" data-original-width="1600" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOIuD_i-pXMZfZZ0nFOUgtIa3lVOHhYSpZiGWktNhgyZEhKf4JgTBLLynpOYgXzlEBDE1dwWY2kLoq1Lw5c6dJxLbDxq3MN4qBov1W3ENVPF7S_yOfIofDiX7P6bKFGInbOzU7gFdF_ly/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-29+at+3.17.54+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you make each individual block you can measure and trim with your rotary blade to tidy up any uneven sewing. When sewing the sections together make sure that your seams line up.</div>
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For ironing, I pressed the seams open on the initial four block design and then with the grey sash, I pressed the seam into the block to add a bit of bulk. The key to seams is being consistent throughout the whole project, however, many would argue that seams need to be pressed open.<br />
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<b>Option B </b><br />
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The B option, even through it seems easier, can lead to misalignment of seams running from the top to the bottom of your quilt.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOIuD_i-pXMZfZZ0nFOUgtIa3lVOHhYSpZiGWktNhgyZEhKf4JgTBLLynpOYgXzlEBDE1dwWY2kLoq1Lw5c6dJxLbDxq3MN4qBov1W3ENVPF7S_yOfIofDiX7P6bKFGInbOzU7gFdF_ly/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-29+at+3.17.54+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOIuD_i-pXMZfZZ0nFOUgtIa3lVOHhYSpZiGWktNhgyZEhKf4JgTBLLynpOYgXzlEBDE1dwWY2kLoq1Lw5c6dJxLbDxq3MN4qBov1W3ENVPF7S_yOfIofDiX7P6bKFGInbOzU7gFdF_ly/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-29+at+3.17.54+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Sxo6PPbHgcgZ1vwo2k3RxZ0FmMcC7ZWXu2q75l0yWcz6L1K0A9qkY_FRDPWNARUoLFl1QXt8MTQExJeOLYg5xmQa6fod3_S4zK1eLe7nBKgM7AqUjXTyBcb4CY6O85oIJ0WLPcmZhTv7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-29+at+3.20.29+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Sxo6PPbHgcgZ1vwo2k3RxZ0FmMcC7ZWXu2q75l0yWcz6L1K0A9qkY_FRDPWNARUoLFl1QXt8MTQExJeOLYg5xmQa6fod3_S4zK1eLe7nBKgM7AqUjXTyBcb4CY6O85oIJ0WLPcmZhTv7/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-29+at+3.20.29+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="925" data-original-width="1600" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Sxo6PPbHgcgZ1vwo2k3RxZ0FmMcC7ZWXu2q75l0yWcz6L1K0A9qkY_FRDPWNARUoLFl1QXt8MTQExJeOLYg5xmQa6fod3_S4zK1eLe7nBKgM7AqUjXTyBcb4CY6O85oIJ0WLPcmZhTv7/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-29+at+3.20.29+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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I tend to like to construct each row using the method described in A, it gives me a chance to line up all the blocks and the extra seam at the top of the row allows me to line up the next row more easily.<br />
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It also means that you can either construct it as a row of blocks or a cluster of four blocks.<br />
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx4A8bOnQFI/" target="_blank">Foxy Four Patch Baby Quilt blocks</a>]</div>
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When I was putting this quilt together, I initially created a cluster of four blocks to see what the design looked like. This picture looks a bit squeegee because I haven't trimmed or steamed out the blocks yet to get them to align properly.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELanH2AeN1jPTQB0ItguVjgF0HRdCXZ56ARnMWLmHhbMloIPZuZx46ZrvX8W_6Go6DTPDEC5EtuPxpYY5_vkeczkjImK6UbZc3_L0Ty83OEsy3r5to9yRifA13K0GApzliRG1yKFnPpzO/s1600/IMG_3859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1584" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELanH2AeN1jPTQB0ItguVjgF0HRdCXZ56ARnMWLmHhbMloIPZuZx46ZrvX8W_6Go6DTPDEC5EtuPxpYY5_vkeczkjImK6UbZc3_L0Ty83OEsy3r5to9yRifA13K0GApzliRG1yKFnPpzO/s400/IMG_3859.JPG" width="393" /></a></div>
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One of the reasons why I am reluctant to sew with my son around is because when doing patchwork you are continually sewing and ironing. So the iron is on all the time; set at cotton with lots of steam.<br />
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Nicholas is quite uneasy on his feet and when he starts wandering around the house, looking for cookies or a drink, he wants to get involved in what I am doing; which means moving parts on the sewing machine and a hot steam iron.<br />
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My anxiety levels go through the roof and sewing no longer becomes the joyful escape that it once was many years ago. But with him out of the house I can relax and enjoy the process, even though I tend to work like a demon to get my projects finished!<br />
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<b>Ironing</b><br />
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The ironing is the most important part of making a quilt. You can use a hot steam iron to stretch fabric to line up seams or shrink fabric to meet a seam.<br />
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Creating each of the four patch blocks with grey sashing individually means that there is less likelihood of seams looking a bit off. You can steam and trim each block using your rotary cutter and ruler and make sure that things like up; as you go.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtcSxv_C9wfWV2hAF982aWPFMQ4gw06xIaWeRjTp9Hn9mqctjKCpNvXP7thKIF35shU3fL_qX-nYl1TZw6vSjxV34rzdFWdrApNKMV3hhKC6Fib5lATavvojuIZ6G8FwxmE0G-mb7tf7p/s1600/IMG_3823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXtcSxv_C9wfWV2hAF982aWPFMQ4gw06xIaWeRjTp9Hn9mqctjKCpNvXP7thKIF35shU3fL_qX-nYl1TZw6vSjxV34rzdFWdrApNKMV3hhKC6Fib5lATavvojuIZ6G8FwxmE0G-mb7tf7p/s400/IMG_3823.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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If the seams are a not straight, spray the block with water and use the steam iron to straighten them up. Iron until dry and press the back seams open. If you are pinning together blocks to sew them together and they are not aligning properly, pin them and then give the cotton a shot of steam to either stretch or shrink the fabric.<br />
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Here are some links about ironing and patchwork.<br />
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<b>End of the row sash</b><br />
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Once you have finished a row, add the end sash.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnvKF7xAzHppBQDdwlIX7RhFN5Gbl2GyH16hve0byE7egev712vZA-_ojWxciXBnNdw6BcFo4lqSBx5yKXv5UmNSsVrkOPew6DD7IOKaIykrNbeo1dCn_TWneSy66h4CEztNV7bD2vZNW/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-29+at+3.55.11+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="1600" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnvKF7xAzHppBQDdwlIX7RhFN5Gbl2GyH16hve0byE7egev712vZA-_ojWxciXBnNdw6BcFo4lqSBx5yKXv5UmNSsVrkOPew6DD7IOKaIykrNbeo1dCn_TWneSy66h4CEztNV7bD2vZNW/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-29+at+3.55.11+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Create 5 rows that look like this:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDOvVnLp-Bfbxc5wYfIOHC4NvLF7Ts0fm0C7yq5TY5nMZgL6bgNfNcjlFBJsuT8x6De7QTPj8vZafA46d4vdjjxixBJjQt2s55iFZ05pwTNJRDESQVokJ32v6j1YfNbt8_rs9SiF9fagp/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-30+at+12.16.13+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1136" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDOvVnLp-Bfbxc5wYfIOHC4NvLF7Ts0fm0C7yq5TY5nMZgL6bgNfNcjlFBJsuT8x6De7QTPj8vZafA46d4vdjjxixBJjQt2s55iFZ05pwTNJRDESQVokJ32v6j1YfNbt8_rs9SiF9fagp/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-30+at+12.16.13+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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On the sixth row we will add the bottom row of sashing.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CSHF9QYko5Jtaz6cuFKLLXQCAb1yBZKbYy36zMUjuoGvmmzytuLMbaRwxKvgoVCSLrylnlpSTozTgIthKBITFiM5n3n92zQ3gj8RAKUb_0cOyjgrkecHLgoUPnMvs2fu-yre107LY6Io/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-30+at+12.20.43+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="1570" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9CSHF9QYko5Jtaz6cuFKLLXQCAb1yBZKbYy36zMUjuoGvmmzytuLMbaRwxKvgoVCSLrylnlpSTozTgIthKBITFiM5n3n92zQ3gj8RAKUb_0cOyjgrkecHLgoUPnMvs2fu-yre107LY6Io/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-30+at+12.20.43+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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The inside of our quilt should look like this:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv4hUMHdn1avRlmFEmh93BQBertvo0xe1R6ihJ7CuUxugN8X7M7b76aoUc-ZnGbUn-savNNv9S28urf-qgOsrv90tFtYKRncADHV_f8q2t3aedpSOxUbeJAfA-9D4doydYDZaKSCjc_ak/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-30+at+12.23.07+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1068" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjv4hUMHdn1avRlmFEmh93BQBertvo0xe1R6ihJ7CuUxugN8X7M7b76aoUc-ZnGbUn-savNNv9S28urf-qgOsrv90tFtYKRncADHV_f8q2t3aedpSOxUbeJAfA-9D4doydYDZaKSCjc_ak/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-30+at+12.23.07+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Press with an iron and trim the outside of the quilt ready for the border sash.Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-19838102438874258122019-05-28T16:31:00.002+10:002019-05-30T14:26:08.351+10:00Foxy Four Patch Baby Quilt (Part 1)Sewing and crafting is such a rare occurrence for me at the moment.<br />
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My son was given the opportunity to go on a weekend camp through one of the NDIS providers. So out came the sewing machine, a quick visit to Lincraft on the way home and I was set for a weekend of crafty goodness.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2JwYYn1u4/" target="_blank"><img alt=" Fabric selection from Lincraft" border="0" data-original-height="1206" data-original-width="1206" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eht-S_74jrvyrsS2NLcNLELXCkwcL1vgatFIwUMZrHSr32sTXGDenqwIDSC1CfuZu0rmc2F_w98hlYrf0u400rSkMCA6bNGy547TUygxM-irKHKOogGa378FnCi6uNO8p593XSPEa2eI/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-28+at+4.16.50+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2JwYYn1u4/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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1 metre of the <a href="https://thesquareinch.ecwid.com/TSI-Fabrics-Quilting-Fabric-by-the-Yard-100-Cotton-Indian-Jungle-Collection-Red-Fox-Prints-p136888046" target="_blank">foxy fabric</a></div>
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2 metres of each of the greys</div>
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1 fat quarter of grey gingham</div>
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1x spool of grey thread</div>
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Here is the plan .... to make a four patch repeating block for a baby quilt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0FqJN3b_gjwqCqiszcbvRgDxw37NDj2fgfC8QCXGl9zf-svuEao-ycugBFVZ7tLW72Gbhr1wCSVG1cKo010FAycuPnaqNmNDTmgEIczwB5Yh4MIfzFz6CNqt3ydeYzidE-XjmEGgDWyp/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-05-28+at+4.15.20+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="1020" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0FqJN3b_gjwqCqiszcbvRgDxw37NDj2fgfC8QCXGl9zf-svuEao-ycugBFVZ7tLW72Gbhr1wCSVG1cKo010FAycuPnaqNmNDTmgEIczwB5Yh4MIfzFz6CNqt3ydeYzidE-XjmEGgDWyp/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-28+at+4.15.20+pm.png" width="368" /></a></div>
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Fussy cut the foxes out (the longest part of this process) and block each four patch with the darker grey.</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx3nMwJnJ_b/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1202" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvggx561sB3wwOLgFGOz3OaGRHpHwPuL3HNuLOh2faRN_spy4MUdsgTCOZwfNGa5-6M66tzEyR4xE16EeSmkbop8V-HyAXzCvDA8u8TfYK9AXRxAE4nSgwt2EboGKntrjg-D8WlouwvA88/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-28+at+4.21.41+pm.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx3nMwJnJ_b/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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I only had one fat quarter of gingham, so I had to use it sparingly. </div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2QUegHHK0/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1016" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg61LSJesYkeIlDApUafYn7YvMzT-_3DC1DzziN9f0RB_H0taEwIZiFoUqr32I46FOWJ7dEWvUCfNVpZxONe9yyvyK4WFPDQER06hVWo1VEiJ-UjZ5TIHdWPKJcnSnmJtWHbtx7shydZght/s400/Screen+Shot+2019-05-28+at+4.25.51+pm.png" width="393" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx2QUegHHK0/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-21262060472201569112018-12-30T02:25:00.000+11:002018-12-30T02:25:57.821+11:00Top 5 picks from the 2018 Top 100 #favequiltsI am chuffed to be <a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Quilts-For-Baby/Sixteen-Patch-Baby-Quilt" target="_blank">listed again in the top 100 quilt patterns on favequilts</a>. But I thought I would share my top 5 picks from the selection.<br />
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1. <a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Patterns-for-Quilting/Blue-Bargello-Quilt-Pattern" target="_blank">Blue Bargello Quilt Pattern</a><br />
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I love the mathematical feel of this quilt pattern and you could do some interesting things by playing around with the graduation and colours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRuBMF54oPk62_n6k086kbTpyFMc8Ei_xLJ4yiqgVIdvtfiTbJMZ2EoyTnJ5vbnaA3qs0SmiLWfsWHDNPm4M0hzPwGnARJJgwG-TgY9KysQ4rfLwjaJffPKOIwe2xg4A0PXhsBk9mrEeq/s1600/Blue-Bargello-Quilt-Pattern-2_Large500_ID-2107315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="330" data-original-width="500" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTRuBMF54oPk62_n6k086kbTpyFMc8Ei_xLJ4yiqgVIdvtfiTbJMZ2EoyTnJ5vbnaA3qs0SmiLWfsWHDNPm4M0hzPwGnARJJgwG-TgY9KysQ4rfLwjaJffPKOIwe2xg4A0PXhsBk9mrEeq/s400/Blue-Bargello-Quilt-Pattern-2_Large500_ID-2107315.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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If you love this, just check out her <a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Bed-Quilts/Rainbow-Bright-Bargello-Quilt" target="_blank">rainbow version</a> of this one!<br />
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2. <a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Art-Quilts/Full-Moon-Quilt-Pattern" target="_blank">Full Moon Quilt Pattern</a><br />
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I love this because for me it references star wars. Choose some strategic use of <a href="https://www.joann.com/search?q=%22star+wars%22" target="_blank">star wars fabric</a> and some appliqué this quilt would be loved by every fan!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2TRpw9DH5-HxAeQlLpPcfoFjpEMHOPRRTZSQYRRTvwOKiWF2lltY5Vet2WtGekBiscAVytHw5jCMT1r4sHp-6rbj1eIyLaJ7oTZCxl8wZpv7V4Vt5Mo6XM8j0tNBxD_ky7YioYQj1OCB/s1600/Full-Moon-Quilt-Pattern_Large500_ID-1350996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="669" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2TRpw9DH5-HxAeQlLpPcfoFjpEMHOPRRTZSQYRRTvwOKiWF2lltY5Vet2WtGekBiscAVytHw5jCMT1r4sHp-6rbj1eIyLaJ7oTZCxl8wZpv7V4Vt5Mo6XM8j0tNBxD_ky7YioYQj1OCB/s320/Full-Moon-Quilt-Pattern_Large500_ID-1350996.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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3. <a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Throws-and-Lap-Quilts/Four-Square-Free-Quilting-Pattern" target="_blank">Four Square Free Quilting Pattern</a><br />
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I just love the colours and the simplicity in this quilt. For me, it reminded me of the combinations of a 2x2 pocket rubiks cube.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS3CzdjLdidNExcX6clzx4XRvIBTKjvUTNdqpnkvWWQlqCnL1lqcxGgNHDYxuaGQgpnct1f5Gsry7C-xahZ0_o2TaHt-7i6lj0bSnMmJApU3uay70IBHvwekWatLU7vj6rtaGLB7lmZ92/s1600/Four-Square-Free-Quilting-Pattern_Large500_ID-901707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="472" data-original-width="500" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPS3CzdjLdidNExcX6clzx4XRvIBTKjvUTNdqpnkvWWQlqCnL1lqcxGgNHDYxuaGQgpnct1f5Gsry7C-xahZ0_o2TaHt-7i6lj0bSnMmJApU3uay70IBHvwekWatLU7vj6rtaGLB7lmZ92/s320/Four-Square-Free-Quilting-Pattern_Large500_ID-901707.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Segoe, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Bed-Size-Quilts/Perfect-Year-Half-Square-Triangle-Quilt" target="_blank">Perfect Year Half-Square Triangle Quilt</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Segoe, "Segoe UI", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">I loved this one because it was a sampler type quilt. There were lots of flying geese patterns but this one stood out as challenging me (I know how hard those pin wheels can be).</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkFWAXCswsuyG1eyZ4AyohGuoiG_vFCW9NvZW6wTCHHLljCJz8p23GwjC0gf5pQ9LymiB_g24ms_f2h76lYT9oNtzLYNw5C9gm3LAIt45cyIRoL189OkSl5RLjJPR5H2z_FPg68B_Ib51/s1600/Perfect-Year-Half-Square-Triangle-Quilt_Large500_ID-1706492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="500" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYkFWAXCswsuyG1eyZ4AyohGuoiG_vFCW9NvZW6wTCHHLljCJz8p23GwjC0gf5pQ9LymiB_g24ms_f2h76lYT9oNtzLYNw5C9gm3LAIt45cyIRoL189OkSl5RLjJPR5H2z_FPg68B_Ib51/s320/Perfect-Year-Half-Square-Triangle-Quilt_Large500_ID-1706492.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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5. <a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Twin/Marie-Antoinette-Triangle-Quilt" target="_blank">Marie Antoinette Triangle Quilt</a></div>
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I just love the idea of this triangle pattern and the accents throughout the quilt. Very sophisticated. Make sure that you check out her blog. Some beautiful quilts and ideas contained within!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJaFYXIgF5ZetHS5A9bVtieFkEVvqwlXoZV17TWJ7PRvTHEOg0hpgT3cZW8_Y4fMphNsD5XxBDltT8p_K2QDQKBV1dgcTchPJBegn9KnbS7lwWM-ZNaHyEo6g5-IZzanh_8hdJtpWExbB/s1600/Marie-Antoinette-Triangle-Quilt_ArticleImage-CategoryPage_ID-1180238.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="400" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJaFYXIgF5ZetHS5A9bVtieFkEVvqwlXoZV17TWJ7PRvTHEOg0hpgT3cZW8_Y4fMphNsD5XxBDltT8p_K2QDQKBV1dgcTchPJBegn9KnbS7lwWM-ZNaHyEo6g5-IZzanh_8hdJtpWExbB/s320/Marie-Antoinette-Triangle-Quilt_ArticleImage-CategoryPage_ID-1180238.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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These honourable mentions were quilts were too good not to mention.</div>
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<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Fall-Quilts/Road-to-Oklahoma-Quilt-Pattern" target="_blank">Road to Oklahoma Quilt Pattern</a>. Loved the way in which the designer used some simple patching techniques to create a quilt that looked complex and sophisticated.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Quilts-For-Baby/Strip-and-Flip-Quilt" target="_blank">Strip and Flip Quilt</a>. simple yet effective. I think that this pattern could be easily knocked up in a weekend. You could also use the idea to use up scraps by making a jelly roll length of fabric from matching colours for each graduation. </li>
<li><a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Fall-Quilts/Aztec-Charm-Pack-Pattern" target="_blank">Aztec Charm Pack Pattern</a>. Similar idea to the Oklahoma Quilt Pattern, take a jelly roll or some charm packs and experiment with basic blocks.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Summer-Quilts/Church-Picnic-Quilt" target="_blank">Church Picnic Quilt</a>. I love the idea of doing a cathedral window quilt, but not the hard work that is involved! </li>
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What do you think of my choices? Do you agree? </div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-13301465322520683742018-12-29T18:40:00.001+11:002018-12-29T18:40:15.387+11:00Society 6 Throw Pillows<br />
I have a few designs up on <a href="https://society6.com/konstantkaos/" target="_blank">Society 6</a> that you might like to check out. They have 30% off for new members at the moment which makes them $21 US.<br />
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<a href="https://society6.com/product/teacher-to-do-list_pillow" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSKhgT6joBQKFlLwtLnobbsOseyoxRBbgP41WK7GDFErdZuq58UfbMY_pKmbO5RFIExtNIJoXZHVbaMqouSfqx8AyP66tNj278iEcKoAVaLXGYx_jdL-BNNsd-uqUQK4YIrno8z-xfyLRV/s1600/teacher-to-do-list-pillows.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://society6.com/product/bouquet-yjc_pillow" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3B4RH46Ctm4_TIEJfD_y4wdaY6nI3cVQtHy1PYTgmYpET9O9jbUodNe9MAmXBhZiEgLIcybBWqkz0UJ70TngNN2Nl0KI-LfVx8VLAmrMrtp91AhRfojpeV-A-fzN1sxhhThCaW5VCD-q-/s1600/bouquet-yjc-pillows.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://society6.com/product/crime-scene-design-police-line-do-not-cross_pillow" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM47x_KADO4qMDUSx4tQv6r_HQ-V70o_TAN31KYND-mKijCuK51GWRIN_hLM6nIjfhjuyVh4HdJ6z_ZM2NEfAHuq8Ju1JfVRWFs1_SyjvlIjm3HuUIo5Epmy7ScQ7u0C6ayKFzk_FDH4EB/s1600/crime-scene-design-police-line-do-not-cross-pillows.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://society6.com/product/skeletal-love-black_pillow" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicc_yQ8pMPODQhmHfRXENfXrI1mzllbromN7XGrsdF4nJN6rnkgEUg9O-EzxuqTxz7lrN4LhRUt1ErtxmAaKw0Z-MpsHm0qiByfJg3PNEOh-FIa-9gtWEem6On7plQNKF__fAkZcp39My7/s1600/skeletal-love-black-pillows.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://society6.com/product/skeletal-love-vdu_pillow" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09-We4u0IvAHELxB0kJIF1XtRUB6qzqvTU8QbuteU5tLE0HcZp7DZN-xZwlwHfvZkMIPlybc_FitRSQmlew8lcp7ntyeDl7mLdnpN3WVVCetm3Q5yJiNIP1IMBy75L03PS0OXD8q_ZaQB/s1600/skeletal-love-vdu-pillows.jpg" /></a> <a href="https://society6.com/product/vrooom-2x2_pillow" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2fbjHbJ2HWhKBLPey_Kl63kB8efuonCebQB6W1I5AWgdpFzEaYWtM8PgXH_iZblE8jmt55wmdCdMkB6dECefNss2DeM6SnxisUITahrZfgozPS6Kkd8ZiFUvmologiM-75bXWb98Z9qD/s1600/vrooom-2x2-pillows.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-69200524918608388692018-07-11T15:45:00.000+10:002018-07-11T15:45:57.718+10:00Sixteen Patch Baby Quilt rides again!It has been a while between patchwork projects, but my <a href="http://alittlebitofkaos.blogspot.com/2010/10/jelly-roll-baby-quilt-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Sixteen Patch Baby Quilt tutorial</a> keeps on generating traffic for the web site and it looks like crafters are enjoying <a href="http://alittlebitofkaos.blogspot.com/2010/10/jelly-roll-baby-quilt-tutorial.html" target="_blank">the tutorial</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3EXXUxt2Zl0DH_LxpS15LYAlK0kqgZRZ21cXn36pgS-ShINghi-955ZKl4-skVOwSPJdpwPp9OPfjrOz3LkjhBfBR2iXY2UHEn9c4YGRqezD6U3_xuV-E21dnF08hYB5iZkWtOCShUmV/s1600/IMG_6129.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU3EXXUxt2Zl0DH_LxpS15LYAlK0kqgZRZ21cXn36pgS-ShINghi-955ZKl4-skVOwSPJdpwPp9OPfjrOz3LkjhBfBR2iXY2UHEn9c4YGRqezD6U3_xuV-E21dnF08hYB5iZkWtOCShUmV/s320/IMG_6129.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I recently received another email to say that the pattern was featured in FaveQuilts' collection of <a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Patterns-for-Quilting/Traditional-Quilt-Patterns-Free-Traditional-Quilt-Blocks">24 Traditional Quilt Patterns and Quilt Blocks</a>! Check out the great list of quilt patterns and projects.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIMQ_1O4yBs4nCKEBpIMTAJO_Z4mv-lE8R-1voWOABuoq3tI4jOI7_beUMBths9OFaOhhfSe7RQvJDUIXTyV8eM0V1xfkBGgXRLJL_7NHy94we_JdN9k9XS_Q_gin9LiGnXVYc4zg4tjd/s1600/FQ---Traditional-Quilt-Patterns-Main_Large400_ID-2816033.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="400" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIMQ_1O4yBs4nCKEBpIMTAJO_Z4mv-lE8R-1voWOABuoq3tI4jOI7_beUMBths9OFaOhhfSe7RQvJDUIXTyV8eM0V1xfkBGgXRLJL_7NHy94we_JdN9k9XS_Q_gin9LiGnXVYc4zg4tjd/s320/FQ---Traditional-Quilt-Patterns-Main_Large400_ID-2816033.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.favequilts.com/Patterns-for-Quilting/Traditional-Quilt-Patterns-Free-Traditional-Quilt-Blocks" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-52022147534443387052018-07-05T18:01:00.000+10:002019-10-17T14:31:06.274+11:00Patchwork Knitted Blanket IdeasDuring Term 3, the colder term, there is a little knitting clique that are knitting blankets for charity. Every week they get together to knit squares of 20cm x 20cm and they are hoping to stitch them all together at the end and produce a few blankets.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueJHlM0kQi0B3jUhUwgsCbgCH0v-mN2wNPrZE1bDSNlQOhHXyaWUh9I6UyFfqyN4PoT6EjEJBRawWwA6VJ5QLhe4RNX0GIl5QiUT5-MVdwkSLREjDw6NKlCRM6-MfgWHOzP5QXnXS0BeZ/s1600/knitting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueJHlM0kQi0B3jUhUwgsCbgCH0v-mN2wNPrZE1bDSNlQOhHXyaWUh9I6UyFfqyN4PoT6EjEJBRawWwA6VJ5QLhe4RNX0GIl5QiUT5-MVdwkSLREjDw6NKlCRM6-MfgWHOzP5QXnXS0BeZ/s320/knitting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BkfJfp3BtpJ/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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I am not a knitter at all, I seem to have better confidence and technique with a crochet hook than two needles. But I am giving it a go and I see it as an opportunity to learn a new skill. After all, we always need an extra craft project and cats are enjoying the fact that I have been sitting on the couch knitting while watching television.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ErjvQsLEtortoo3TxBgINSnERyWVmujZNuWoss687NHn8oSB_pjH0jD236jqR4jFG9T8-pk33me38ybUbQME2vubMq46FaGefLGi7jPBxD6DvuN7-F0gP_ct177wbIHgmWiLPIQCbmQu/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-10-17+at+2.30.01+pm.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="1078" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ErjvQsLEtortoo3TxBgINSnERyWVmujZNuWoss687NHn8oSB_pjH0jD236jqR4jFG9T8-pk33me38ybUbQME2vubMq46FaGefLGi7jPBxD6DvuN7-F0gP_ct177wbIHgmWiLPIQCbmQu/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-10-17+at+2.30.01+pm.png" width="317" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl5QG0FHoUS/" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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So here are some ideas that I stumbled across.<br />
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<li><a href="https://www.knitting-naturally.com/knitting-blanket-squares.html" target="_blank">Knitting Blanket Squares</a>, patterns for knitting normal garter stitch squares and other fancy types of knitting.</li>
<li>ABC Illawarra has a page on <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2007/05/18/1926872.htm" target="_blank">knitting squares</a> as part of a community initiative.</li>
<li>Love knitting has a <a href="https://www.loveknitting.com.au/memory-blanket-knitting-pattern-by-georgie-nicolson-tikki" target="_blank">free pattern download for a memory blanket</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://forum.knit-a-square.com/" target="_blank">Knit-a-square</a> is a worldwide organisation that makes blankets for vulnerable children in need.</li>
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Have you ever made a knitted patchwork blanket?Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-44222140932394957882018-07-03T18:05:00.000+10:002018-07-25T13:00:52.071+10:00The passing of VladamirI am absolutely shattered at the passing of Vladamir last Friday (29th June, 2018).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxRyQtMWbRqz_Z_-Zre6a1CQYSA7y67MAMQSs76L8tbOPqmz-nMjtNguEHkiK3yMjLg7-zMc7Uk9Bijjl6lQIF-gHLcG2cNM1TU0doHcwEqu5is4KdZusQJr0jd8ChaNt_AA3sDY_4wID/s1600/vladdy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="479" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBxRyQtMWbRqz_Z_-Zre6a1CQYSA7y67MAMQSs76L8tbOPqmz-nMjtNguEHkiK3yMjLg7-zMc7Uk9Bijjl6lQIF-gHLcG2cNM1TU0doHcwEqu5is4KdZusQJr0jd8ChaNt_AA3sDY_4wID/s400/vladdy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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After battling kidney issues for 6 weeks, it was time to say goodbye. My beautiful boy had deteriorated to the point where he was skin and bones and he was having difficulty swallowing.</div>
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But for the eight years that we had him, we had the best time. He was the most gentle of cats. Befriending anyone who arrived at our place, he loved to jump up on laps and make people feel very special.</div>
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He was so patient as well, especially with our special needs boy Nicholas. He could pull his tail, lift him up, throw him and he would still be gentle with him.</div>
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He was a rose between two thorns, our girl cats and he will very much be missed by all. </div>
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He is probably running around up there with Boris and Anastasia and having a grand old time.</div>
<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-62357865970406834122018-06-24T19:57:00.000+10:002018-06-24T19:57:25.774+10:00Noah GreenfeldThis is the first time I have come across Noah, I saw a link on the <a href="https://epiphanyasd.blogspot.com/2018/06/raising-expectations.html" target="_blank">Epiphany ASD</a> blog. Linked to the blog is a 60 minutes story about Noah's story.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2Lff0-K8hwE/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2Lff0-K8hwE?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
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For me, it is the first time that I have heard a parent in a similar position to us talk so candidly about what it is like to be a parent of a special needs child. </div>
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Most of the parents that I know are "card carrying" members of the Phelan McDermid army. Most have drunk the cool aid and have re-invented their lives to evolve around their special needs child.n The campaigns, t-shirts and positivity can sometimes be a bit too much for me, when I think about the impact that he has had on my hopes and dreams. Don't get me wrong, I love him to bits, but part of me died the day I found out about his condition.</div>
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Reading about Noah and hearing his brother talk about him has given me another opportunity to talk about what we are going through with Nicholas. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/30/obituaries/josh-greenfeld-who-chronicled-his-sons-autism-dies-at-90.html" target="_blank">Josh Greenfeld</a> was a successful writer and he talks about the impact of Noah on his life, his career and his family. I was very sad to read that he recently passed away, but I was glad that he took the time to share his story with us all.<br />
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His brother <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/07/books/review/Morrice-t.html" target="_blank">Karl Tao Greenfeld</a> is a successful author and wrote a book what what it is like to be a brother to a non-verbal autistic. "Boy Alone" outlines his journey and is the fourth book written about Noah. I often wonder about what is like for my daughter to have some of these similar experiences, to love a sibling that in effect won't return their affection in the same way. She is, in effect, an only child.<br />
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-53441753579692902442018-06-13T01:57:00.003+10:002018-06-13T01:58:40.943+10:00Weekend Respite<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The hubby and I stole a few days away in Sydney last weekend, by ourselves. No kids, no real commitments just both of us together. 2018 has been one hell of a ride so far and we both felt that we needed time to stop and recoup.</div>
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BexBCWohFXs/" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw0rbOPl8MhvzD5-DFj9H5rxbK9cz7CodCQGxQS7IeP0uFEssQ_4NWGRbOtkVjjekL_reJbuuI6a0URYlDrsObqXoBUSv9FdCCUL0hiCwK0TDIPfTqemBRAVwHXCLNej1MUpHAgFi2cHqs/s320/kidswalking.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sometimes as a special needs parent you tend to forget to look after yourselves. I'm back at work full time this year, so I don't have that quiet time on a Wednesday that I used to get. The plus side is that I guess my career is taken more seriously because I am full time (but that is a blog post for another day). Hubby is part time and taking over the primary caring duties. The role reversal has been interesting, along with the assumptions and statements made to me about this arrangement for our family.</div>
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As Tori gets older, we can see that in a few years time she will be wanting to get more independent, making her own way to school and back. She can basically take care of herself at the moment, she knows all the university food group basics; scrambled eggs, 2 minute noodles and toasted cheese sandwiches. She helps with the cooking and cleaning and is happy to bring the washing in when asked.</div>
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As she gets older, the irony is that Nicholas is getting harder to manage. He is still not toilet trained at seven years of age; despite working on it for the last 4 years. Still non-verbal, he can point to wanting a drink or something to eat, but there is not much "conversation" beyond that. He will "pinch" us when he is not getting his own way and he has started to show signs of frustration, but it is hard to reason with a 25 kg non-verbal seven year old. He is slowly developing, but it is a at a glacial pace. He still needs constant 24/7 supervision and a highly structured environment. In another life I would have two kids who would be learning their way to independence. But alas, that was not the card that was dealt to me.</div>
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And then there is the NDIS happening, which will probably happen at the same time as the NBN and cause us a whole world of pain.</div>
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In the mean time, we will try and grab respite whenever we can, be it 2 hours on a Saturday or a weekend away (which happens very very rarely). </div>
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Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-87080496169083503252018-05-25T01:15:00.001+10:002018-05-25T01:15:51.097+10:00Man it was MeanI've loved <a href="https://www.steveharley.com/" target="_blank">Steve Harley</a> and Cockney Rebel for as long as I have had my <a href="http://alittlebitofkaos.blogspot.com.au/2010/10/have-you-met-my-morris.html" target="_blank">Morris Minor</a>. A regular on some of the mix tapes and on my record player, a lot of the songs and messages are dated but the melody and lyrics are just fabulous.<br />
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As I rotate playlists through my smartphone, albums come and go and Steve Harley found it's way back onto the playlists before Easter.<br />
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When I went hunting, I was surprised to hear that Steve Harley is still performing (and alive!).<br />
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I came across this video, I hadn't realised that Alan Parsons put his golden touch on their first album!</div>
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One of my favourite Harley songs is Sebastian ... it is beautiful the way that the strings and harpsichord engulf you and carry you along on the journey.<br />
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<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-10691893308777938052018-05-21T09:06:00.000+10:002018-05-21T09:06:43.608+10:00But don't worry because NDIS will be here to save the dayThe NDIS is being rolled out in our area in September, 2018. The promise of a new land, a new landscape of disability funding is being touted. But until then, everything has come to a grinding halt. Any applications for equipment that we had in the works, such as Nicholas' <a href="https://www.secondskin.com.au/" target="_blank">stability suit</a>, has stalled; paperwork 'lost' in the bureaucratic nightmare.<br />
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But don't worry because NDIS will be here to save the day.<br />
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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BfUio6HBy-8/?taken-by=konstantkaos" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgygftixaU1EeVhqd7GFD_tRiP3JYpx-BDkB6uuKtT-DEAmlWKLlBGxkgRAHZxtSFwrSA1z2y5BrvmabEOHGUgJiMDrR7woE_LqFF5yXWhC98HV9iH8ZqmachST0EjxvZMKCTMASLhRA68/s320/Nicholas2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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My anxiety is building slowly for the NDIS rollout. Trying to stay positive is a hard act as I read articles about fellow <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-01/third-of-ndis-participants-feel-no-better-off/9716282" target="_blank">Phelan-McDermid suffers like Jonathan Gladstone</a> who has had his funding cut by 25% on his second-round NDIS application, people such as <a href="https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2017/august/1501509600/micheline-lee/art-dependency" target="_blank">Micheline Lee who have documented their struggles with the 'NDIS system'</a> and the <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/autism-advocates-blast-proposed-cutbacks-to-ndis-access-20180519-p4zgbf.html" target="_blank">NDIA flip-flopping</a> over their definition of what a disability entails. My anxiety levels are building.<br />
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I agree that we need to move to a more centralised method of funding. The funding landscape at the moment is a patchwork of services. Equipment funding through <a href="https://services.dhhs.vic.gov.au/nodestatewide-equipment-progam" target="_blank">SWEP</a>, individual respite through a variety of other providers such as <a href="https://www.alfredhealth.org.au/services/carer-services" target="_blank">Alfred Health Services</a> and <a class="" href="http://www.windamere.com.au/" target="_blank">Windamere</a> and other one-off services through both state and federal departments.<br />
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The NDIS will, from a governments point of view, streamline the allocation of funds. NDIS will theoretically give the power back to the family or person with the disability, but only if they can navigate the application and management process of the funding. Both my husband and I are university educated and we are finding the process complex and onerous; we feel for those families who might have English as a second language as they will automatically be disadvantaged by this process.<br />
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I guess this is where my anxiety kicks in. It might be because "us" as a family will have to manage my son's disability funding like a small business. Having separate banking accounts and strategies to manage funds in and out of his NDIS account. Perhaps it is the foreboding administrative pressure that we will endure that is kicking my anxiety into gear. Reflecting on how Centrelink has wrecked people's lives with false claims of debt, we worry about not "getting it right" and getting either short-changed or accused of misusing funds. At least with the current system, we know that once we get access to the equipment or service there is no question that it is needed.<br />
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So we are waiting and attending NDIS information sessions in a quest to find out as much as possible about the "system" so that we can get the most out of it.<br />
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<b>References:</b><br />
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Barbour, L., Borys, S. and Branley, A. (2018). <i>This is Jonathan, one of the thousands worse off under NDIS</i>. [online] ABC News. Available at: <a href="http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-01/third-of-ndis-participants-feel-no-better-off/9716282">http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-01/third-of-ndis-participants-feel-no-better-off/9716282</a> [Accessed 6 May 2018].<br />
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Lee, M. (2017). <i>The NDIS promised choice and control.</i> [online] The Monthly. Available at: https://www.themonthly.com.au/issue/2017/august/1501509600/micheline-lee/art-dependency [Accessed 6 May 2018].Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-53923669995521618872018-04-30T09:23:00.000+10:002018-04-30T09:23:01.350+10:005 inspirational hot water bottle coversHere are some gorgeous hot water bottle covers for inspiration if you are looking to create something for the <a href="https://www.opendrawer.com.au/hottie-cover-challenge" target="_blank">Opendrawer Hottie Challenge</a>.<br />
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<b><a href="https://knitted-patterns.com/knitting-for-home/4647-knitted-hot-water-bottle-cover" target="_blank">1. Fox knitted hot water bottle cover</a></b><br />
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If only I could knit!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBVaeawCT6UhZVtIpJmoMHf4n_54_IFyb5D0hUrWtn9J2M88WOCQw0zsxmgk9-zcf9ZN-ynMgKrO7Son3ggCHb-AOfnLVWPjFvrHjlHA9d4xVFssw0vhvO9JBBUhJ_3Dn6cJn37pXMg4K/s1600/m_044-1-228x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="228" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipBVaeawCT6UhZVtIpJmoMHf4n_54_IFyb5D0hUrWtn9J2M88WOCQw0zsxmgk9-zcf9ZN-ynMgKrO7Son3ggCHb-AOfnLVWPjFvrHjlHA9d4xVFssw0vhvO9JBBUhJ_3Dn6cJn37pXMg4K/s320/m_044-1-228x300.jpg" width="243" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://knitted-patterns.com/knitting-for-home/4647-knitted-hot-water-bottle-cover" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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<b><a href="https://pgwainbenn.deviantart.com/art/HTTYD-Transformer-Hot-water-bottle-492580306" target="_blank">2. Toothless hot water bottle cover</a></b><br />
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My daughter loves dragons, she would kill for me to make this hottie cover.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibONea-OaWbt0zEMfihgIob-f-iaPW-7oQtJB6thNZngDxELxl6pzpvLRDyjzf3cmlhjiOB4OQzQ_3e9JY7obMb1ZLDUxC1O9l1oR7bjx2u2cjZEjiqQ1ouB74Xvkl1SQ66pythSw0jQ5j/s1600/httyd_transformer_hot_water_bottle_by_pgwainbenn-d859pea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="676" data-original-width="491" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibONea-OaWbt0zEMfihgIob-f-iaPW-7oQtJB6thNZngDxELxl6pzpvLRDyjzf3cmlhjiOB4OQzQ_3e9JY7obMb1ZLDUxC1O9l1oR7bjx2u2cjZEjiqQ1ouB74Xvkl1SQ66pythSw0jQ5j/s400/httyd_transformer_hot_water_bottle_by_pgwainbenn-d859pea.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://pgwainbenn.deviantart.com/art/HTTYD-Transformer-Hot-water-bottle-492580306" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
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<a href="https://www.twigandtale.com/products/wild-things-hot-water-bottle-covers" target="_blank">3. Racoon handmade hot water bottle cover</a></div>
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Love these PDF patterns for hot water bottle covers, they have a lovely range. However, I haven't tested their patterns. The Sarah the racoon is my favourite!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZuMV8dxYA1cwFuz9jlEYMEtzUe0k-5rE8JjIaCqeobfKXdZeCPD1mstVHoeQBbKE4oZC8pCPDDRQ4W6DnX19SzzVCsooSuC_JMo5DiEaXy4YN3Slli1zCbkk0EN0b07sU2DdD-dhg6z7/s1600/Sarah-raccoon_1024x1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZuMV8dxYA1cwFuz9jlEYMEtzUe0k-5rE8JjIaCqeobfKXdZeCPD1mstVHoeQBbKE4oZC8pCPDDRQ4W6DnX19SzzVCsooSuC_JMo5DiEaXy4YN3Slli1zCbkk0EN0b07sU2DdD-dhg6z7/s320/Sarah-raccoon_1024x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">[</span><a href="https://www.twigandtale.com/products/wild-things-hot-water-bottle-covers" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">source</a><span style="text-align: left;">]</span></div>
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<a href="http://foxslane.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/lets-crochet-granny-hottie.html" target="_blank">4. Crochet Grannie square hot water bottle cover.</a><br />
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Foxes Lane has a great tutorial on making a Grannie-hottie.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IzLSQ1m7qtwaTRkGYFepdValFN_waz4yJnkFf70AtSsnurrDwV-a5Yl9sUgGnIf_w-2SzhmZxPcLbbJxFiyhIKDJM7yoanUn6d14BFrwcJElF-_KmgjDcaL-lMc649v_s6HjLuxIOJ9I/s1600/grannie+hottie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="740" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IzLSQ1m7qtwaTRkGYFepdValFN_waz4yJnkFf70AtSsnurrDwV-a5Yl9sUgGnIf_w-2SzhmZxPcLbbJxFiyhIKDJM7yoanUn6d14BFrwcJElF-_KmgjDcaL-lMc649v_s6HjLuxIOJ9I/s320/grannie+hottie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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[<a href="http://foxslane.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/lets-crochet-granny-hottie.html" target="_blank">source]</a></div>
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<a href="https://felt.co.nz/listing/160054/Hotwater-Bottle-Cover--Mushroom-House" target="_blank">5. Mushroom House </a><br />
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I love the feel of this hot water bottle cover.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolw6YpP2jBXyywRkEoKwN0b3CxcGYk7PwTLjV93KmFgp6A88emmqHgYSLmv_C8WptPlg6ITgZsiZ4kiBNQ4Adg4YBCvYp1V5CVLM7T-hSCVkGPCtUDIAWAq5hX8fDEuq5mgSi7Gd-6Dwr/s1600/mushroom+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="840" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiolw6YpP2jBXyywRkEoKwN0b3CxcGYk7PwTLjV93KmFgp6A88emmqHgYSLmv_C8WptPlg6ITgZsiZ4kiBNQ4Adg4YBCvYp1V5CVLM7T-hSCVkGPCtUDIAWAq5hX8fDEuq5mgSi7Gd-6Dwr/s320/mushroom+house.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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[<a href="https://felt.co.nz/listing/160054/Hotwater-Bottle-Cover--Mushroom-House" target="_blank">source</a>]</div>
Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-63389027297315824352018-04-18T15:35:00.000+10:002018-04-18T15:35:04.673+10:00Opendraw Hottie Challenge 2018It was welcomed news last night to see that <a href="https://www.opendrawer.com.au/" target="_blank">OpenDrawer in Camberwell </a>are holding another hottie challenge.<br />
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<a href="https://www.opendrawer.com.au/hottie-cover-challenge" target="_blank"><img alt=" OpenDrawer Hottie Challenge 2018" border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1600" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkbWT6tqo9aWsrz3o9KVNUkAkyRSpGcOrWkQQAdY0Waa2OFBJrYoM9md-r3Je4SVgWsnBTpwlCnYuxax55Hjzoa-Wx3kHi9os_PChDpASy2P_rSYhJUrqOXgSPuX5BwSN8limaBBg2YjgE/s320/Screen+Shot+2018-04-18+at+3.30.17+pm.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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In 2011 I participated in their <a href="https://alittlebitofkaos.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/hottie-exhibition-opening-night.html" target="_blank">Hottie Challenge</a> and I am seriously thinking of doing it again, it was such a fun process and event to be part of.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3jyE8M-AwIs-na1vNGwfq5hMUY6niSybtGMiXCdcLjPtNZ3FpTaKFSkLwYG-oEh9wIJhLxxOVbLzy8HLvx6bfkdY0GAoYuztEwfEMfDSlz0i-rpKNfMG4sbhHomJUZ7JkrAn18EohzrP/s1600/Close+up+of+Applique.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="455" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz3jyE8M-AwIs-na1vNGwfq5hMUY6niSybtGMiXCdcLjPtNZ3FpTaKFSkLwYG-oEh9wIJhLxxOVbLzy8HLvx6bfkdY0GAoYuztEwfEMfDSlz0i-rpKNfMG4sbhHomJUZ7JkrAn18EohzrP/s320/Close+up+of+Applique.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Entries have to be submitted by the 31st May and there is a $10 entry fee. Money raised will go towards <a href="https://sisterworks.org.au/" target="_blank">SisterWorks</a>, a non-profit social enterprise supporting women who are migrants, asylum seekers or refugees to become financially independent and happily settled in Australia.<br />
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So if you are interested in a quick crafty project this weekend, knock up a Hottie and support <a href="https://www.opendrawer.com.au/" target="_blank">OpenDrawer</a> and <a href="https://sisterworks.org.au/" target="_blank">SisterWorks</a>.<br />
<br />Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-950610514704668490.post-25198617614705703042018-03-31T13:31:00.001+11:002018-03-31T17:22:16.955+11:00Participating in Furious FictionBlogging was one thing that I really enjoyed at some point. I used it as a writing exercise, putting my thoughts down on paper and reflecting on things that I had made. When I was predominately at home it was an exercise that I did each morning. I’d sit Tori down in front of the TV and take my half an hour to do some blogging.<div><div><br></div><div>The last few years have been busy. I know that we tend to throw that term around a lot. Everyone is busy, engaged and consumed with their life. My downtime has changed from being a time when I could write and sew, to a time when I really need to veg-out and forget about the challenges that face me and my family. But I am going to try and change that around.</div><div><br></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img id="id_7bd3_46d5_3b3f_acf9" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQpD3PmJ6FCzz_2iRiW6M4BIhyphenhyphene7xJd3iDg-E7RxJxJZ-7vfVL1PQhtu70yXiaLqLD-PaTX7aKzZ8QgdeDvAuPjZMF-Rk8pYiuHhV1VrbhxEda5S6qS0uJe2dGaiHi6LXSCrbxSH3gRA_o/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 373px; height: auto; margin: 4px;"></div><br></div><div>I’ve been trying to participate in the “<a href="https://www.writerscentre.com.au/furious-fiction/" id="id_ff4b_814d_3762_1660">Furious Fiction</a>” challenge. I wouldn’t describe myself as a writer, but I do enjoy writing. So lets see if this monthly challenge brings back a bit more of the peace that I used to find in writing and sewing.</div><div><br></div><br></div>Margarethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06767582964487650597noreply@blogger.com1