tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16668742726173226862024-02-14T03:14:00.467-05:00So Chick! The BlogA blog for my handmade business, So Chick Handbags. Where I talk about my thoughts on fabric, sewing,designing sewing patterns, craft being a work-at-home-mommy and life as I know it. "So Chick!.. it's the everyday chic!"Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.comBlogger274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-10656115832022689682014-05-14T11:57:00.000-04:002014-05-14T11:57:19.880-04:00SoChick Embroidery {Put a Monogram on It!}<div class="MsoNormal">
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If you are following me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/sochickhandbags" target="_blank">Facebook</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/thesochickchick" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/thesochickchick" target="_blank">Twitter</a>... chances are you know what I've been up to. And if not, I'm about to tell ya!</div>
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We'll have been in Western North Carolina for a year now at the end of this month. When we moved I decided it was time to bring SoChick! Handbags & Embroidery back to where we started, with personalized embroidered gifts. While I have been making a few bags here and there, I am very excited with where machine embroidery is taking this little business of mine and look forward to growing in our new location.</div>
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When you visit our <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/" target="_blank">website</a>, www.sochickhandbags.com, you will find that it's been updated with a shopping cart, the ability to create an account and track your orders, as well as complete ease in ordering products with lots of options for personalization!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4OFFusatFQ_DIM9Z-_ln-J2ebbPoDTxFJidA7FJJs6shHhfLWDg80bHt7BGg2BYvxps-eWg5gmq7laDRCQnApNzNqXgTOITMxWYXFmmLIz9FtZpPcbE8GGgCDaJmN-T7mUjhjStCEDE/s1600/WebsiteScreenShot_SoChick.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4OFFusatFQ_DIM9Z-_ln-J2ebbPoDTxFJidA7FJJs6shHhfLWDg80bHt7BGg2BYvxps-eWg5gmq7laDRCQnApNzNqXgTOITMxWYXFmmLIz9FtZpPcbE8GGgCDaJmN-T7mUjhjStCEDE/s1600/WebsiteScreenShot_SoChick.JPG" height="358" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are our newest items:</div>
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<a href="http://sochickhandbags.com/Ladies-Monogrammed-Basic-Tee-LadiesBasicTee-Monogram.htm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGpLYeWUS4Y5LOrwl8yHsM-uhpCod7-ovadf-mH-Bo7WJQu_FLCus0wA1EQey3bh4SLAtDvJkXbTC-TiW8o-y_jQUHPg7N4BtILrdLmu0y5aK3ZyLd04NkGxvpN28S2TAQTazU5UdHvk/s1600/SoChick_BasicTeeMonoAd.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Ladies Monogrammed Basic Tee... a great gift idea for Bridal Parties!</div>
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<a href="http://sochickhandbags.com/Ladies-Monogrammed-Baseball-Cap-LadiesCap-Monogram.htm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xjs7Ze_XiN65n3zHFktVWiGMC876EELwNmiSOsopsulLNlDRwtMDGWt14On0bFqQsY-l4ADqf-bE6mRdM6tb3MV1MJrWmCoBse0fAcT28tMPK5HTPUV1DqyK3mSLHd7rbsH7IJejWeU/s1600/SoChick_MonogrammedCap_White2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Monogrammed Caps.. for beach, pool, golf, ... or bad hair days.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqw3pMdvgzsj2tpeNmaoscORWiYs_ATjqMLw7bNXxYMewU1gnpi7DP7-atZko9RnGTDJ6YcIVyjHpI2dWPPg_88CBgq2GPrxmZC4JGwaawP68mlgR5XNnELdKhYQ2XCExx0_W2zcJD3c/s1600/SoChick_MonogramStyles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzqw3pMdvgzsj2tpeNmaoscORWiYs_ATjqMLw7bNXxYMewU1gnpi7DP7-atZko9RnGTDJ6YcIVyjHpI2dWPPg_88CBgq2GPrxmZC4JGwaawP68mlgR5XNnELdKhYQ2XCExx0_W2zcJD3c/s1600/SoChick_MonogramStyles.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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Lots of Monogram Styles to choose from...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JCBahJawc3Z620w08GeopKKALVX8z9JQJ2ZITC5bHh0pJABwhCOFM2bOK0JwaVj8GOhmeIgyxBtl7HRT-E3kQVaRv8AFKgon0LlwfEroCAvG09K3Cd3qMXG4hdISml_oYtFxnYfT1aM/s1600/SoChick_Thread+Colors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6JCBahJawc3Z620w08GeopKKALVX8z9JQJ2ZITC5bHh0pJABwhCOFM2bOK0JwaVj8GOhmeIgyxBtl7HRT-E3kQVaRv8AFKgon0LlwfEroCAvG09K3Cd3qMXG4hdISml_oYtFxnYfT1aM/s1600/SoChick_Thread+Colors.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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... and lots of colors, too!</div>
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<a href="http://sochickhandbags.com/Anchor-Monogram-Ladies-Tee-AnchorMono.htm" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMrKYfZNzNW3JYM-t55CGdyH1wOG1jziLZypqejkieadzgmRuxCoeRr02mUHpgloMx_S21gkZYm2nLFHEm8KiZs3Mkjpzxwm2eo7MMrkdvaCCIFsVijVEUQmHbjTwZ77iAUWK2NRex_Zw/s1600/SoChick_AnchorPink.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
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Our most popular item is our Anchor Monogram Tee...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzLiEBaIwouxPCr-0e8eeYPBl46HMJN2zYenxv4LTKPgNgyMoedUWQ07q-DtDoR1LInOG0DkUCsP79Gtf1u4qTY-AWvIcP3fFvxxFNnBJ117ysM_su4SITViNQcK553BMgnb_1C8SELo/s1600/SoChick_AnchorOptions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzLiEBaIwouxPCr-0e8eeYPBl46HMJN2zYenxv4LTKPgNgyMoedUWQ07q-DtDoR1LInOG0DkUCsP79Gtf1u4qTY-AWvIcP3fFvxxFNnBJ117ysM_su4SITViNQcK553BMgnb_1C8SELo/s1600/SoChick_AnchorOptions.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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with three shirt colors and two monogram styles (circle or fancy) to choose from!</div>
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I invite you to visit our online shop to place your order today! Our ladies items are on SALE through May 20th!</div>
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See you soon!</div>
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*** Don't forget that we also offer local monogramming services as well as personalized embroidered baby gifts!<br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-69681166279285565092013-12-31T09:58:00.000-05:002013-12-31T09:58:20.806-05:00Happy New Year ~2014~<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Just a quick note to wish you all a most Happy New Year! I hope 2014 will be a wonderful year for you and yours.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">2013 was a year of change for our family; I hope to reach goals in 2014 that I had to set aside this past year. I look forward to 2014 being a year of growth. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I thank you, always, for reading this blog, supporting my business, and interacting with me via Social Media. Over the past few years I have made wonderful friends in the handmade business and craft world via Instagram and Twitter and I look forward to those friendships growing and making more!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Be safe and Happy New Year!</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-62250774197099765192013-10-29T10:09:00.000-04:002013-10-29T10:09:27.462-04:00Getting Ready. {Shop Re-Launch}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;">Just a quick little post to let you know I'm working on some behind-the-</span><span style="line-height: 18px;">scenes</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> stitching at SoChick, and will be re-launching the embroidery shop very soon... <i>how soon?</i> In time for the holidays!</span></span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></i></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-49591424109484283152013-10-15T11:43:00.001-04:002013-10-15T11:43:32.954-04:00A Nut-Free Dip Recipe {School Lunch v.1}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I enjoy packing school lunches for my girls every day... of course, this is mostly only enjoyable when I have planned the week's menu, which I normally do, and don't have to put much thought into lunches the morning of. An hour spent menu-planning on the weekend is totally worth it come 6:30am on any given weekday. <i>*wink*</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Here's a peek at some lunches I've packed recently:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Today it was Sunbutter & Jelly for the little chick (bottom) and Sunbutter & Honey for my 5th Grader, both on whole wheat bread; Carrots, apples, Rold Gold Pretzles (they are nut-free), and a Cocoa Crispy Treat. I put wax paper around the sandwiches to keep the insides from coming out and so that the bread doesn't get soggy from the fruits/veggies.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs_zVdmgPdlGwb8O-7xWj3UeQ1ilDdHe6eJTMlE_MeQyaDUWJzWDtf_kWp_AtQBgGBRuXtdhCQ3X0PHlQMmfFQAg7t9Z0q0UXlXr5nBU25e-DQ23wAOIXFHkz8Q2R4SOZ8MPNoT0rESA/s1600/SoCchick_Lunch2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJs_zVdmgPdlGwb8O-7xWj3UeQ1ilDdHe6eJTMlE_MeQyaDUWJzWDtf_kWp_AtQBgGBRuXtdhCQ3X0PHlQMmfFQAg7t9Z0q0UXlXr5nBU25e-DQ23wAOIXFHkz8Q2R4SOZ8MPNoT0rESA/s400/SoCchick_Lunch2.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This lunch included whole wheat waffles, that I had made over the weekend with my new waffle iron (<i>which i love and can't figure out why it took so long for me to buy one!)</i>, Apples, Cukes, Strawberry & Kiwi mix and Sunbutter Dip (See below for recipe).</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHQlTFoIYthuWPsqI1xeD4FS9m-gc3RX5EYRcXBbDbSdv_ULIC4Lsijto_lKH8ZbgckJXnyZOEiJ4_6uf4PvNz4KSPGtUFsdHDiDUbqzYcdie2sz3FHBrc_OV6hKmSPhljZzStLC0J3k/s1600/SoChick_Lunch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDHQlTFoIYthuWPsqI1xeD4FS9m-gc3RX5EYRcXBbDbSdv_ULIC4Lsijto_lKH8ZbgckJXnyZOEiJ4_6uf4PvNz4KSPGtUFsdHDiDUbqzYcdie2sz3FHBrc_OV6hKmSPhljZzStLC0J3k/s400/SoChick_Lunch1.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My youngest chickie goes to a nut-free school, so to make things easier, I just leave nuts out of both lunches and also don't include nuts in our breakfast so as to avoid cross-contamination. Some students have very severe allergies and I like to do my best to avoid anything that may affect them.</span><br />
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<b><u><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sunbutter Dip:</span></u></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This can be made with peanut butter as well. It's super delicious with graham crackers, apples, waffles, etc.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/3 c. Plain Greek Yogurt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Tbsp Sunbutter (or Peanut Butter if you're not nut-free)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 Tbsp Honey</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1/4 tsp. Cinnamon</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate unused dip. Enjoy!</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-27967175019099676932013-10-14T17:59:00.001-04:002013-10-14T17:59:20.772-04:00Embroidery and Zombies, Boo! {Handmade Halloween Fun}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Here's a quick post to show you the fun designs I've been stitching...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I found this <a href="http://www.planetapplique.com/all-appliques/i-heart-zombies/prod_1483.html" target="_blank">I Heart Zombies</a> design and knew my 5th grader would love it, so here's a shirt I stitched up for Halloween:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AD9ZNnVRjL8fj_Qb5AgV7posvqnRtfqOI-teosljYakaMALesLbBVdaTxm6gABoZKs0ELtpe3Vk-gBKEbo_KMtOOON0TCpVERGOSEGPeiZse8dclDoYj5rnvb36x162On2Eo8inXrUI/s1600/SoChick_ZombiesEmb2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AD9ZNnVRjL8fj_Qb5AgV7posvqnRtfqOI-teosljYakaMALesLbBVdaTxm6gABoZKs0ELtpe3Vk-gBKEbo_KMtOOON0TCpVERGOSEGPeiZse8dclDoYj5rnvb36x162On2Eo8inXrUI/s640/SoChick_ZombiesEmb2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I also have a friend who is a huge fan of The Walking Dead, so you know I <i>needed</i>... NEEDED... to make a shirt for her...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqwAreGcmJvRggKLusarenQb-BhUyW1-AU7DwRv0fV6Rt0AkPdXxW6jGfebfSCpSjtOWFKh4OFc5AmqcE8k_LrKaSmet87KiUBmo3ZqHPRn-EUeYdr5yhT-OOHuyCsmpk3idyW1P-t1M/s1600/SoChick_ZombiesEmb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbqwAreGcmJvRggKLusarenQb-BhUyW1-AU7DwRv0fV6Rt0AkPdXxW6jGfebfSCpSjtOWFKh4OFc5AmqcE8k_LrKaSmet87KiUBmo3ZqHPRn-EUeYdr5yhT-OOHuyCsmpk3idyW1P-t1M/s640/SoChick_ZombiesEmb.jpg" width="476" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And finally, because Zombies and human hearts may be a bit much for my 4yr old's Pre-K class, I stitched up a cute "BOO" Halloween shirt for her...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L_x35Nwme7-Sqdu8vPzV2L98DPlU0PcQx1qCX7gHFSBy_VFT6zIg0h-9UZV6OUxXjdlFBlLChTnv4m1-q4QoSLKmy-6hSEWU83UHR69Dm7ycl9vI-egSvklT0fj3bYHM3mTewPlwa6g/s1600/SoChick_BooEmb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-L_x35Nwme7-Sqdu8vPzV2L98DPlU0PcQx1qCX7gHFSBy_VFT6zIg0h-9UZV6OUxXjdlFBlLChTnv4m1-q4QoSLKmy-6hSEWU83UHR69Dm7ycl9vI-egSvklT0fj3bYHM3mTewPlwa6g/s400/SoChick_BooEmb.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm having so much fun; machine embroidery has always been a favorite and I love finding such awesome designs!</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-29207140022102339582013-10-08T06:30:00.000-04:002013-10-08T06:30:00.577-04:00Sew-Easy Criss-Cross Coaster Tutorial {Halloween Edition}<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFCUClfL6kRo7tdl8U_8TSxj1fuvr47RnvvLKn_mpKz1g0398h5RwY21j5MTrKXHmWcCfCMImfvWnwAJ_reeq8ZnFD0e0DJe81MiyIQ3CPsvVGK0V0aeQMhl6pVEz8ydFtoYRy6ijXDw/s1600/SoChick_HalloweenCoasters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFCUClfL6kRo7tdl8U_8TSxj1fuvr47RnvvLKn_mpKz1g0398h5RwY21j5MTrKXHmWcCfCMImfvWnwAJ_reeq8ZnFD0e0DJe81MiyIQ3CPsvVGK0V0aeQMhl6pVEz8ydFtoYRy6ijXDw/s640/SoChick_HalloweenCoasters.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's a sewing project that you can find all over a Google Search for "Easy Coasters to Sew" and "Coaster Sewing Pattern (or tutorial)". My Mother-In-Law has a set in her living room, which were gifted to her, which led me on my search in the first place; accompanied by the actual </span><i>need</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> for coasters in our living room. Once I made a <a href="http://instagram.com/p/dDPRgmxGLI/" target="_blank">set for myself</a>, I felt the urge to make a set for Halloween... <i>after all, it is Halloween Season, </i></span><i>right?!</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEYFJ23F678qk_A9Aw_YQgsIo4sZIBMtbLvT5Fc_ltN3JznxUziLAU_BPJRygd9r-ShyphenhyphenoVdGK65eiGt_6ekX3t2vQkEOxynGLHx2E61QceettYiCdzkPcDTb1hdcZj28SeVNnpzrJOs/s1600/SoChick_HalloweenCoasters2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEYFJ23F678qk_A9Aw_YQgsIo4sZIBMtbLvT5Fc_ltN3JznxUziLAU_BPJRygd9r-ShyphenhyphenoVdGK65eiGt_6ekX3t2vQkEOxynGLHx2E61QceettYiCdzkPcDTb1hdcZj28SeVNnpzrJOs/s640/SoChick_HalloweenCoasters2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;">Each tutorial I came across had slight variations for using an interlining on the bottom fabric piece of the coaster. Some chose batting; others used fusible web. For <a href="http://instagram.com/p/dDPRgmxGLI/" target="_blank">my first set</a>, I decided to forgo both, using only my fabric layers. So far, they have done an awesome job of catching condensation from our glasses of ice water (my youngest daughter being the ultimate tester as she </span><i style="line-height: 24px;">always</i><span style="line-height: 24px;"> has a glass of ice water which leaves puddles of condensation on my tables; these coasters have eliminated that completely).</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">I decided, though, that I like the cushy feel of the coasters when they do have some sort of interlining, so I decided to make the Halloween Edition with fusible fleece.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 24px;">Anyway, here you go:</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: orange; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Sew-Easy Criss-Cross Coaster Tutorial {<span style="color: orange;">Halloween Edition</span>}</span>:</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;">Materials Needed for <i>one </i>coaster:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;">- Six 4.5 in or 5 in charms of the fabric prints of your choosing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><i>(I cut 4.5 in squares from my spooky fabrics, also, I only had 5 spooky prints on hand, so I doubled up on two prints)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">- Fusible Fleece cut into four 4in squares</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">- Thread</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceyjGnH8B5uIb-zLn7sxlY4VIbn8dK_BldnqsTbYkRrpqggzcMAIAL1iBbsDsTkCzNOSH9TOw0qEej_iJhKMx8ldInvW2sAu8Ca5ud4mYvPNzOkspzD_0wvscgbiOJMQ7hH2-rgZ4MdE/s1600/SoChick_Coasters1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiceyjGnH8B5uIb-zLn7sxlY4VIbn8dK_BldnqsTbYkRrpqggzcMAIAL1iBbsDsTkCzNOSH9TOw0qEej_iJhKMx8ldInvW2sAu8Ca5ud4mYvPNzOkspzD_0wvscgbiOJMQ7hH2-rgZ4MdE/s640/SoChick_Coasters1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>Planning to make a set of Four Coasters to gift? You will need to cut four squares from he six prints you plan to use, for a total of 24 squares, plus four Fusible Fleece Squares.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span><span style="line-height: 24px;"><b>Directions:</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Fold four of the six squares in half, pressing the fold. </span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 24px;">Decide which of the remaining squares will be the base square of your coaster, and which will be the lining square (and probably not visible). Iron your fusible fleece to the wrong side of your base square. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Stack your base and lining squares with wrong sides together with your base piece (with fleece) on top.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrCoJWja60vI-A2Un4r6sn6ePUGYH5xqq9_PHJzj5zqAkf3SiAHn9CNr0ah4cKz0y4NQJPoo0TUtWyULyntkL4DIzmqlsSXx-cV6RHZl_nq_Wpwk06Vvv9vKFhrXfzkrPrsb1p4lkMpU/s1600/SoChick_CoastersTutorial3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrCoJWja60vI-A2Un4r6sn6ePUGYH5xqq9_PHJzj5zqAkf3SiAHn9CNr0ah4cKz0y4NQJPoo0TUtWyULyntkL4DIzmqlsSXx-cV6RHZl_nq_Wpwk06Vvv9vKFhrXfzkrPrsb1p4lkMpU/s640/SoChick_CoastersTutorial3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Next, place your first folded piece onto the base fabric, lining up raw edges and being sure that the fold is towards the middle. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsMzs34x6RXqSGqF52qxkOrCHKNgUWnTsGUtXGaUKqzzdw46N6AjKv-8zCqHTK_mUTQ4VaOOd31E4_91eDX-Zf7BKLEtdAHiHJOfpTHgma0voPKzH901XaS827hEjI6KmVGVtlgv9tP0/s1600/SoChick_CoastersTutorial4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzsMzs34x6RXqSGqF52qxkOrCHKNgUWnTsGUtXGaUKqzzdw46N6AjKv-8zCqHTK_mUTQ4VaOOd31E4_91eDX-Zf7BKLEtdAHiHJOfpTHgma0voPKzH901XaS827hEjI6KmVGVtlgv9tP0/s640/SoChick_CoastersTutorial4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Continue with the next three pieces, stacking and aligning each with the fold to the center and the raw edges lined up with your base piece.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;">With the final folded piece, you will lift up the edge of the fist folded piece and put the last folded piece beneath it... like so:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjzLvSUMQmvzI5stZOQz8rfhyjtHiAuQTZnFWCxoR95ZhTzuqlJx3eSQE5lfohkoQfT9J-QuwiIahEc41TFF1Q0BKe0roeRa0za88AThY6q_JXqsc9PdfrHblbSRE7JxciV9KBgXkwZM/s1600/SoChick_CoastersTutorial7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjzLvSUMQmvzI5stZOQz8rfhyjtHiAuQTZnFWCxoR95ZhTzuqlJx3eSQE5lfohkoQfT9J-QuwiIahEc41TFF1Q0BKe0roeRa0za88AThY6q_JXqsc9PdfrHblbSRE7JxciV9KBgXkwZM/s640/SoChick_CoastersTutorial7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;">Make sure all of the raw edges of your stack are aligned; </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">I then went ahead and placed a pin on each of the sides where the folded pieces overlapped, just to keep things from shifting.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">
<span style="line-height: 24px;">Now, sew around your stack, using a 1/4 in seam allowance. You will sew all the way around the stack. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Next, clip your corners (be careful not to snip the stitches)... </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">...and turn your coaster right-side-out through the center of the folded pieces. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX8iPmO8tIy1AYFltvXxfAX8nTp6HD-Z4qIS-gURztwcClQWlcwrVRtPKSIbR19WEaqMggcYChh3Y1BGuFYEkNjg-jg1h-LEUDfN_25r6E8fD6QSq88OsYy4GClaqntVjjC1CezvChYI/s1600/SoChick_CoastersTutorial11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXX8iPmO8tIy1AYFltvXxfAX8nTp6HD-Z4qIS-gURztwcClQWlcwrVRtPKSIbR19WEaqMggcYChh3Y1BGuFYEkNjg-jg1h-LEUDfN_25r6E8fD6QSq88OsYy4GClaqntVjjC1CezvChYI/s640/SoChick_CoastersTutorial11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Poke out your corners with the tool of your choice (<i>I use a mechanical pencil); </i>f</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">inish with a good pressing and, </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Voila</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">, you've made a coaster! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytjUxSiVnNgfEJBoWcPzGvS7w4PEcblq8R-sgHAfldClbQiRMgO5I_SCkrUcIXsq4fZc7wcp29t6YhjSqTbR5AjvTf8lglLrLOBlmN9at7uMlrvZjCOVbU8cyk0HpbvMFsr01lRhDMGs/s1600/SoChick_CoastersTutorial12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgytjUxSiVnNgfEJBoWcPzGvS7w4PEcblq8R-sgHAfldClbQiRMgO5I_SCkrUcIXsq4fZc7wcp29t6YhjSqTbR5AjvTf8lglLrLOBlmN9at7uMlrvZjCOVbU8cyk0HpbvMFsr01lRhDMGs/s400/SoChick_CoastersTutorial12.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> Now, go ahead and make three more for a complete set!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEYFJ23F678qk_A9Aw_YQgsIo4sZIBMtbLvT5Fc_ltN3JznxUziLAU_BPJRygd9r-ShyphenhyphenoVdGK65eiGt_6ekX3t2vQkEOxynGLHx2E61QceettYiCdzkPcDTb1hdcZj28SeVNnpzrJOs/s1600/SoChick_HalloweenCoasters2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhGEYFJ23F678qk_A9Aw_YQgsIo4sZIBMtbLvT5Fc_ltN3JznxUziLAU_BPJRygd9r-ShyphenhyphenoVdGK65eiGt_6ekX3t2vQkEOxynGLHx2E61QceettYiCdzkPcDTb1hdcZj28SeVNnpzrJOs/s640/SoChick_HalloweenCoasters2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I gifted this set to my friend Andrea, of <a href="http://keepinitthriftyandrea.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Keepin' It Thrifty</a>, along with this personalized mug rug that I stitched and machine embroidered...</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlckRdGlJoZ7DWjv2mlUxx6Qny0SibKC1Vzs889NjC9YGxAX5aeX547GD2B46bZHgXS3AbKbZeTuZlY5omSBDJvZTCl6Bwnrl4ZveqZpQfg_3WqKBvJ9EHz5nBQsfQRF7ujq0K5xpUXU/s1600/SoChick_HalloweenMugRug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtlckRdGlJoZ7DWjv2mlUxx6Qny0SibKC1Vzs889NjC9YGxAX5aeX547GD2B46bZHgXS3AbKbZeTuZlY5omSBDJvZTCl6Bwnrl4ZveqZpQfg_3WqKBvJ9EHz5nBQsfQRF7ujq0K5xpUXU/s640/SoChick_HalloweenMugRug.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">What a festive way to enjoy your coffee or beverage of choice, don't you think?! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Happy <i>{Halloween}</i> Sewing!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFCUClfL6kRo7tdl8U_8TSxj1fuvr47RnvvLKn_mpKz1g0398h5RwY21j5MTrKXHmWcCfCMImfvWnwAJ_reeq8ZnFD0e0DJe81MiyIQ3CPsvVGK0V0aeQMhl6pVEz8ydFtoYRy6ijXDw/s1600/SoChick_HalloweenCoasters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFCUClfL6kRo7tdl8U_8TSxj1fuvr47RnvvLKn_mpKz1g0398h5RwY21j5MTrKXHmWcCfCMImfvWnwAJ_reeq8ZnFD0e0DJe81MiyIQ3CPsvVGK0V0aeQMhl6pVEz8ydFtoYRy6ijXDw/s640/SoChick_HalloweenCoasters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-43890713658485816602013-10-04T10:10:00.000-04:002013-10-04T10:10:19.489-04:00{Friday} On My Mind.<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><i>I see a red tree out my kitchen window... this is the first time in a long time that I can recall seeing the leaves change and I love it. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">So, I was checking out my blog stats and posts the other day and realized a few things:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">- We have lived in <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/goodbye-beach-hello-mountains-yep-were.html" target="_blank">Western North Carolina</a> for 6 months now, four of which in our new home... time is flying by.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">- While time has been flying by, I've posted six times on my blog since moving into our new home... <i>what the heck!?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">- In the midst of "Settling" into our new place, new routines, new everything.. I've totally let my blog and passion slide, almost to the point of calling it quits. G<i>asp! I know, right?!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Lets talk about that last part...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Excuses, Excuses... that's what I've been feeding myself the past few months whenever I've had some brilliant topic to blog about. I've also convinced myself that no one wants to see my recipes or know about any of the Mommy stuff that I do, like packing lunches, home DIY projects, etc... because this is a sewing blog and all of a sudden anything that isn't sewing related isn't "good enough". <i>What is the deal?!</i> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I'm also going to confess that I now know first hand that comparison is the thief of joy... like all of those Pinterest pins have told me. When I'm not blogging I'm looking at everyone else's fabulous life via their blogs and Instagram and <i>freaking Pinterest</i>. <i>Which I love, by the way... have you seen my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/TheSoChickChick/recipes/" target="_blank">recipe board</a>? I'm on it daily, no joke.</i></span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Today I stop. Today I begin again.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I really freaking love where I'm at and what I do. I really want to share that with you, and while I have <strike>big</strike> <i>HUGE</i> dreams for my business and were I would like it to be one day, I'm going to embrace where I am now. Right now.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I love being a Mother to my daughters, I love being a wife and friend to my husband, and I love selling fabric, sewing, learning, creating, and everything that <i>SoChick!</i> is all about. So, I'm embracing my life as it is, bigger things will come for <i>SoChick!</i> in due time, but for now I'm happy with where my focus is, and finding that happiness and balance again has reignited my passion. Not to mention, I am so ready to get back to connecting with all of the awesome people I have met through blogging... <i>have y'all noticed how slack I've been in most social media platforms?! I miss you guys.. uh, gals.. and guys?</i></span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">No more excuses. Just doing, living and loving.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>Whats on your mind this Friday?</i></span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-36279765481583143642013-09-25T06:30:00.000-04:002013-09-25T06:30:03.323-04:00Ruffled Skirt with Appliqued Top {A Handmade Outfit}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I've been wanting to sew an outfit or two for my little chickies for quite some time, but am always hesitant; <i>garment sewing freaks me out a bit.</i> So, before diving into all of the pretty patterns and kits that I've collected, I decided to try out an easy sewing tutorial to make a ruffled skirt for my youngest chick... of course I made a matching shirt to go along.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">[The Project] </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Little Girl's Ruffled Skirt w/ Appliqued Tee</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>[The Skirt]</b></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pattern Used:</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I used Tanya Whelan's <a href="http://grandrevivaldesign.typepad.com/grand_revival_design/2007/10/ruffled-skirt-t.html" target="_blank">Ruffled Skirt Tutorial</a>, which I found on Pinterest. <i>I have also pinned the tutorial to my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/TheSoChickChick/sewing/" target="_blank">Sewing Board</a> on Pinterest.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Fabrics Used:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Appleville Village, in Chocolate, by Suzy Ultman, for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/118607611/tortoise-shell-coral-1-yard-salt-water?ref=shop_home_active" target="_blank">Tortoise Shell Coral</a>, Saltwater by Tula Pink for Westminster.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4moKcl0tPryCySllP-3Rro38AfeylDRDcaLZMX0EoeYW0MnKznH68xoo0EzqBBeagYuFZbE8PfJCAITiM36HLxf8Bvs8UztoyFOVhLr93vUiJ5QYM8CdoKvsk-k1sA8ZzBd8J3xil0nc/s1600/SoChick_RuffleSkirt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4moKcl0tPryCySllP-3Rro38AfeylDRDcaLZMX0EoeYW0MnKznH68xoo0EzqBBeagYuFZbE8PfJCAITiM36HLxf8Bvs8UztoyFOVhLr93vUiJ5QYM8CdoKvsk-k1sA8ZzBd8J3xil0nc/s640/SoChick_RuffleSkirt1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[I love being able to keep my iPad open on the table while I work on a project!]</span></div>
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[Pieces cut]</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPcmB9XQzPR4qUieHjk4az1ENWojyse3eRBtfNzogSyBjikelZ5dEF0L4ouxOFw9-6tI6gxcpKbxE9sIbXj7RRRc37OhK3nT8aJwrsBkxcCuD9c0OnQqwr1ng9NzQYqus8vpUrHca7QU/s1600/SoChick_RuffleSkirt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiPcmB9XQzPR4qUieHjk4az1ENWojyse3eRBtfNzogSyBjikelZ5dEF0L4ouxOFw9-6tI6gxcpKbxE9sIbXj7RRRc37OhK3nT8aJwrsBkxcCuD9c0OnQqwr1ng9NzQYqus8vpUrHca7QU/s1600/SoChick_RuffleSkirt3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[First Steps complete]</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bR5y1kCf-tFnvg2LyHaUYo0B8Q3hRDBVHSxEZzjHc1DOTj6Ta6JY9rEe-s2JhtRLhKrwUvy8eoRtNVgIiywqhpChJvlSNuHs28XCZmj-3KpytP8pn2fmTD5171eSd-7RETnFrsDUQ1g/s1600/SoChick_RuffleSkirt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bR5y1kCf-tFnvg2LyHaUYo0B8Q3hRDBVHSxEZzjHc1DOTj6Ta6JY9rEe-s2JhtRLhKrwUvy8eoRtNVgIiywqhpChJvlSNuHs28XCZmj-3KpytP8pn2fmTD5171eSd-7RETnFrsDUQ1g/s1600/SoChick_RuffleSkirt4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[Finished w/ elastic in the waist and hemmed]</span></div>
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><b>[The Shirt]</b></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Embroidery Machine Used:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Singer Futura CE-150</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Embroidery Design:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><a href="http://www.planetapplique.com/all-appliques/bella-frame-applique/prod_216.html" target="_blank">Bella</a> Frame Applique from <a href="http://planetapplique.com/">PlanetApplique.com</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Monogram from my Singer Software</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Supplies:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Thread: Floriani & Isacord polyester embroidery thread</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Stabilizer: Floriani Fusible Mesh & Oesd lightweight tear away</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Fabrics: Same as I used in the skirt</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">White Tee from Target</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0LgJ2fwUk6KM85TBBeJRBcn3Bq43WQVmnmA96Gm4ZiqK-ec3FJgTGyHJNzsl103FwzFTw9jFAcbPoMoAl3Gwjc60a5cBD-j02JE4C_YUSKFC_jTL3Mn3G3HUFq2_mYZxwYnX3bwXc3A/s1600/SoChick_BellaFrame1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0LgJ2fwUk6KM85TBBeJRBcn3Bq43WQVmnmA96Gm4ZiqK-ec3FJgTGyHJNzsl103FwzFTw9jFAcbPoMoAl3Gwjc60a5cBD-j02JE4C_YUSKFC_jTL3Mn3G3HUFq2_mYZxwYnX3bwXc3A/s640/SoChick_BellaFrame1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[Hooped & stitching]</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcb0BYYPJvxYgtJaUuxPxIJ33_GHhNqXGSI0SPEc-rGpsQvXehkNQlJyrXYYiyhROOVTU6jTp8Aq2h_cAJCAt7INMdsfHE_1r3PPgHuHKU2Dsehe5qg2l9N_1N0ji4GKXfmUQ7-xDZUs/s1600/SoChick_BellaMonogram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcb0BYYPJvxYgtJaUuxPxIJ33_GHhNqXGSI0SPEc-rGpsQvXehkNQlJyrXYYiyhROOVTU6jTp8Aq2h_cAJCAt7INMdsfHE_1r3PPgHuHKU2Dsehe5qg2l9N_1N0ji4GKXfmUQ7-xDZUs/s1600/SoChick_BellaMonogram.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">[With Monogram and trimmed]</span></div>
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<b style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">[The Verdict]</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">This outfit was </span><i style="line-height: 24px;">sew</i><span style="line-height: 24px;"> fast, easy and fun!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZiCQrXwvhGN4Ezvbj3CdC07EECP17X4nNIbUHwJo8Z4raCUBZ6AtUfusdL4Ye2owLlsMxBAFKw1UgpYcHbTsEsSftBjacvn6OzAOH_ZM8t34I5_SCG5vtoS59GC3QSOKuTDUEb8y5RI/s1600/SoChick_HandmadeRuffleSkirt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZiCQrXwvhGN4Ezvbj3CdC07EECP17X4nNIbUHwJo8Z4raCUBZ6AtUfusdL4Ye2owLlsMxBAFKw1UgpYcHbTsEsSftBjacvn6OzAOH_ZM8t34I5_SCG5vtoS59GC3QSOKuTDUEb8y5RI/s640/SoChick_HandmadeRuffleSkirt4.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I quickly stitched the skirt while my little chickie was at preschool, on an abbreviated schedule, meaning I got the skirt cut and sewn within two hours!!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bR5y1kCf-tFnvg2LyHaUYo0B8Q3hRDBVHSxEZzjHc1DOTj6Ta6JY9rEe-s2JhtRLhKrwUvy8eoRtNVgIiywqhpChJvlSNuHs28XCZmj-3KpytP8pn2fmTD5171eSd-7RETnFrsDUQ1g/s1600/SoChick_RuffleSkirt4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1bR5y1kCf-tFnvg2LyHaUYo0B8Q3hRDBVHSxEZzjHc1DOTj6Ta6JY9rEe-s2JhtRLhKrwUvy8eoRtNVgIiywqhpChJvlSNuHs28XCZmj-3KpytP8pn2fmTD5171eSd-7RETnFrsDUQ1g/s1600/SoChick_RuffleSkirt4.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I completed the Tee in one evening; using my embroidery software's font feature, I was able to put little chick's Monogram within the Bella Frame Applique design.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcb0BYYPJvxYgtJaUuxPxIJ33_GHhNqXGSI0SPEc-rGpsQvXehkNQlJyrXYYiyhROOVTU6jTp8Aq2h_cAJCAt7INMdsfHE_1r3PPgHuHKU2Dsehe5qg2l9N_1N0ji4GKXfmUQ7-xDZUs/s1600/SoChick_BellaMonogram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXcb0BYYPJvxYgtJaUuxPxIJ33_GHhNqXGSI0SPEc-rGpsQvXehkNQlJyrXYYiyhROOVTU6jTp8Aq2h_cAJCAt7INMdsfHE_1r3PPgHuHKU2Dsehe5qg2l9N_1N0ji4GKXfmUQ7-xDZUs/s1600/SoChick_BellaMonogram.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I love the way this outfit turned out and the colors are perfect for fall. We will add tights and a cardigan for chilly fall days.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTVbxH0OAvchUAezfrnoh9cy4QUBeQk1T0Xqk-DGe21N_vuBCi4XOHQQ1z8QBNAniOvVeHj2a7YIGnhRvcRiMHp20MWEJwEVfdX2Gw0fS81UH2MZDfuTqrb6ydUANiFblZ1SKYDef3dM/s1600/SoChick_HandmadeRuffleSkirt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTVbxH0OAvchUAezfrnoh9cy4QUBeQk1T0Xqk-DGe21N_vuBCi4XOHQQ1z8QBNAniOvVeHj2a7YIGnhRvcRiMHp20MWEJwEVfdX2Gw0fS81UH2MZDfuTqrb6ydUANiFblZ1SKYDef3dM/s640/SoChick_HandmadeRuffleSkirt2.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">I think it's safe to say that my little chick loves this outfit, too, because she has worn it several times since I've made it. Success!</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvzOaIPOakAOCbem6G1C1YlWetsEvqDXIpaBVQw0Dig_kzQCZq2AXqYSlKT0uFvnolc3sjJzAvgkcMC0iCy7V4mqPOgnWo-YVM6_VIRJZgojp8iUYNAAI49FZLMXJcyu1EI_qZzI2xmc/s1600/SoChick_HandmadeRuffleSkirt3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvzOaIPOakAOCbem6G1C1YlWetsEvqDXIpaBVQw0Dig_kzQCZq2AXqYSlKT0uFvnolc3sjJzAvgkcMC0iCy7V4mqPOgnWo-YVM6_VIRJZgojp8iUYNAAI49FZLMXJcyu1EI_qZzI2xmc/s640/SoChick_HandmadeRuffleSkirt3.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>I have Tanya Whelan's book, Sew What You Love, and I like her quick and easy-to-sew patterns. Have you visited Tanya Whelan's website? Have you seen her book? Let me know if you try this Ruffled Skirt Tutorial!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>You can find Tula Pink's SaltWater Collection in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/SoChickHandbags" target="_blank">Esty Shoppe</a>.</i></span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-12354667818651013602013-09-16T06:30:00.000-04:002013-09-16T06:30:03.034-04:00Ready for Fall, Almost. {Weekend Wrap-Up}<div class="MsoNormal">
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Tell me the truth... have you had a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks? I'll let you in on a not-so-secret secret... I have not. Ha! What <i>have</i> I been up to, you wonder? Well...</div>
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I turned 30 last weekend, so I've been Thirty for a week and two days... I have to say, it's not feeling much different than the past few years. The kicker may be that both of my girls are now in school, well, the youngest is in Pre-K, but, still... I now <i>(for the first time since starting SoChick!) </i>have actual, dedicated, work time during the day! <i>Yay!</i></div>
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So, back to this weekend's wrap up... I may not have had Pumpkin Spice anything from Starbucks, but I did enjoy a homemade pumpkin spice coffee at home, in my new mug, which I picked up at World Market with my $10 Birthday Coupon!! <i>(Along with the pretty new earrings shown) </i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTFYkGbE3r0vX0rObmznlN2nCLp7cm5vpB2gUiHjRMuZ2KZh6gVQVcLbqHEFtHoH_bQl7pliq4jZU_1BFHrEcCb3WvsNyZjzGtmIn1nyDJihZkQ3eMBEoJadf_6rrG_Y0eU0lEMHW_Aw/s1600/SoChick_BirthdayMug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTFYkGbE3r0vX0rObmznlN2nCLp7cm5vpB2gUiHjRMuZ2KZh6gVQVcLbqHEFtHoH_bQl7pliq4jZU_1BFHrEcCb3WvsNyZjzGtmIn1nyDJihZkQ3eMBEoJadf_6rrG_Y0eU0lEMHW_Aw/s640/SoChick_BirthdayMug.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's how I made my Pumpkin Spice Coffee:</div>
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- One mug fresh brewed coffee, I use World Market's Breakfast Blend.</div>
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- A drizzle of pure maple syrup</div>
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- A dash of Pumpkin Pie Spice</div>
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- A splash of organic 1/2 & 1/2</div>
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I know you love my exact measuring... <i>*wink*</i></div>
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We spent the weekend enjoying the company of some wonderful friends of ours who were out this way from the coast. It was a short and sweet visit, but we were so, so glad to see them!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWiXrK5CsBN4s0vqIp8JAQ7Izx6ecC_6jr_6VP3juWfnE-LlS_BiQhwHKV37XjIsXUavTdWGMhIuk-xcob6pSt91D1l08SNx5p476VO-ofk5Ip6_dDfgT0IKXXEadCJVLdpcUP0Ea9WU/s1600/SoChick_FallWreath13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirWiXrK5CsBN4s0vqIp8JAQ7Izx6ecC_6jr_6VP3juWfnE-LlS_BiQhwHKV37XjIsXUavTdWGMhIuk-xcob6pSt91D1l08SNx5p476VO-ofk5Ip6_dDfgT0IKXXEadCJVLdpcUP0Ea9WU/s1600/SoChick_FallWreath13.jpg" /></a></div>
Lastly, because it's been quite brisk here in the Mountains the past few mornings, I decided it was time to put up a fall wreath on our door. Of course, since we are in a new home, I thought it'd be nice to update my <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2011/11/weekend-wrap-up-trunk-show-photoshoot.html" target="_blank">previous wreath</a>, using supplies I had on hand. I'm very happy with how it came out <i>and</i> very glad to have used the brown satin ribbon I've been holding on to for years! <i>I swear, years!</i><br />
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I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and I hope to have more to share, very soon!<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-68408170768521896572013-08-20T07:00:00.000-04:002013-08-20T07:00:08.360-04:00Girl's Room Makeover {A DIY Project}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">While my girls were away to the beach this summer, <i>lucky kids</i>, I decided to give our eldest a surprise room-makeover. My goal for this makeover was to ultimately create a space that she could: easily keep tidy/organized, have room to hang out with her friends, quietly do her homework (away from her little sister) and read, etc. The girls shared a bedroom for the past two years, so this was a nice way to celebrate her having her own bedroom.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3myk1CkLYBu3xm4jZN4xNUpMbyOImQ4QkXv3Pv_SNTBnbU3MDDmBHCg3VJpHiRM-FrTO_7zKAGMR7nTbbnTtzZ4XF62pWw_ak0sphbxePSmpIxkz6gY088e-qF3099039GuJkf5uSvcU/s1600/SoChick_RoomDIY_Full2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3myk1CkLYBu3xm4jZN4xNUpMbyOImQ4QkXv3Pv_SNTBnbU3MDDmBHCg3VJpHiRM-FrTO_7zKAGMR7nTbbnTtzZ4XF62pWw_ak0sphbxePSmpIxkz6gY088e-qF3099039GuJkf5uSvcU/s640/SoChick_RoomDIY_Full2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Previously, my chickie and I sat down to pin some inspiration to a <a href="http://pinterest.com/TheSoChickChick/girls-room/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a>, so I had an idea of what she was wanting the room to look like. I also kept the budget for this makeover super low, using items we already had and chalk painting a desk (which I got for free a few years ago). The only purchases I made were:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1 gallon flat paint for the walls</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">2 paint samples containers for the desk (though I only used 1) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1 can of Minwax furniture wax (which will last the rest of my life, I'm sure)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">1 package plaster of paris</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Desk Lamp base</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Lamp Shade</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Clear drawer pulls, for desk</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Alrighty, here are the pictures & details:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPMU2bQY-jD0UpYVMdoXOt9klkq2mP4ecUaJLWPt90hKE4fHIpXi6vdRcGxiz0SVMXfyQKU1-xnHo2A04Vzzz44j2lY6IKqWoD3e_BXIgC5e0_-Vu1GRRlgesfN05s-VWoANTqQyuUCg/s1600/SoChick_RoomDIY_Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPMU2bQY-jD0UpYVMdoXOt9klkq2mP4ecUaJLWPt90hKE4fHIpXi6vdRcGxiz0SVMXfyQKU1-xnHo2A04Vzzz44j2lY6IKqWoD3e_BXIgC5e0_-Vu1GRRlgesfN05s-VWoANTqQyuUCg/s640/SoChick_RoomDIY_Before.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Kind of a "During" shot... but you get the idea, lots of junk and beige walls. I painted the entire room in one day, did the desk DIY the second day; put the room together the third day.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Galeforce BTN'; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b>{Desk DIY}</b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Galeforce BTN'; font-size: large; line-height: 18px;"><span style="color: magenta;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I used a chalk paint recipe that my Stepmom found somewhere on Pinterest, the same recipe I used on the shelves in <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2012/11/weekend-wrap-up-and-more-diy-food.html" target="_blank">this bathroom makeover</a> from our old house.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b><u><i>Chalk Paint Recipe:</i></u></b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>- Plastic Container for mixing.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>- Plaster of Paris</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>- Interior Flat Paint </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>- Water</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Mark lines on the side of the plastic container to divide it into four equal parts. Add Plaster of Paris to the first line. Mix in an equal amount of water to make the Plaster of Paris smooth, it should still measure to the first line. Stir in the paint, to the top line. </i> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I painted four coats of Homemade Chalk Paint onto the desk, not including the drawers, lightly sanding after each coat. After the final sanding, I wiped down the desk and applied Minwax furniture wax to the entire desk, again, not working on the drawers, and polished.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgHWhSlSxocxbNSniWZiEzJ9LvQVBwJbxf0r6Qzr3Yo_6ze3zgvVoOIvJ3gBov_kJ-hBgypTR4k_4Mx5QZnyqWHlU0jo_aokl3Q42t4wkyJiMNHSSMM-wObNyI5Ag3jBrpc664yRE1Qc/s1600/SoChick_RoomDIY_DeskDrawers1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKgHWhSlSxocxbNSniWZiEzJ9LvQVBwJbxf0r6Qzr3Yo_6ze3zgvVoOIvJ3gBov_kJ-hBgypTR4k_4Mx5QZnyqWHlU0jo_aokl3Q42t4wkyJiMNHSSMM-wObNyI5Ag3jBrpc664yRE1Qc/s640/SoChick_RoomDIY_DeskDrawers1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Galeforce BTN'; line-height: 18px;">I chose to modge-podge fabric to the front of the drawers, picking colors that matched the room. I pressed and trimmed the fabric to fit the front of each drawer, leaving a slight overlap so I could fold it around the drawer front. I used Elmer's Spray Adhesive to adhere the fabric to the drawer fronts, being sure to smooth all bubbles. I then applied two coats of Modge Podge to seal the fabric.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYKvCANDb9u1LhsMdKhyphenhyphen_Gr39gTuZnvh5Q93AxIup5fU0dH2gTc7LMWp6YqZQLy7o6Zo8I3kZZZRoDpySAlAVzSjtkurKmnteu-_AGF8Sc6rD9AVNcS3-TeAIvZe51D3579zIt_Lc7E4/s1600/SoChick_RoomDIY_Desk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZYKvCANDb9u1LhsMdKhyphenhyphen_Gr39gTuZnvh5Q93AxIup5fU0dH2gTc7LMWp6YqZQLy7o6Zo8I3kZZZRoDpySAlAVzSjtkurKmnteu-_AGF8Sc6rD9AVNcS3-TeAIvZe51D3579zIt_Lc7E4/s640/SoChick_RoomDIY_Desk2.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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I used a drill to drill through the fabric into the original holes on the drawers, then put on the new drawer pulls.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WRQqsSRrFgeIrpmnd4hAuO78VzyLjFy-W9dpbHJd1c83FsbEUHWM1QbUF7sleFISfmsZJjuuAvRtiXtUaF8Mlu2uZCtZAW0qAzA2ZxJ3mD4xBjXPyyc7oYr8eqp-H4G7odHpGiHP85Q/s1600/SoChick_RoomDIY_Desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4WRQqsSRrFgeIrpmnd4hAuO78VzyLjFy-W9dpbHJd1c83FsbEUHWM1QbUF7sleFISfmsZJjuuAvRtiXtUaF8Mlu2uZCtZAW0qAzA2ZxJ3mD4xBjXPyyc7oYr8eqp-H4G7odHpGiHP85Q/s640/SoChick_RoomDIY_Desk.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Galeforce BTN; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">{Ta Da!}</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4b7J8cTprppQLZGA8wxxT3fci3L2Q-y03lCu_LRLpDeBm_Lky9FtGvgcOe4w2SM8jXdf42kuJ_9tDBVItHxhJSMVrEBhM5AHuCqym5J15JnRvobtGUKueN3-z-vu5N9mrUw5939jmbg/s1600/SoChick_RoomDIY_Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4b7J8cTprppQLZGA8wxxT3fci3L2Q-y03lCu_LRLpDeBm_Lky9FtGvgcOe4w2SM8jXdf42kuJ_9tDBVItHxhJSMVrEBhM5AHuCqym5J15JnRvobtGUKueN3-z-vu5N9mrUw5939jmbg/s640/SoChick_RoomDIY_Full.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobWCN0lt3ftQxZh_fopYspoQCT8yleVVzjL6LTkLs1gbM_LdOza3HoVC2w6xw4FkUaT5yLB8ftvT0ahvWUUA3JtvifSPxcm37Bss-6g1XEGuHPK0w06JWOLdb1rJlkQiEShbWl7ou7Y8/s1600/SoChick_RoomDIY_Dresser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobWCN0lt3ftQxZh_fopYspoQCT8yleVVzjL6LTkLs1gbM_LdOza3HoVC2w6xw4FkUaT5yLB8ftvT0ahvWUUA3JtvifSPxcm37Bss-6g1XEGuHPK0w06JWOLdb1rJlkQiEShbWl7ou7Y8/s640/SoChick_RoomDIY_Dresser.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
We have artwork and photos to hang on the wall at some point. Not pictured, is the wall space to the left of the foot of the bed, where we have her gymnastics memorabilia hanging.<br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPMU2bQY-jD0UpYVMdoXOt9klkq2mP4ecUaJLWPt90hKE4fHIpXi6vdRcGxiz0SVMXfyQKU1-xnHo2A04Vzzz44j2lY6IKqWoD3e_BXIgC5e0_-Vu1GRRlgesfN05s-VWoANTqQyuUCg/s1600/SoChick_RoomDIY_Before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFPMU2bQY-jD0UpYVMdoXOt9klkq2mP4ecUaJLWPt90hKE4fHIpXi6vdRcGxiz0SVMXfyQKU1-xnHo2A04Vzzz44j2lY6IKqWoD3e_BXIgC5e0_-Vu1GRRlgesfN05s-VWoANTqQyuUCg/s400/SoChick_RoomDIY_Before.jpg" width="400" /></a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: black; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIsh2tQrUw1vUze2ExWZlz3taEVi3DPun9VdNw-9z8McChzpWXdwN5CTdrP5AOGU6zmAGcXBrI0AtPwuLEmRLGkmaBcXxh6q2l_WGN6Km-97XqP4VOnjgrRUG9_tWTBXH8q0j88dAKjU/s1600/SoChick_RoomDIY_After.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIsh2tQrUw1vUze2ExWZlz3taEVi3DPun9VdNw-9z8McChzpWXdwN5CTdrP5AOGU6zmAGcXBrI0AtPwuLEmRLGkmaBcXxh6q2l_WGN6Km-97XqP4VOnjgrRUG9_tWTBXH8q0j88dAKjU/s640/SoChick_RoomDIY_After.jpg" width="500" /></a></span></div>
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My chickie was super-duper excited when she saw her new room... I actually took a video of the "Reveal", but I don't want to completely embarrass her by sharing it with the world... sharing on Facebook was engouh to do the trick. <i>*wink*</i><br />
<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-83886552373764857232013-08-19T06:30:00.000-04:002013-08-19T06:30:05.255-04:00Summer 2013 {Weekend Wrap-Up}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">This <strike>summer</strike> year has been crazy, an adventure, but crazy... <i>to say the least!</i> While the fabric shop has reopened and is doing well, <i>I thank you bunches and bunches</i>, I have been totally lame in the "work" department. I am trying not to feel too guilty for that though, as I have been really enjoying settling in to this new place with my family, enjoying the summer with my little chicks and thinking about where I want to go from here on out, with SoChick. <i>More on the latter in another post.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;">This is my long overdue first Weekend Wrap-Up, <i>aka Summer Wrap-up</i>, post from the mountains of WNC...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">I quickly found a Local Quilt Shop and picked up some Geekly Chic prints, which I paired with some Jennifer Paganelli fabrics from my <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Fabric Shoppe</a>. This project was a practice in piece/quilt as you go, which I've yet to complete.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaLrlFQiKug1qXdyh5Qb9UJYz8YaxoGpdh4qWmx3YxuEobmIuTsIQZpj72KQA8WINPDzVXpnFIfY09ljbH4sEGssMxNCpYpNLh3E39HMyWVEmCXJbYO9ufPphXnt3YC7Q0wB4zFAL_F8/s1600/SoChick_GeeklyChicPieces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwaLrlFQiKug1qXdyh5Qb9UJYz8YaxoGpdh4qWmx3YxuEobmIuTsIQZpj72KQA8WINPDzVXpnFIfY09ljbH4sEGssMxNCpYpNLh3E39HMyWVEmCXJbYO9ufPphXnt3YC7Q0wB4zFAL_F8/s640/SoChick_GeeklyChicPieces.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is one of the first views we had when we moved to WNC, from the balcony of our temporary apartment.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiKpZNQvo7eUb-ONbYy80kBfsMAe14GEIhsx9ZyadC03PIHjruHA7K-ZYUHGSEI9J9lKa4pyDcPDsDjrGMPaGoSYNda1JeTBOXNMLRRWm5JusOA5kSLpiStbBnhlc0udmbVLrw3Yb3ew/s1600/SoChick_WNCMoon_Balcony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOiKpZNQvo7eUb-ONbYy80kBfsMAe14GEIhsx9ZyadC03PIHjruHA7K-ZYUHGSEI9J9lKa4pyDcPDsDjrGMPaGoSYNda1JeTBOXNMLRRWm5JusOA5kSLpiStbBnhlc0udmbVLrw3Yb3ew/s640/SoChick_WNCMoon_Balcony.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We've taken several drives along the Blue Ridge Parkway, here is a view of Looking Glass from the Overlook on the BRP.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Across from the Looking Glass Overlook on the BRP, we hiked to Skinny Dip Falls. We came back another time to try to swim here... <i>no thanks, I'm not ready for icy mountain water. Brrrr!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT32bOgIzw_y8iJX-KeHxThMD8B1aeXdqgzJ06Q_QV6dmM7qYRtru1dhjqsqd-Ip6Nh8cuUTLeVOF04143UDP1H47epAyzqkNdav48sNWdSkVXLy7YUHYoHIPojMwJpaXtNClUg99CYbM/s1600/SoChick_WNC_SkinnyDipFalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT32bOgIzw_y8iJX-KeHxThMD8B1aeXdqgzJ06Q_QV6dmM7qYRtru1dhjqsqd-Ip6Nh8cuUTLeVOF04143UDP1H47epAyzqkNdav48sNWdSkVXLy7YUHYoHIPojMwJpaXtNClUg99CYbM/s640/SoChick_WNC_SkinnyDipFalls.jpg" width="480" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My youngest chickie was completely bummed about not having "pretty" jammies to wear to bed, so we took a trip to a local fabric store, they picked out their shabby chic fabrics and I got busy drafting and sewing my first set of girly summer nightgowns. I'm not going to be making children's sewing patterns anytime soon, but it was much easier than I anticipated. <i>Let me know if you're interested in the tutorial by leaving a comment below!</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC7xyvV8EV5W8s2hoMn_bFyHBLqziIJMbwQEQdd6lLr9pFMrbpNCF85T-3h7F6qMWYPxw4pO46_dgfnbOOwkqqkops01CnGMquszYO3iUmhHFQMNIk9ljUCFJqhhD-giSH23mBmUC_3Y/s1600/SoChick_Sewing_Nightgowns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLC7xyvV8EV5W8s2hoMn_bFyHBLqziIJMbwQEQdd6lLr9pFMrbpNCF85T-3h7F6qMWYPxw4pO46_dgfnbOOwkqqkops01CnGMquszYO3iUmhHFQMNIk9ljUCFJqhhD-giSH23mBmUC_3Y/s640/SoChick_Sewing_Nightgowns.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This past week I sewed these coasters for our living room. These were <i>sew </i>easy, my little chicks even sewed their own coasters to use on their nightstands, for their nighttime water. The girls used Geekly Chic scraps, from the above project, for their coasters.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiwd4GE6UbGPiEVZck2L_pGQnFPeqA5LRFtPjRdFp3c4HjQRL9TXiCmtHTkkbdCIdg86m2X9SpY9gxtTVjkzxVGjpHlgDPPVXxwEMt14DIci8yAh16lWAUReC_oETWmJV_GLeY5GKq6s/s1600/SoChick_Sewing_SaltWaterCoasters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiwd4GE6UbGPiEVZck2L_pGQnFPeqA5LRFtPjRdFp3c4HjQRL9TXiCmtHTkkbdCIdg86m2X9SpY9gxtTVjkzxVGjpHlgDPPVXxwEMt14DIci8yAh16lWAUReC_oETWmJV_GLeY5GKq6s/s640/SoChick_Sewing_SaltWaterCoasters.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-20430007920499650882013-08-06T07:47:00.000-04:002013-08-06T07:47:42.050-04:00Back 2 School {A Coupon for Free Shipping!}<div>
<span style="font-weight: bold;">Free Domestic Shipping when you spend $25 or more, use coupon </span><span style="color: magenta; font-weight: bold;">BACK2SCHOOL</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> at checkout in the </span><a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.etsy.com/" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">SoChick Fabric Shoppe</a><span style="font-weight: bold;">.</span></div>
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So, you're either dreading the "end" of summer, or doing a little happy dance that the kiddos are headed back to school, but either way, it's happening... the new School year... <i>time to get back into the "groove"!</i><div>
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Naturally, I looked at the calendar and thought... "I need to make/buy/sew this or that for the girls before school starts!". So, if you're like me, you'll be happy with today's coupon for Free Shipping on Domestic Orders of $25 or more with coupon code <b><span style="color: magenta;">BACK2SCHOOL</span></b> at checkout!</div>
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You can either:</div>
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A. Stock up on fabric for Back to School sewing projects for the kids.</div>
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B. Stock up on fabric for Back to School = more-time-for-Mom projects. <i>*wink*</i></div>
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Either way. hurry while it lasts... this coupon will expire next Tuesday, August 13, 2013</div>
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Happy Shopping!</div>
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<i><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-54587640977031746352013-07-08T06:00:00.000-04:002013-07-08T06:00:06.941-04:00SoChick Fabric Shoppe Re-Opens!<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRErxB55GxnMgorJYAHrrpPWKZ4ayFttpUiGgwlBDfGuv5KMMhMp3yaXrusNo84rsynhH1xGMx23Kz2gu0FZGl9XXKwVy4KI0r9SYmVvbW-T-1YvH-6Ec63BIoluQCRKgEzr5hzdNJKU/s1600/SoChick_WereOpen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKRErxB55GxnMgorJYAHrrpPWKZ4ayFttpUiGgwlBDfGuv5KMMhMp3yaXrusNo84rsynhH1xGMx23Kz2gu0FZGl9XXKwVy4KI0r9SYmVvbW-T-1YvH-6Ec63BIoluQCRKgEzr5hzdNJKU/s1600/SoChick_WereOpen.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">The <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.etsy.com/" target="_blank">SoChick Fabric Shoppe</a> is now OPEN and shipping fabric again; this time it's from the mountains of Western North Carolina!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Finally, the time has come; my new studio space is ready, and I hope you are, too! </span><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Making room...</span></b><br />
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><b style="font-family: 'Galeforce BTN'; font-size: 16pt;"><span style="color: #ff3399;"> </span> </b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As you browse the <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.etsy.com/" target="_blank">SoChick Fabric Shoppe</a>, you'll find that premium quilting cottons and laminates have been reduced in price to not only bring you a great deal, but to also help to make room for <i>new</i> Fall </span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Inventory</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> of <i>fresh</i> fabric!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Also coming for Fall 2013, two new <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/user/384463/pattern-store?_ct=fhevybu-ikrdql-fqjjuhdijehu" target="_blank">SoChick Sewing Patterns</a> and a selection of fun handmade goodies from the new studio space... stay tuned!</span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-15484858065662224412013-04-22T09:45:00.001-04:002013-04-22T09:49:34.484-04:00{A Great Deal (SALE)} Shelburne Falls: New Charm Rolls <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before we moved, I planned to add some new charm rolls to the SoChick Fabric Shoppe... but then the computer crashed, and I've closed my shop while we're in temporary living arrangements. Needless to say, I have these gorgeous 10in Charm Rolls, from Denyse Schmidt's Shelburne Falls collection, staring at me and need to sell them. In this case, my loss will be your gain!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hv3-c1Xg8KjDsQ1FerezfcGTl6SE8aPoRY8b5meQTdpyHLYk1uVXWEgDJ7y3cTXb6TKcMlNSXlfM_4-AYsdA3BZnmj7SEBOsux6O8hgyyhYXF2g0lTO692XeTqXvm7FsTQOJQ4whZUQ/s1600/SoChick_ShelburneCharmRoll.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hv3-c1Xg8KjDsQ1FerezfcGTl6SE8aPoRY8b5meQTdpyHLYk1uVXWEgDJ7y3cTXb6TKcMlNSXlfM_4-AYsdA3BZnmj7SEBOsux6O8hgyyhYXF2g0lTO692XeTqXvm7FsTQOJQ4whZUQ/s400/SoChick_ShelburneCharmRoll.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif39VpeI9zNkof1RAN-1UxNKt300fOJ1js1Dp9pX3QVOejNyKP9IcrZD7_h_bbWeAB1pTr956ZsWYsjRFV0WpIyR52V0u-Zn14bnCR_C_KDNLId3rpq-mzg8P3NZsXrDjm6Mt3VsMrb1Q/s1600/SoChick_ShelburneFallsCharms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif39VpeI9zNkof1RAN-1UxNKt300fOJ1js1Dp9pX3QVOejNyKP9IcrZD7_h_bbWeAB1pTr956ZsWYsjRFV0WpIyR52V0u-Zn14bnCR_C_KDNLId3rpq-mzg8P3NZsXrDjm6Mt3VsMrb1Q/s400/SoChick_ShelburneFallsCharms.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The charm rolls feature one 10in sqaure of each of the prints in the Shelburne Falls collection. <span style="line-height: 115%;">There is a Free Quilt Pattern, Square Dance, on Denyse's website which calls for one charm roll and solids. A simple and modern quilt... fun to stitch with a folksy, yet, modern vibe. Check it out here: </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dsquilts.com/fabric_and_patterns.asp?PageID=265" target="_blank"><img alt="Square Dance - free! " src="http://www.dsquilts.com/images/2013_1_9_14_8_14.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/">{Square Dance via dsquilts.com}</a></td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1116900243"></span><span id="goog_1116900237"></span>Head on over to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SoChickHandbags" target="_blank"><span id="goog_1116900246"></span>SoChick Face<span id="goog_1116900249"></span><span id="goog_1116900250"></span>book Page<span id="goog_1116900247"></span></a> to snatch up a Shelburne Falls charm roll at a great price, which includes shipping! </div>
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<u><span style="color: magenta;"><b>How it works:</b></span></u></div>
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Simply comment on the facebook post with your paypal email address. You will receive an invoice within 24 hrs and must pay it within 24 hrs of receipt; your fabric will ship upon receipt of payment.</div>
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There are only FIVE rolls available...<i> hurry!</i></div>
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</span></b> <b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></div>
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<br /><div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-77229008647021566082013-04-18T07:00:00.000-04:002013-04-18T07:00:11.145-04:00A New Finish in a New Place {My #ScrappyTripAlong Quilt} <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's think back to New Years Eve and the first week of the new year when I pieced this <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/what-is-scrappy-trip-along-aka.html" target="_blank">Scrappy Trip Along</a> lap quilt for my youngest daughter.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From January</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now that we have <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/goodbye-beach-hello-mountains-yep-were.html" target="_blank">moved</a> and are hanging out in our temporary residence, I am finishing up projects and am happy to announce that my #scrappytripalong quilt is complete!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My littlest Chickie chose to have her quilt backed with Eloise in Sky, from Jennifer Paganelli's Happy Land line, and I chose to quilt in a grid pattern mimicking the pattern created by the scrappy blocks. I alternated rows of single stitched lines and triple stitched lines... and I am so happy with how it turned out!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt9ZtsNcj-To1cFMWLtVCV-6hI6U-9_Igh3cBzehKqmX6XM0obmfas4QAnHAmhADyhlWVwYy2FNojXiS9eRvCLV8-0Lt19w8EcK1DyRlsPwBemprGc6gKUdAavdMuaF_5eZh52WSwBMQ/s1600/SoChick_ScrappyTrip1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt9ZtsNcj-To1cFMWLtVCV-6hI6U-9_Igh3cBzehKqmX6XM0obmfas4QAnHAmhADyhlWVwYy2FNojXiS9eRvCLV8-0Lt19w8EcK1DyRlsPwBemprGc6gKUdAavdMuaF_5eZh52WSwBMQ/s1600/SoChick_ScrappyTrip1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I really, really love Jennifer's Eloise print and was excited when my chick picked it... as with all of my quilts so far (this is my third finish), I finished by hand-stitching down the binding. I think this will be something that I continue throughout my quilting as I really love adding that touch; I feel like it keeps me connected to where quilting has come from. <i>Of course my opinion may change once I hand-stitch the binding on an extra large quilt... *wink*</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After a light wash and fresh from the dryer, my little chickie soaked up the warm snuggly-ness of her new quilt.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LgrNG-xht7y6GbGOmO8iLRz6CO8M3TY-s5GD1SQqtbV8w2XxtBvLCqRjsmP3pXlhl11CazPBQksBsoADcoUjF9XZSoXfsei940QfeZl9aQNV9r86Y1X19KWkMDIGauqcrOKOK7iZuio/s1600/SoChick_ScrappyTrips2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LgrNG-xht7y6GbGOmO8iLRz6CO8M3TY-s5GD1SQqtbV8w2XxtBvLCqRjsmP3pXlhl11CazPBQksBsoADcoUjF9XZSoXfsei940QfeZl9aQNV9r86Y1X19KWkMDIGauqcrOKOK7iZuio/s640/SoChick_ScrappyTrips2.jpg" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My best attempt at capturing the cuddly-ness of a fresh quilt.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"> I am hoping to have another quilt finished before we move into our new home and am excited to share it with you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>What have you been sewing lately?</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-78250289014901296762013-04-03T10:05:00.002-04:002013-04-03T10:05:37.081-04:00SoChick QAL {Anchors Aweigh: Completed Top & Craftsy.com Giveaway!}<div class="MsoNormal">
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Finally, the last post of the 1st Annual SoChick Quilt Along, featuring Anchors Aweigh by Tula Pink! I can not thank you all enough for not only joining me in my first QAL, but for being patient with me as this QAL collided with my family relocating from Coastal NC to the Mountains of Western NC (with a few bumps and a dead computer hard-drive in between)!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoh1xio-sxBU6oT37fVLuQMHJ6UyvEiRErp1z179moeblzUvTI2Q6LepicqX63zz9u_U2uYkrJAkoEWxbTejsfTi2cZnb0DobD-x1QOhUJbUMZ5RwuH2ewaqoOSkVtYztq-jfabSD4Yw/s1600/SoChick_QuiltAlongAnchors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoh1xio-sxBU6oT37fVLuQMHJ6UyvEiRErp1z179moeblzUvTI2Q6LepicqX63zz9u_U2uYkrJAkoEWxbTejsfTi2cZnb0DobD-x1QOhUJbUMZ5RwuH2ewaqoOSkVtYztq-jfabSD4Yw/s320/SoChick_QuiltAlongAnchors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">{Joining Rows to Complete Your Top}</span></div>
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If you haven't had a chance to join your rows, I hope that these few iPhone pictures will give you an idea of how I did it. It's important to note, when joining the rows, that you do not need space large enough for the entire quilt top to be laid out... a narrow, flat surface, should suffice. I was able to piece my entire top behind my living room sofa, where I had enough room width-wise (from quilt side to side) and about 3-4ft of space for adding rows.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iNLJ2AnNuBEczFXXVbTsMgkzyL8mWCGkzLBqDEAx6FcfE30Hh_7zhwvGA8rDlje8AioOLZtP-gIPCZNvB86StkG6iuYPE2IzDwnbzzMq6dKMg5-7ReBTeNodXHo9FJjs0jSI2RAEtiA/s1600/SoChickQAL_AssembleTop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_iNLJ2AnNuBEczFXXVbTsMgkzyL8mWCGkzLBqDEAx6FcfE30Hh_7zhwvGA8rDlje8AioOLZtP-gIPCZNvB86StkG6iuYPE2IzDwnbzzMq6dKMg5-7ReBTeNodXHo9FJjs0jSI2RAEtiA/s400/SoChickQAL_AssembleTop.jpg" width="341" /></a></div>
When joining the rows, and because I was working in a narrow space, I joined them in pairs of two, working in towards the middle of the quilt, then attached in the middle. (So I joined Rows 1&2, 3&4, 5&6, 7&8; then joined the pairs so that Rows 1-4 and Rows 5-8 were my final sections, finishing by joining at Row 4 & 5) I hope that makes sense. Because I was working in a narrow space, as I joined rows I simply rolled the quilt as I went. You can see in the photo below that the Wrong Side is where I've rolled up and the Right Side is where I will add the next set of Rows.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1KXwqKPtDAV4z_TsQCl1tlwExzZpF6Bxr00zBU5E_b5F5MN8lZDiScoO9ZA5329mrgvQu-TfDcDIC-MX_DviWKdKpzr-AwA-zMjtpGLlT4Ao93BzDSniml5mv1N1N3VKh3rigAioSvI/s1600/SoChickQAL_SewRows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1KXwqKPtDAV4z_TsQCl1tlwExzZpF6Bxr00zBU5E_b5F5MN8lZDiScoO9ZA5329mrgvQu-TfDcDIC-MX_DviWKdKpzr-AwA-zMjtpGLlT4Ao93BzDSniml5mv1N1N3VKh3rigAioSvI/s640/SoChickQAL_SewRows.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
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When joining the rows, I roughly laid them out with right sides together; then, starting from the middle of the rows, lined up and pinned my seams moving out towards the sides. When pinning the solid fabrics, be careful not to stretch the fabrics so as not to distort the quilt top. There is less stretching at the piecing due to the seams reinforcing the fabrics, but it's easy to get carried away with stretching/smoothing once you get to the solid fabric... so just keep that in mind *wink*.</div>
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I also pressed/starched my long seams as I sewed them; once I was finished with the top, I went through with a good steam press over the entire piece. I am so impressed with this quilt and the fact that I was able to complete it with everything else going on! I feel like it <i>was</i> easy to sew, it was just a matter of staying organized throughout the process.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rV9Zl71gyLNjIZzKiO1tnizqTVHmVl98NJk9TM3sKg4ui1kxfkKiA8Lp4r03Pufd8VrIkv5rcoCtVbNR8kQZtxASqyWYwaaxVT18hLzDQzHU1YdVoO3PSOvs-mu9SSX4IpbDSyfVPIM/s1600/SoChickQAL_Complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2rV9Zl71gyLNjIZzKiO1tnizqTVHmVl98NJk9TM3sKg4ui1kxfkKiA8Lp4r03Pufd8VrIkv5rcoCtVbNR8kQZtxASqyWYwaaxVT18hLzDQzHU1YdVoO3PSOvs-mu9SSX4IpbDSyfVPIM/s640/SoChickQAL_Complete.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I plan to quilt this on my home sewing machine, hopefully while we are here in our temporary apartment. I've learned a lot from the Craftsy Lesson: Quilting Large Projects on a Small Machine... so I will put that knowledge to the test. Are <i>you</i> ready for your chance to <i>Win</i> this same lesson, for <i>FREE</i>?!<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">{The Giveaway}</span><br />
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;"><br />
</span> <span style="color: magenta;">{The Prize}</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tk-MCCjkPm9e8wmhWHIYL3sWilT_zyPQbFkllzTbDyLQzGHVxRvSfXnMVoULJ3W3-BiyIx8bvmFq4E4oM6LpyB28sLemzBx-c6iZw6jh9dkuuaNylUzbzdnOoqVZJjqIXtM1lRbe1Jw/s1600/QuiltingLargeProjects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tk-MCCjkPm9e8wmhWHIYL3sWilT_zyPQbFkllzTbDyLQzGHVxRvSfXnMVoULJ3W3-BiyIx8bvmFq4E4oM6LpyB28sLemzBx-c6iZw6jh9dkuuaNylUzbzdnOoqVZJjqIXtM1lRbe1Jw/s1600/QuiltingLargeProjects.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: magenta;"><br />
</span> Craftsy.com has been so super generous to sponsor my 1st Annual SoChick Quilt Along by offering a Free Lesson to one lucky winner! (A $39.99 value!) What's better, is that the lesson, Quilting Large Projects on a Small Machine, will help you complete your Anchors Aweigh quilt, <i>and</i> you can watch the lesson as many times as you want, whenever you want, and at your own pace!<br />
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<a href="http://craftsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMAnCe2SmdOzVqvxF5khP9YK9AzW-_e7hzg5E8iCOMQAJG9GUC1JfSxz4TR0gWO7k2QJ7-GZpFbWDLPsK9dDTtbU_aI9n-QuTZwXMK9_Edi1Q_geSzNqhoy4Bg_pbY-YEdCugWnkTEc0/s200/craftsy-logo.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: magenta;">{The Details}</span><br />
Because of my delay in finishing this QAL, due to moving, etc, I am opening the giveaway to all participants of the SoChick QAL... however, your chances of winning will be greater if you have completed your Anchors Aweigh top and share a photo of it!<br />
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How to enter:<br />
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<i>There are THREE ways you may enter, AND you may complete all three!</i><br />
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You <i>MUST</i> log your entry into the Rafflecopter widget to be entered into this Giveaway.<br />
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1- leave a comment on this blog post telling me about your Anchors Aweigh experience, thoughts, what you enjoyed most, etc. <i>(log the entry into the Rafflecopter widget)</i><br />
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</i> 2- share a photo of your completed Anchors Aweigh Quilt Top by submitting a link to your photo from flickr, Instagram, or another photo sharing app. <i>(log the entry into the Rafflecopter widget)</i><br />
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3- Join <a href="http://craftsy.com/">Craftsy.com</a> (yay if you're already a member) and add your Anchors Aweigh Quilt top to your Projects Page; then share your username here so that I can check out your project and photos! <i>(log the entry into the Rafflecopter widget)</i><br />
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</i> The Giveaway will end on April 11, 2013, at 12:00am EST. I will announce a winner here on the blog by April 13th. If the winner can not be reached within 48hrs, I will re-draw for a runner up... Good Luck!<br />
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<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/9035ea3/" id="rc-9035ea3" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
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<span style="color: magenta;"><i>{Thanks Bunches}</i></span><br />
<i>A huge special thanks to all of the participants of my 1st Annual SoChick QAL, I have enjoyed chatting with you and sewing with you throughout, I can't wait to see your EPIC Quilts! Also, thank you to Tula Pink for designing awesome-sauce fabric and kick-butt quilt patterns like Salt Water and Anchors Aweigh; and to Craftsy.com for not only being a great site to find sewing patterns, supplies and a wealth of knowledge and lessons for us crafty-folk, but for also Sponsoring my 1st Annual SoChick QAL with a great lesson!</i><br />
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<i> <b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></i><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-26497540746816020692013-03-17T12:16:00.002-04:002013-03-17T12:16:55.763-04:00SoChick QAL {Anchors Aweigh: Week 4, Row 6 & 7}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e06666; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">***As I was editing this post, my computer crashed and I have lost all of my photos and documents for the QAL and more. I am sharing what I have for Row 6 as it was written. At the bottom of the post, I have included notes for Row 7, including pattern corrections.***</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Welcome to week 4 of the SoChick Quilt Along featuring the Anchors Aweigh Quilt Pattern, and Salt Water fabrics, by Tula Pink. We are almost finished with the rows for this quilt top... <i>eeek!</i> <i>How exciting!</i></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoh1xio-sxBU6oT37fVLuQMHJ6UyvEiRErp1z179moeblzUvTI2Q6LepicqX63zz9u_U2uYkrJAkoEWxbTejsfTi2cZnb0DobD-x1QOhUJbUMZ5RwuH2ewaqoOSkVtYztq-jfabSD4Yw/s1600/SoChick_QuiltAlongAnchors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoh1xio-sxBU6oT37fVLuQMHJ6UyvEiRErp1z179moeblzUvTI2Q6LepicqX63zz9u_U2uYkrJAkoEWxbTejsfTi2cZnb0DobD-x1QOhUJbUMZ5RwuH2ewaqoOSkVtYztq-jfabSD4Yw/s320/SoChick_QuiltAlongAnchors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's some quick links to previous posts for this QAL, if you are just joining in:</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" target="_blank">Original QAL Post</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-get-ready-prep-cut.html" target="_blank">Cut & Prep</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-anchors-aweigh-week1.html" target="_blank">Week 1: Rows 1 & 8</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-anchors-away-week-2.html" target="_blank">Week 2: Rows 2 & 3</a> *I have noted a pattern correction in this post*<br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/03/sochick-quilt-along-anchors-aweigh-week.html" target="_blank">Week 3: Rows 4 & 5</a><br />
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</span></span><span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the end of the QAL you'll be able to enter to WIN a Free <a href="http://craftsy.com/">Craftsy.com</a> class for Quilting your large quilt... and this <i>is</i> a large quilt, on your home machine! To enter, you just need to share a photo of your finished quilt top... more details to come on the giveaway as the QAL draws to a close.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Quilting-Big-Projects-on-a-Small-Machine/51" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tk-MCCjkPm9e8wmhWHIYL3sWilT_zyPQbFkllzTbDyLQzGHVxRvSfXnMVoULJ3W3-BiyIx8bvmFq4E4oM6LpyB28sLemzBx-c6iZw6jh9dkuuaNylUzbzdnOoqVZJjqIXtM1lRbe1Jw/s1600/QuiltingLargeProjects.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMAnCe2SmdOzVqvxF5khP9YK9AzW-_e7hzg5E8iCOMQAJG9GUC1JfSxz4TR0gWO7k2QJ7-GZpFbWDLPsK9dDTtbU_aI9n-QuTZwXMK9_Edi1Q_geSzNqhoy4Bg_pbY-YEdCugWnkTEc0/s1600/craftsy-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMAnCe2SmdOzVqvxF5khP9YK9AzW-_e7hzg5E8iCOMQAJG9GUC1JfSxz4TR0gWO7k2QJ7-GZpFbWDLPsK9dDTtbU_aI9n-QuTZwXMK9_Edi1Q_geSzNqhoy4Bg_pbY-YEdCugWnkTEc0/s1600/craftsy-logo.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Thank you to Craftsy for generously sponsoring the SoChick QAL! This lesson is valued at $39.99 and is full of very useful information, plus it's yours to keep and watch whenever; over and over again! Stop by </span><a href="http://craftsy.com/" style="line-height: 24px;">Craftsy.com</a><span style="line-height: 24px;"> to check out the Indie Pattern Shops (like, mine) as well as great deals on supplies, tips, their blog is great, too... I totally think you should join in the Craftsy fun! P.S.- You can catch some lectures from QuiltCon 2013 for<i> free, </i>too!</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: 'Galeforce BTN'; font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">* * *</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">And here we go... Week 4:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"> I fully intended to have both Row 6 and 7 in this post, but these last two rows incorporate a bit more piecing and so to save on a huge-o-long post, I've decided to give each row their own post... <i>aww. *wink*</i> No worries, though, if you finish this one soon, I won't make you wait another week for Row 7! <i><span style="color: #e06666;">*Keep reading for Row 7 details, thanks to my computer crash, gah!*</span></i></span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><u>Anchors Aweigh, Row 6</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Before you cut, you will need to make the following corrections to the pattern:</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm0wk1UsUPOK-WOM_DVKpl_YeNcg0p1z-X1nH1GQsSDSUmlnj07HjGZNKyYxpgegf1J4ohHppDTw3WGCi1kwQQ4wO1-zJxHzG2wV0Zx88IFth2muxzw9-5_emBgp3PTGm2vfUFGp_mrA/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row6Correction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrm0wk1UsUPOK-WOM_DVKpl_YeNcg0p1z-X1nH1GQsSDSUmlnj07HjGZNKyYxpgegf1J4ohHppDTw3WGCi1kwQQ4wO1-zJxHzG2wV0Zx88IFth2muxzw9-5_emBgp3PTGm2vfUFGp_mrA/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row6Correction.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row 6 Cutting Corrections</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">And, of course, I've laid out all of my pieces and pulled all of my square prints that I will need for this row. I promise you, that even if I weren't photographing for the QAL, I'd still lay all of my pieces out... it's <i>sew</i> helpful to ensure you're staring with everything you'll need... <i>less time spent looking around for supplies = more time sewing!</i></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDURskOcgNkVwre0HKUyLwA2Mv3OQtUHchbk5EfSWgHIFRwDKdmI9CRfdrhekJVT2SIKPZtL3dVvKEjBfaXXUSWj10Mpn20PGGTQ8mBjAUX-Td2Z7_MMQP4_-tcJ1bl6nqNygSmd0LG-8/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row6Fabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDURskOcgNkVwre0HKUyLwA2Mv3OQtUHchbk5EfSWgHIFRwDKdmI9CRfdrhekJVT2SIKPZtL3dVvKEjBfaXXUSWj10Mpn20PGGTQ8mBjAUX-Td2Z7_MMQP4_-tcJ1bl6nqNygSmd0LG-8/s640/SoChickQAL_Row6Fabs.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span> I started with the smaller sections and worked my way into the center of the row. The first two stitched were Row 6 Sections 2 and 8. (R6S2, R6S8). I didn't chain piece for these sections. Be careful to use a consistent 1/4 in seam allowance. Press all seams open and nest your seams as you stitch the strips within the section together. Start by piecing the top of the section, then attach to the bottom solid piece; press seams open.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEd2sTfcyQbeGDPrgrsyb1n8BdSxu4GnhiZmth2oIV7TmMu1odqm-f4G2tKPYyVzDQebBchCVgfMexRzKw0WAW0BgkZPJLwNGVRn4HWdopwQFlvwQUJS9URgg0-1V8p1zzR48ZO_HA0LQ/s1600/SoChickQAL_R6S2S8pcs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEd2sTfcyQbeGDPrgrsyb1n8BdSxu4GnhiZmth2oIV7TmMu1odqm-f4G2tKPYyVzDQebBchCVgfMexRzKw0WAW0BgkZPJLwNGVRn4HWdopwQFlvwQUJS9URgg0-1V8p1zzR48ZO_HA0LQ/s640/SoChickQAL_R6S2S8pcs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</i></span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>Starch and press, starch and press...</i></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5feaHn6h_X9CqsUqN70fXgjez0IC6oNh3A1YEc9sh4O9C9fsaZzxx5kSMUWPkQdD_XgtFyLzEfT4NXIUgfUSbXqyvSedtbumQZZGpt97ES9OGWniEv3THvyt2a0aSd_Vvpbfzj9Hfomg/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row6S2S8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5feaHn6h_X9CqsUqN70fXgjez0IC6oNh3A1YEc9sh4O9C9fsaZzxx5kSMUWPkQdD_XgtFyLzEfT4NXIUgfUSbXqyvSedtbumQZZGpt97ES9OGWniEv3THvyt2a0aSd_Vvpbfzj9Hfomg/s640/SoChickQAL_Row6S2S8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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</i></span></span> Next, I worked on R6S3 and R6S7, these are where I discovered the cutting error in the pattern, so if you've made the corrections, you shouldn't have a problem.... if not, well, this part may take you as long as it took me. <i>*wink*</i><br />
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<i><br />
</i> I noted the measurements of the solid pieces, as they are cut, to show where the corrections go, etc... quite a bit of ripping went into these sections, mostly S3, as you can tell by all of the threads and the kinked seam on the far left... <i>be sure to trim any threads off of your sections as you finish with them. I did, after I took the photo...</i><br />
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</i> Row 6 Section 5 I was able to chain-piece as I did in the last QAL post. I completely forgot to photograph this Section, but it was the quickest stitching of Row 6, for me.<br />
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The final sections, Section 4 and 6, are different from Sections throughout the quilt in that they are almost broken down into sub-sections, which are then attached to a larger solid piece to complete the Section. <i>I hope that made some kind of sense, with the major use of the word "sections".</i><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-pwvnGINpe4QfUGS9-8n4uqjIvFYvcnS5tIA6ULE3Haq_Qlvn-tci6D5z96lo4JiJqXD9VaOGlVyLrMf8ZjGGgM-9wSQc-IHDku9wV8481V8O4Y019ZxtCIMdKLiWVAXHvPN0qLCC2g/s1600/SoChickQAL_R6S4pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-pwvnGINpe4QfUGS9-8n4uqjIvFYvcnS5tIA6ULE3Haq_Qlvn-tci6D5z96lo4JiJqXD9VaOGlVyLrMf8ZjGGgM-9wSQc-IHDku9wV8481V8O4Y019ZxtCIMdKLiWVAXHvPN0qLCC2g/s400/SoChickQAL_R6S4pattern.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row 6 Section 4, Anchors Aweigh</td></tr>
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<i><br />
</i> <i><br />
</i> This is the lower part of Row 6 Section 4, where I've sewn the "sub-sections" together. Next, I attached the solids to their corresponding pieces, then attached all of the "sub-sections" to complete the lower half of R6S4.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKni8L8DFzkYUf84kD3bZn6LD245AZI6OA10pn8MfAImDgcBpldqcGKmOVTnj3Vc3SP0F8cpxkh3IMUvWA1GbF617HESfvMbo79QL5U0eC36VT3pQFKdriRpMiCFtz0JmT66ufGm7LWA/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row6S4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidKni8L8DFzkYUf84kD3bZn6LD245AZI6OA10pn8MfAImDgcBpldqcGKmOVTnj3Vc3SP0F8cpxkh3IMUvWA1GbF617HESfvMbo79QL5U0eC36VT3pQFKdriRpMiCFtz0JmT66ufGm7LWA/s640/SoChickQAL_Row6S4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lower portion of R6S4</td></tr>
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Once the lower half is complete, the larger solid fabric can be attached. If you are using a 1/4in seam allowance, your solid piece should line up exactly with your lower section. However, if you notice the ends of the solid extend slightly beyond, or end slightly short, of your pieced section, you should be okay, the difference will be absorbed in the 1/4in seam allowance when you join all of the sections in the row.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoG7qS6WI77aNqCOkJ9Z6lgStzY2_jctA8dQNMBxzAGsG4J0VFceTFlKweuxXEn1CPAYqmlRFOC-ANZbmJFUQeSFvIjK6UIydVNCUFND-ZrrLYAMK7awyz55Nt1hQhWF1iOWVozOzd6w/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row6S4b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgoG7qS6WI77aNqCOkJ9Z6lgStzY2_jctA8dQNMBxzAGsG4J0VFceTFlKweuxXEn1CPAYqmlRFOC-ANZbmJFUQeSFvIjK6UIydVNCUFND-ZrrLYAMK7awyz55Nt1hQhWF1iOWVozOzd6w/s400/SoChickQAL_Row6S4b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">*** This is where my computer dies, along with all of my photos, so I apologize for not having any pictures of the last Rows, and their completed sections.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">After stitching Row 6 Section 4, I moved on to Section 6. I made sure to give each of these sections individual attention (instead of sewing them at the same time as I did with the others). The "sub-sections" can get a little tricky. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">I pieced Row 6 according to the pattern, again, I did not trim anything down. So far, any slight variations in length/width of the sections' edges has been absorbed in the 1/4in seam allowance when sewing the sections together. Basically, when sewing the sections and rows together, I have tried to keep everything within the 12 1/2 in length of the finished row... so if a section is slightly smaller, due to my piecing/seams, I just center them best I can, pin and stitch to the next section. So far, none of the variations have been large enough to warrant ripping stitches or caused any fabric to be missed in the 1/4 in seam. I'll stop rambling about that now. <i>If you have a question about this, just ask in the comments, I'll do my best to answer/explain. *wink*</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"><b>On to Row 7:</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">*Before cutting, make the following corrections to the pattern:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">-You will be cutting fabric <b>J</b> and <i>not</i> K, as written in the pattern.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Cut your solid fabric <b>(fabric J)</b> and lay them out; pull out all of the squares as called for in the pattern.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Row 7, Section 3:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;"> For this section, I sewed the bottom pieces (K, E, C, I, K) together, then chain pieced the top portion. Once I completed the chain piecing of top portion and joined those, I joined the bottom piece to that. Press all seams open, trim all threads. <i>Starch and press, starch and press.</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Row 7 Sections 2 & 4:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Much like Row 6's Sections 4 & 6, these sections are made up of "sub-sections" which are attached to a larger solid piece to finish them; I worked these two independently as well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">Once these sections are completed, press and starch them, then attach them to complete the final row of your Anchors Aweigh Quilt top! <i>Yay!!!!</i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666;">I realize that these Rows, while fairly simple, are a bit time consuming; </span><span style="color: #e06666;">I will do my best to explain how to attach your Rows in the next post. I am also going to move the Giveaway for the Free Craftsy Lesson in to April. I think this will allow time for everyone to complete their Anchors Aweigh Quilt tops, which gives everyone a shot at the Giveaway Prize! Thanks for bearing with me as I deal with my computer issue and moving!</span><span style="color: #e06666;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-4122097848742695492013-03-08T07:52:00.000-05:002013-03-08T07:52:08.995-05:00SoChick Quilt Along {Anchors Aweigh: Week 3}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Welcome to week 3 of the SoChick Quilt Along featuring the Anchors Aweigh Quilt Pattern, and Salt Water fabrics, by Tula Pink!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoh1xio-sxBU6oT37fVLuQMHJ6UyvEiRErp1z179moeblzUvTI2Q6LepicqX63zz9u_U2uYkrJAkoEWxbTejsfTi2cZnb0DobD-x1QOhUJbUMZ5RwuH2ewaqoOSkVtYztq-jfabSD4Yw/s1600/SoChick_QuiltAlongAnchors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoh1xio-sxBU6oT37fVLuQMHJ6UyvEiRErp1z179moeblzUvTI2Q6LepicqX63zz9u_U2uYkrJAkoEWxbTejsfTi2cZnb0DobD-x1QOhUJbUMZ5RwuH2ewaqoOSkVtYztq-jfabSD4Yw/s320/SoChick_QuiltAlongAnchors.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We are crossing the half-way mark this week with Rows 4 & 5 of the Anchors Aweigh Quilt. If you are laying your pieces out together, or if you're joining them as we go, your quilt top is starting to look pretty Awesome!</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here's some quick links to previous posts for this QAL, if you need to catch up:</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" target="_blank">Original QAL Post</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-get-ready-prep-cut.html" target="_blank">Cut & Prep</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-anchors-aweigh-week1.html" target="_blank">Week 1: Rows 1 & 8</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-anchors-away-week-2.html" target="_blank">Week 2: Rows 2 & 3</a><br />
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</span></span> <span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At the end of the QAL you'll be able to enter a photo, or link to a photo, of your completed top for a chance to WIN a Free <a href="http://craftsy.com/">Craftsy.com</a> class for Quilting your large quilt... and this <i>is</i> a large quilt, on your home machine!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Quilting-Big-Projects-on-a-Small-Machine/51" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tk-MCCjkPm9e8wmhWHIYL3sWilT_zyPQbFkllzTbDyLQzGHVxRvSfXnMVoULJ3W3-BiyIx8bvmFq4E4oM6LpyB28sLemzBx-c6iZw6jh9dkuuaNylUzbzdnOoqVZJjqIXtM1lRbe1Jw/s1600/QuiltingLargeProjects.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMAnCe2SmdOzVqvxF5khP9YK9AzW-_e7hzg5E8iCOMQAJG9GUC1JfSxz4TR0gWO7k2QJ7-GZpFbWDLPsK9dDTtbU_aI9n-QuTZwXMK9_Edi1Q_geSzNqhoy4Bg_pbY-YEdCugWnkTEc0/s1600/craftsy-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMAnCe2SmdOzVqvxF5khP9YK9AzW-_e7hzg5E8iCOMQAJG9GUC1JfSxz4TR0gWO7k2QJ7-GZpFbWDLPsK9dDTtbU_aI9n-QuTZwXMK9_Edi1Q_geSzNqhoy4Bg_pbY-YEdCugWnkTEc0/s1600/craftsy-logo.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you to Craftsy for generousrly sponsoring the SoChick QAL! This lesson is valued at $39.99 and is full of very useful information, plus it's yours to keep and watch whenever; over and over again! Stop by <a href="http://craftsy.com/">Craftsy.com</a> to check out all of the awesomeness going on over there.</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: large; line-height: 40px;">* * *</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">{Week 3: Row 4 & Row 5}</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">We are going to put our rows together in reverse order today because I have started using the method of "Chain Piecing" when sewing all of these little squares together when there are sections full of them. As a reminder, I'll refer to the Row and then the Section within the Row as shown in the Anchors Aweigh Quilt Pattern.(ex: Row 5 Section 2 (R5S2).)</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;">Row 5:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Lay out your pieces.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Now, with Row 5 Section 2, (R5S2) we are going to start chain piecing our squares. Chain piecing is a time-saving technique used in quilting where you sew fabric pieces together in a continuous chain or loop. It's especially helpful with the little squares we're working with and I noticed that it makes handling them much easier as well as they are all kept together, literally.</span></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">R5S2, we will only chain piece the squares in the lower part of this section, and again in Section 8. I pieced the solids and top four squares as I normally would. <i>(not shown in this pic, but you'll see in the next, *wink*)</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Following the arrows, you'll place the squares on top of each other right sides together, making two rows of square pairs (photo 2 below). Then, you will stitch, using your 1/4 in seam allowance, on the right side of the squares, as indicated by the arrows in photo 2; continuing down each row. Once you stitch one pair of squares, without lifting your presser foot and without trimming your thread, you'll place the next pair under to be stitched and so on. All of the squares will be connected by a "chain" of fabric. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKJLgQiVXW_YZoZJVI2bLeJFI5ia8JcmV6FAdlH0dLlc7sJId0NxOwJYnwC0CLQ6ZihbSNvrp3ODOx2IFIoA0eOgsV5JHxjz5mYkqvb3mqf9SjBIZJ3GGyE5DfLViIRiqrdL_HPmmIsI/s1600/SoChickQAL_ChainPiecing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjKJLgQiVXW_YZoZJVI2bLeJFI5ia8JcmV6FAdlH0dLlc7sJId0NxOwJYnwC0CLQ6ZihbSNvrp3ODOx2IFIoA0eOgsV5JHxjz5mYkqvb3mqf9SjBIZJ3GGyE5DfLViIRiqrdL_HPmmIsI/s640/SoChickQAL_ChainPiecing.jpg" width="409" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">You'll finger-press the seams open on the square pairs and repeat the process with the pairs, joining them at the center seam (photo 4, above) being careful not to twist your chain as you go (pinning can be helpful for the first run-through). Next, without trimming the chain stitches, you'll attach all of these little rows together as we did in previous rows by nesting the seams. The good news is, with all of the rows attached by the chain stitches, lining up the seams and stitching is a piece of cake!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Once all of the little rows are stitched</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 24px;"> together, trim the chain stitches and press all of these seams open before joining the bottom of this section to the top. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCE3-5T5vc0M7HluOG0ZEbct0hyphenhyphenrkQVG1tqXCP_bApVRfEcxDQPD_rhirPKB8QEr-huzNwZc4B0JPi8_Sd8l1Bhahqs67v2KyEMG-fMJXB-R8nspJtllU-L__XENSf5S4jRpTfhCFoOs/s1600/SoChickQAL_ChainPiecing6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghCE3-5T5vc0M7HluOG0ZEbct0hyphenhyphenrkQVG1tqXCP_bApVRfEcxDQPD_rhirPKB8QEr-huzNwZc4B0JPi8_Sd8l1Bhahqs67v2KyEMG-fMJXB-R8nspJtllU-L__XENSf5S4jRpTfhCFoOs/s320/SoChickQAL_ChainPiecing6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trim chain stitches before pressing seams open.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Complete Row 7, then continue chain-piecing with Row 5 Section 5 and you'll find how quickly these sections go together using this time-saving technique.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Once you've completed R5 Sections 2, 8, and 5, Sections 3 and 7 stitch up quickly. When sewing with your solids, be careful not to pull at the solid fabrics as this will distort the seam. This is especially important to remember when piecing the row together.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3Q9v41rAL2MSA0hXYpeC7QEsNBHO_TEbJd4tmbfAifm5HoVmWRplE2oOpbfk_gWdgb4zZe56WWKbf60NrT3m7uhPDlC7tjQCDIZTie40utVG0LyyFxTK-zPKZ8X96sZcnP-VpYTEJ5c/s1600/SoChickQAL_R5S3S7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3Q9v41rAL2MSA0hXYpeC7QEsNBHO_TEbJd4tmbfAifm5HoVmWRplE2oOpbfk_gWdgb4zZe56WWKbf60NrT3m7uhPDlC7tjQCDIZTie40utVG0LyyFxTK-zPKZ8X96sZcnP-VpYTEJ5c/s640/SoChickQAL_R5S3S7.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Row 5 Sections 3 & 7</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">You'll notice that my sections are a little wonky, before stitching them together I am sure to starch and press them all, even the solids. I then stitch together the pieced sections, 2 & 3 and 7 & 8, next I joined 4, 5, and 6. I joined these pairings and added the final outside solids 1 & 9. I find that this method allows be to best line up my pieces as straight as possible by checking against a solid fabric edge... as they aren't wonky like my pieced sections. I have not cut down any of my pieced sections... any wonky-ness is absorbed in my 1/4 in seam allowance... so far. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 24px;">Row 4:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Again, lay out the pieces... <i>and keep that pattern handy!</i></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmiueYAthCYYBEsPYkKWcNZFOOBpQXNzbL-uwsiTJQj0rS5Hqamex6F1wC7HlvUZs4cgUN2M1AZ0h2En0_BZk4Lg0qcDT1K2C8PLToznCiVq-Y_mTN3iU6GWGLulOE9j9Tbihx5-biUI/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row4Fabrics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmiueYAthCYYBEsPYkKWcNZFOOBpQXNzbL-uwsiTJQj0rS5Hqamex6F1wC7HlvUZs4cgUN2M1AZ0h2En0_BZk4Lg0qcDT1K2C8PLToznCiVq-Y_mTN3iU6GWGLulOE9j9Tbihx5-biUI/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row4Fabrics.jpg" /></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></b> <span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">Now that you've got chain piecing figured out, this row will go together quickly. You'll use the chain piecing method for all of Row 4 Section 4. Below is a photo of attaching your chain pieced rows together, nesting seams, etc... and what it looks like with everything attached.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgVk19Dw1WETAy3clOhId30fDhOesPgppE0HSZlId7Te4mM7dbzWvkytWOBSLcTmHRnxpC-8t8OGsY4SXs8xRyaUG3cwQqKxV16MGBmhV6ZbG5rVzFKG02wjyqj6SpFQgwcF21Zt9Snk/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row4Pcing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgVk19Dw1WETAy3clOhId30fDhOesPgppE0HSZlId7Te4mM7dbzWvkytWOBSLcTmHRnxpC-8t8OGsY4SXs8xRyaUG3cwQqKxV16MGBmhV6ZbG5rVzFKG02wjyqj6SpFQgwcF21Zt9Snk/s640/SoChickQAL_Row4Pcing.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chain piecing makes the next step, of nesting seams and stitching the little rows together, move quickly.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Once you finish R4S4, the next two sections, 2 & 6, go together quickly, too! </span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stitch all of your sections together and do a happy dance that you are more than half-way through Tula Pink's Anchors Aweigh Quilt top!</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We have two more rows to go, then we'll join them and be ready to share our completed tops... <i>Woo Hoo!</i> It is SO exciting to see this come together and I'm thrilled to be sewing it with you! Remember to share photos of your progress in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/2153666@N20/" target="_blank">SoChick QAL Flickr</a> group, or on Instagram with the hashtag #SoChickQAL.</span></span><br />
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</span></span> <span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See you next week!</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Psst... if you have a blog or website, please grab a button (copy and paste the code from the right sidebar) to share the fun with everyone and let them know what you've been stitching.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><b><br />
</b></span></span> <b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa </span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-65889514489655262132013-02-25T19:39:00.001-05:002013-03-17T12:21:16.403-04:00SoChick Quilt Along {Anchors Away: Week 2}<div class="MsoNormal">
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Welcome to Week 2 of the SoChick 1st Annual QAL!</div>
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If you're just joining in, be sure to visit the following posts to get up to speed:<br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" target="_blank">Original QAL Post</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-get-ready-prep-cut.html" target="_blank">Cut & Prep</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-anchors-aweigh-week1.html" target="_blank">Week 1: Rows 1 & 8</a><br />
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Don't forget to share your photos on Instagram (use hashtag #SoChickQAL) or in the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/2153666@N20/" target="_blank">SoChickQAL Group</a> on Flickr. Thanks to the gals who have already shared photos of their progress, Sheri and Rio, I hope more of you will share, I love seeing your work! Also, at the end of the QAL you can upload a photo of your completed Anchors Aweigh quilt top into the linky party (which will be in the final post) for a chance to win a Free Craftsy Lesson! Thanks to Craftsy for sponsoring the SoChick QAL.<br />
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Quilting-Big-Projects-on-a-Small-Machine/51" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tk-MCCjkPm9e8wmhWHIYL3sWilT_zyPQbFkllzTbDyLQzGHVxRvSfXnMVoULJ3W3-BiyIx8bvmFq4E4oM6LpyB28sLemzBx-c6iZw6jh9dkuuaNylUzbzdnOoqVZJjqIXtM1lRbe1Jw/s400/QuiltingLargeProjects.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;">* * *</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;">Week 2 {Anchors Aweigh Row 2 & Row 3}</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">I'm sure you know from the previous posts that I'm stressing organization for this QAL. <i>Only because</i> it really will make it much smoother going if everything is organized, labeled, laid out, etc.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">For this QAL I've laid out my sewing space to include my cutting mat (where I am cutting my solids and laying out the pieces to each row), Tula Pink's Anchors Aweigh quilt pattern, my sewing machine (<i>of course *wink*</i>) and my ironing board/iron/spray starch.\</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Row 2</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Start by cutting your solid prints: I cut the two sections that are 12.5in in length from the yardage, then the smaller pieces from the leftovers <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-anchors-aweigh-week1.html" target="_blank">I saved from Row 1</a>. Then, pull all of the squares needed for Row 2 from their baggies; lay it all out.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxVph3Ganyv93GpnL1VwN1OS7No1Gpy-mkxijfwTEZB5kbmHUjbg3PTdByqFLJn5Iy2HYHUB0EFJ9qp9gYn-FjdtVlriFlPjNTZBZTX-bJmIiLT1us57H2tRuCiS6uDidY8wrgSvAs48/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row2Fabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaxVph3Ganyv93GpnL1VwN1OS7No1Gpy-mkxijfwTEZB5kbmHUjbg3PTdByqFLJn5Iy2HYHUB0EFJ9qp9gYn-FjdtVlriFlPjNTZBZTX-bJmIiLT1us57H2tRuCiS6uDidY8wrgSvAs48/s640/SoChickQAL_Row2Fabs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Here is the layout for Row 2 from Tula's Anchors Aweigh Pattern:</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVElfRY760Gl5Yac10XLt3C6YALL2Tpy5n3_iwgLfDNYCTJ9h2oWCne8kOVis6LS7B21ujniQD3M9bgosbr0Sj3-mT9BSI867YP-9TgoX0Myyy2A_xlknZeN8PM1AfVv1RJmaC23LasuY/s1600/Row+2+Pattern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVElfRY760Gl5Yac10XLt3C6YALL2Tpy5n3_iwgLfDNYCTJ9h2oWCne8kOVis6LS7B21ujniQD3M9bgosbr0Sj3-mT9BSI867YP-9TgoX0Myyy2A_xlknZeN8PM1AfVv1RJmaC23LasuY/s640/Row+2+Pattern.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anchors Aweigh Row 2</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">From here on out I will refer to the Row (R) and Section (S) that we are working on. (i.e., set the solids from R2S1 and R2S5 to the side for now).</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">We are going to start sewing Row 2 Section 2 (R2S2). Looking at the pattern, I laid out the section on my work surface.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR3a0G4DkgqmegwCQM0PhOw9_RwQwiRY-TeQTszR7wr6ynKu-IQgZATY7dJG95vW9Cy2o0ov1tPNROv7ZjFjKU0lUTSiZCc3VpvTg4LH9PH77tWxHcjS4f-5JWpIG6uZrSpC3wgfMelI/s1600/SoChiclQAL_R2S2layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR3a0G4DkgqmegwCQM0PhOw9_RwQwiRY-TeQTszR7wr6ynKu-IQgZATY7dJG95vW9Cy2o0ov1tPNROv7ZjFjKU0lUTSiZCc3VpvTg4LH9PH77tWxHcjS4f-5JWpIG6uZrSpC3wgfMelI/s400/SoChiclQAL_R2S2layout.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Next, we will sew the pieces together end-to-end, working from top to bottom, to create four columns of squares. Once all of the columns are sewn, press all of the seams open.</div>
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**Continue to use the same 1/4in seam allowance as previous rows!</div>
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To complete this section, you will place two columns on top of each other (referring to the pattern for placement), right sides together, being sure to line up the seams, and stitch. Nesting the seams is a great way to do this: basically you will line the seams (which have been pressed open) on top of each other; lightly roll them between your fingertips to butt the two seams together... place a pin through the aligned seams, then stitch (watch that your seams are staying open as you stitch through them). You can remove the pin right before stitching through the seam to ensure the seams stay aligned. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KoroLMgqcouplGbktIoFSIOGIK3-FBnB2HX32v-e4CWWs6pW7SMkswLtNSAjcg0FcLBZItsxv69XZtSo3lLX2raYAEHZ2uc0OPxRUo1vl3ekxMQT7S5lQR76wgSfucGl6vcCIoJcv5g/s1600/SoChickQAL_R2nesting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_KoroLMgqcouplGbktIoFSIOGIK3-FBnB2HX32v-e4CWWs6pW7SMkswLtNSAjcg0FcLBZItsxv69XZtSo3lLX2raYAEHZ2uc0OPxRUo1vl3ekxMQT7S5lQR76wgSfucGl6vcCIoJcv5g/s400/SoChickQAL_R2nesting.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Roll" the seams with your fingertips to get them to "Nest"</td></tr>
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Repeat this process with the two halves of R2S2 and press all seams open. You will repeat this entire process for R2R4 also. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx_Jw6oCO3_dSxx5QA9XqSw_1Aphbzaf_IpijGSP0vel2CIh46vfqBa18GZqN_obd8blDnz7J0G35B199zzI7PO6oDXIwaC8BgNA1z5yODZjfIsRm2JVUGSlyTtcn7hFh0y126Nqf0ig/s1600/SoChickQAL_R2openseams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKx_Jw6oCO3_dSxx5QA9XqSw_1Aphbzaf_IpijGSP0vel2CIh46vfqBa18GZqN_obd8blDnz7J0G35B199zzI7PO6oDXIwaC8BgNA1z5yODZjfIsRm2JVUGSlyTtcn7hFh0y126Nqf0ig/s400/SoChickQAL_R2openseams.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">R2S3 is assembled by joining the squares across, then aligning the rows to stitch. When you lay out your pieces for S2R3, you will notice that the square prints extend beyond the solid piece, this is </span><i style="line-height: 24px;">okay</i><span style="line-height: 24px;">, the solid is cut to account for the seam allowance. Once stitched, the row of squares will match up with the solid piece. Remember, press all seams open here, too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Once the pieced sections (S2, S3, and S4) of Row 2 are completed, it's time to join them.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ5Teo4SwIZVuKZfrLWOA0I-2oo1Jlq1rSuzyq8nkyVxdLOR-uR1guHZfZh9a1Z_awGWDdTheHuOOyP1btYAMQe6wK7FkiTPb3K0ZpukMp948s-unsZRD7fs0LbcuAW6tpetIcxd9d4g/s1600/SoChickQAL_R2S2and3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ5Teo4SwIZVuKZfrLWOA0I-2oo1Jlq1rSuzyq8nkyVxdLOR-uR1guHZfZh9a1Z_awGWDdTheHuOOyP1btYAMQe6wK7FkiTPb3K0ZpukMp948s-unsZRD7fs0LbcuAW6tpetIcxd9d4g/s400/SoChickQAL_R2S2and3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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R2S2 will join to R2S3 by placing right side down on S3, nesting seams, and sewing. Press this seam open and repeat on the opposite side of S3, with S4. Refer to the Anchors Aweigh Quilt Pattern to ensure your sections and placement are correct. Once completed, press all seams open and complete Row 2 by joining Sections 1 & 2 and Sections 4 & 5.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBQG820Wmq-qgySVIrAsEPGsmC1CzBFo8NdvnkS-dkCZOiCiw77-0Y2LN8ugwyZQryP6mzjhmdzpx-KDKLKqvo4JB6HDPfzUMg5NToQyM-UWYeHIuMVN_IrRB0M9gHnvihjPptl7qOuY/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row2Center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBBQG820Wmq-qgySVIrAsEPGsmC1CzBFo8NdvnkS-dkCZOiCiw77-0Y2LN8ugwyZQryP6mzjhmdzpx-KDKLKqvo4JB6HDPfzUMg5NToQyM-UWYeHIuMVN_IrRB0M9gHnvihjPptl7qOuY/s400/SoChickQAL_Row2Center.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pieced center of Row 2</td></tr>
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Yay! Row 2 is complete, now it's time to tackle Row 3 with more piecing and more sections...</div>
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<span style="color: magenta;"><b>Row 3</b></span> is broken down into Nine sections. Begin by cutting your solid pieces and laying out all of the square prints needed for this Row.<br />
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<b>*Pattern Correction*</b> Fabric "K" is not used in Row 3 Section 4, this is an error in the pattern... Fabric "K" is not used at all in Row 3.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGOPJXYL8y65jXkKNmzkXwnxm59LOhkLu8mlnltft3zXcOzWHNHtw7cwD1KIw_ZCzhG9KGht2kND1ZNAeJRfvjGeiBmt0IyAS-BTehDoQ7XypOW2Dp-tUjuWfaldo-izTMHz5gONtcHI/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGOPJXYL8y65jXkKNmzkXwnxm59LOhkLu8mlnltft3zXcOzWHNHtw7cwD1KIw_ZCzhG9KGht2kND1ZNAeJRfvjGeiBmt0IyAS-BTehDoQ7XypOW2Dp-tUjuWfaldo-izTMHz5gONtcHI/s640/SoChickQAL_Row3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfCQ4X4PDRSSgwLAofdheW3aLDwyOPhBFpY9N5ZBhjTwtv0yw7ZnqfRQSQQa4HHpD3mnTb5vVmP6GFhWvwmYRWroDQ2C9mZqYtcHcYzFWbqnEN7r2gu9oyxZtp93riEXImSO2AKlT0nI/s1600/Row3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfCQ4X4PDRSSgwLAofdheW3aLDwyOPhBFpY9N5ZBhjTwtv0yw7ZnqfRQSQQa4HHpD3mnTb5vVmP6GFhWvwmYRWroDQ2C9mZqYtcHcYzFWbqnEN7r2gu9oyxZtp93riEXImSO2AKlT0nI/s640/Row3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Piecing Sections 2 and 8 is similar to R2S3...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV997JtYThgro9ww7Q49I82_T5ljRAWC5SUdkqSISIx1lm2AIAhFPIzdxEJ2bpQKm7CUNu-SeQwkIbJRdyVil90DGq1Eq16LZXVlzGvdKh0N60Fslfr_KwSgLcH22SckfMHlNctW4se4/s1600/SoChickQAL_R3S2and8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsV997JtYThgro9ww7Q49I82_T5ljRAWC5SUdkqSISIx1lm2AIAhFPIzdxEJ2bpQKm7CUNu-SeQwkIbJRdyVil90DGq1Eq16LZXVlzGvdKh0N60Fslfr_KwSgLcH22SckfMHlNctW4se4/s640/SoChickQAL_R3S2and8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Sew squares across in rows, then nest seams and connect the rows... <i>pressing all seams open.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2dzctv64iEdB7ruFDmNquykJ4WrcuMuDypcLCIFlUep9IWAhfvbWdmHmPkcYCkgLXxlykSgsmMZKw-zw8aRG5501bR5-vhDc5TNRGftKNYMEnQKFl2qfhZ9P7FoHTWXWClCiy27LFA4/s1600/SoChickQAL_R3starch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA2dzctv64iEdB7ruFDmNquykJ4WrcuMuDypcLCIFlUep9IWAhfvbWdmHmPkcYCkgLXxlykSgsmMZKw-zw8aRG5501bR5-vhDc5TNRGftKNYMEnQKFl2qfhZ9P7FoHTWXWClCiy27LFA4/s640/SoChickQAL_R3starch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Repeat with Sections 3 and 7.</div>
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When you get to Sections 4 and 6, you can save time by finger pressing the seams open. I saved the finger pressing method for sections with fewer seams because I can move quickly through them. Finger pressed seams don't tend to have staying power, so I don't recommend the method when working with several seams.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW8oOl-kPv2NMLJJus8HJ0Efa-AVCyyuZi-8g2awLHQjNBnruwj8n2JqKUSL-huN4OTTzA6iu6k4yC1257aZfzONVQv4KJz0h_ODpFXA_X2_VmjtXtBDVOZcoF0c-IpmUcr1Gm2IP7f0/s1600/SoChickQAL_R3fingerpress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyW8oOl-kPv2NMLJJus8HJ0Efa-AVCyyuZi-8g2awLHQjNBnruwj8n2JqKUSL-huN4OTTzA6iu6k4yC1257aZfzONVQv4KJz0h_ODpFXA_X2_VmjtXtBDVOZcoF0c-IpmUcr1Gm2IP7f0/s640/SoChickQAL_R3fingerpress.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, piece R3S5 stitching squares across into rows, then nesting seams and joining the rows...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ3EJvGOS02XcOiZYcdLrxxUXYBc_ug31Pk0rD5_OtFTX7oRl-jutuLyMwthLRPbG65cgE9AMzNFS3KcUq3o6TQypfIO83JeBy9hYk366Le5a2l1r7N8GQoH-Q6LbfHGwXiCxHWLDWpw/s1600/SoChickQAL_R3S5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMZ3EJvGOS02XcOiZYcdLrxxUXYBc_ug31Pk0rD5_OtFTX7oRl-jutuLyMwthLRPbG65cgE9AMzNFS3KcUq3o6TQypfIO83JeBy9hYk366Le5a2l1r7N8GQoH-Q6LbfHGwXiCxHWLDWpw/s640/SoChickQAL_R3S5.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Note: As you sew, keep checking to ensure that you are stitching all of your seams open... open seams will reduce bulk in your quilt top.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Trim any long threads as you go... this saves time at the end, too.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhespw4u8ZhdVdeYT4Ysq09gT4O1ztv6Kxu52qHdstouOLcBh4rw2XCSOntL1r3RrFoW-MCI7xDZhF4IcfNhL7nvAKES_g90gj3aC40GaG1kTqbQwZYlRu3Op2Uagxz_4KEC2CYY8qhxB0/s1600/SoChickQAL_R3S5TrimThreads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhespw4u8ZhdVdeYT4Ysq09gT4O1ztv6Kxu52qHdstouOLcBh4rw2XCSOntL1r3RrFoW-MCI7xDZhF4IcfNhL7nvAKES_g90gj3aC40GaG1kTqbQwZYlRu3Op2Uagxz_4KEC2CYY8qhxB0/s640/SoChickQAL_R3S5TrimThreads.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Finally, sew all of the Row 3 sections together, checking the pattern layout to ensure the Sections are in order. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTESWbYV7z-TLRXqEQHuKUtfgQ4d1CwyCKeiBfpAbCg_KNU3wGl1ZabaUBN-Fu5eiTRFmp0MvQ2cy2K8tJE5Vjq2fueCeR4sEfftl0reBPCCYLJ4iwEx2N_F3QWIOLmYwrEteM0hIxwas/s1600/SoChickQAL_R3layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTESWbYV7z-TLRXqEQHuKUtfgQ4d1CwyCKeiBfpAbCg_KNU3wGl1ZabaUBN-Fu5eiTRFmp0MvQ2cy2K8tJE5Vjq2fueCeR4sEfftl0reBPCCYLJ4iwEx2N_F3QWIOLmYwrEteM0hIxwas/s640/SoChickQAL_R3layout.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I thought it'd be neat to see the real-life version next to the pattern image:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlr1JC10SDpRifeGR-D2dvNRp7bxmTyi3z-nszl16wzZRsRJfVgAEXsGkZFeNhgZokJvsWArV85eC5X2KRNlk4tTiRvv-YdgEBbuVNh69weMIkZaQcgtlowL4s0IGD2ynw_7KH5OHLF8/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row3Layoutfull.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMlr1JC10SDpRifeGR-D2dvNRp7bxmTyi3z-nszl16wzZRsRJfVgAEXsGkZFeNhgZokJvsWArV85eC5X2KRNlk4tTiRvv-YdgEBbuVNh69weMIkZaQcgtlowL4s0IGD2ynw_7KH5OHLF8/s640/SoChickQAL_Row3Layoutfull.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfCQ4X4PDRSSgwLAofdheW3aLDwyOPhBFpY9N5ZBhjTwtv0yw7ZnqfRQSQQa4HHpD3mnTb5vVmP6GFhWvwmYRWroDQ2C9mZqYtcHcYzFWbqnEN7r2gu9oyxZtp93riEXImSO2AKlT0nI/s1600/Row3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYfCQ4X4PDRSSgwLAofdheW3aLDwyOPhBFpY9N5ZBhjTwtv0yw7ZnqfRQSQQa4HHpD3mnTb5vVmP6GFhWvwmYRWroDQ2C9mZqYtcHcYzFWbqnEN7r2gu9oyxZtp93riEXImSO2AKlT0nI/s640/Row3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Once all of your sections are sewn together, press those seams open and starch! You've completed Row 2 and Row 3 of Tula Pink's Anchors Aweigh Quilt! </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9iTREB9MQpPOsU99M8x9HVcrObMyviGp-5WnzLYRqJda1w3WDHfz73a7h0gmn9JLhPhyplCq1TYbfkBjkSR10WZ0VFGI4vSttHUZUdXgZYurU1sR19nPljBLuQ5PVtLX0UwdLcFH_MA/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row2andRow3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9iTREB9MQpPOsU99M8x9HVcrObMyviGp-5WnzLYRqJda1w3WDHfz73a7h0gmn9JLhPhyplCq1TYbfkBjkSR10WZ0VFGI4vSttHUZUdXgZYurU1sR19nPljBLuQ5PVtLX0UwdLcFH_MA/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row2andRow3.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Isn't it a blast seeing the Rows come together!? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>Share your progress, chat with me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/#!/TheSoChickChick" target="_blank">Twitter</a>, <a href="http://www.instagram.com/thesochickchick" target="_blank">Instagram</a> or <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/2153666@N20/" target="_blank">Flickr</a>, and if you have a question, I'm here to help!</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>Happy Sewing!</i></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-4111245004898301012013-02-20T08:19:00.002-05:002013-02-20T08:19:24.321-05:00Random Sewing Inspirations via Pinterest {The Crafty Tattoo}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">There is so much to be found on Pinterest...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span> <span style="line-height: 24px;">This morning I did a search for "Sewing Inspiration" which led me to wonder about "<a href="http://pinterest.com/search/pins/?q=sewing+tattoo" target="_blank">Sewing Tattoos</a>"... what I found is that crafty folks are quite crafty with their skin decorations as well...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Here is one of the several very cool sewing/craft tattoos that I happened upon...</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/17803360996694307/" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550x/34/15/1e/34151ed12f1a667654cd9cbd3ffb9295.jpg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/knotageek/5579247103/in/pool-631761@N23/" style="text-decoration: underline;">flickr.com</a> via <a href="http://pinterest.com/wagmorebarkless/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Trying to be</a> on <a href="http://pinterest.com/" style="text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br />
</span><span style="line-height: 24px;">Since I don't embed images that won't link directly to the original, I'm going to suggest you just <a href="http://draft.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20style='padding-bottom:%202px;%20line-height:%200px'%3E%3Ca%20href='http://pinterest.com/pin/17803360996694307/'%20target='_blank'%3E%3Cimg%20src='http://media-cache-ec3.pinterest.com/550x/34/15/1e/34151ed12f1a667654cd9cbd3ffb9295.jpg'%20border='0'%20width='384'%20height%20='640'/%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20style='float:%20left;%20padding-top:%200px;%20padding-bottom:%200px;'%3E%3Cp%20style='font-size:%2010px;%20color:%20#76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.flickr.com/photos/knotageek/5579247103/in/pool-631761@N23/'>flickr.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/wagmorebarkless/' target='_blank'>Trying to be</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p></div>" target="_blank">have a peek</a> for yourself!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Happy Wednesday!</span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-31557398781325215312013-02-18T07:28:00.000-05:002013-02-18T07:28:50.711-05:00SoChick! Quilt Along {Anchors Aweigh: Week1}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">Welcome to the first week of SoChick's 1st Annual Quilt Along! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoh1xio-sxBU6oT37fVLuQMHJ6UyvEiRErp1z179moeblzUvTI2Q6LepicqX63zz9u_U2uYkrJAkoEWxbTejsfTi2cZnb0DobD-x1QOhUJbUMZ5RwuH2ewaqoOSkVtYztq-jfabSD4Yw/s1600/SoChick_QuiltAlongAnchors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoh1xio-sxBU6oT37fVLuQMHJ6UyvEiRErp1z179moeblzUvTI2Q6LepicqX63zz9u_U2uYkrJAkoEWxbTejsfTi2cZnb0DobD-x1QOhUJbUMZ5RwuH2ewaqoOSkVtYztq-jfabSD4Yw/s320/SoChick_QuiltAlongAnchors.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><span style="line-height: 115%;">Are you ready to start </span><span style="line-height: 24px;">piecing</span><span style="line-height: 115%;"> the top for your epic Anchors Aweigh Quilt?!</span></i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">We'll be doing approximately two rows per week of Tula Pink's Anchors Aweigh quilt top. At the end of the QAL you'll have the opportunity to submit a photo of your completed Quilt Top, via a link party in the final post, for a chance to win a Free Lesson from Craftsy.com, which will help you to complete your quilt on your home sewing machine!</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/class/Quilting-Big-Projects-on-a-Small-Machine/51" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Tk-MCCjkPm9e8wmhWHIYL3sWilT_zyPQbFkllzTbDyLQzGHVxRvSfXnMVoULJ3W3-BiyIx8bvmFq4E4oM6LpyB28sLemzBx-c6iZw6jh9dkuuaNylUzbzdnOoqVZJjqIXtM1lRbe1Jw/s400/QuiltingLargeProjects.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.craftsy.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheMAnCe2SmdOzVqvxF5khP9YK9AzW-_e7hzg5E8iCOMQAJG9GUC1JfSxz4TR0gWO7k2QJ7-GZpFbWDLPsK9dDTtbU_aI9n-QuTZwXMK9_Edi1Q_geSzNqhoy4Bg_pbY-YEdCugWnkTEc0/s1600/craftsy-logo.png" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You can read more about the Quilt Along, <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Read about cutting & prepping your fabric, <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-get-ready-prep-cut.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>Here we go!</i> </span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;">* * *</span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24px;">Week 1 {Anchors Aweigh Row 1 & Row 8}</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Remember, as I mentioned when we were <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/02/sochick-quilt-along-get-ready-prep-cut.html" target="_blank">cutting and prepping our fabric</a>... Organization is key! This quilt top will go together much more smoothly if you stay organized and on top of all of your pieces. Also, you will want the quilt pattern in front of you as you prep and sew each section/row, and I will reference the pattern throughout the Quilt Along.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Let's begin!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">We've cut our squares ahead of time and labeled them:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnCoYk5M-UNF0kP3JFfPv44-9T_b0ycf-p_qwdN7aoXz2EptNaBAwuoULcLoXM9p_yqfCI9-zDoJTlKaBCv2ru5tyYaKrD_1KM-dg-U3MYmneBXsH9C2t4qEonv3EnIMazdAfHxEshdM/s1600/SoChickQAL_SquaresinBags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipnCoYk5M-UNF0kP3JFfPv44-9T_b0ycf-p_qwdN7aoXz2EptNaBAwuoULcLoXM9p_yqfCI9-zDoJTlKaBCv2ru5tyYaKrD_1KM-dg-U3MYmneBXsH9C2t4qEonv3EnIMazdAfHxEshdM/s640/SoChickQAL_SquaresinBags.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbF23Y170esZpC7c8i6pgpPg0Qft8dr3OTz7TY8rh_8mEMZdQRWkJvX1vVYwV_iBomDxdaGnIIqMhratSuvphl4BdCDFpgBbrXbcj1tXwI2szZmqha7OkP3xgaR2BIb9LDEtafPwiMl3I/s1600/SoChickQAL_SquaresinTray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbF23Y170esZpC7c8i6pgpPg0Qft8dr3OTz7TY8rh_8mEMZdQRWkJvX1vVYwV_iBomDxdaGnIIqMhratSuvphl4BdCDFpgBbrXbcj1tXwI2szZmqha7OkP3xgaR2BIb9LDEtafPwiMl3I/s400/SoChickQAL_SquaresinTray.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Now we can cut the solids for Row 1 and Row 8... k</span><span style="line-height: 24px;">eep in mind that when cutting long Width of Fabric (WOF) strips, you can save time and ensure a straighter cut by keeping the fabric folded as it was on the bolt, in half, selvage to selvage, to make one single WOF cut.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxy_jRHEBUn-Ftzo0QR8soNrQ07LHdMyrxJpyJDSOO5bluSPTqWUB1KFcg0B3N6ZXtT3D_0vuy8q-xEfdviRYpqFAQV5I4EjkT_Z0fnqX3MRWowADb6N4BriREl-Awu8kHSFtW20N0NeA/s1600/SoChickQAL_CuttingSolids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxy_jRHEBUn-Ftzo0QR8soNrQ07LHdMyrxJpyJDSOO5bluSPTqWUB1KFcg0B3N6ZXtT3D_0vuy8q-xEfdviRYpqFAQV5I4EjkT_Z0fnqX3MRWowADb6N4BriREl-Awu8kHSFtW20N0NeA/s640/SoChickQAL_CuttingSolids.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4x5a-mwI2OlWCe5X326jvnRnaxbWoF3OMwNNF4OGBqs01rSBqRC7Uq1gYc_aqnTQjmpQNweQV5XsIOYkbaYelKVDl_XZjr1fC7RP4Be18ouWkXVcC2pO5XoQ3tgfydJAacqxxhLA_x0/s1600/Row1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK4x5a-mwI2OlWCe5X326jvnRnaxbWoF3OMwNNF4OGBqs01rSBqRC7Uq1gYc_aqnTQjmpQNweQV5XsIOYkbaYelKVDl_XZjr1fC7RP4Be18ouWkXVcC2pO5XoQ3tgfydJAacqxxhLA_x0/s640/Row1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Each Row is broken down into sections. This is Row 1, Sections 1, 2 &3.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I started by cutting my larger 12.5in strips (sections 1 & 3), then cut the 11in strip for each row. Once you cut the smaller pieces you need from the 11in section of fabric you can set the extra fabric aside for later rows.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Next, I pull out all of the squares called for in the given row and lay them with the corresponding solids, below.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2Xs3vpuwn1kh7Aj1lfVIDOHiYV04aukvVK5tvLxiCGx4Bb8TX_wbS2J6s9WND3dkJ5t80WHE7JM4vG9ZFUE0GZ62suT-5nCPLbR89nXAcqe0IDYOnFq3rbASN_kMODhqeErbwi73DWc/s1600/SoChickQAL_Rows1and8Fabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2Xs3vpuwn1kh7Aj1lfVIDOHiYV04aukvVK5tvLxiCGx4Bb8TX_wbS2J6s9WND3dkJ5t80WHE7JM4vG9ZFUE0GZ62suT-5nCPLbR89nXAcqe0IDYOnFq3rbASN_kMODhqeErbwi73DWc/s640/SoChickQAL_Rows1and8Fabs.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Now that our first two Rows are prepped, it's time to sew them!</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Row 1:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVsGIP3wKup6rIwYz33EzxsSmf_8jAWi_ypZJ8HtMi9_VUuY5M7U6jBBh9AWTeMjALplldMr76vdDWmcSo36oHAYliR5dz13YqaTXj_ukmjm1gDWyz9Ka6cxqg3sEdCOY43CVeTZ3a-o/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row1pcs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVsGIP3wKup6rIwYz33EzxsSmf_8jAWi_ypZJ8HtMi9_VUuY5M7U6jBBh9AWTeMjALplldMr76vdDWmcSo36oHAYliR5dz13YqaTXj_ukmjm1gDWyz9Ka6cxqg3sEdCOY43CVeTZ3a-o/s640/SoChickQAL_Row1pcs.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Align squares right sides together and stitch with a consistent 1/4" seam allowance, continue this way to stitch each square end-to-end.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-C4_l6nB3o3Yc3es1wpBDfqtGTN8nVAtPSeL8dUrCa2tqUTMgi1PrbAXe_pjZfZ3cH0prkG0bzr3VLrbvrPMr2WKaEJjLWJvktAjxTug4HFL54A3U074CnjSe2FSow0R88HLngDiGjw/s1600/SoChickQAL_SeamAllowances.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1-C4_l6nB3o3Yc3es1wpBDfqtGTN8nVAtPSeL8dUrCa2tqUTMgi1PrbAXe_pjZfZ3cH0prkG0bzr3VLrbvrPMr2WKaEJjLWJvktAjxTug4HFL54A3U074CnjSe2FSow0R88HLngDiGjw/s640/SoChickQAL_SeamAllowances.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsz4WuByyzEa85AxXnanXguj9kJjMILhQ-0N-8TR-TbQOWNvNFaO9dLHTva05S7jlFEJOW35VDU8J6yj5VStxToCcwFxOSFFmWMZREKpmRDghg_IBPXrmN0y1KnhjWtznHtHOXtXsNWw/s1600/SoChickQAL_SeamAllow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Press all seams open...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqh4J5jnxiWGJnfuU_OeCwe8V1IFuaZoC7kAHeIZnbnK9R4sxA5gVFtDjuk6_La0SLIKDCjEuW5DB4id0og032LwEWKmwOYhoGAzrxxrGzer7KmcD2t4VST6RZMwCEL-uJjHBaqTSrirY/s1600/SoChickQAL_OpenSeams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqh4J5jnxiWGJnfuU_OeCwe8V1IFuaZoC7kAHeIZnbnK9R4sxA5gVFtDjuk6_La0SLIKDCjEuW5DB4id0og032LwEWKmwOYhoGAzrxxrGzer7KmcD2t4VST6RZMwCEL-uJjHBaqTSrirY/s640/SoChickQAL_OpenSeams.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Align squares with bottom of white solid section and stitch, pressing that seam open also.</span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once the pieced sections of the row are stitched, give them a good shot of starch to keep the seams crisp...</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstEaKc3dL4ChHL6BDZtSyRLxRR__tKTY8YkoM-T7Mei5B7ANEkn_Z_qdk_zAzlBmlH61RcGtjYnkvrvJjkEQFN92huu1kiJPh5IStFmREhjf8vlL4IFwemclMsjzn398S3vF3l-P8qv4/s1600/SoChickQAL_Starch1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhstEaKc3dL4ChHL6BDZtSyRLxRR__tKTY8YkoM-T7Mei5B7ANEkn_Z_qdk_zAzlBmlH61RcGtjYnkvrvJjkEQFN92huu1kiJPh5IStFmREhjf8vlL4IFwemclMsjzn398S3vF3l-P8qv4/s640/SoChickQAL_Starch1.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Finish each row by joining all of the sections, using 1/4 in seam allowances and pressing seams open. I starched these as well... for good measure. Continue with Row 8. </span></span><br />
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="line-height: 24px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My finished rows... <i>of course I took the photos after I had folded them away, and yes, i pinned them to the back of my sofa... this quilt is going to be huge! *yay*</i></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1_MCZNsb5w_RfdviPmvwUrEqcCoZzihvdQphbN1CsxlkPwMW4z_LUUpdbPSpWvkm2VQf5zrVWDkRG_lAofXdo6rteRwPKgbIka2arinDASUCJVzqLn5kT_95zvggwlSmEVWO01RqjSQ/s1600/SoChickQAL_Row1and8b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv1_MCZNsb5w_RfdviPmvwUrEqcCoZzihvdQphbN1CsxlkPwMW4z_LUUpdbPSpWvkm2VQf5zrVWDkRG_lAofXdo6rteRwPKgbIka2arinDASUCJVzqLn5kT_95zvggwlSmEVWO01RqjSQ/s320/SoChickQAL_Row1and8b.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGX94EfesJHI1681j460A4wkyiFoo0tXFTRWEyWmysBmo3DDFiiWmUs37Hk0iMKYUFmM8yTyDbb9m9-e0T82Qau-7E_sSaet3XJmNmNwBqfHpUeVIH_9k1pD636wo7LteWnX1BU30cto/s1600/SoChickQAL_Rows1and8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJGX94EfesJHI1681j460A4wkyiFoo0tXFTRWEyWmysBmo3DDFiiWmUs37Hk0iMKYUFmM8yTyDbb9m9-e0T82Qau-7E_sSaet3XJmNmNwBqfHpUeVIH_9k1pD636wo7LteWnX1BU30cto/s1600/SoChickQAL_Rows1and8.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Well, two Rows down and six to go, <i>not so bad, right?!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>I'm excited to see your progress, please add your photo to the <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/2153666@N20/" target="_blank">SoChickQAL {Anchors Aweigh}</a> Flickr page or leave a comment on this post with a link to your photo on Instagram or other photo-sharing site! </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>Have questions? Ask away!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Galeforce BTN;"><span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-26010768301780593772013-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:002013-02-14T06:00:13.919-05:00♥ Happy Valentines Day ♥ {A Coupon For You!}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Treat yourself to some yummy fabric for Valentines day! Visit the <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.etsy.com/" target="_blank">SoChick Fabric Shoppe</a> on Etsy and use this coupon code to save 20%:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbTWrFz3FOdpBc9Jp7dWliZlMzBn56Ne9I8W8TcM2RId-ktH0usGipku9qgx55TPCiBv7SnwxbktYnz58Txkj13c4p3MQ8XzDgWAjrkmS9hnHCjyDyPncT4dRxWuHlzw2T2dKoHNm4PE/s1600/SoChick_CouponValentine+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRbTWrFz3FOdpBc9Jp7dWliZlMzBn56Ne9I8W8TcM2RId-ktH0usGipku9qgx55TPCiBv7SnwxbktYnz58Txkj13c4p3MQ8XzDgWAjrkmS9hnHCjyDyPncT4dRxWuHlzw2T2dKoHNm4PE/s400/SoChick_CouponValentine+(2).jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;">Simply enter the coupon code "<b>LOVE2SEW</b>" at checkout to save 20% on your total purchase. <i>And,</i> because I <span style="color: magenta;">heart</span> each and every one of you, this coupon doesn't expire until 7:00am EST on Monday, Feb 18th! <i>*Happy Dance* Enjoy!</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i><br /></i></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 24px;"><i>Happy Valentine's Day!</i></span></span><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-64086259516272542972013-02-13T09:36:00.000-05:002013-02-13T10:18:12.434-05:00SoChick! Quilt Along... Get Ready! {Prep & Cut}<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Are you ready?!</i></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span id="goog_1158786722"></span><span id="goog_1158786728"></span><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEoh1xio-sxBU6oT37fVLuQMHJ6UyvEiRErp1z179moeblzUvTI2Q6LepicqX63zz9u_U2uYkrJAkoEWxbTejsfTi2cZnb0DobD-x1QOhUJbUMZ5RwuH2ewaqoOSkVtYztq-jfabSD4Yw/s400/SoChick_QuiltAlongAnchors.jpg" width="400" /><span id="goog_1158786729"></span><span id="goog_1158786723"></span></span><span id="goog_1158786725"></span><span id="goog_1158786726"></span><a href="http://draft.blogger.com/"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">If not, it's okay... this post will help you prep for the <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" target="_blank">SoChick Anchors Aweigh Quilt Along</a> so you'll be set to jump in when it officially starts on Monday, Feb 18th!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">First things first, download the Free Pattern on Tula Pink's site, <a href="http://tulapink.com/2012/11/30/anchors-aweigh/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;"><br />
</span> <span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><u>You will need:</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIFc2HjCF_7zqeRwZr1G0n9joQ2x64Rr4lkdSchsvRbOHZP7oDKfAct2FXQ6RsiH9b4QAB2fOQt8m80-34xafFeTq6Yjp9gOZsatHH_BZhEZeneYswcKjIcUd98rF5r8oMfiXkLJasO8/s1600/SoChickQAL_Supplies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIFc2HjCF_7zqeRwZr1G0n9joQ2x64Rr4lkdSchsvRbOHZP7oDKfAct2FXQ6RsiH9b4QAB2fOQt8m80-34xafFeTq6Yjp9gOZsatHH_BZhEZeneYswcKjIcUd98rF5r8oMfiXkLJasO8/s640/SoChickQAL_Supplies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><u>For Cutting</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">-</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> Your SoChick Salt Water Quilt kit, or Salt Water Prints and Free Spirit Solids as listed in the pattern</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- Rotary Cutter</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- Rotary Cutting Mat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- Clear Width of Fabric (WOF) Ruler (this will make life easier, any clear ruler will work)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- 8 small plastic baggies <i>(for organizing all of those squares!) and a way to mark them, i.e. permanent marker, etc.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- Small Tray to hold your bagged Squares</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><u>For Sewing</u></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- Sewing Machine</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- Thread, <i>I'm using white polyester thread, you may choose cotton thread or whichever you prefer.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- Small Scissors <i>for trimming those threads</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- Iron & Ironing Board or Mat</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">- Spray Starch, <i>optional</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i><br />
</i></span> <u style="color: #ff3399; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-large; line-height: 27px;">Let's Prep:</u><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>To pre-wash or not to pre-wash</i>... most every quilt pattern, book, or magazine, that I've read tells you to pre-wash your quilting cottons. Then, you come across some sewing related survey on facebook, or elsewhere, and most everyone admits that they don't <i>always</i> pre-wash their fabrics. So, I will leave this up to you. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">If you do choose to pre-wash your fabric, do so now and be sure to remove your fabrics promptly from the dryer and press them. Read about pre-washing, pressing and ironing, <span id="goog_1158786731"></span><a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2012/03/sochick-chicks-guide-to-fabric-part-2.html" target="_blank">he<span id="goog_1158786734"></span><span id="goog_1158786735"></span>re</a><span id="goog_1158786732"></span>. Knowing the difference between pressing and ironing your fabric will make life much easier during this QAL.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">I have not pre-washed my fabric. I don't care for the fraying, and I prefer to work with nice, crisp, fabric. I also like the look that the shrinkage lends to the finished quilt... all wrinkly and cuddly, and whatnot.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Once your fabric is ready, it's time to cut:</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Start out by labeling the plastic baggies with the letters on the pattern, </span><b style="line-height: 18px;">A-I</b><span style="line-height: 18px;">. <i>You'll want to put your squares into the corresponding baggie as you cut them.</i></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NKN9kkxpPdq-q1qsVP0rX9Qq7WBC866q0enB1hU4owJ9ZJtlLzZxbIhPl-DlcM4LTc043qBF2eNAei76m4xzc9hn7M_yA5yaspSS6GRqi5POfiN-XT4yHEFiJpE1i5p-jjiAVk0srFs/s1600/SoChickQAL_OrganizeSquares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NKN9kkxpPdq-q1qsVP0rX9Qq7WBC866q0enB1hU4owJ9ZJtlLzZxbIhPl-DlcM4LTc043qBF2eNAei76m4xzc9hn7M_yA5yaspSS6GRqi5POfiN-XT4yHEFiJpE1i5p-jjiAVk0srFs/s400/SoChickQAL_OrganizeSquares.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">To speed up the cutting process, I kept all of my prints folded in half. I then aligned the fold with a line on my cutting mat and, with my clear ruler on top and rotary cutter in hand, I cut the fabric into two-inch strips. Being careful not to move the strips, I then positioned my ruler across the strips, and cut these into two-inch sections. This allows you to cut your 2in squares... by two.</span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6XyvEaEAlgKyx3LjmAvW8hGfYrGYoRxs9QrfjGkf8Fdw3YOKT0sAclov_oKjk6g8GplahBJS-NsMcsFTR9thOPxjb6pvR_VHHS_RzuvJhnnuPFi43Ah2wDRPquy1E9H7SAfwS3m7hk4/s1600/SoChickQAL_CuttingSquares.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6XyvEaEAlgKyx3LjmAvW8hGfYrGYoRxs9QrfjGkf8Fdw3YOKT0sAclov_oKjk6g8GplahBJS-NsMcsFTR9thOPxjb6pvR_VHHS_RzuvJhnnuPFi43Ah2wDRPquy1E9H7SAfwS3m7hk4/s640/SoChickQAL_CuttingSquares.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I spread the square out after cutting so you can see them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Put your squares in their bag before moving onto the next print:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrqNaIGjdQC8CnH-PvOjWjh6aXE6Ghqvk4Abiu5WQSgK3S72is8Hg3R-tg-N-hJpNc5E5PKyAx0kBFsyoW5tdjeB0-YOwfMaWxI09iPO4sGWd-0KJ7rB8QXbC5ydei2AmLWHPNEZwDZA/s1600/SoChickQAL_SquaresinBags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmrqNaIGjdQC8CnH-PvOjWjh6aXE6Ghqvk4Abiu5WQSgK3S72is8Hg3R-tg-N-hJpNc5E5PKyAx0kBFsyoW5tdjeB0-YOwfMaWxI09iPO4sGWd-0KJ7rB8QXbC5ydei2AmLWHPNEZwDZA/s400/SoChickQAL_SquaresinBags.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufgFAIEkiStOVWty97B2ztHpAhGciKStUfka_7iSXBrDz4i2CaczT46-82Q4gp405c5x0VtmyFyrEdll59FzQcZdKX6dNszwuoNha8szhIs5T_WdHHq2F_g8S0qC5t9vkRqFL_QnWz94/s1600/SoChickQAL_SquaresTray.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufgFAIEkiStOVWty97B2ztHpAhGciKStUfka_7iSXBrDz4i2CaczT46-82Q4gp405c5x0VtmyFyrEdll59FzQcZdKX6dNszwuoNha8szhIs5T_WdHHq2F_g8S0qC5t9vkRqFL_QnWz94/s640/SoChickQAL_SquaresTray.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Once you have all of your squares cut and bagged, you are ready for the next step... piecing your first strips! We will cut our solid fabrics as we go, so don't worry about those right now.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><i>Don't let all of these little squares intimidate you, I will stress organization throughout the QAL... this is only to save your sanity, keep things running smoothly and will allow the Quilt top to be pieced easily! We will do everything together, one step at a time... you are going to love seeing your hard work pay off in this gorgeous quilt!</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">I will see you here on Monday, Feb 18th, to piece our first two strips, Row 1 & Row 8! <i>Yippie! </i>The SoChick Anchors Aweigh QAL group will be set up on Flickr starting Monday as well. I invite you to upload photos of your progress, as well as any questions you have, over there. Of course, I will answer questions here on the blog, too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">A super special thanks to <a href="http://craftsy.com/">Craftsy.com</a> for sponsoring my 1st Annual SoChick QAL... visit <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" target="_blank">here</a> to learn about how you can win a FREE Lesson from Craftsy, and visit <a href="http://www.craftsy.com/" target="_blank">Craftsy</a> to check out how awesome they are! Also, thanks to <a href="http://www.tulapink.com/" target="_blank">Tula Pink</a> for designing gorgeous fabric and an awesome Quilt Pattern!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><i>Don't forget to grab a button to tell everyone "You're In!"</i></span></span><br />
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<img alt="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" src="http://sochickhandbags.com/SoChick_150pxQuiltAlongAd.jpg" /></div>
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<div style="border: 1px solid #666666; height: 150px; overflow: auto; width: 148px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://sochickhandbags.com/SoChick_150pxQuiltAlongAd.jpg" alt="SoChickHandbags.com" width="150" height="150" /></a></span></div>
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See you Monday!</span><br />
</span> <b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-40070849889561541172013-01-25T06:30:00.000-05:002013-01-25T06:30:00.991-05:00Let's Talk About Shipping {USPS Rate Increases, Shop Delays, etc}<div class="MsoNormal">
It's become an annual occurrence, the USPS with their rate hikes and all... <i>why not keep everyone on their toes and jack up prices?!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
I guess I get it, to an extent, but I'm going to tell you right now that I am not at all happy with the major rip-off the new rates are for international shipments! <i>Seriously, up to 100% increases!? Gah!</i> I'm not going to rant about how the US outsources labor and such to save money, but heaven forbid someone from outside the US try to make a purchase from a US based business... hypocrisy at it's finest. Moving on...<br />
<br />
I try my best to stay fair on shipping charges, being sure to cover only my actual cost and to use flat rate priority shipping as often as I can. Here is a look at the new rate chart as shown in this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2013/shipping-rates-update-for-sellers/" target="_blank">Etsy Blog</a> post, which also breaks down other changes from the USPS.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://www.etsy.com/blog/news/files/2013/01/etsy_shipping-2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.etsy.com/blog/news/2013/shipping-rates-update-for-sellers/" target="_blank">Etsy Blog</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
For most of December and January I have been shipping to Australia at least once a week... <i>(lots of love to my friends Down Under, and thank you for your business! XxOo!)</i> But, WOW... $24 freaking bucks to ship a Flat Rate Envelope?! I am promising that I am going to do everything I can to find some way to alleviate this madness, I mean, there has to be a way to make this a bit more affordable... <i>right?!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
In the meantime, I will be updating shipping profiles in the <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Fabric Shoppe</a>. These changes take effect on <b>January 27th, 2013</b>.<br />
<br />
<b>Also, I will have a Delayed shipping notice up in my shop for next week.</b> All fabric orders received <b>Monday Jan 28th</b> through <b>Saturday Feb 2nd</b>, will ship on <b>Monday February 4th</b>. We are going hunting... for a house; I appreciate your understanding as I do everything I can to keep things running as smoothly as possible through all of the craziness!<br />
<br />
Thanks for being awesome!<br />
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666874272617322686.post-8175844156026100082013-01-23T20:58:00.000-05:002013-01-23T20:58:39.438-05:00Goodbye Beach, Hello Mountains {Yep... We're Moving!}<div class="MsoNormal">
I mentioned it on Twitter, but it's more official when I put it up here on the blog...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-size: x-large;">We're Moving!</span></div>
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I'm happy to say that my hard-working husband has been promoted from the beach to the mountains. I am so proud of him and how hard he works for our family, we're lucky chicks in this house, myself and the little girls that is.<br />
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What does this mean for SoChick?! Well, just that we're headed out west... to the western part of North Carolina anyway. I expect that I'll close the shop for a week or two once the actual move happens, but for now things will pretty much stay the same.<br />
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We are all very excited for this new adventure, things are pretty crazy around here and we figure we will be on our way come March... <i>yikes! So much to do!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Blogging may be a little slow as I'm trying to stay sane while I coordinate and manage everything involved with the move, on top of day-to-day business. The <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" target="_blank">SoChick Quilt Along</a> will still continue as planned, have you checked that out?<br />
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Speaking of the <a href="http://www.sochickhandbags.com/2013/01/anchors-aweigh-sochicks-1st-annual.html" target="_blank">SoChick Quilt Along</a>, featuring Anchors Aweigh and Salt Water by Tula Pink, I still have a few <a href="http://shop.sochickhandbags.com/product/anchors-aweigh-quilt-kit-salt-water-by-tula-pink-limited" target="_blank">Anchors Aweigh Quilt Kits</a> left for pre-order. I am including one of my favorite lotion bars for FREE with the purchase of a <a href="http://shop.sochickhandbags.com/product/anchors-aweigh-quilt-kit-salt-water-by-tula-pink-limited" target="_blank">Quilt Kit</a> in my shop, while supplies last. I'd love to have you join in!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVwLCJdryVOWaQD8xfAIbuDCVA4UqFeW0uVFA3S2kgynsibdxmjTJrJZrG0bKFFjTn1Y58Bi9GGDIWMp_vyE7x__EaNTYWJjt1rTEcZhiFfjNNT8T2NHF7911hld_udhk9cyMD5Hie2g/s1600/SoChick_QuiltAlong_LotionwPurchase.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvVwLCJdryVOWaQD8xfAIbuDCVA4UqFeW0uVFA3S2kgynsibdxmjTJrJZrG0bKFFjTn1Y58Bi9GGDIWMp_vyE7x__EaNTYWJjt1rTEcZhiFfjNNT8T2NHF7911hld_udhk9cyMD5Hie2g/s640/SoChick_QuiltAlong_LotionwPurchase.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; line-height: 115%;">I'll update here as much as I can about the move, but I'd love for you to follow me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/SoChickHandbags" target="_blank">Facebook</a> or <a href="http://www.twitter.com/#!/TheSoChickChick" target="_blank">Twitter</a>. Do you have any tips for me to keep my sanity while prepping to move our lives across the state? Please share!</span><br />
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">XxOo~</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 26.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Melissa</span></b><b><span style="color: #ff3399; font-family: "Galeforce BTN"; font-size: 22.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">XxOo,
Melissa</div>Melissa, SoChick!http://www.blogger.com/profile/11232367193080886297noreply@blogger.com0