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Marci Girl Designs

Meet a Finish-A-Long Host - Throw A Wrench in the Works

4/15/2017

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Once a month (and two months, twice) I will be featuring one of my co-hosts for the Finish Along so you can get to know them better.   This month is Ella and I'll wrap up here so you can read about her life directly from her!  Enjoy! 



Hi, I'm Ella, here at throwawenchintheworks. *waves hello* Welcome to a Meet the Maker Finish-A-Long installment, featuring me!

If you're new to the my blog, let me tell you a bit about me. I'm a teacher in Atlanta. (Still trying to wrap my head around the recent bridge collapse on I-85.) I've moved around a lot in my life, but I think Atlanta is home now. (I do miss the fall in Upstate NY, but I don't miss the winters.) I love Atlanta. It's extremely diverse. I love the blend of big city and neighborhoods. I love The Center for Puppetry Arts (and its huge Henson collection).
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I love the Botanical Gardens.
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I LOVE Dragoncon!
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I live here with my husband (commonly referred to by me as The Pirate...because Pirates are awesome), a smooshy senior cocker spaniel (who has ruined me for all other dogs and who I need to clone into an army of lovey dogs), and a slightly evil tuxedo kitty (think Brain from "Pinky and the Brain").

Obligatory animal pictures:
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(Sorry, the tongue is a bit disturbing, but I still find her forcible grooming, usually limited to his floofy hair, HILARIOUS.)

I'm new to hosting the Finish-a-Long, but I've been a long time participant (and long time overachieving list maker). I started blogging back in 2011. A bit of trivia about my blog name. I'm also a bellydancer (although my knee issue has me a bit sidelined right now), hence the wench part. I tend to throw myself into things whole-heartedly, but I'm also a klutz...so, um, the wench in the works. I didn't think about how often folks would read it as "wrench" and have trouble finding my blog. Ah well.

Ironically, I used to teach photography and now most of my pictures tend to be taken in my poorly lit living room at odd hours of the night. I *can* take better pictures; I *should* take better pictures; I'm just mostly working on things in the night-time. I apologize for that.


I started blogging the summer I decided to officially learn how to quilt. I've been sewing and knitting since I was little. (My mom taught me how to sew, by hand and by machine. My aunt taught me to knit when I was in third grade.) I made a quilt for my dorm room in college, but I don't count it as a quilt that was completely mine because my mom hand tied it. It didn't survive many washings.


I don't actually have most of my first quilts any more from back in 2011.
When I started sewing again back in 2011, after many years of hiatus, I was initially obsessed with disappearing nine patches. I gave most of them away. The one below went to a friend going through chemo.
batik quilt



In my first foray into non disappearing 9 patch quilts, I made a HORRIBLE quilt. I used crappy fabric that did NOT stand up to being washed, which was probably also a product of my seams being totally inconsistent. Ahem, I was in a horrible Hawaiian shirt theme for the quilts.


Rockin Robin completed top!


It was part of a Row Robin that was launched online. I loved the community that I found there. Folks were supportive and kind. That led to swaps and lots of groups on Flickr. (Remember when Flickr was awesome? *Sigh.*) I did a ton of block swaps, even ran the 4x6 for a while. I admit, I have not been blogging as much as I did in the past. Now, I tend to spend time over on Instagram, but the online community is still HUGELY important to me.


I felt like, as I had with the bellydance community, I found a "tribe" to which I belonged.  I had space to learn, people were so generous with their knowledge, and I could let my geek flag fly.  I got to meet folks in real life from my first do.good.stitches group visiting Atlanta, Sewing Summit in Salt Lake City, Sewtopia here in Atlanta, Sisters in Oregon, and many years of The Stash Bash.  I'm kind of a spazz and feel incredibly awkward in big social groups.  Going to new places feels like a big deal.  (If you ever meet me, this won't necessarily feel true.  I TALK A LOT.  I TALK MORE when I'm nervous.)  I feel lucky to have met so many awesome, amazing women who remain important to me.  


Charity is still a fundamental part of my sewing.  I run the Serenity Circle as part of do.good.stitches.  My circle makes quilts for hospice.  I do this to honor my grandmother.  She was a maker her whole life, making dresses for mission work, mittens in the winter, newborn items for hospitals.  When she died, I saw how much the crochet blanket a stranger made impacted my mother.  I'd love to do that for someone I will never meet with my quilts, to give some comfort in a really difficult time.  I try to make as many as I can each year.  


I've started doing a kindness project this year.  I was feeling overwhelmed by how mean the world was seeming.  I was constantly stressed.  Sewing helped me deal with that.  So far, I made over 40 infinity scarves to give to women I know to let them know they are amazing and loved and seen.  My next project is pincushions.  This lets me do at least something small to impact others, to spread a bit of love.


I've grown a lot as a quilter in the last 7 years.  I still have a long way to go.  (I still mostly straight-line.  FMQ is still my nemesis.)  I'm still addicted to QALs.  I seem to have to have AT LEAST a dozen things spinning at a time.  I can't seem to walk away from a challenge.  I have only put 2 quilts in shows (the poppy below and the hexy garden).  I'm trying to get braver about that.  Quilting is still my least favorite part.  I want to learn how to use a long arm this year.  Goals!


Here are some of my favorite finishes:


batik challengeBubbles

quilt show!Zelda quilt

Death Star


I have another mahoosive finish-a-long list for Quarter 2 (I'm a card carrying member of Archie the Wonder Dog's #ridiculouslylongFAList)!  

Here are a couple of WIPs that I will hopefully complete this quarter:

sugar skull topViolet Craft lion


I'm looking forward to cheerleading this year. Y'all are amazing!  Thank you to the phenomenal women of the Finish-A-Long for letting me join in the fun.






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My Quarter 2 2017 Finish-A-Long List

4/6/2017

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I made a decision to have a longer list this quarter.  Last quarter I just had three projects and I felt very limited because sometimes you just don't want to work on a project, hence why it becomes a WIP.  Be it that I have at least 20 WIP quilts plus a host of other smaller projects it just doesn't make sense to limit myself so much.  Yes, I know I will not finish all these projects but my goal is 4 of the 7, more than half.  Let's have a look at what I hope to accomplish or at least work on.
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1.  Economy Blocks Quilt - This one rolls over from the first quarter where it was just blocks.  Now it is basted and ready to quilt.  I have a plan and hope to work on this one next week as I really want to do some quilting.
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2.  Tooth Fairy Pillows - I have had these two tooth fairy pillows sitting at this stage for almost a year now, they are for my two boys.  My oldest has one that I made out of felt but he literally has wore that thing out, so it's time for a new one for him and one for my middle child who will start loosing teeth any day now.  I plan to add their names, stitch these together and stuff them, so close to finished already.
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3.  Tipi Quilt - I pieced this quilt (and wrote the tutorial) last quarter.  I hope to finish it, but first I need a backing.  I have a spark of an idea for quilting this one.
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4.  Bee Sewcial Triangle Quilt - These were the blocks that my bee mates made for me last year, I hope to at least get them together in a top this quarter.  I need to get past my fear and just do it!
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5.  Persimmon Easter Dress - I have the fabric washed, pattern printed, taped together and size traced off.  I better get cracking if I want my little girl to actually wear this on Easter.
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6.  Summer Picnic Dress - Fabric washed, pattern printed.  I want to have this one for my little girl to wear this summer as the pattern is just so darn cute.  It's a simple pattern so it should go together quickly.
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7.  City Sampler Quilt - I can't have a list without this quilt on it, can I?  It's here, let's see if I get the motivation to finish it.

Well there it is, my longer but not crazy list.  Wish me luck!

You still have time to link up your list, either via a blog post, Instagram or Flickr mosaic.  The linky closes on April 8, so get cracking.  Once you have your WIP list, work on it for the next three months and finish them up.  At the end of the 2nd quarter you can link up those finishes to win great prizes, and there is no penalty for not finishing, win, win!  Please join us, it is great fun.
Find the linky HERE.
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2017 Finish-A-Long - Quarter 2 Link Up Now Open

4/2/2017

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Optimism, the feeling I get at the beginning of each quarter!  Oh the possibilities of projects completed.  I love it.  Are you ready?  Make that list, link it up and then get to work.  All the details and link up are below. 

It's time to link up your list of unfinished projects that you propose to finish in Q2 of the FAL. I truly hope you are facing a new quarter with a brand new list - because you finished so many UFOs in Q1!
The FAL is hosted by a community of bloggers across the world. Our hosts are:
  • Rhonda - Rhonda's [Quilt] Ramblings - USA
  • Nicky - Mrs Sew & Sow - Great Britain
  • Jess - Elven Garden Quilts - Australia
  • Abigail - Cut & Alter - Great Britain
  • Izzy - Dizzy Quilts - Canada
  • Ella - Throw a Wench in the Works - USA
  • Lucy - Charm about You - Great Britain
  • Sarah - Sew me - Northern Ireland
  • Judith - Just Jude - Northern Ireland
  • Felicity - Felicity Quilts - Canada
  • Marci - Marci Girl Designs - USA
  • Karen - Capitola Quilter - USA
  • Leanne - She Can Quilt - Canada
Social Media Director
  • Sandra, Sew of Course - Ireland
For those of you who are new to the FAL, it is a place to find motivation and encouragement to complete those unfinished projects that are hanging about becoming UFOs. Every quarter you post a list of projects you hope to finish in the next three months, and then at the end of the quarter, you post a link from your blog, Flickr or Instagram of each successful finish from your original list. Each finish is an entry for wonderful prizes from our sponsors. There is no penalty for not finishing a listed project, so feel free to make your list long or short, as you wish. The 2017 Schedule and Rules for the FAL are on my permanent FAL page found HERE, let me know if you have any questions. Here are the fantastic and generous sponsors for Q2 of the FAL - you can see each of their prizes listed under their logo (think about visiting them and saying thank you):  
Just Jude Designs - 2 PDF Patterns
Sew Sisters Quilt Shop, $25 gift certificate
Charm About You - 2 PDF Patterns
Fat Quarter Shop, $50 gift certificate
Elven Garden Quilts - 3 PDF Patterns
Tartankiwi - $25 gift certificate
Blossom Heart Quilts - 3 PDF Patterns
Mad About Patchwork - $50 gift certificate
During Quiet Time - 3 PDF Patterns
Happy Quilting - choice of 3 patterns
Cooking Up Quilts - 2 PDF Patterns
Sew Sweetness - 3 PDF Patterns
Knotted Thread, $30 gift certificate
The Littlest Thistle - Camp Bag Pattern Pack
Green Fairy Quilts - $15 gift certificate
Quilting Jet Girl - 2 PDF patterns
Sunny Day Supply - $30 gift certificate
Make Modern Magazine - 3 six month subscriptions
Clover & Violet - $30 gift certificate
Sew me a Song, $20 gift certificate
Imagine Gnats - $40 gift certificate
Studio 39 Fabrics - $25 Gift Certificate
Laurel Bee Designs, 2 pin bowls for 1 winner
InLinkz.com
As you may recall from last year, there was a return of tutorial week at the end of each quarter, between the opening of the link for finishes and the day that link closes. Are you enjoying this? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below! This will take place each quarter. Each host works hard to put these together so I hope you are visiting their blogs to encourage them. If you have a tutorial that you would like to share, please let me or another host know. It's time to round up those projects you want to finish over the next three months, take a photo of each one and make your list. Please ensure that you have at least started your projects - pulled fabric with a pattern is now considered a UFO, and remember it is only finished projects that will get you an entry toward the above listed prizes. So while we love to see your bee blocks, the "finish" is when they are a completed, usable project. It is very helpful if you tag your list as #2017FALQ2yourname when posting on social media: Flickr, Facebook & Instagram. Using the same hashtag over the quarter when sharing progress or finishes before the link, helps the hosts find your original list quickly - especially when this is done over a 3 month period. IMPORTANT: Don't forget to link your finishes up when the quarter closes.
The 2017 Q2 link for your list of proposed finishes is now open below on my blog and on each of the hosting blogs. You need only link your list once, on one blog - and that link will show up on all of the blogs.
If you are using Facebook, Flickr or Instagram, link a mosaic and put your list in the description. Katy of The Littlest Thistle has a great tutorial on how to link-up if you need it. We also ask that you become part of the FAL community. Please check out the links of others - visit and comment on their lists. We all need encouragement to get those finishes done, so please share some of your own too. When creating your list there is one thing to remember....No deductions for not completing something so ..... Aim High! Nothing to lose!!! Well Now..... Get those lists together and get linked up. The Q2 proposed finish linky party will stay open until 11 pm EST, April 8, 2017- as we are global, you might want to check your time zone to determine your last possible time to link. Remember: you only need to link up on ONE hosting blog and it will automatically show up on all hosting blogs.
An InLinkz Link-up
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Bee Sewcial April 2017 - Let's Get Creative

4/1/2017

3 Comments

 
Happy April everyone!  I'm the queen bee this month in Bee Sewcial and I get to pick our monthly prompt and like always I feel like I have to stretch our boundaries!  Hope it's a good thing.

This month we are making miniatures!

My idea this month comes from the concept that I don't need a ton of large quilts in my house and I would really like some quilt art to hang on my walls, so why not have everyone make smaller blocks that I can turn into a series of mini art works for my house.

What will we be making?  Florals, miniature improv floral pieces.  One large flower, one small flower,  a bouquet, a field of wildflowers.  Doesn't matter,  Just make some improv flowers.  I created an abstract painting pinterest board to get the ideas flowing.  I felt if you looked at abstract art of flowers that would better translate into improv flowers.  Maybe?  Hope so.  You can see the Pinterest board below or HERE.


Details -
Size - The blocks should measure 6.5" x 6.5" square. 

Amount - I am asking for 2 - 4 blocks per person depending on your comfort level of making these small scale blocks.  If it takes you 4 hours to make 1 block, then by all means only make 2.  But if you can whip up 4 blocks quickly and this isn't challenging then send 4.

Color - I made a Pinterest board for overall color inspiration, but here are the specifics.  I want the background to be black or very dark blue, think midnight, the darkest blue you have.  The flowers, foliage, vase or foreground should be bright, festive, saturated colors, check out my Pinterest board HERE or see it below but I think it is pretty clear.  So no pastels, tans, greys and neutrals.  You can use white but just little touches of it.

Techniques - Any and all, everything goes, regular improv, paper piecing, applique.  Feel free to add any embroidery or stitched on details, but certainly not required.

Overall Vision - I've added this new category to give you an idea of what I see in my head.  The color inspiration Pinterest board is almost exclusively Spanish/Mexican art/design/styling, I love it.  The black background with the saturated florals will hopefully create a folk art styled piece.  Bold florals on black.  Think miniature black velvet painting of flowers.  Ready, set, go!


I plan to make blocks soon and as soon as I do I'll blog about them and post to Flickr and Instagram.

Remember this isn't just for the Bee Sewcial ladies, we would love for you to play along.  Just follow the monthly prompt and post on Instagram using the hashtag #inspiredbyBeeSewcial.
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    Marci Girl

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