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giniscanlan wrote a new post, The story of Lola’s Quilt [As seen on TV!] 7 years, 8 months ago
UKQU are doing a second mini quilt swap and I have been lucky enough to have been asked to be a Swap Mumma. This involves looking after a group of swappers, helping and guiding them and offering support and…

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Christine Hutchins recommended the post Perfect? Or not? 7 years, 8 months ago
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Vendulka Battais wrote a new post, How one thing leads to another 7 years, 9 months ago
Do you ever wonder how do people develop a body of work for an exhibition? How they come up with the idea in the first place?? I’m now working on a series of quilts for an exhibition which will travel with G…

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What lovely examples of your design process. Really great to see how designs can develop from a single idea and a common process.
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Fabulous work and great to hear how the theme developed over time. Thanks for sharing your lovely work.
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I’ve loved your work since I attended a short workshop at Harrogate earlier this year and will definitely look out for your exhibit in Harrogate!
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I saw your miniature at FOQ. Astounding. I could not make out whether it was the tinyesy applique or paint, it was so small.
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Stunning, wow
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Christine Hutchins wrote a new post, The responsibility of quilting – finishing it off for family and friends 7 years, 9 months ago
I love our hobby. I love taking pieces of fabric, cutting them up, and sewing them together again. I enjoy combining colours and shapes, and creating original pieces of work. I find it very satisfying to sew in…

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Ok – you have done it. After reading this, I MUST get the quilting done on the quilt for my daughter made out of her late dad’s rugby shirts. (it was meant to be her birthday present a year ago, and a Christmas present before that…..) Hoping it can be a Christmas present this year. Thank you. xx
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Thank you – or sorry, or perhaps well done for making the decision – and good luck with getting it finished! Make sure you show us the final result…
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Christine Hutchins wrote a new post, International Left Handers Day – 13th August 7 years, 10 months ago
13th August was International Left Handers Day, so I thought a bit of a blog about it would be good. As I have said before, I am left-handed. My mum learned to knit left handed in an attempt to teach me to knit – I w…

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giniscanlan wrote a new post, Pattern Review – Footloose Quilt by Jenny Haynes of PapperSaxSten 7 years, 10 months ago
I was recently given the opportunity to review the Footloose Quilt pattern, by Jenny Haynes of PapperSaxSten. Curves are always something of a challenge, so I was really keen to give this new design a try. The…

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Thank you so much Gini for the kind review. I’m really glad you enjoyed it and thanks again for choosing to try curves without pins.
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I loved every minute of it! I’ve just gone in and bought the sunflower pattern as well!
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Just love this design – from a distance the centre ‘blocks’ look like owls peeking out. Tempted to try one!
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Another amazing pattern by Jenny and another ‘no pins’ convert for curves!!!
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yup, no pins here is how I go too! nice review and I like the finished result
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Intriguing! And gorgeous.
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Vendulka Battais wrote a new post, How to trace a design onto difficult fabric 7 years, 11 months ago
Did you ever wanted to stitch something onto your work, but needed the guidance of a drawn line and didn’t know how to get the lines onto a fabric?
There are lots of tools and pens which you can use to mark your…
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Great idea working freom the back! never thought of that. Have tried the tissue paper and it worked well, but a bit of a fag tearing it away after. Will definitely try working from the back – Thanks Vendulka x
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Yes, it’s tedious getting the paper out, but sometimes it’s better than risking the lines coming back. Glad my tip is helpful!
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I found working from the back really helpful in thread drawing
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Fab ideas, Vendulka – I really must get more inventive with my quilting!
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Great, simple ideas, thanks.
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thank you!
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Thank you
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giniscanlan wrote a new post, The Making of my Crazy Cushions Quilt Pattern 7 years, 11 months ago
I was totally overwhelmed by the number of people who liked the mini quilt I made for the UKQU Spring 2018 Mini Quilt Swap. I received dozens of comments and Facebook messages asking if I had bought the pattern or if…

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Love all the versions Gini – well done. Will def have a go….
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All beautiful and fab blog
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What a great initial quilt and then the subsequent versions are fantastic! Well done Gini I am sure this will be very popular.
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Brilliant Gini!
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Wow! I love all the different versions and the colour combinations. When my cat is on his ‘tower’ (of three quilts and blankets all folded up) I can’t but think of the Princess and the Pea, I am going to have to give your pattern a go. Thank you 🙂
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Loved making this. Thanks for creating the pattern.
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Thanks Pauline, you’ll have to post a picture on the Facebook page so I can see it! X
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This is so lovely, and so very personal.
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Christine Hutchins wrote a new post, Parkham Patchers Quilt Group Exhibition 7 years, 11 months ago
Parkham Patchers Quilting Group are holding a Patchwork and Craft Exhibition at Parkham Methodist Chapel, Parkham, Devon EX39 5PG, Friday 6th July and Saturday 7th July from 10am – 5pm, and on Sunday 8th July 12pm –…

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giniscanlan wrote a new post, UKQU Baby Feature – Baby Bandana Bib 7 years, 11 months ago
My great-niece recently gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, Edward, so writing a blog featuring a hand sewn baby item was perfect timing for me.
I found a wonderful free reversible bib pattern and tutorial by Amy…
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Vendulka Battais wrote a new post, Ball or Pin-cushion 7 years, 11 months ago
This is a wonderful project – following the same instructions you can make either a ball for a child or very pretty pincushion for your friend.
The ball is wonderful for children from very early age, as it’s…
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giniscanlan wrote a new post, UKQU Spring 2018 Mini Quilt Swap 7 years, 11 months ago
Well, the waiting is over. They have arrived and the excitement of receiving our packages through the post for the UKQU Spring 2018 Mini Quilt Swap is spent. Now we are all sitting and lovingly stroking our perfectly…

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Great read and you are right participation in crucial…that’s why we both did so well
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Love these kitties, could be very tempted by a pattern in spite of my stack of UFO’S. The mini quilt Gini received certainly echoes the colours she loves, beautifully made.
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Seeing your FMQ in close up its amazing. Looking forward to seeing the pattern too.
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I’m waiting with baited breath for your lovely pattern!
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Christine Hutchins wrote a new post, A Crafting Life For Me! 7 years, 12 months ago
I’m a quilter, a knitter, a sewer (that is a sewing person, not the thing that carries sewage away), a quilter, a crocheter, a pianist, a flautist, a wife, a step-mother, a foster carer, a grandmother (I prefer b…

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Haha, Christine, you sound like me! I have so many crafts I have dabbled in/with too. Currently making Luna Lapins, soooo fiddly. Thankds for thre interesting Blog.
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Thank you Sue – I remember my flute teacher saying ‘Jack of all trades, master of none’ – and that may have a ring of truth about it, but what if I haven’t yet found the craft / job / activity that I can truly master? I’ll just have to try them to find out!
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Me too, but it is fun trying them all out!!
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giniscanlan wrote a new post, Happy Days with Complex Appliqués 8 years ago
I had so much lovely feedback from last month’s post that I thought I would share another technique that I really enjoy: appliqué.
I am the first to admit that I’m not a lover of hand applique but I’ve always enjoye…
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Lovely work, both the dogs and the roses look so lifelife. Thank you for showing them.
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Love Andreas’s work and this is a great interpretation
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Letting the “cat” out of the bag I even read and commented on this and didn’t get that the mini swap was for me! Can’t wait to read next months blog…and for you to show people just how stunning your work is…thanks again for my mini xx
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Christine Hutchins recommended the post Spring clean and the UFOs, WIPs and PIGs 8 years ago
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Christine Hutchins recommended the post Labels, labels, labels 8 years ago
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giniscanlan wrote a new post, UKQU Mini Quilt Swap – 2017 Quilt 8 years, 1 month ago
Following on from last month’s blog post, I thought I’d talk about another of the UKQU Facebook page’s satellite pages for ‘swaps’. There is the postcard swap, a block swap, hexie flower swaps and the infamous…

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What a lovely read and a gorgeous quilt! Very informative about the dyeing process – wouldn’t have thought of shaking the granules over the fabric! and washing in salty water first – Brilliant!! Looking forward the this years’ Quilt…..
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Thanks Sue x
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Thank you for your blog Gini and pictures of your lovely mini. I have taken part in the last three swaps and also the one that is going on at the moment. I have found that it has helped me improve my skills. From starting off as a complete beginner, I now class my self as an intermediate/ (nearly) advanced level. I like to try a new technique for every swap and love the whole process from the “stalking”, research and planning to making the mini and the reaction of my partner when they receive it. Then receiving a mini from someone else who has taken the time to do exactly the same for me. Anyone who wants to have a go, I can thoroughly recommend it, you will learn so much and make new friends in the process. Thank you too for your tips on dying. I want to have a go this year and will definitely try this method
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That’s so true about never getting any quilty gifts. I did an FPP swap last year and was absolutely blown away when my quilt arrived.I have it in my sewing room and look at it every day.I have never tried dyeing but I do like your sprinklng technique…oh dear,another future project for ‘the list’. I hope the recipient of your quilt was thrillled with it!
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Lovely blog Gini, I really enjoyed it. And your mini quilt is absolutely gorgeous – I would have been so pleased if I had been the one to receive this – beautiful! I loved the description of your technique for dying too, the speckled effect is great. When doing the ice or snow dying the results are somewhat unpredictable which can be part of the fun but can leave some bare areas. Your sprinkle method combined with ice dying seems like a good way to get the best of both worlds.
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I remember seeing and liking that quilt when I saw it last year, but it is really lovely and quite inspiring seeing how you went about making it.
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Remember it from last years swap and loved it. That technique is interesting. Could it work with procion dyes I wonder?
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I have just completed my first mini quilt challenge. I really enjoyed the whole process. I wasn’t expecting all the lovely comments about it as i didnt think it was very good . The lady that received it was over the moon with it and said i couldn’t have got it more right for her.
So anyone reading my comment, don’t think about doing it,get on and do it because life is short and we need to fill our lives with pleasure. I learnt so much along the way and im overwhelmed with the response i have had from it.
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Christine Hutchins wrote a new post, My Quilting Year Book 8 years, 1 month ago
In my blog last month, I let you into one of my obsessions – stationery, and the need to write things down. My plan for this month is to let you know about my progress on The Quilter’s Year Book. It really just goe…

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This book sounds brilliant. Have looked on Amazon but they don’t have it. Where can I buy it? Please xx
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I do hope your hubby is fully recovered now, that must have been an awful experience for both of you on Christmas morning x
The book looks a lot of fun, and your description of using it does too – thank you for the entertaining blog on it x
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I’ve never heard of the Quilters YearBook but I want one, it seems like just the thing to push me along on my quilting journey. I’d like to know where I can buy it too.
I also have an obsessive need to write things down, thank you for sharing.P.S. I hope your husband feels much better now and I wish him the best health.
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giniscanlan wrote a new post, Product Review: Colonial Dual Rotary Blade Sharpener – Supplied by EQS 8 years, 1 month ago
Isn’t it funny how things sometimes cross your path at exactly the right moment? I was just thinking that I need to replace the blade on my 45mm Olfa rotary cutter, when this little gem came into my p…

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Sounds like you’ve got a good product there Gini – and EQS have been very generous with their offerings. Nice blog 😉
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now that looks good.
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I have had one of these for years – its brilliant, and saves buying new ones all the time. I have recently replaced a blade for the first time in five years (and I do quite a lot of rotary cutting!)
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Wow! 5 years? That’s incredible! I’m lucky to make 5 months but I can really see this sharpener getting used a lot!
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I think this is now on my list of items I need to purchase. Thank you.
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7 years, 8 months ago
That’s really lovely Gini. Such a kind gesture. Beautiful quilt. I too have made many new friends through the site, one who in particular lm sure will be a lifetime friend.
7 years, 8 months ago
Gorgeous xx
7 years, 8 months ago
That is super.