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	<title>West Coast Crafty &#187; crafting with kids</title>
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		<title>West Coast Crafty &#187; crafting with kids</title>
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		<title>may (so far)</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/may-so-far/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/05/21/may-so-far/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 21 May 2012 20:23:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[chatty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[cooking is crafty too]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crafting with kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[house crafty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[oregon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outside]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[portland modern quilt guild]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quilting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sewing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[terrariums]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vintage crafty]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/?p=2418</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[This spring has kind of brought a bit of everything at once &#8211; rainy, then sunny, then rainy again&#8230; crazy busy, then blissed out on vacation, then back to the laptop&#8230; sewing, cooking, gardening, a long-awaited new fence, birthdays, and bagels! I have a lot of catching up to do, so I wanted to share [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2418&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>This spring has kind of brought a bit of everything at once &#8211; rainy, then sunny, then rainy again&#8230; crazy busy, then blissed out on vacation, then back to the <a href="http://interweavestitch.com" target="_blank">laptop</a>&#8230; sewing, cooking, gardening, a long-awaited new fence, birthdays, and bagels! I have a lot of catching up to do, so I wanted to share some of my May favorites (so far).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243552180/" title="my first bagels by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7243552180_e0f74bb4db.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="my first bagels"></a></p>
<p>The first Friday of the month, I took an amazing class from my friend <a href="http://marsbarn.typepad.com" target="_blank">Heather</a> and learned how to make homemade bagels &#8211; such a great morning. I wasn&#8217;t sure I could duplicate her magic and skill at home, but sure enough, my first two dozen bagels (half sesame, half plain) following her recipe and tips turned out pretty perfect. I&#8217;m in love. Thank you, Heather!!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243551900/" title="the birthday skirt by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7243551900_a41511d10c.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="the birthday skirt"></a></p>
<p>Then, my sweet Pearl turned four (!) so I just had to drop everything else and make her a birthday skirt. I fell in love with an apron at a vintage store in Silverton last month, and cut it up to make the cutest little skirt for her. She&#8217;s a big girl now who won&#8217;t wear anything except exactly what she wants to, so I kind of held my breath while she opened the new tote bag I sewed her to see what was inside&#8230; </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243551760/" title="Hello Kitty in her birthday skirt! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7243551760_2a25db1920.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="Hello Kitty in her birthday skirt!"></a></p>
<p>but she loved it and put it right on for her birthday party and beyond. Happiness! I also got to make <a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/337010/chocolate-cupcakes" target="_blank">my favorite cupcakes</a> (with purple frosting, by request) and <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2009/07/blueberry-boy-bait/" target="_blank">a &#8220;triple berry cake&#8221; (aka blueberry boy bait</a> + raspberries + marionberries). The girl loves her sweets, and you only turn four once.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243773252/" title="spring 2012 garden by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7243773252_981ab1da2d.jpg" width="500" height="287" alt="spring 2012 garden"></a></p>
<p>I forgot to get a first-day shot of planting my garden this spring, but this is about three or four weeks in (I started later than usual, after an epically rainy March). Everything is loving it so far &#8211; from left to right, it&#8217;s spinach, mustard greens, dinosaur kale, white russian kale, and chard. I have beets and leeks in a smaller bed and I&#8217;m hoping to put in my tomatoes soon too, then summer squash a little later on. Tucked behind all the greens, which you can&#8217;t really see, I finally took my herbs out of all their random-sized containers and dug them into a real garden bed. I also rescued my little blueberry bushes and pomegranate from the relentless grass invasion all that rain brought, and we have about two dozen tiny Bartlett pears nestled in on our tree! I&#8217;m pretty excited&#8230; almost five years into living in our house, I feel like my yard is finally becoming what I hoped for, after a lot of baby steps forward (most recently, a birthday sandbox and a new fence!). We have flowers, native plants, and succulents planted on one side of the house, and herbs, berries, and the vegetable garden on the other.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243551634/" title="our favorite cabin by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7243551634_7ca1776322.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="our favorite cabin"></a></p>
<p>We went away with the kids for a very needed long weekend to Mt. Hood on Wednesday and stayed at the sweetest cabin. Such a beautiful place, right on a creek, with a hammock and a hot tub and green everywhere you looked.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243551502/" title="view from our table at Timberline Lodge by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5195/7243551502_9df5b182da.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="view from our table at Timberline Lodge"></a></p>
<p>Along with lots of easy 18-month-old-friendly hikes, splashing in the Columbia River, skipping stones in the creek, and getting an ice cream cone in Hood River, we headed up to Timberline Lodge for a grilled cheese (Pearl and Everett) and a glass of wine (me and Andrew) and spent half an hour gazing out the window at this view. The photo above is just a regular old iPhone snapshot, no editing or anything. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243551318/" title="hipstamatic-ed view from our table at Timberline Lodge by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7243551318_800e323d1a.jpg" width="500" height="500" alt="hipstamatic-ed view from our table at Timberline Lodge"></a></p>
<p>This second one is a Hipstamatic from the same spot. (I find it totally impossible to stop taking photos of Mt. Hood.) Bonus &#8211; I just learned from <a href="http://diyalert.com" target="_blank">Merritt</a> that those amazing cloud formations we were admiring, gracefully skirting the summit, are called lenticular!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243551062/" title="little succulent dish garden from the Hood River Saturday Market by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7243551062_609ab47f35.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="little succulent dish garden from the Hood River Saturday Market"></a></p>
<p>I bought this dreamy little succulent dish garden with two teeny cairns and a few seashells mixed in at the Saturday Market in Hood River. So beautiful! I wish the vendor (Rose) had a card so I could credit her, but she said she was just getting started and this was her first event ever&#8230;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243550782/" title="Oceanside - finished! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/7243550782_1ef2d052f1.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Oceanside - finished!"></a></p>
<p>Midway through our idyllic getaway was a really awesome May <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com" target="_blank">PMQG</a> meeting I drove back for. I am so excited that <a href="http://justquiltingpdx.com" target="_blank">Nancy</a> finished quilting my Oceanside quilt and I got to share it at show and tell! She did a really cool all-over quilting pattern of waves with three whales here and there &#8211; a small, medium, and big one. I love whales so much and this was just perfect.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243550648/" title="little whale in Oceanside by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7243550648_60e1d4c1bc.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="little whale in Oceanside"></a></p>
<p>If anyone is interested in the process, I&#8217;m hoping to write up a longer post about how I made Oceanside&#8230; and it will be at <a href="http://sistersoutdoorquiltshow.org" target="_blank">Sisters</a> so I&#8217;m very excited about that!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7243550928/" title="Oceanside - finished! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/7243550928_1a1f4e34e6.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Oceanside - finished!"></a></p>
<p>Hopefully I&#8217;ll have a side-by-side photo of the quilt with the Oceanside sign that inspired it to share soon too&#8230; </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/3695442956/" title="Oceanside by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3507/3695442956_2c868ba922.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Oceanside"></a></p>
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		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/cd1086765d69d573c6f544851610056a?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">westcoastcrafty</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7243552180_e0f74bb4db.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">my first bagels</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7236/7243551900_a41511d10c.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">the birthday skirt</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8156/7243551760_2a25db1920.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Hello Kitty in her birthday skirt!</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8016/7243773252_981ab1da2d.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">spring 2012 garden</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7243551634_7ca1776322.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">our favorite cabin</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5195/7243551502_9df5b182da.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">view from our table at Timberline Lodge</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7096/7243551318_800e323d1a.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">hipstamatic-ed view from our table at Timberline Lodge</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7219/7243551062_609ab47f35.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">little succulent dish garden from the Hood River Saturday Market</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7099/7243550782_1ef2d052f1.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Oceanside - finished!</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8161/7243550648_60e1d4c1bc.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">little whale in Oceanside</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5344/7243550928_1a1f4e34e6.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Oceanside - finished!</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3507/3695442956_2c868ba922.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Oceanside</media:title>
		</media:content>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>april excitement</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/april-excitement/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/04/27/april-excitement/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:32:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[books and mags]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chatty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crafting with kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[oregon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[portland modern quilt guild]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quilting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sewing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[world of geekcraft]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/?p=2411</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[It&#8217;s been a whirlwind month, but I wanted to post about a few things I got to do that I&#8217;m excited about&#8230; I won a wonderful surprise gift certificate from collage (thank you!!) and picked out some amazing art supplies for the kids&#8217; Easter baskets, got to interview the fascinating Lizzy House for the PMQG [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2411&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It&#8217;s been a whirlwind month, but I wanted to post about a few things I got to do that I&#8217;m excited about&#8230;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7118695967/" title="Easter baskets by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7118695967_ac6f3521d6.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Easter baskets"></a></p>
<p>I won a wonderful surprise gift certificate from <a href="http://collagepdx.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">collage</a> (thank you!!) and picked out some amazing art supplies for the kids&#8217; Easter baskets,</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7027841961/" title="pearl bracelet pennants by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7027841961_92bdf79861.jpg" width="500" height="246" alt="pearl bracelet pennants"></a></p>
<p>got to <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2012/03/interview-with-lizzy-house.html" target="_blank">interview the fascinating Lizzy House for the PMQG blog</a>,</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7118696183/" title="Oceanside quilt in progress by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8162/7118696183_c90fc2acdb.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Oceanside quilt in progress"></a></p>
<p>finally got the chance to bring my Oceanside quilt to life (it was inspired by a photo I took at the beach in 2009&#8230; and now it&#8217;s pieced, backed, and at <a href="http://justquiltingpdx.com" target="_blank">Nancy&#8217;s</a> for longarm quilting!), </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6972617538/" title="some of the beautiful Cotton Couture blocks by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7181/6972617538_7482707d91.jpg" width="500" height="374" alt="some of the beautiful Cotton Couture blocks"></a></p>
<p>got to see <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2012/04/april-meeting-recap.html" target="_blank">four dozen beautiful quilt blocks on the wall for the PMQG Cotton Couture challenge</a>,</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7118696281/" title="party at Murder by the Book! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7118696281_ce577c95ca.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="party at Murder by the Book!"></a></p>
<p>and collected my most mysterious craft projects to bring to <a href="http://criminalcrafts.com/mysteries/put-your-parole-officer-on-speed-dial-its-time-for-criminal-crafting/" target="_blank">the Criminal Crafts-World of Geekcraft book party</a> at <a href="http://mbtb.com" target="_blank">Murder By The Book</a>!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/7071885035/" title="Book party at MBTB! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5349/7071885035_1130fd4347.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Book party at MBTB!"></a></p>
<p>It&#8217;s this Sunday, April 29, at 4:00. Shawn (author of the stellar <a href="http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/04/12/criminal-crafts/" target="_blank">Criminal Crafts</a>) and I would love to see you there for making ransom notes and comics magnets, plus drinks, snacks, and mysterious surprises! Barbara of MBTB has kindly ordered copies of <a href="http://modernlogcabinquilting.com" target="_blank">Modern Log Cabin Quilting</a> and <a href="http://buttonitupbook.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Button It Up</a>, too, so if you ever wanted to get one of my books signed (while learning how to make invisible ink, courtesy of Shawn), here&#8217;s your chance! </p>
<p><strong>If you go:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Criminal Crafts + World of Geekcraft Book Party</strong><br />
Sunday, April 29 at 4pm<br />
<a href="http://mbtb.com" target="_blank">Murder By The Book</a>, 3210 SE Hawthorne Blvd. in Portland<br />
Drinks, snacks, craft projects and book signing<br />
Free!</p>
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			<media:title type="html">some of the beautiful Cotton Couture blocks</media:title>
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		<title>make it: patchwork tote bags</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/make-it-patchwork-tote-bags/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/make-it-patchwork-tote-bags/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2012 21:41:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
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		<description><![CDATA[I wanted to share a tutorial for making cute, simple patchwork (or patterned fabric) tote bags for kids – perfect for sending to The Littlest Warriors project over at Craft Hope, which is also the PMQG charity quilting opportunity for February. I used two 12” quilt blocks/pieces of fabric for a child&#8217;s size bag, but [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2356&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I wanted to share a tutorial for making cute, simple patchwork (or patterned fabric) tote bags for kids – perfect for sending to <a href="http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/" target="_blank">The Littlest Warriors project over at Craft Hope</a>, which is also the <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com" target="_blank">PMQG</a> charity quilting opportunity for February. I used two 12” quilt blocks/pieces of fabric for a child&#8217;s size bag, but I included some suggestions for sizing them up for sturdier adult-size versions – plus some of my other favorite tote tutorials – at the end of the post. I hope you like them!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6790037788/" title="Bright Furrows patchwork tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6790037788_d875de0772.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Bright Furrows patchwork tote"></a></p>
<p>A quick note: I sew in a basement room without a whole lot of childcare time, and it’s February in the Pacific Northwest, so be forewarned that these photos aren’t exactly professionally lit or painstakingly staged. It’s a simple tutorial though, so hopefully you can follow along easily – I made these two tote bags in about an hour and a half, counting all the quilt block piecing! If you use stash blocks or just cut solid pieces of fabric, you can fly through these. My goal is to make 5 for <a href="http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/" target="_blank">the littlest warriors</a> by the March 12 deadline – <a href="http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/" target="_blank">all the details are here</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6790037722/" title="two totes for the littlest warriors by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6790037722_60de351f70.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="two totes for the littlest warriors"></a></p>
<p><strong>You’ll need:</strong></p>
<p>-Two quilt blocks (or solid pieces of fabric) in the 11”-12” square range for the outer sides of the bag. I used 12” blocks and fabric squares.<br />
-If using quilt blocks: muslin, the same size as your blocks, or slightly bigger, for reinforcing them<br />
-Lining fabric of your choice, the same size as your outer blocks or fabric<br />
-1.5 yards of webbing for handles<br />
-Thread, rotary cutter, quilt ruler + mat, scissors, iron, sewing machine</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6936152895/" title="two quilt blocks by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7199/6936152895_db3d228c45.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="two quilt blocks"></a></p>
<p>1. Cut two pieces of fabric (I used an Alexander Henry zoo print for my blue bag) or piece two quilt blocks of your choice, approximately 12” square. (You can also make them smaller or bigger if you like – 12” makes a nice toddler/preschooler-to-elementary-school size). </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/5510108897/" title="Bright Furrows Quilt by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5019/5510108897_a59fc07576.jpg" width="344" height="500" alt="Bright Furrows Quilt"></a></p>
<p>This is a great project for stash quilt blocks, or if you need to piece up two quick ones, log cabin is an easy one! I made a random log cabin block in the six yellow fabrics I originally used in my Bright Furrows quilt from <a href="http://modernlogcabinquilting.com" target="_blank">Modern Log Cabin Quilting</a>. To make two 12” blocks like these, cut 6 selvage-to-selvage (44”) strips that are 1.75” wide, in the quilting cottons of your choice. Here’s a short video of how I piece log cabin blocks&#8230; </p>
<span style="text-align:center; display: block;"><a href="http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/02/27/make-it-patchwork-tote-bags/"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/ysL1lj2n0j0/2.jpg" alt="" /></a></span>
<p>For an approximately 12” block, you&#8217;ll start with a 1.75” center square in one of the fabrics and add 4 tiers of logs using different fabrics in any order, piecing clockwise and pressing when each tier is completed. Press front and back and square up your blocks.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6936153107/" title="quilted blocks ready to stitch into a bag by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6936153107_7a3811f2db.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="quilted blocks ready to stitch into a bag"></a></p>
<p>2. If you’re using quilt blocks, quilt them with a muslin backing (or use the technique of your choice) to add stability. I quilted a square outline pattern about 1/8” outside the center square and then each tier (you can see this more easily in the photo that precedes step #4). Press again and trim excess so your blocks are square. (This would also be a great project for foundation piecing/quilting as you go!)</p>
<p>3. Now, cut two pieces of lining fabric the same size as your blocks or outer fabrics. I used my guildmate <a href="http://violetcraft.com" target="_blank">Violet Craft</a>’s <a href="http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/MMF/Swatch4.cfm?Gnam=Peacock%20Lane%20by%20Violet%20Craft" target="_blank">Peacock Lane</a> for my lining.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6790038108/" title="pinned outer bag sections and lining by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6790038108_2fc479c953.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="pinned outer bag sections and lining"></a></p>
<p>4. Pin the two outer pieces together around three sides, right sides facing and leaving the top open, and then repeat the same way with the lining fabrics. Stitch the three sides with a 1/2&#8243; inch seam allowance, back-stitching at the beginning and end to hold the seam. You&#8217;ll sew the outer and lining sections together the same way.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6936153189/" title="making the box corners by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6936153189_a2ffb1efab.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="making the box corners"></a></p>
<p>5. Make box corners by pressing the corners into flat triangles with the seams pressed open, pinning them, and stitching 1” in from the corner. You’ll do this the same way for the outer and lining bag sections.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6936152625/" title="trimmed box corner by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6936152625_c1a2a6238b.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="trimmed box corner"></a></p>
<p>6. Trim the extra fabric at each corner, as shown.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6936152675/" title="finished box corner by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7062/6936152675_da9b7e91ca.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="finished box corner"></a></p>
<p>This is what your finished box corner will look like from the outside!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6790037638/" title="bag + lining nestled together by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7194/6790037638_edbc7f48e8.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="bag + lining nestled together"></a></p>
<p>7. Now turn the outer bag right side out and tuck the lining in, making sure they fit snugly together. Turn the raw edges of both the bag and lining under and press them evenly (you can turn under 1/4&#8243; to 1/2&#8243;, depending on how bulky your quilted outer section is &#8211; just keep your bag and lining consistent). Pin the bag and lining together all around the perimeter of the opening.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6790037670/" title="bag pinned and ready to sew by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6790037670_e915fe734c.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="bag pinned and ready to sew"></a></p>
<p>8. Cut two 18” lengths of webbing for handles and pin each of them in place. I placed mine 2” (patchwork) and 2.5” (wholecloth) in from the side seam – I followed the outer edge of the second tier of my log cabin blocks as a guideline for my patchwork tote, and eyed it with my wholecloth one. Just make sure they’re even with one another and match the handle on the other side, and that the handles aren’t twisted!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6936152823/" title="two tote bags for the littlest warriors - linings by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7205/6936152823_2dd28c6274.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="two tote bags for the littlest warriors - linings"></a></p>
<p>9. Edge-stitch around the perimeter of the bag, catching both layers evenly, and then reinforce the four handles with double-stitching.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6790037722/" title="two totes for the littlest warriors by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6790037722_60de351f70.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="two totes for the littlest warriors"></a></p>
<p>You’re done!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6790037788/" title="Bright Furrows patchwork tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7200/6790037788_d875de0772.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Bright Furrows patchwork tote"></a></p>
<p>To make a larger/adult size, try starting with 15” or 16” quilt blocks or fabric squares (and same-size lining) instead of 11”/12”, and reinforcing the blocks with a home dec weight fabric instead of muslin. You can cut your handles to 24” each (instead of 18”), too.</p>
<p><strong>Some other tutorials I like:</strong></p>
<p>-<a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-twenty-minute-tote/" target="_blank">The Purl Bee’s Twenty-Minute Tote</a> (my original inspiration – an adult-sized bag without lining or box corners)</p>
<p>-My guildmate <a href="http://thehappyzombie.com/" target="_blank">Monica</a>’s adorable <a href="http://www.allpeoplequilt.com/projects-ideas/bags-pillows/pick-a-pocket-purse_1.html" target="_blank">Pick-A-Pocket Purse</a> (with clever outer pockets!)</p>
<p>-<a href="http://ayumills.blogspot.com/2010/08/tutorial-lunch-bag.html" target="_blank">The Pink Penguin’s Lunch Bag</a> tutorial</p>
<p>-And <a href="http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/love-for-the-littlest-warriors/" target="_blank">here are four other tote bags</a> I’ve made for my own kids and their friends in this same style!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6474310497/" title="Everett's tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6474310497_6d15acf2c4.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Everett's tote"></a></p>
<p>So, the March 12 deadline is two weeks from tomorrow&#8230; I would love to cheer you on if you are sewing for <a href="http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/" target="_blank">the littlest warriors</a> too! Please comment or keep me posted on what you&#8217;re making, and I will be so excited to share photos of all the finished bags and hats I see. Thank you!!</p>
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		<slash:comments>9</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">Bright Furrows patchwork tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

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			<media:title type="html">two totes for the littlest warriors</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">two quilt blocks</media:title>
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		<media:content url="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5019/5510108897_a59fc07576.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Bright Furrows Quilt</media:title>
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		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7210/6936153107_7a3811f2db.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">quilted blocks ready to stitch into a bag</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7179/6790038108_2fc479c953.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">pinned outer bag sections and lining</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7047/6936153189_a2ffb1efab.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">making the box corners</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">trimmed box corner</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">finished box corner</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">bag + lining nestled together</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">bag pinned and ready to sew</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">two tote bags for the littlest warriors - linings</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">two totes for the littlest warriors</media:title>
		</media:content>

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			<media:title type="html">Bright Furrows patchwork tote</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">Everett&#039;s tote</media:title>
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		<item>
		<title>last-minute valentines + collage party</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/last-minute-valentines-collage-party/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/last-minute-valentines-collage-party/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 14 Feb 2012 21:56:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[chatty]]></category>
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		<description><![CDATA[Happy Valentine&#8217;s Day, friends! Last night after work and school, we had a mini-marathon family Valentine-making party, with some secret projects in different rooms, and a lot of construction paper action. Pearl and I worked on decorating one for Andrew (which I bought at Hammer Press in Kansas City last fall, one of my favorite [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2351&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy Valentine&#8217;s Day, friends!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6877465881/" title="our family valentines at breakfast by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6877465881_03f175d0c5.jpg" width="500" height="321" alt="our family valentines at breakfast"></a></p>
<p>Last night after work and school, we had a mini-marathon family Valentine-making party, with some secret projects in different rooms, and a lot of construction paper action. Pearl and I worked on decorating <a href="http://hammerpress.net/collections/everyday-cards/products/ec086" target="_blank">one for Andrew</a> (which I bought at <a href="http://hammerpress.net/" target="_blank">Hammer Press</a> in Kansas City last fall, <a href="http://hammerpress.net/collections/everyday-cards/products/ec086" target="_blank">one of my favorite cards I&#8217;ve ever snapped up</a>), shortly after the two of them made me a pretty killer all-handmade one with lots of hearts and a super-sweet message inside. It wasn&#8217;t hard to distract Everett away from Pearl working on one with a vivid portrait of him on the front, and after she went to bed I pinked a heart from my favorite Denyse Schmidt dots and sewed it on a card for her. Whew! This was our breakfast table this morning with grandparent Valentines waiting to be opened too. It was fun!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6877465737/" title="Pearl's family valentines by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6877465737_516b6296f8.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Pearl's family valentines"></a><br />
Pearl also made a whole family of Valentines for her grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins, which I just loved. Andrew cut out hearts and she proudly drew each member of the family. They each got emailed photos today and hopefully the real thing will roll into their mailboxes shortly too!</p>
<p>But if you are over the age of three and a half and after some truly gorgeous last-minute Valentines, please stop by <a href="http://www.hellolucky.com/wordpress/2012/01/18/free-printable-valentines-day-cards/" target="_blank">the Hello!Lucky blog and download any or all of their free (!) vintage-inspired Valentine cards!</a> My favorite is the cuckoo clock but they&#8217;re all awesome. Thank you, <a href="http://www.hellolucky.com/wordpress/2012/01/18/free-printable-valentines-day-cards/" target="_blank">Hello!Lucky!</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6877465977/" title="Collage in Sellwood! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6877465977_d2689b6e35.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Collage in Sellwood!"></a></p>
<p>I stopped by <a href="http://collagepdx.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Collage</a> this morning and picked up some treasures, including some good Easter presents for Miss Pearl (I never seem to be following some cool blog schedule of sharing my Valentine&#8217;s stuff early enough to do anyone else any good, then Easter stuff when anyone else might also actually be thinking about it too&#8230; oh well). The markers, one Moleskine, and the sun print paper are all for her. The other Moleskines might find a home with me, I have an idea I&#8217;ve been wanting to try to customize a plain journal. Maria was so awesome and helped me find just what I was looking for &#8211; including <em>markers that don&#8217;t dry out when the lid vanishes into playroom chaos</em>. Who knew?!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6877634009/" title="Collage awesomeness by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6877634009_6667abebd0.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Collage awesomeness"></a></p>
<p>I&#8217;ve been working on my PMQG name tag this week and was so happy to track down the exact Sharpie I needed there in that perfect turquoise color, so I can write <em>west coast crafty</em> on my white bias tape before I stitch it down. Here it is in progress, looking a little worse for wear after a tote-bag trip for matching purposes. I&#8217;m so excited to finish mine, and see everyone&#8217;s name tags at <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2012/02/upcoming-events-sew-day-kathy-miller.html" target="_blank">our February meeting!</a> If you want to make one too, here are <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2012/02/have-you-started-your-name-tag.html" target="_blank">lots of inspiration photos, courtesy of Heather</a>, and <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2012/01/january-meeting.html" target="_blank">Petra&#8217;s original post with photos from her presentation at our January meeting</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6877634097/" title="PMQG name tag in progress by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6877634097_cf9da1b1c9.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="PMQG name tag in progress"></a></p>
<p>Last, here&#8217;s some more info about <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/303983816304239/" target="_blank">the Collage party</a>. It sounds so fun&#8230; hoping to go for sure!</p>
<p><strong>If you go:</strong><br />
<a>Collage&#8217;s Sellwood Grand Opening!</a><br />
Saturday, February 18 from 10-6<br />
Special discounts and 60+ raffles, all day!<br />
7907 SE 13th Ave. in Sellwood&#8217;s Historic Antique Row, Portland<br />
503-777-2189</p>
<p>Okay, I&#8217;m off to make a <a href="http://smittenkitchen.com/2011/09/red-wine-chocolate-cake/" target="_blank">red wine chocolate cake</a>. Have a wonderful V-day!</p>
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			<wfw:commentRss>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/02/14/last-minute-valentines-collage-party/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
	
		<media:content url="http://0.gravatar.com/avatar/cd1086765d69d573c6f544851610056a?s=96&#38;d=identicon&#38;r=G" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">westcoastcrafty</media:title>
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		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7054/6877465881_03f175d0c5.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">our family valentines at breakfast</media:title>
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		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7038/6877465737_516b6296f8.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Pearl&#039;s family valentines</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6877465977_d2689b6e35.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Collage in Sellwood!</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6877634009_6667abebd0.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Collage awesomeness</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6877634097_cf9da1b1c9.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">PMQG name tag in progress</media:title>
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		<title>love for the littlest warriors</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/love-for-the-littlest-warriors/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/love-for-the-littlest-warriors/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Feb 2012 23:55:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[chatty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crafting with kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[craftivism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[I love to make things...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sewing]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/?p=2344</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ve had a lot of fun sewing these little 25-minute totes for my kids, and now for a couple of their friends &#8211; they&#8217;ve been an easy go-to birthday present, paired with a drawing or card from Pearl. I&#8217;ve made a button version for Pearl and an owl version for Everett, and packed them up [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2344&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;ve had a lot of fun sewing <a href="http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/the-25-minute-tote/" target="_blank">these little 25-minute totes</a> for my kids, and now for a couple of their friends &#8211; they&#8217;ve been an easy go-to birthday present, paired with a drawing or card from Pearl. I&#8217;ve made a button version for Pearl and an owl version for Everett, and packed them up with books and art supplies for Christmas presents. They were a big hit!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6872004331/" title="Pearl's button tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6872004331_6c4ce63e93.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Pearl's button tote"></a></p>
<p>Since then I&#8217;ve sewn a frog version with ribbon handles for Pearl&#8217;s buddy Ellie, and a rocket-ship applique on outer-space-worthy star fabric for her very best friend Rowan.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6872004423/" title="Everett's owl tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6872004423_3eefd36e6e.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Everett's owl tote"></a></p>
<p>But now I am starting up a new round of my tote-sewing for <a href="http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/" target="_blank">Craft Hope&#8217;s project 16: the littlest warriors</a>. Jade of Craft Hope has teamed up with Melanie &#8211; a friend whose son Pierce has battled leukemia for three years &#8211; to collect totes and soft hats and beanies for children fighting cancer. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6872004531/" title="Ellie's frog tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6872004531_0b20b59048.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Ellie's frog tote"></a></p>
<p>You can make hats or totes from any pattern for children of all ages, babies through teenagers, and send them to Melanie <a href="http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/" target="_blank">(all info here)</a>. She&#8217;ll distribute them to the patients who need hope the most&#8230; a colorful, happy surprise present to make the days at the hospital a little shorter.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6872004609/" title="Rowan's rocket ship tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6872004609_cc7cc12df9.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Rowan's rocket ship tote"></a></p>
<p>As Jade shared, 46 children are diagnosed with cancer every weekday, and 7 children die every single weekday, too. But there is hope. Pierce, who&#8217;s now four and a half, had his last chemo treatment on February 11, a day he&#8217;d been counting down to. As Jade <a href="http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/" target="_blank">wrote</a>, he is winning! My mom is a cancer survivor and the kindness of friends and strangers alike has been a huge gift to her, one I am humbled to give back.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6872004775/" title="Rowan's rocket ship tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/6872004775_e34835ef80.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Rowan's rocket ship tote"></a></p>
<p>So this isn&#8217;t a Valentine&#8217;s Day post really, except that it&#8217;s about love. I have some Valentine&#8217;s posts and free projects to share <a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/40470/make-a-beaded-valentine" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://www.craftstylish.com/item/40979/heartfelt-valentines-fortune-cookies-and-rings" target="_blank">here</a>, <a href="http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2010/02/01/heart-toppers-to-make-and-a-favor-to-ask/" target="_blank">here</a>, and <a href="http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2010/02/10/toddlers-and-valentines-and-state-capitols/" target="_blank">here</a>. But the one I hope you&#8217;ll also take a look at is <a href="http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/the-25-minute-tote/" target="_blank">here &#8211; my simple kid-sized version</a> of <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-twenty-minute-tote/" target="_blank">the Purl Bee&#8217;s 20-minute tote</a>. It&#8217;s easy and you can stitch up two of them from contrasting third-yard cuts of fabric and two yards of twill or ribbon, if you&#8217;re so inclined. The deadline is March 12 and <a href="http://www.crafthope.com/2012/01/project-16-the-littlest-warriors/" target="_blank">all details are over here</a>. My goal is to sew and send five bags with little surprises inside, hopefully more if I have the sewing time. If you want to team up on shipping bags or hats from Portland, let me know!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6872004701/" title="Rowan's rocket ship tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6872004701_8544ea4d28.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Rowan's rocket ship tote"></a></p>
<p>Wishing everyone a happy Valentine&#8217;s Day, and of course <a href="http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2009/02/14/happy-birthday-oregon/" target="_blank">a happy <s>152nd</s> 153rd birthday to Oregon</a>! Here are the valentines Pearl made for all the kids at her preschool, using some fun things from <a href="http://collagepdx.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Collage</a>&#8230; </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6872503345/" title="Pearl's 2012 valentines by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6872503345_0da5b758c2.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Pearl's 2012 valentines"></a></p>
<p>&#8230;and writing her name on the back of each one! This was a fun and easy little Everett&#8217;s-nap project this weekend. She did everything herself except cut the paper up.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6872503601/" title="Pearl's 2012 valentines by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6872503601_84e68e759d.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Pearl's 2012 valentines"></a></p>
<p>Speaking of Collage, they are having <a href="http://collagepdx.blogspot.com/2012/01/were-moving-our-woodstock-store-to.html" target="_blank">their grand opening party for the Sellwood store on Saturday, February 18</a>! And our next PMQG meeting is this Thursday, February 16 at PNCA. We have some <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2012/02/upcoming-events-sew-day-kathy-miller.html" target="_blank">fun stuff</a> planned <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2012/02/have-you-started-your-name-tag.html" target="_blank">this month</a>, and I hope to see you there!</p>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">westcoastcrafty</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7067/6872004331_6c4ce63e93.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Pearl&#039;s button tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6872004423_3eefd36e6e.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Everett&#039;s owl tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6872004531_0b20b59048.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Ellie&#039;s frog tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6872004609_cc7cc12df9.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Rowan&#039;s rocket ship tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7050/6872004775_e34835ef80.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Rowan&#039;s rocket ship tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7178/6872004701_8544ea4d28.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Rowan&#039;s rocket ship tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7185/6872503345_0da5b758c2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Pearl&#039;s 2012 valentines</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7196/6872503601_84e68e759d.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Pearl&#039;s 2012 valentines</media:title>
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		<title>2011 crafts + QfQ finale!</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/2011-crafts-qfq-finale/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/2011-crafts-qfq-finale/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:52:26 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[chatty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crafting with kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[craftivism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[house crafty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[I love to make things...]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quilting]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/?p=2301</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Happy New Year! I hope that your 2012 has been a good one so far. I just made a collage of my craft projects from last year and wanted to share it over here&#8230; Lots of sewing! I think my favorite things I made are my denim wrap skirt, Everett&#8217;s birthday banner, and the plaid [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2301&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Happy New Year! I hope that your 2012 has been a good one so far. I just made a collage of my craft projects from last year and wanted to share it over here&#8230;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6629978273/" title="2011 Crafts! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6629978273_f1f733de44.jpg" width="500" height="400" alt="2011 Crafts!"></a></p>
<p>Lots of sewing! I think my favorite things I made are my denim wrap skirt, Everett&#8217;s birthday banner, and the plaid Pendleton blanket for my mother-in-law. I also love my Denyse Schmidt improvisational blocks, and I hope that I&#8217;ll actually get to piece them into a bed quilt in 2012. If you&#8217;re looking for truly spectacular finished quilt projects, check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/249856086765/" target="_blank">people&#8217;s mosaics and posts on the Modern Quilt Guild FB page</a>. (All of my quilting time went to <a href="http://quiltsforquakesurvivors.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Quilts for Quake Survivors</a>, so my contributions were all just parts of a beautiful whole, so no finished quilts to show this year &#8211; I&#8217;m ok with it!)</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36921381@N07/5530391002/" title="QfQ-banner by TangerineSamurai, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5257/5530391002_d7cb61ce9f.jpg" width="500" height="143" alt="QfQ-banner"></a></p>
<p>Speaking of <a href="http://quiltsforquakesurvivors.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Quilts for Quake Survivors</a>, I wanted to post an update over here, too. We are winding the project down this week after donating 30 quilts to survivors of the earthquake in Japan (March and April) and <a href="http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/danielacaine" target="_blank">raising $2825 and counting for Mercy Corps&#8217; relief work</a> (May-now). A HUGE thank-you to everyone who has donated fabric, pieced blocks, joined or sashed quilt tops, sewed backs, basted, quilted, tied or bound quilts with us. We are so grateful for your beautiful work!</p>
<p>These quilts are still available for <a href="http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/danielacaine" target="_blank">a $150 donation to Mercy Corps</a> &#8211; including the brand-new #6 in the collage, <a href="http://designcamppdx.weebly.com/2/post/2011/10/cats-game-quilt-published.html" target="_blank">Michelle Freedman&#8217;s original Cat&#8217;s Game quilt!</a>:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6630162963/" title="QfQ quilts still available! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7034/6630162963_a2db42f62b.jpg" width="500" height="334" alt="QfQ quilts still available!"></a></p>
<p>1. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36921381@N07/6164546282/">Batique 1 &#8211; 020</a>, 2. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36921381@N07/6164543292/">Eclectic Asian &#8211; 017</a>, 3. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36921381@N07/6164540234/">Block of the Month &#8211; 014</a>, 4. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36921381@N07/6163724775/">Friendly haze &#8211; 004</a>, 5. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36921381@N07/6163683069/">asian delight &#8211; 006</a>, 6. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6630081119/">Michelle Freedman&#8217;s Cat&#8217;s Game quilt &#8211; 022</a></p>
<p>If you are interested, <a href="http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/danielacaine" target="_blank">please go to our page on the Mercy Corps website and donate $150</a> (shipping is on us). <strong>You can donate to ANY cause you’d like the money to go to, not just Japan</strong>. Just state your preferred cause in the subject line. Mercy Corps will distribute the funds according to your specifications on their back end. Then you can send an email to quiltsforquakesurvivors@gmail.com with the donation confirmation number and the number of the quilt and your shipping address. We will send you a confirmation email and ship the quilt within 48 hours via USPS. <strong>Also – if you’ve already donated $150 or more for end of year giving, you can send us the donor number and we’ll gladly send you a quilt as a thank-you.</strong></p>
<p>After this week, we&#8217;ll donate any remaining quilts to <a href="http://bradleyangle.org/" target="_blank">Bradley-Angle House</a>, a shelter here in Portland, for the women and children there. Thank you to everyone who has supported QfQ!!</p>
<p>I have a few more little things to share soon&#8230; like my favorite new hot chocolate recipe, and the finished 25-minute book and toy totes for Pearl and Everett (which were a huge hit on Christmas morning!). I&#8217;ll see you when I have a chance to upload some more photos!</p>
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		<title>holiday crafting and baking with kids</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/holiday-crafting-and-baking-with-kids/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/holiday-crafting-and-baking-with-kids/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:50:11 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[books and mags]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chatty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crafting with kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[reviews and interviews]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/?p=2286</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I recently got a review copy of Jessica Strand&#8217;s new book, Holiday Crafting &#38; Baking with Kids, and I love it. It arrived last Tuesday, and we immediately planned a couple of very fun crafty playdates for Wednesday and Friday with two of Pearl&#8217;s best friends! The first project I saw that was right up [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2286&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I recently got a review copy of Jessica Strand&#8217;s new book, <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/kids-teens/holidays/winter-holidays/holiday-crafting-baking-with-kids.html" target="_blank">Holiday Crafting &amp; Baking with Kids</a>, and I love it. It arrived last Tuesday, and we immediately planned a couple of very fun crafty playdates for Wednesday and Friday with two of Pearl&#8217;s best friends!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6517896297/" title="Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6517896297_8c41856e21.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids"></a></p>
<p>The first project I saw that was right up her alley was the O Christmas Tree soft felt ornaments. Our Christmas tree desperately needs more cute, unbreakable ornaments &#8211; Everett has just started walking and he&#8217;s very good at it! This project is not only very 3.5-year-old friendly, it didn&#8217;t require a single extra thing from the store (I have a crazy stash of felt colors). Perfect.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6517896231/" title="Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7174/6517896231_008a30734a.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids"></a></p>
<p>We started with the kids (Pearl and her buddy Kirin) choosing the felt color they wanted for backgrounds. I traced a large jar lid and cut the rounds out with pinking shears, then asked what kind of decorations and shapes they wanted to add to their first ornament. The rule that worked well was that they could pick all their preferred colors, shapes, and sizes of felt pieces, but that I did the cutting and pinking. Then, once they&#8217;d placed everything just so, I glued the bits down and we cut out new rounds to decorate. It worked super well, and in just an hour or so, they had made six ornaments together! Here are Pearl&#8217;s. Two are similar to the ones in the book, but I really love that free-form circle one &#8211; she had a great time digging deep into my button jar for favorites to arrange&#8230;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6517896125/" title="Pearl's first 3 ornaments by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7013/6517896125_2930c7b2ce.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Pearl's first 3 ornaments"></a></p>
<p>Kirin made these three. That giraffe is spectacular (a collaboration between him and his mom!).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6517896051/" title="Kirin's felt ornaments by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6517896051_ee90144120.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Kirin's felt ornaments"></a></p>
<p>Then, a couple days later, Pearl&#8217;s friend Rowan came over for ornament-making part two. In the meantime, I&#8217;d made it to the craft store for googly eyes &#8211; Pearl announced that she wanted to make a Christmas present ornament that was looking at you. So she did.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6517896405/" title="Pearl's googly-eyed gift ornament by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7153/6517896405_3b24eac12b.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Pearl's googly-eyed gift ornament"></a></p>
<p>Rowan made some great ones too &#8211; I liked the pipe cleaner hangers!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6517896179/" title="Rowan's felt ornaments by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7033/6517896179_11132bdc0a.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Rowan's felt ornaments"></a></p>
<p><em>Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids</em> is an adorable book. Jessica mentioned in her introduction that she worked on it with her ten-year-old son Lucian, which I thought was so cool. They came up with 26 projects total, covering Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and New Year&#8217;s &#8211; everything from table decorations, gift wrap and cards to garlands, cookies, and gifts. It&#8217;s so nice to see a book that&#8217;s meant for younger kids <em>and</em> bigger ones &#8211; so many of the kids&#8217; craft books I have are still a ways out from my 3.5-year-old. This one is recommended for 4 and up, but many of the projects are very do-able for the preschooler. We want to try this one next:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6517896355/" title="Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7147/6517896355_7db9442ff5.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids"></a></p>
<p>Who knows how much Pearl&#8217;s snowflakes will look like the ones on the page, but I think they will be awesome &#8211; she was really excited to find special sparkly pipe cleaners at the store to bend and twist! The other projects she wants to make are the paper snowflakes, the brownie gift jar, and the happy New Year paper poppers.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6517896297/" title="Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7141/6517896297_8c41856e21.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids"></a></p>
<p>Thank you to <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/titles/kids-teens/holidays/winter-holidays/holiday-crafting-baking-with-kids.html" target="_blank">Chronicle</a> for sending me this book! It has gotten a lot of love around here already. It looks like <a href="http://www.powells.com/biblio/1-9781452101095-0" target="_blank">Powell&#8217;s downtown has a couple of copies</a> if you are local!</p>
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		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">westcoastcrafty</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">Pearl&#039;s first 3 ornaments</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">Kirin&#039;s felt ornaments</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">Pearl&#039;s googly-eyed gift ornament</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">Rowan&#039;s felt ornaments</media:title>
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			<media:title type="html">Holiday Crafting and Baking with Kids</media:title>
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		<title>the 25-minute tote</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/the-25-minute-tote/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/the-25-minute-tote/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:54:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[chatty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crafting with kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crafty events]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/?p=2253</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[After three weeks on the east coast visiting family, I got to sew today for the first time since mid-November! Oh, I missed sewing so much, it&#8217;s good to be back. Since time is always of the essence around here, I wanted to make a nice instant-gratification project, and also cross something off my holiday [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2253&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>After three weeks on the east coast visiting family, I got to sew today for the first time since mid-November! Oh, I missed sewing so much, it&#8217;s good to be back. Since time is always of the essence around here, I wanted to make a nice instant-gratification project, and also cross something off my holiday gift list. After a quick and lovely trip to <a href="http://coolcottons.biz" target="_blank">Cool Cottons</a> for two yards of bright-colored webbing, I was revisiting <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-twenty-minute-tote/" target="_blank">the Purl Bee&#8217;s 20-minute tote tutorial</a> and cutting some fabric to make little presents for Pearl and Everett!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6474310619/" title="Everett's tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6474310619_397699d0bb.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Everett's tote"></a></p>
<p>I made a few tweaks to <a href="http://www.purlbee.com/the-twenty-minute-tote/" target="_blank">the Purl Bee&#8217;s version</a> (exact details in a minute). Since these are for little kids, ages 1 and 3.5, I sized the bag down a bit. I also lined mine and added box corners, just because I like those things in bags. The first one I made is for Everett &#8211; owls, lined with cheerful yellow gingham, and with one of my way-back tags sewn in.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6474310335/" title="Everett's tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6474310335_22827766d2.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Everett's tote"></a></p>
<p>Here are my changes, in case anyone else wants to try a kid version too: I sized all the dimensions of the bag down, using two 11&#8243; x 12&#8243; pieces of fabric (one set in outer fabric and one in lining &#8211; you can basically make two bags out of 2 contrasting third-yard cuts of fabric), and two 18&#8243; lengths of webbing for handles (one yard total per bag). I followed their directions for the most part, but streamlined a bit since no raw edges would show, and added box corners 1&#8243; in from the bottom corners of both lining and outer bag layers before sewing them together. I sewed the tag into the lining, then sewed the bag and lining together around the perimeter with a small zig-zag stitch. Done! </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6474310409/" title="Everett's tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6474310409_b2e06fd3cf.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Everett's tote"></a></p>
<p>The finished bag is the perfect size for bringing a few kids&#8217; books and toys along for a playdate or car ride. It&#8217;s not super strong, just two layers of quilting cottons (I wouldn&#8217;t lug groceries or free weights in it or anything) but it&#8217;s perfect for a child to carry around. Using interfacing or home dec fabric would make this a much sturdier grown-up-style bag. You could also add a patch pocket, a little zip bag on a ribbon, or a button closure&#8230;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6474310497/" title="Everett's tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7005/6474310497_6d15acf2c4.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Everett's tote"></a></p>
<p>Here&#8217;s what I&#8217;m going to use for Pearl&#8217;s version &#8211; buttons on the outside, dots on the inside. Love that bright blue webbing! For my sources &#8211; I got the webbing at <a href="http://coolcottons.biz" target="_blank">Cool Cottons</a> today, the button print is from <a href="http://bobbinsnest.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bobbin&#8217;s Nest</a> this spring, the dots are Katie Jump Rope from <a href="http://purlsoho.com" target="_blank">Purl Soho</a> (2007 or so), the owls are a Japanese import (also 2007-ish), and the gingham was a yard sale find.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6474310555/" title="Swatches for Pearl's tote by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7154/6474310555_d7ca414035.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Swatches for Pearl's tote"></a></p>
<p>Speaking of fabric, this is what else I got at <a href="http://coolcottons.biz" target="_blank">Cool Cottons</a>! So, so happy they still had a nice selection of <a href="http://www.windhamfabrics.net/cgi-bin/fabricshop/gallery.cgi?Category=528" target="_blank">Lotta Jansdotter</a> left. I got enough gray to make a skirt, one yard of the yellow, and half-yards of the two smaller prints on white and the orange.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6474310293/" title="My haul from Cool Cottons by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7148/6474310293_2b198c77b3.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="My haul from Cool Cottons"></a></p>
<p>This weekend is shaping up to be awesome and busy. I&#8217;m really excited for the <a href="http://craftywonderland.com/" target="_blank">Crafty Wonderland Super Colossal Sale</a> &#8211; hope to see you over there one of the two days, I will be doing the rest of my holiday shopping! <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/2011/12/time-flies-are-you-sewing-yet.html" target="_blank">Portland Modern Quilt Guild will be hosting an all-day sew on Saturday</a> (free to members, $10 non-members), yay! And my friend + fellow PMQG member <a href="http://www.joyofallcrafts.com/" target="_blank">Heather</a> will be teaching <a href="http://www.joyofallcrafts.com/2011/12/portland-bazaar.html" target="_blank">a super cool glass etching class (1pm, $10) at the Portland Bazaar on Sunday!</a>  </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/5468797199/" title="my Portland Modern Quilt Guild name badge &lt;3 by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5215/5468797199_c7528509a7.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="my Portland Modern Quilt Guild name badge &lt;3"></a></p>
<p>One more bit of news on the <a href="http://portlandmodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">PMQG</a> front: I&#8217;m so honored to follow the amazing <a href="http://afewscraps.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Christina</a> as our guild president for 2012! <a href="http://joyofallcrafts.com" target="_blank">Heather</a>, <a href="http://quiltstopainting.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Petra</a>, <a href="http://www.justquiltingpdx.com/" target="_blank">Nancy</a>, <a href="http://goldwillow.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Ale</a> and I will be the new officers and I am so excited to be on the board with them. Hope to see you at our December 15 meeting at <a href="http://pnca.edu" target="_blank">PNCA</a> &#8211; it&#8217;s a holiday potluck with lots of treats!</p>
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		<slash:comments>6</slash:comments>
	
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			<media:title type="html">westcoastcrafty</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7149/6474310619_397699d0bb.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Everett&#039;s tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7030/6474310335_22827766d2.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Everett&#039;s tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7163/6474310409_b2e06fd3cf.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Everett&#039;s tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

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			<media:title type="html">Everett&#039;s tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

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			<media:title type="html">Swatches for Pearl&#039;s tote</media:title>
		</media:content>

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			<media:title type="html">My haul from Cool Cottons</media:title>
		</media:content>

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			<media:title type="html">my Portland Modern Quilt Guild name badge &#60;3</media:title>
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		<title>fall projects (crafty and non-crafty)</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/fall-projects-crafty-and-non-crafty/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/11/02/fall-projects-crafty-and-non-crafty/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:29:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[chatty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crafting with kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[house crafty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[I love to make things...]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/?p=2216</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I&#8217;ve been deep in a big non-crafty project (more on that in a minute), so I officially threw in the towel and didn&#8217;t make a thing for Halloween except chicken pot pie for dinner that night. Thank goodness for kind friends lending us cute hand-me-down lion and monkey costumes! So, no cool holiday or costume [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2216&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I&#8217;ve been deep in a big non-crafty project (more on that in a minute), so I officially threw in the towel and didn&#8217;t make a thing for Halloween except chicken pot pie for dinner that night. Thank goodness for kind friends lending us cute hand-me-down lion and monkey costumes! So, no cool holiday or costume crafting this time around, but we had a lot of fun riding a train AND a boat at <a href="http://thelakeviewfarms.com/pumpkinpatch.html" target="_blank">the pumpkin patch</a>, parading with the little kids in the neighborhood, and trick-or-treating with Pearl&#8217;s best friend (also a lion). </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6307337036/" title="double-decker draft snake by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6307337036_bb4b0029fd.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="double-decker draft snake"></a></p>
<p>I did spend a little time crafting non-Halloween things on Halloween itself, ironically &#8211; I finished up two ultra-simple wool draft snakes I started the day before to guard the drafty doors in our 1950 house from the suddenly chilly weather. This one, at my front door (which is a vintage style with a tilted frame base), didn&#8217;t work as a single snake&#8230; so I stitched up a second snake and sewed them together along the seams. Here&#8217;s a better photo of the fabric (Pendleton&#8217;s sagebrush pattern, from <a href="http://thewoolenmillstore.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">the Woolen Mill Store</a>).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6307337006/" title="double-decker draft snake by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6307337006_b8b51466ab.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="double-decker draft snake"></a></p>
<p>I love the one I made for the back door, which was all blue and orange Pendleton by-the-pound wool scraps left over from other projects, pieced together into a long row and top-stitched. That one makes me happy to look at. I&#8217;ll definitely write up a tutorial for both styles in the next few days if anyone else wants to make one, they are a nice simple instant-gratification project!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6306815555/" title="patchwork draft snake by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6306815555_acee33034f.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="patchwork draft snake"></a></p>
<p>Speaking of happy crafts, Everett turns one next week (!!) and I&#8217;m working on a second round of birthday pennants for him &#8211; I just finished a name banner like <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/3508949183/" target="_blank">Pearl&#8217;s</a> and now I&#8217;m making another set in the same blue and orange to decorate the rec room for his little party. A November basement in the gray Pacific Northwest can use all the cheer it can get, so I&#8217;m excited to make another set. (I kind of think you can&#8217;t have too many pennants.) I will post all the photos on his birthday (next Tuesday!). So far the plan is pennants, cupcakes, and a 1 shirt and pants. He is fun to make things for!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6303393715/" title="Everett's birthday banner (in progress) by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6303393715_4601c3f2c0.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Everett's birthday banner (in progress)"></a></p>
<p>And speaking of non-crafts &#8211; I am so happy that <a href="http://www.oregonlive.com/portland/index.ssf/2011/10/multnomah_county_commissioners_21.html" target="_blank">Multnomah County banned the toxic chemical BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups, and reusable water bottles last week!</a> After two valiant tries for broader statewide legislation that were each blocked by industry pressure, this local victory protecting kids in our county is awesome. Thank you so much to everyone who helped get us here, especially the 1,050 people who signed <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/multnomah-county-commissioners-protect-our-kids-by-banning-bpa" target="_blank">the petition I started on change.org</a> (and the 20 of whom signed in person at our pediatrician&#8217;s office!). I was really proud to testify in front of the county commissioners at the public hearing last week and hand-deliver the petition, and we gave them a standing ovation when they voted 5-0 in favor of the ban. The Oregonian also spotlighted my letter to the editor on the BPA ban and the Safe Chemicals Act on the editorial page and <a href="http://blog.oregonlive.com/myoregon/2011/10/yes_ban_bpa.html" target="_blank">printed it in full on their My Oregon blog</a>, thank you!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6307336978/" title="My letter to the editor was printed last week! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6231/6307336978_d931f132e2.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="My letter to the editor was printed last week!"></a></p>
<p>I have a book review post planned for tomorrow and then I&#8217;ll write up draft snakes, birthday projects and anything else good I find a few minutes for after that. See you then!</p>
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			<media:title type="html">westcoastcrafty</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6229/6307337036_bb4b0029fd.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">double-decker draft snake</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6111/6307337006_b8b51466ab.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">double-decker draft snake</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6053/6306815555_acee33034f.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">patchwork draft snake</media:title>
		</media:content>

		<media:content url="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6107/6303393715_4601c3f2c0.jpg" medium="image">
			<media:title type="html">Everett&#039;s birthday banner (in progress)</media:title>
		</media:content>

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			<media:title type="html">My letter to the editor was printed last week!</media:title>
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		<title>nw kids, QfQ, and new sewing</title>
		<link>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/nw-kids-qfq-and-new-sewing/</link>
		<comments>http://westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com/2011/10/12/nw-kids-qfq-and-new-sewing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Oct 2011 05:10:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Susan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[chatty]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[crafting with kids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[craftivism]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[quilting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sewing]]></category>

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		<description><![CDATA[I sewed something I really like as a gift last week and now that it has reached its recipient, I can post about it (now that the kids are asleep, and I&#8217;m not&#8230;)! I made a cozy lap-size blanket for my mother-in-law with some of the gorgeous plaid blanket-weight wool I bought for $5 a [...]<img alt="" border="0" src="http://stats.wordpress.com/b.gif?host=westcoastcrafty.wordpress.com&#038;blog=429323&#038;post=2206&#038;subd=westcoastcrafty&#038;ref=&#038;feed=1" width="1" height="1" />]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I sewed something I really like as a gift last week and now that it has reached its recipient, I can post about it (now that the kids are asleep, and I&#8217;m not&#8230;)! I made a cozy lap-size blanket for my mother-in-law with some of the gorgeous plaid blanket-weight wool I bought for $5 a pound at <a href="http://thewoolenmillstore.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">the Pendleton Woolen Mill Store</a> a couple months ago. It&#8217;s perfect for reading or just hanging out on the couch on a fall afternoon.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6215494840/" title="Handmade Pendleton lap blanket by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6228/6215494840_31ed6e9f7b.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Handmade Pendleton lap blanket"></a></p>
<p>I trimmed the remnant evenly on all sides (so it measured about 42&#8243; x 52&#8243;) and edged it with the 1&#8243; navy blue wool binding Pearl specially picked out for her Grammy ($1 a yard at the WMS). I used my Sesquicentennial blanket as a binding-style template and bound it with simple folded corners, double-stitching it &#8211; first around the inner perimeter to catch all layers, and then doing a second victory lap close to the outer edge. The WMS gives you a &#8220;Hand-Tailored with Pendleton Woolens&#8221; tag with a fabric purchase, so I got to sew that in as a finale and it&#8217;s beautiful. I will definitely be making more of these &#8211; they are awesome. Hello, Christmas!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6217800843/" title="NW Kids article on Susan + QfQ by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6153/6217800843_cfe4451d4c.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="NW Kids article on Susan + QfQ"></a></p>
<p>There is a little more excitement around here to report, too! I was really appreciative that Beth from <a href="http://nwkidsmagazine.com/" target="_blank">NW Kids Magazine</a> contacted me a few weeks ago for a craftivism feature she was planning, and included an interview with me in the October/Halloween issue (which I picked up at <a href="http://www.portlandcm.org/" target="_blank">the Children&#8217;s Museum</a> last week &#8211; yay). Thank you so much, Beth!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6217800897/" title="NW Kids article on Susan + QfQ by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6217800897_3f4a532e95.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="NW Kids article on Susan + QfQ"></a></p>
<p>She asked me lots of questions about my thoughts on craftivism, the community <a href="http://quiltsforquakesurvivors.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Quilts for Quake Survivors fundraiser</a> I&#8217;ve been working on with Daniela, and my day-to-day and favorite things to do in Portland with two little kids. She also included the POW! ZAP! Magnets from World of Geekcraft as a free project extra in the issue, so please jump on that &#8211; a kid at the safety scissors level of crafting should be able to have a lot of fun with that one, with help from a mom, dad, or older sibling. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6218322036/" title="NW Kids article on Susan + QfQ by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6103/6218322036_93c2992573.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="NW Kids article on Susan + QfQ"></a></p>
<p>Speaking of <a href="http://quiltsforquakesurvivors.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Quilts for Quake Survivors</a>, I&#8217;m so happy to say that QfQ is going strong and we are unveiling new quilts every M-W-F for the next month, thanks to Daniela&#8217;s fabulous photography and posting. Each quilt is $150 (&#8220;bought&#8221; via a direct donation to <a href="http://mercycorps.org" target="_blank">Mercy Corps</a>) and you can choose any quilt you love, email us with your receipt, and we will ship or deliver it to you (US addresses only, international shipping will be extra, it&#8217;s out of pocket for us so I hope everyone understands&#8230;).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/susanstars/6057051238/" title="Mercy Corps sent us this! by susanstars, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6081/6057051238_315889d6fc.jpg" width="500" height="373" alt="Mercy Corps sent us this!"></a></p>
<p>The other thing that is super awesome is that thanks to <a href="http://mercycorps.org" target="_blank">Mercy Corps</a>, they&#8217;ve modified <a href="http://www.mercycorps.org/fundraising/danielacaine" target="_blank">our fundraiser page</a> so that you can designate your donation to go to any of their relief efforts you&#8217;re most drawn to (which Daniela had already said on our blog posts, but now it&#8217;s official). So if you&#8217;d rather make a donation to their crucial, current efforts in Somalia, Pakistan, or elsewhere, that&#8217;s great. Our hearts are always with Japan, but we know that Mercy Corps&#8217; efforts have been global and we are proud to support them worldwide. There are <a href="http://quiltsforquakesurvivors.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">8 quilts still available (and counting!)</a> and 3 have been sold in the last couple weeks. Just a peek&#8230;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/36921381@N07/6163693551/" title="center star - 009 by TangerineSamurai, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6164/6163693551_de1d5eb2e7.jpg" width="333" height="500" alt="center star - 009"></a></p>
<p>Thank you to everyone who has donated fabric, pieced, sashed, quilted, tied, or bound our community quilts for sale. We love you!</p>
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