More Swappy Stuff

You know, I seem to go in spurts.  I say I'm done with swaps and I'm going to concentrate on finishing up some quilts, and then all of a sudden I'll lose my resolve and commit to several swaps.  I used to joke that it was an addiction, and I'm beginning to think it really is.  And what was I thinking committing to so many that are due between now and Christmas??  Dumb.  Really dumb.  But I'm making a lot of progress and having fun, so what the heck.

This one is a Reverse Modern Maples mini quilt for my partner in the Schnitzel and Boo mini quilt swap.  My partner said she liked autumn, and what is more autumny than leaves?  I quilted it with loops and leaves and it went pretty fast.  I apologize for the picture - it's the only one I took and the package is already on its way to my partner.  I need to remember not to rely on iphone pictures.

I've been playing along in the Super Swaps group for a couple of years now, and the items to be swapped are always different.  The item this time was an ornament, and I found a cute pattern in a book called Sew Merry and Bright.  I loved the wonky tree a couple of the other projects, but the book hasn't arrived yet, so I had to fake it.  I think it turned out kinda fun.  Hope my partner likes it.

I made my pinwheel blocks for the Pinwheel Passion hive of the 3x6 Bee.  I used one of the tutorials from Rachel Griffith's (ps i quilt) Block of the Month tutorial.  I think this one was month 6. I tried another block first, but just didn't like the way it turned out, so went with this somewhat less detailed block, although I really like it.

When I receive all my blocks, I should have enough citrus blocks to finish up the last citrus quilt. 

I'm working on a gift for my ECMQG swap partner even as we speak.  This one needs to be finished TODAY, since we're exchanging them at the meeting tomorrow.  My partner wanted something a bit non-traditional, so I dug into the remainder of my Ruby FE bundle (by Bonnie and Camille) that Amanda got for me at Sample Spree at Quilt Market in SLC in 2011.  I have made at least 2 quilts and 3 or 4 other items from this FE bundle.  I am continually amazed at how far a fat eighth will go.

So, that's what I've got done so far.  I still have two more swaps to finish, and then I'll begin working on Christmas gifts.  I have big plans, as always.  Don't know yet how many will actually get finished.

Wish me luck!

Friendship Bag Swap

Well, my resolution to ease up some on my swapping barely lasted a month, but this one was just too good to pass up.  This was an easy little project filled with fun goodies for my partner.

It started with an adorable little quilted gift bag made from Rachel's tutorial (of psiquilt fame).  And isn't it so much more fun and environmentally friendly than those cheap paper ones you buy at the dollar store?

For the outside, i used strips from that same FE bundle of Bonnie & Camille's Ruby that BD#1 got me at Sample Spree a couple of years ago - yup the same one that I made the Simple Merry Christmas Quilt and the Love Pillow from.  It's really amazing how far a FE bundle will go!  I used a scrap of texty print from the Waterfall pillow as the base.

My partner said she liked texty fabric, so I lined it with a texty print in the same colors as the outside.

And then the fun began....

I started filling it up.  I had the best time!  I hope there's something in there that will make my partner feel special.

Because that's what friends are for.

All You Need Is LOVE

Last Saturday, while I was at the Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild meeting Kira did a paper piecing lesson using kelbysews wonky alphabet pattern. 

Many of us, including me, I'm proud to say, completed the L-O-V-E under Kira's helpful tutoring.  I brought the letters home, and they were just sitting there on the cutting board.  Last night I decided that if I didn't do something with them by Valentine's Day, I probably never would.

So I sat down at the sewing machine and put together this pillow, just in time for V-Day.

The fabric is the leftovers of a FE bundle BD#1 picked up for me at Sample Spree in May of 2011.  I am always amazed at how far a little bundle of fabric can stretch.  I have already made a quilt from this bundle!  I had the fabric for the backing and binding left over from the Simple Merry Christmas quilt.  And the outer sashing was 1-1/2 inch strips left over from yet another Ruby project.

The quilting was fairly simple - straight lines in the sashing and hearts (or attempted hearts, anyway) in the letters.

So, on this Valentine's Day, I hope that your life is filled with LOVE.

Eye Candy

BD#1 speaking with Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs

 Today, we're going to have a little fun with three or four of my favorite fabrics and experiences at Quilt Market.

First, is Anne Sutton of Bunny Hill Designs.  Anne was so nice and we had a wonderful time talking to her.  Maybe the best part was that she and her colleague thought I was BD#1's friend instead of her mom "because I didn't look old enough to be her mom."  Sure made my day!

Puttin on the Ritz, in blue

Puttin on the Ritz in pink

Her new line is called Puttin' on the Ritz, and comes in three colorways - pink, blue and gray.  As you may know, I'm not a big fan of gray, but I am learning that it has its place.  This is lovely fabric and great for kids.  

While BD#1 was conducting some business...

I had probably my favorite experience of the whole market - meeting Camille Roskelly and Bonnie Olavesen of Bonnie and Camille fame.  I loved Bliss when it came out, and their new line doesn't disappoint.  

It is so bright and cheerful - I love it.  It's called Ruby, and BD#1 must love me, because she brought home a Fat Eighth bundle of Ruby for me from Sample Spree.  Am I the luckiest mom ever, or what?

Isn't it just yummy?  And I had such a good time talking with Bonnie and Camille. They were so kind.  Check out their own blogs for their own stories.  Suffice it to say I'm in love with both the fabric and the patterns.  Can't wait til Ruby hits the stores.

One of the things that really impressed me about this line is that they are producing coordinating flannels in some of the prints.  The flannels are maybe the softest I have ever felt.  Too yummy!  Bonnie gave me a free receiving blanket pattern I'm dying to try - maybe in Ruby flannels if I can find some.

And we met Sandy Klop of American Jane.  Her booth was so fun - and I didn't get a single picture.  Too busy talking, I guess!

And I loved this quilt by Oliver + S.  Wouldn't this be sweet in a nursery?

This is Dazzle, by Melissa Averinos.

And this is 1001 Peeps, by Lizzie House.  Here's a close-up.  Fun, huh?

Well, I've got to save something for tomorrow, so I'll wish you sweet dreams of yummy fabrics and fun quilt designs.