Sarah the Applique Queen!

I've been obsessed with the appliqued blocks in the Dear Jane quilt. I basted all three of these blocks on Saturday. I worked on C-6 on that day, and finished it on Sunday. I also started and finished G-1 and G-3 on the same day. I have two more basted and ready to go.

G-1 Hattie's Hen House (03/22/09)



I love this newspaper fabric!


C-6 Ashley's Aura (03/22/09)




G-3 Four Leaf Clover (03/22/09)



There's nothing like a lazy Sunday in your jammies, doing hand applique, and watching Season 3 of Veronica Mars. Another current obsession.

I've been Interviewed!

My interview has been posted on Carina's craftblog . And while you're there, check out Carina's whole blog. She's an amazing artist and crochet queen! Such colourful and wonderful things!

Exciting News!

I have some rather exciting news. I've been interviewed by Carina's craftblog and it's being posted tomorrow (Saturday). I'm very flattered that she asked me to do it! So check it out, I might give out some dirty little secrets, or not. You'll have to go on over there to find out!

In celebration of that, I thought it might be about time to update my etsy shop, and add some more crochet roll ups. This batch is freshly made with bright fabrics! These ones are definitely up my alley!

Here's a little taste of them...

Hope on over to My Shop to check out the rest! And as always I do custom orders. I'm also working on some Quilting Patterns!

Stay tuned next post, for some quilting updates. I've made a few things, send some in the mail...and I need to get my butt in gear and work on the Doll Quilt Swap 6. I’ve gotta set an example since I'm a Swap Mama. I promise you that although I haven't done anything but photocopy my paper- piecing patterns, I am processing and thinking about the idea.

Note: I've posted these pictures smaller than I have been previously doing, I'm not sure which size I like. Which size do you like best? Please help me decide by leaving me a comment.

Doll Quilt Roundup

So things just got started this week with Doll Quilt Swap 6, but there are already a ton of ideas flying around (not to mention tons of fabrics too).

Coffee Shop has started sketching ideas. It's looking great already!


Quilting Barbie has posted a sneak peak..ooh let's look! I love the colourful flowered fabric!


And some people have posted some mosaics of their favorite doll quilts for inspiration and so their stalkers..I mean partners can get to know them better. I'm noticing lots of birds and houses.

Quilting Barbie I see the one I made there. Thanks Barb!


ritapizza


j_q_adams


austysmom


spinster sister



katias_stitchin has also shared a quilt received in Doll Quilt Swap 3. Very pretty!



I've started thinking about my idea. I thought I was sure I knew what I wanted to do, but then I started to think of another type of quilt to make. I'm still trying to decide, but I'm hoping to get going tonight. I keep checking my person's favorites, hoping something new will show up. Don't forget to keep your favs up to date. I've also gone in and removed some of mine that don't do it for me anymore.

More Jane

Two more blocks done. I started and finished the red one on Monday evening and worked on the green one last night and finished it tonight.

L-7 Town Square (03/02/09)



L-1 Widow's Pane (03/04/09)



I've got my partner for the Doll Quilt Swap 6. I'm excited to get going. I have an idea but am still stalking my partner to make sure it's a good choice for him/her.

Jane, Jane, Jane

Not much to say. I've made two more blocks. And a whole other quilt but I need some daylight to get a decent photo. Might be the weekend before I can get one. In the mean time...here are my two blocks.

K-12 Doris's Dilemma (03/01/09)



C-1 Trooper Green's Badge (03/01/09)

Helping Others

Part of the reason I love being a quilter is that is allows me the opportunity to use my creativity and sewing skills to brighten people's lives and to provide them with a symbol of love and comfort.



This is the 25 block quilt top that I sent to Tia for the Bushfire Quilt Project.

Here is the signature square with some kind words for the recipients.



These are the 3 blocks I made for Project Improv.







They will be assembled into charity quilts with other blocks created in one of the three colourways. I can't wait to see the finished quilts. They will definitely spread some happiness.

Bushfire Blocks and Dear Jane

I have almost completed my 25 blocks for the Bushfire Quilt Project. I plan to mail them early next week. My mom is also making some blocks to send, so I will have to co-ordinate with here so we can mail our things together.

Here is the progress right now. All three pieces of the blocks made, just need to complete them, and sew the top together.



As mentioned in a previous post, I was contemplating what fabrics to use for my Baby Jane quilt. I made the decision that I want it to be fun, but not something too 'now' as far as my colour taste goes, since it will take a while to make, and I don't want to have that 'what was I thinking?' feeling when it is finished.

I've decided on Strawberry Jane. Colours are: Red, Bright Pink, Lighter Pink, Lime Green, and Bright Green with white background fabric. I began this project on January 25th, 2009 (the day before my 1 year wedding anniversary) and I'm hoping to complete it in 1 year. It may be a crazy goal, and I might need some cheerleading along the way, but I'd like to have it done for my quilt guild's show on Mother's Day Weekend 2010. Unless my machine quilting skills go through the roof between now and then, I will probably have it long arm quilted.

Here are my 13 Jane blocks so far with the date of completion for each block. I haven't worked on it for a week and a bit, because I was away at a retreat last weekend and worked on some other projects. And when I got back I heard about the horrible fires in Australia, and immediately started on my blocks for the Bushfire Quilt Project.

A8 - Florence Nightingale (02/01/09)



B-1 Batchelor Buttons (02/01/09)



B-4 Chris's Soccer Field (01/29/09)



B-13 Four Corner Press (01/27/09)



C-9 Jane's Tears (01/28/09)



D-3 Jason's Jacks (01/31/09)



D-6 Challenge (01/27/09)



D-13 Field of Dreams (02/01/09)



G-4 Shutter Bug (02/01/09)


H-13 Farm Fields (02/01/09)



I-3 Family Album (02/01/09)



J-4 Adelaine's Apron Strings (01/29/09)



M-10 Simple Simon (01/25/09)



Stay tuned for more progress and a photo of my Minny Muu quilt that I'm making for ME. It's about time.

Bushfire Quilt Project

I just returned from a fantastic quilting retreat with friends. When I got back, I found out about the devastation that is happening in Australia. The fires are spreading like crazy, and the taking lives and homes of so many people. Feeling rather helpless here in Canada, I found out about Tia and her Bushfire Quilt Project. I have stopped all progress on my other quilt projects to help out as much as I can.

I will make a 25 quilt block top (if not the whole quilt depending on shipping costs), to send. I have also asked my Mom to help out and she will be making blocks and I have the word out to some other quilting friends.

It's times like these that really bring everyone together and I hope to be able to send a quilt hug to someone in need.

Please help out if you are able. If you don't quilt you could make donations to the Red Cross, Salvation Army or Wildlife Victoria.

Dear Jane

I've been thinking about making a Dear Jane quilt for a while now. They are really stunning and I love the idea of working on so many different blocks to make a huge sampler quilt.

I ordered the book from our local quilt shop The Running Stitch I think this Summer. I've been researching all different types of Baby Janes on Flickr and I think I'm finally geared up to get started. I think I'd like to do batiks, and am thinking of using white fabric for the background colour because it is easy to get more of and I don't know if I'm ready to invest in all of the 20 yards right now.

My only worry with white and batiks fabrics is the colour bleed issue. I'm not sure if this is the best idea...I'm also considering using my scrap fabrics with white instead.

As you can tell, I'm a bit undecided. It's hard to make a decision like this for such a long project. I need to be thinking into the future, and what I will want in a few years when it is finished.

I welcome any suggestions.

Stay tuned for some blocks.

Contest Anyone?

I just entered a contest to win a ton of fabric from Lila Tueller's new line Soiree. Fantastic. I hope I win. I have fabric from her Woodland Bloom collection and I love it! Contest is at Callico Carriage Quilt Designs if you are interested in entering too.

October Swap Round-Up

I have just received my the last quilt to finish up October swaps.

Swap Till You Drop October ~ Theme: Halloween
Sent to upstatelisa



Received from upstatelisa



6"-12" mini quilt trading swap October ~ Theme: Out of the Box (nothing square or rectangle shaped)
Sent to WendyWTN



Received from WendyWTN



The month of October was really fun to work on. Since then, as you know I've completed my quiltie for Doll Quilt Swap. I will post more about that when I do the Sent ~ Received roundup.

For November I am only in the Swap Till You Drop 2 colour swap. I have already received mine from tlhcrawford very fun blue and white 30's prints, but she hasn't received mine yet. When she does I'll write more about it.

I've also joined the Mini Quilt in A Bag swap. What you do is fill a ziploc with fabrics and trims and send it to your partner. They take what you've sent them, and maybe add a bit, and make you a little quilt using your fabrics and send you the finished product. The good news is the deadline is January 26th, which won't be hard to remember because it's year 1 wedding anniversary. And it means I can get Christmas gifts done first. It will be fun to see what Kathleen does with this...



Till next time. I haven't forgot about my Christmas gift post, I'm waiting till I have more to show.

Busy Bee

Still plugging away on my projects. My next post will have some progress shots. Trying to stay away from as much computer as possible.



My Doll Quilt Swap 5 quiltie and it's twin. Ready to mail out to a secret person.

It’s that time of year again...

I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by the amount of things I need to complete for/before Christmas. I figured if I write it down, it might occur to me that I need to kick it up a notch on the productivity side.
Here is my current to do.

Swaps
~October 6”-12” mini – Need to cut, piece, quilt, label, bind, package, mail.

~October Swap Till You Drop- Need to package, mail.

~Doll Quilt Swap 5 – Need to cut, piece, quilt , label, bind, package, mail.

~November swaps (I shouldn’t even sign up for these but I know I will).

Christmas
~Black& White Quilt - Needs back pieced, quilted, label made, binding.

~Nintendo Quilt - Needs 8 more blocks cross stitched, top pieced, quilted, label, binding.

~Table runner - Needs hand quilting and label. (see sneak peek photo below).

~Table runner - Need to decide pattern, pieced, quilted, binding, label.

~Ornaments for friends – decide what to do and do it.

~Baby Quilt 1- Needs rows sewn, quilted, label, binding.

~Baby Quilt 2 - Need to decide pattern, cut, piece, quilt, bind, label.

Did I mention that I want to be finished before December 1st so I can enjoy the month? haha

Anyone else in this boat?

Here is a picture of one of table runners.



The fabric is It’s Snowing Charm Pack from Moda. Purchased from crazyquiltgirlfabricshop.com. The binding which you can't really see in this photo is from the same line from the Fat Quarter Shop. The other table runner I will be making is from the Moda Peace on Earth also from crazyquiltgirl. The Peace on Earth charm pack is beautiful.

Swap-o-Rama

I've started joining swaps on Flickr. It all started when I noticed what was going on at the Doll Quilt Swap. I had to get involved. But the sign up had already closed for DQS4 so I waited patiently for DQS5 and signed up right away.

In the mean time I joined two more groups. Swap Till You Drop and 6"-12" mini quilt trading swap. After planning my designs and jumping in with so much enthusiasm, I think I may be hooked.

Swap Till You Drop September theme: Hearts
This is the quilt I made for Swap Till You Drop for quiltinkimmie.



And this is the lovely I received! Very pretty. The flower blocks were fussy cut from the same fabric. And I love the striped binding.



Then I got smart and realized how sad it is to send away little quilt babies, so for the 6"-12" mini quilt trading swap I decided to make twins. This way I could send away my quilt baby without being sad that I would never see it again.

6"-12" mini quilt trading swap September theme: Quilter's Choice
This is the quilt I made for sew-do-i



And this is the rainbow wonder I received from her. I love flying geese blocks and colour. Couldn’t be more perfect.



I’ve signed up for October in both of these groups. Theme is 'Halloween' for Swap Till You Drop and 'Out-of-the-box' for 6"-12" mini quilt trading swap. I have ideas for both of these but haven’t started cutting yet. I also need to make two of each so I can keep up this twin thing. I may regret this decision.

Oh and the best news is the swap partners are announced for DQS5, a bit of technical difficulties with my first match up, but the swap mama is getting it worked out.

Happy Thanksgiving fellow Canadians!

My next post will be about the many Christmas gifts I am making.
Take care, see you soon!

It's been a while

It's been a while since I've posted. Lots of things have happened. Got married, went on a cruise...worked on lots of craft project.

I’m not going to start back where I left off. I've been posting on Flickr just not writing anything over here.

I've started working on Christmas gifts. Still not sure what to make for my parents and my new in-laws. I know what I'm making for my sister in-law (M) and husband (Shawn). Quilts! I've got the top made for M's quilt, and just bought tons of embroidery floss for Shawn's Nintendo Quilt. It's going to be a labour of love for sure. He knows about it. So I’m sure expectations are high.



My friend T is having a baby in September and I just finished a quilt for her. And some super cute bibs from Amy Karol's book Bend the Rules Sewing. It took about an hour to make all three.



Take care, I'll write again soon.