Remember the golden rules

I am feeling a little sad.

Its because this month, I have had cause to suspend 2 members for failing to meet their swap obligations.

I understand that if you are ill unexpectedly you may not be able to fulfill your swaps, but please please please communicate with me or your member if this is the case.  Likewise I need to know if you are moving house, going on holidays or just to busy to swap in any month.  It just gives me the opportunity to assign a new partner.

There is nothing more upsetting for your partner to take the time to make a lovely block, pack it and post it off to you - often with a few extra goodies and then wait and wait and get nothing in return, not even an email to say that the gift has arrived.

Remember that we all have joined this group with the onus on friendship and sharing so please remember this.  Maybe all members have to take the swappers pledge.

I also have a few members on hand to do an extra swap when someone gets let down like this (as I cant do it all), but am hoping for a few more offering to help when needed.  So if you would like to do an extra swap on some occasions please let me know, I like to share this around and not lean in the same people every month.

Thanks for understanding. Sue xx

Block for Anorina

I have Anorina's block ready to send. I hope you like it!

Another block from Canada

My April block from Mary C. arrived safely today. It'l really lovely. I just love the soft colors and the small floral prints. Thank you Mary.

Sylvia ----> Ann

My swap partner for the month of April is Ann, from Nova Scotia. The block is on its way! I hope you like it.

Peek for Debbie

Here is a sneak peek for Debbie.  She requested a block in pink and brown.  This will go into the mail today.

Hugs,
Linda G (Stray Stitches)

minette and crafty blocks

hi all!
here is the simply fantastic block that minette made for me this month! i just love it, and i love how it looks next to the other ones i have been lucky enough to receive.

minette also asked me to post the wonky star that i made for her - sorry the photo is a bit fuzzy - not sure what happened there!

as sue mentioned in an earlier post, i am having a couple months off from swapping to have my second baby - 4 weeks to go!  but i am sure that i won't be able to stay away from having a look at the great blocks on the blog :) so happy quilting in the meantime
ill post a photo of puglet once it has arrived in the world
much love, pugs and kisses
crafty pug
xx

From QLD to NSW

Jane was my partner this month which was exciting in itself. We're in alot of the same swaps and part of the same crafty forum but had never been swap partners.

Here's the absolutely gorgeous block I received. It's perfectly lovely and will look great in my 'swap' quilt.

Thank you so very much Jane. I absolutely love it.

Sneak peak for Cheryl

I know it's a bit soon for May block, but I had some Easter holiday and April 25th is a national holiday here in Portugal so I had quite some time to catch up on my sewing these days. Cheryl asked for bright colors. I hope they're bright enough.

Cheryll's May Block

I enjoyed making Cheryll's block "A Bear's Track" in Autumn colours.

It was great getting our swap partners this weekend as I had heaps of time to sew.

Thank you Sue.

Leena' s Star for Helen

Leena has asked me to share with you this stunning star she has made for Helen in WA.  and all I can say is WOW. 

The pattern is called night and day and is from the quilters cache.

Lyndell's May Block

I know I am a tad early in making my May block for Lyndell, but as I have a few days off work during the Easter break, I decided to make the block straight away.

I had a choice of a Wonky House or a star block in Blues & Yellows.

Hope she likes it!

Cheers...Jewells

May swaps sent out- HAPPY EASTER

Hi ladies, I have just completed sending out the May swap partners so please let me know if you did  not receive your email.  This is the first time I have sent them out from our new hot mail email address so I hope it is all working OK.

Our numbers are back to 50 (after dropping down to 42), but we have 4 members sitting out this month for holidays, moving house and having a baby  (this is Crafty pugs if  you are wondering:).

So that makes 46 swaps for the month.  I have a handful of ladies on hand to do more than one swap per month if I get an odd number, or a new member join up that's keen to swap straight away, but these numbers have dwindled, so if you are keen to do an extra swap from time to time email me and I shall make a note of this,  it may only be once every few months and I try to share this around.

I also am pleased to welcome our new members joining this swap for the first time this month,  They are:

Sheila from Nova Scotia, Canada
Gemma from Spain (our first Spanish member)
Lynda from Mt Gambier, South Australia

Welcome ladies, I hope you enjoy your time as a member of our little quilting community and please all have a happy and safe Easter break

Rosemarys Log cabin from Tarnyia

Rosemary asked me to share with you this lovely log cabin she has just received from Tarnyia, I am sure we will all agree with Rosemary in her comments on how gorgeous the colours are.

IM LATE BUT MARCH BLOCK FROM MARIE IN VIC TO ROBYN IN NSW

Due to holidays and life im late with posting this....This is my march block from Marie and its lovley..Thank you.. i just about have enough to start making a lap quilt with a change in my Aprils choice.

Flying to Melody

My April block swap partner is Melody.... and this block is on its way to her. Just to tease her a little I've posted this pic ... but she should have the block in a few days! Apparently Melody likes owls!

Just in case

I enjoyed making this pretty block for a special friend.

It will be popped in the post tomorrow

NEW EMAIL ADDRESS FOR BLOG

Ever since I have been running the blog I have used my personal email address for the point of contact.  But as of today I have changed this to : quiltingblocksaustralia@hotmail.com.


This way I will be able to access emails from members no matter where I am (home, work - and soon overseas).  I will still be receiving emails on my personal address, but if you need to contact me please put the new address in your contacts and try to use that where possible.

Thanks every one

crafty's block to minette

sorry for the fuzzy photo - not sure what happened there!!!
this is a sneak peak of my wonky star block in bright colours for minette
it is on its way to her now - hope she likes it!
xx

Goodies from Anorina

I received these beautiful gifts along with my April block. Thank you, they are all perfect. A few more blocks and I can make a quilt top.

Sneek Peek for Helen

I have not been able to spend as much time sewing as I would have liked this last few weeks - I have returned to the workforce by doing some typing from home ;-)

Here is a sneek peek of the April block for QBSA for Helen.

Now off to do some preparation for the next FNSI on Friday

 

Fiona's Blocks Arrived.

I was delighted to receive not one but TWO beautiful blocks from Fiona in the mail today. Thank you  Fiona.

I think I have enough now to make a quilt top??

Block for Leena

Well Leena wanted a Spool block.  This is the toughest block that I have ever done.  So I had to do some more investigating and I made my own version of this block.  Leena wanted strips with black background... Well, I did the best that I could on this, I really hope that you like this block it will be in the mail this week.

Shauna



From Sylvia to Julie

Here is the blue & yellow star block I received from Sylvia today. It is so well sewn and fits in well with my other blocks I have received.

Thank you Sylvia.

Cheers...Julie

look what i got!

this arrived in todays post - my lovely star block from shauna in canada - i just love it
all these blocks look so good lying next to each other - i can't wait to have enough to make a gorgeous quilt
thanks shauna!
xx

Block Received From Gina!

I received this beautiful Antique Tile block from Gina! Thank you Gina, I love it! Many regards across the miles,
Leona

1st block received!!

My block arrived from Linda, it is perfect in colours and skill! Thanks Linda, I really love it!

Do you remember the block name?

Blocks For Rosemary And Debra

This month I was lucky enough to have two partners...

Rosemary requested a log cabin in greens and Autumn colours

I haven't done a log cabin for sooooooo long and I enjoyed doing this one...

Thank you Rosemary for being my partner...

My other partner was Debra and she requested a wonky house or tree in modern bright colours...

well this one was a little challenge as I could not find a pattern anywhere but I did find a tutorial on how to design your own hahahahaha...

so here it is and I must say I am quite proud of the finished block...

thank you Debra for the challenge and thank you for being my partner...

Luv T xxx

Leenas Tricky card quilt

If you get a chance take a peek at the members quilt tab - Leena has been kind enough to share a pic of her completed quilt with us and its FABULOUS.

April Block for Anorina

I was almost tempted to keep this one .... but alas it is on its way to Anorina.

A good friend is better than gold

My QBSA December block from my partner Cheryll ( Gone Stitchin ) got lost somewhere along the way.It's  really a long way from Australia to Portugal. Cheryll is such a fantastic person that decided to make me a replacement block. There aren't many people like that!

Now have a look at the Fabulous block she made me...

In addition to the block she also sent me a beautiful piece of fabric and the most gorgeous card.

THANK YOU CHERYLL!!!

April - Sneak Peek

Here's a little sneak peek the block for my April swap partner.

I hope the colours are ok.

Sneek Peek for Tarnyia

Please excuse my blurry pic, the good camera
is in for repair
I hope you like this Tarnyia in WA
without the blur it really is lovely and

was a joy to make x
...

Fiona's Block

For the month of April Fiona from bubzrugz is my swap partner.
She requested a Wonky I Spy. I thought it would be easy but I found it hard to do wonky.

this is my first one. I thought it a little boring so had fun making another.

I am much happier with this one.

Showcasing members quilts

As we have now been running as a group for 12 months, many of our members are getting close to or have completed a quilt.  Therefore I have placed a new page on the blog, titled Members quilts.  This is where you can show case a quilt you have made from the swaps.

As this page is in the design feature of the blog, I have to pop these on here for you.  So when you have completed a quilt please email me the pics, the date it was completed and the contributors.  As each quilt is added I will post a note on the blog to alert members so they can check out your fabulous work.

Thanks for sharing these wonderful quilts with us

Sue x

April block for Bobbie

Here a little sneak peek for Bobbie. She was my swap partner for April and asked for a Churn Dash or a House block. It is a house Bobbie :) I love little houses and loved sewing yours. It will fly to you this week.

Jolanda

Sneak Peak for Maria

Just a Sneak Peak of Maria's Jacob's Ladder for April.....

Celebration give away winners announced

Thank you to everyone for your good wishes on our first Anniversary, and thank you to all that took part in placing an advertisement on your blog to increase members.

Across the four groups we had 14 new members sign up so I think that's a great achievement in itself.

The winners are spread far and wide, they are are:

3rd place:  FIONA ( Queensland) 
http://bubzrugz.blogspot.com/2011/03/quilting-blocks.html who advertised all groups with button links

2nd place: CHERYL ( New South Wales) 
 http://stitchingcubbyhole.blogspot.com/2011/03/beware-you-may-become-addicted.html#comments  two new members joined from this ad alone.

1st place SYLVIA: (Alberta, Canada) 
 http://sylvsquilting.blogspot.com/2011/03/quilting-block-swaps-australia-one-year.html 
who wrote a cute little poem.

The winner of the new membership draw for a set of Moda charm squares is

SALLY De WEJIN: ( Victoria) 
Thank you for joining Sally, I hope you enjoy your time with us.  Sally joined both the 6inch group ,and group 2 of the 12 inch swap.

And thank you to everyone who participated, ladies your parcels will be sent out this week with the goodies.

I have finished my first block in this swap and it's now winging it's way to Linda in California. Hope you like it!

Sneak peak For Mary in Toronto

In April I will be sending a block to Mary. It's my second block that goes to Canada. I just hope she likes the colors.

Block from Australia

Leanne sent this beautiful, bright green and white block to me for our March swap.  Don't you just love the fabric?  I do! Especially since my favorite color is green.  She did a fantastic sewing job too.  Thanks so much, Leanne!!

Hugs,
Linda G (Stray Stitches)

New look for the blog- to celebrate our second year

What do you think of the new look, I have gone for something a bit softer, and think it still looks like fabric.

The collage forming the title is pictures of some of the blocks I have made in for swap members in the past year, can you spot yours?  I could not use all of them as it was a bit too busy, but I plan to update regularly over time.

Sneak Peek for Silvia

This is my April block for Silvia. Her colour selection is blue and yellow... hope she doesn't mind the white that goes with it!
...hope she likes Snoopy!
Cheers...Julie (Jewells)