February block for Sue of Scotland

My partner this month is Sue from Scotland. She has requested any star or log cabin. I was going through my stash, and thought this combination might suit a star block. I only hope it will not take too long to reach Sue.

Birds in the Air

Erin is my partner for February and I am off to an early start.  Her request was either Birds in the air or Abstraction with the birds being her first preference in black and white with a touch of yellow, red or orange.

I had a pretty black, white and yellow print that teamed nicely with a tone on tone black,  I think it came together well, its off in the post tomorrow.
I like to get onto my swap commitments straight away so they have plenty of time to arrive and leaves me the rest of the month for my own projects.

Block for Lynda from CathyC

Lynda has let me know that her block for January has arrived

Lynda asked for Card Trick in greens - with one being an Emerald Green - I hope I have picked the right 'green'

The Card Trick block was the 3rd block I ever tried when I first started swapping - it was a challenge then, and it proved another challenge this time ;-)

I threw in an extra pinwheel block made with the 'mis-cuts' - measure twice, cut once ;-)

February partners sent

Hello ladies

I have just finished sending out the February partnerships, and we have even numbers so no double swaps this month.  There are 60 members this month, with 4 sitting out the swap.

We say a sad farewell to
Sheila from Canada
Jolanda from Portugal and
Larain from Australia

All of these ladies were members for well over 12 months and I know I am sad to see them go.

We also have a couple of  ladies joining us for the first time so welcome:

Kerry and Karen - both from Victoria.  Welcome ladies I am certain you will have fun with this lovely bunch of ladies that are part of the group, and make lots of new quilty friends.

Happy Sewing

Sue xx

How lucky am I...

...to have received this adorable owl block from Sheila.  She also included a gorgeous fabric postcard. Thank you so much.
I had two swap partners this month so I sent this to Sheila

and this to Erin.

Thank you so much to Sue for all the work she puts in organising these swaps for us.

Friendship Quilt

My First Finish for 2012 ........ Yay!!!!!

I finally got around to piecing together some of the blocks I have received in 2010 and 2011.

Ready to snuggle under when it gets a bit colder ;-)

I love the fact that all these different blocks have come from different parts of the world and look so great together.  I am really looking forward to snuggling under this one this coming winter ;-)

You can see more pics on my blog post HERE

So to my swap partners, thank you so much for the lovely blocks you have made.

Happy Star :)

I received this happy star block from Lynette in yesterday's mail.  I just love the bright colors and darling little birds.  Thank you so very much, Lynette!!

Hugs,

Linda G

Stray Stitches

Block for Jolanda

Wonky star for Jolanda in Portugal

This is the blog heading to Jolanda in Portugal, it was posted yesterday and if you want to see the whole block there is a picture on my blog
Sue S

A king and generous friend

A couple of weeks ago I commented with a blogger friend that I was going through difficult times and I couldn't buy fabric for my quilting. She immediately and most generously volunteered herself to send me some of her fabrics. And today I received  the most wonderful present

   Sue Belleli is an Australian quilter that I've only "met" through  Quilt Blocks Swap Australia. She is a wonderful person with a great heart. Even though she never met me, and probably never will, Australia and Portugal are so far away, she didn't hesitated and came to the rescue.

I received a real rainbow of wonderful fabrics. I will treasure them as if they were gold for they represent one of the most important things in life: FRIENDSHIP. I can never thank you enough for your king gesture. You always be in my heart, Sue. Thank you very much!!!

January Block Swap

Yah, got my beautiful block from Fiona today.

1930's fabrics - Sampler blocks

Thanks so much I love it!

This is the block I sent Fiona.

Fiona asked for WONKY SQUARE I SPY FABRICS.

I really enjoyed making this block for Fiona. Thanks again for making my first swap fun.

Hugs Raelene

January blocks

Have finished the last of my block swaps for the month.

One for Lynda

One for Sue

EDITED:  Sue has let me know the block I made for her has arrived.

Sue asked for a log cabin in black, white and red

PATTERN SWAP REMINDER

A NEW trial swap will take place in March and run in conjunction with the regular swap.  Its a PATTERN swap.  So far I only have 4 members wanting to take part in this so please comment if you think you would like to trial it to.

How it will work is your partner for your 12 inch block in March will also be your PATTERN SWAP partner.  Simply send them a pre-loved quilting pattern with their block and they will send you one of theirs.

I am thinking of having the pattern swap run quarterly and will theme it with the seasons.  IE for March we may trade a pre-loved Autumn inspired pattern, such as a wall hanging, table runner or bag. 

Sounds like fun !!  just pop a comment on this post if you are keen to give it a try

Sue x

January

This month I have been lucky enough to be in two block swaps....

This one arrived from Raelene....

(Wonky Square Eye Spy fabric)

 my Pooh bear has taken a fancy to it .......

and this is the one I have sent

(Sampler block in 1930's)

Michell showed our swapped blocks HERE....

Thanks Michell and Raelene.... lovely blocks .  

I have a great collection now so I am going to start putting together and will change my block choice.

Blocks For Tarnyia...

I have mail..

A few weeks ago I received my January block from Sue of Rockingham West Aussie... I wished for a log cabin and this is the gorgeous block I received...

thank you Sue...

 and

these are the blocks I received from my partner in May of last year hahahaha... poor Sandi was moving house in the middle of our swap... she emailed me to say she hasn't forgotten me but I had forgotten all about it until these arrived in the mail...

 first off she made me a red star on blue then emailed Sue who said I had changed my blocks hahaha so the wonderful Sandi sent me both... thank you Sandi...

Luv Tarnyia xxx

January Blocks

Here is my interpretation of Wonky squares to Fiona

And here is the block Fiona sent me

My lovely blocks from Lyndell

Today the mail man brought me a package with two beautiful blocks.

Lyndell was kind enough to buy retro fabrics specially for me. Not only did she make two beautiful blocks but she also sent me the leftover fabric.

She must have guessed I'm on a very, very strict fabric diet ( due to money shortage).

THANKS LYNDELL!!!

My first hexies with a lovely block

Yesterday I received my December blazing arrows block from Encara in Spain and today I received one from Teresa in Portugal.  Now if my geography serves me correct Spain and Portugal are next to each other in Europe. 

Along with the stunning block was my first ever Hexies - Now I have never made these as all that hand sewing seems a little bit too fussy and daunting for me, but now I have seen them in the flesh they are so sweet I do feel rather tempted.  Must give that some thought, great for using up all those little scraps. The paler flower has a sweet soft blue print that does not show in the picture.

Swap blocks coming and going ...

This is the 'bright' house block that I sent to Sharyn for this months swap .. It really was a fun block to make ... 

the pattern I got from my EQ6 which made it very easy to do .. 

and this is the cardtrick block I received from Sharyn ... 

I just love the fabrics that were used in it ... 

thank you so much also Sharyn for the 'extra' bits too .. just gorgeous ... 

and here is my December block from Jen D .. 

I love the creams and greens Jen used ... 

it is a beautiful block ... thank you ... 

January block -

My partner for January is Tanya, who asked for a star, or a log cabin block in pastels. I don't use many pastels so found it a small challenge and a chance to go to Spotlight - again.

These are the blocks I sent to Tanya -

morning star

wonky logcabin

I do hope you are pleased and they fit in with your other blocks.

Jan

Quilters companion Magazine

Exciting news ladies,

I have been approached by Quilters Companion magazine that may be interested in doing a story on the History of QBSA and interviewing me and some of the members.  They will also want to feature some photos of quilts made in the blocks swaps so if you are close to getting a quilt finished what better incentive to get it done now.

Its still only early days, and the story will have to go past the editor etc, but exciting all the same.  If you would like to be contacted for an interview (Sorry Australian members only) please let me know with a post or email, likewise I have emailed the members that have already sent me photos of quilts made so we can be organised if they run the story with pics.

Quilted hugs and kisses  Sue

Thanks Sue and Leena I think I have this blog business sorted. Time will tell.

From Barcelona with love

My first ever package from Spain has arrived and its a beauty.  Thanks to Encara for this stunning block and the lovely gift of a little packet of assorted chocolate coated peanuts.  I opened them to nibble on before I took a picture (no chocoholic in this house lol).

Now to settle down and enjoy them with a cup of tea.  I may even share them with DH.

Jan swap

Carmen was my lovely swap partner this month and she sent me two beautiful lilac star blocks. She asked for any block so I made her the Jacob's ladder block. Due to a tragedy last Nov I sat out Dec and wanted something easy for Jan so thanks to both Sue and Carmen for making this swap month easy.

January Block from Sue to Cathy

I received this lovely Black, White & Red Beauty from Sue, a new member of our group

Sue was soo quick  ;-)

My block for Sue, is cut out, but still needs to be sewn

Paper piecing tutorial

Blog surfing today, Melody shared with us a link to a blog for a free pattern, but taking a look at this blog (Fresh lemons) there is sooooo much more to it.

If like me you are new to paper piecing her easy to follow tutorial really makes sense.  For those of you interested here is the link. 

I will pop this handy link onto the blogs Usefull quick links  page

January Block sent and recieved.

I was pleased to have Amira for my swap partner this month. She requested any block in Yellows and Browns. I had fun putting this one together for her.

and Amria made a beautiful HOT PINK Ohio Star for me to add to my others. I took several photos but the true hot pink colour dosen't show, looks red. Sorry Amira.

Thank you for my great block Amira.

I thought I had snuck out to take a photo of all my blocks..........

So I went out onto the lawn..... Grrrrrrrrr the wind.....

Finally got a better photo of all my blocks........

What colour do I need next ?????????

December for Carmen

December block for Carmen

I have been slack, I can't find the picture I took of Carmen's block for me, but here is what Carmen asked for any star in dark green and maroon on cream.
Sue S

December blocks .....

I received this lovely Wonky Square Eye Spy from Jolanda....

thanks Jolanda... it is perfect - and thanks for the spare fabric that came along too.... It will be great to go into a pieced backing.....

and this is the block I made .. Jolanda wanted any block in pink, yellow, beige and light green...

Wishing everyone a happy and blocky 2012...