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How to JOIN quilting block swaps Australia

Hello and thank you for visiting. This is a community group for all Australian quilters to join or just follow. Membership is FREE and you are partnered each month and we make each other a 12 inch quilt block based on our preferences which we swap. (12.5 inches raw edge to raw edge) The emphasis of the group is on friendship and sharing. To find out more or register to join email me on quiltingblocks@hotmail.com This purpose of this blog is to chat and showcase blocks and quilts made by members, kind of like a show and tell . Yours in stitching, Sue



Sunday, September 30, 2012

October swaps and meet our angels

Hi Ladies

Welcome to October. 

We have 88 members now with a few dropping out, I also have 11 members sitting out this swap, and on the real down side have had to suspend two members for failing to honour their swaps or communicate (one suspended member has since left the group).  Welcome to Melanie from Kanmantoo in South Australia as our only new member this month.

My guardian angels have certainly been busy with 8 ladies in need of either a helping hand with their swaps or a friendly thinking of you gift.  



A special thank you to all of the ladies that have registered to be guardian angels, they are:
 
Tarnyia, Sue P, Jeneta, Julieanne, Jan, Carolyn, Maria W, Lori, Ruth, Elizabeth and Michelle.

The angels will have a dual role which works in the following way:

*  Each time there is a swap that some one has not been able to complete I will nominate one lady to fill in and make this block for the member.

* When I hear that a swap partner has been let down, so the person who has missed out should only get one replacement block for each month they have not received a block for.  Your block needs to be outstanding for more than one month to be considered for a replacement block (eg, if you have not yet received your August block it is now a month overdue to let me know). 

* Illness, injury or hard times:  Either all angels, or some angels will be advised of the situation and they will choose if they wish to make this member a block or not. 

Last month, the first 7 ladies to be angels were told of several ladies that I felt were deserving of some angel love.  Since then 4 more have registered and they have been given a task this month.

For now I will close of the angel roll, as I have 11 (+ me) to do fill in or deserving blocks.  Cathy that runs the Christmas group has found herself in similar situations so the angels names will be also be shared with Cathy to help out in the Christmas group.

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Contemporary lovliness

Karen was my partner this month, and as my choice is contemporary prints, Karen also chose an contemporary design rather than traditional for my quilt block and I LOVE IT.


On the right is the cutest card of bunny buttons, it was hard to get a clear close up, but they are so sweet.  Now I need to think of something special to use them on

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Lori and Anks swap

Lori emailed me these pictures to share with you

The first one  is the postage stamp block she has sent to Ank in the Netherlands


And here is the lovely block that Ank sent Lori.  Lori tells me that it is all hand stitched !!.  Ank also sent Lori a lovely mug rug, also hand stitched.




Jan was my very first swap partner. I asked for any traditional block in bright colors with small prints. She sent me not one but two beautiful blocks and a mug mat to match. The first is a churn dash block. The second was a wonderful Waltzing Matilda block. Both are absolutely beautiful! Thanks Jan!!!




Monday, September 24, 2012

GUARDIAN ANGELS

Hi lovely members,

I have decided to set up a Guardian Angels roll.  The purpose of this is that guardian angels will be called upon to make a block for a member that is unable to swap for various reasons such as ill health, a family member with ill health or one of lives many downs.  Guardian angels will also make blocks for members that have been let down in a swap.




This is not a swap roll, you will be making a block for some one as a charitable gesture and would not expect the block to be reciprocated. 

How it will work is when I get news of something that I think deserves a "guardian angel" I will email all of the guardian angels on the roll and it is up to them if they wish to make and send a block.  So the recipient may get a number of blocks or they may only get one or two.

Examples of the kind of events causing members to sit out a few months swaps are:
1 member is currently undergoing cancer treatment
1 member recently lost her husband
1 member has been a victim of domestic violence.

Now normally you would not hear about these events as they are private, so absolute discretion is required.  I will not be publically announcing why I think this person is in need of a guardian angel, only the angels will know.

Guardian angels can also choose to send blocks to members that have been let down in a swap.

If you would like to be a guardian angel, either email me or pop a comment to this post.  I will create a new page with a roll as to who are guardian angels are.

When you send a block to the recipient send a card with a simple message such as:
sent with love from your Guardian angel.

Sunday, September 23, 2012

A fill in block

Poor Carolyn of  Nerang in Queensland has had a run of bad luck with her swaps since she joined our group after reading the article that was published earlier this year in Quilters companion magazine.  As it turns out she has 3 swaps, overdue or just not happening.  I have been chasing these members for her and it seems that she may get two out of the three completed.

The main disappointment I have found is that there was little or no communication from her partners to her that the blocks were going to be late.  It is really not up to YOU to chase your block it is up to YOU to let your partner know that your block to them is going to be late. 

To make amends for Carolyn I have made her a block this month.  One of her choices is Dutchman's puzzle and I love to do flying geese so that's what I picked.  Carolyn loves autumn colours, I hope this fits the bill Carolyn, Hugs, Sue

September Swap

For September I was paired with Kym in Bundaberg Qld who requested a log cabin in yellow and purple with an orange centre.  I had a bit of trouble finding enough yellow in the right tones but eventually I came up with this:

Kym sent me this lovely, vibrant block in return!

The green fabric has lovely iridescent stars on it so I photographed it outside to see if they would sparkle for the picture and they did! Thanks Kym for a terrific block, its a great fit for my bright quilt of stars!

Bring on October I say!

Cheers,
Sue

Thursday, September 20, 2012

September blocks.....

G'day all.....

This month I was lucky enough to swap with Vicki from NSW..... and this is the beautifully made Churn Dash that I received this week....


and I sent this Star in bright colours....


Another lovely swap.. thanks Vicki for my block
and thanks Sue for organising...

I'm off on a break for a couple of months... but I will be watching to see what everyone makes....

so happy stitching and swapping....

Hugz from Fiona


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Blocks from Helene

Helene sent me two beautiful blocks - thank you Helene. I love the interplay between the solid fabric and the prints. I am so lucky!

Jeneta

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Block From Leena

Here is my September Block from Leena.
I love Civil War reproduction fabrics

September Block from Leena


Best Wishes
Michell


September Block for Lorraine in New Zealand

This block is called BOX QUILT.  I love this block because you get to use such a wide variety of colors in each block AND each block can be different.

Thursday, September 13, 2012

Beautiful Star From Gerri...

I am sure my neighbours heard my squeal of delight when I opened the squishy envelope containing this beauty! Gerri also included a lovely piece of blue swirly fabric. Thank you Gerri - I love your block!

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

September Block for Karen

Here is my disappearing 9 patch I made for my September swap partner Karen. She said she liked purples and pinks and bright colours so I hope this is to her liking! I was pretty happy with it and liked the block so much I am making a few more disappearing 9 patches!
Blessings
Helen

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Blocks from Pamela..Great Swap!

These are the GORGEOUS blocks I received from Pamela..I really LOVE LOVE LOVE them!



She even sent these cute embroiderys...just darling! I love them all !!

SWAPPERS CODE OF CONDUCT.

I love running this swap group, I really do.

But lately I am frustrated at the sheer number of emails that I am receiving from members in relation to swaps not being honoured.  Some dating back to June this year.

I remind all members that we follow a swappers code of conduct, and I have taken the stance that if I get an email from a member telling me that a swap has not been honoured, the offending member WILL BE SUSPENDED until such a time that all of the swaps have been completed and you are up to date.  This may seem harsh, but I simply cannot allocate you a new partner when you have one or months outstanding swaps not honoured.


I sound like a broken record, I know, but its not fun when I have to write firm emails, so if you are moving house, taken ill,  or a family member taken ill, going on holidays or just need a break, that's OK.  I understand that there are many many things in life more important but  PLEASE let me know, if you have been allocated a swap and cannot do it, either I will or find someone that can step in for you, and please also let your partner know so they dont go to the trouble of making and sending you a block that has not been reciprocated.

I have placed three members on Suspension this week, and trust that they will do the right thing and honour their swaps, even if they decide that they can no longer continue as part of the group.

Monday, September 10, 2012

September block for Jen

My September block is finished. Ready to be posted all the way to the U.S.A. Jen asked for a postage stamp.

Sunday, September 9, 2012

August block and September blocks

I had a double swap for August - loved that.
These are the lovely blocks that I received for August swap from Erin (Qld) & Maria (Vic)
Thank you ladies they will blend in perfectly for my planned project. 
Kerry B



 
Here are pics of the 3 blocks I made for my September partner Chantelle.
She requested a grey background with pink & yellow for the starflower.
I tried to set up a blog (but hopeless at that)
Cheers, Kerry B (Qld)
 


 

Saturday, September 8, 2012

September Blocks for Kristy

Kristy requested either a Fence and Rail block done in blues or a block called “Michigan” . I had never done the second choice thought I would make it…..

005

as well as the Fence and Rail one……..

004

Popped them in the post a week ago so hope they arrive soon and Kristy likes them..
Hugz  Maria

Friday, September 7, 2012

Maria's blocks almost ready to be a quilt

Maria Nelson from Canada has been saving 12 inch and 6 inch star blocks and almost has enough for her quilt top so she sent me a picture to share.  Maria was saving any stars in blue and yellow in both groups.

Its fabulous to see how the blocks from both groups can come together so well in a quilt.

Maria is going to make a couple of 6 inch blocks to fill in the gaps, isn't it pretty.

Tarnyia's Blocks...

For July I had two partners and this block was from Helen who was new to the swap
I wished for a Log Cabin in blue and yellow
 it was just perfect Helen and thank you for being a great partner...
I didn't hear from my August partner and I tried several times she may have been caught up in all the Olympic hype...
My September partner is Megan of WA
 and
 she wished for a Jacob's Ladder is white and red...
love the combination 
and 
I would love to do a red and white quilt for myself one day...
Block will be in the mail today Megan..
Luv Tarnyia xxx

Monday, September 3, 2012

my block for Kristy W ...

This is my block for Kristy W from Mooroolbark ... a very simple Rail Fence Block in blues .... I hope you like the fabrics I chose for you Kristy ...





I am opting out of the swaps for awhile ... my hubby and I are going to be doing a bit of traveling over the coming months ..... and I am not sure if I would be able to complete commitments ... or if I will have internet all the time we are traveling ... 
But I have enjoyed swapping with you and love the blocks that I have received .... and one day ... I will make a quilt with them and pop back in to show you the little beauty ... 

thanks so much Sue for a great job organizing this fantastic event for us all ... and thanks girls .. you are a great group and I know I am going to miss this stuff .... but I will keep my eye on you all .. when I do have an internet connection ...


My June block has finally arrived

I thought it had happened again. When I first joined QBSA one of my blocks got lost. My generous partner Cheryll made me another to replace the lost one. This time was Janeene's. Fortunately last week I received it. The envelope was heavily creased and the paper so damaged that almost ripped apart but it made it here.
The block is beautiful and I love it. Thank you Janeene.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

Block Received


Thank you Helen I got my block

Spring fling winner

I am pleased to announce that the winner of our Spring fling give away is:

KRISTY WESTAWAY
from Mooroolbark in Victoria.

Congratulations Kristy The lovely ladies at the Fat quarter shop will shop your Amy Butler jelly roll to you.  I look forward to seeing what you create with this prize.


Thank you again to the fat Quarter shop for your generosity in being a sponsor of Quilting block swaps Australia.


Now as Kristy is enjoying creating with her new jelly roll, we all need to get onto those spring cleaning jobs that we talked about.   Hhhmmmm............ Its to nice a day to start today, think I have some sewing to do first.