January 2013 has been busy.

My February partner is Ank from the Netherlands.  She ask for Aboriginal prints in any block pattern.
Here in Western North Carolina it was hard to find the fabric but I finally did.  I hope she will like the material colors and the pattern I went with.

 

The log cabin block was one I received from Melanie in Australia, who was my January partner.

I love the beautiful earth tone colors.  She did a great job on it.

 

 

Oct, Dec and Jan Blocks Received

These are the blocks I have received over the last few months but have not yet shared!

October - Jessisca (love that colour blue)

December - Janet (look at those cut little hippo buttons that Janet popped in!)

 

Jan 2013 - Ilse (such great movement in this block)

 

Jan 2013 - Ilse

Ilse kindly made me two beautiful blocks!

These are the blocks I have sent:

Isa - Shoo Fly

Ohio Star for Janet (we swapped Ohio Stars that month!)

Anvil for Ilse

 

 

A big thank you to my swap partners!  Jeneta x

Jan Block From Debbie

My January block from Debbie has arrived and it is lovely. Thankyou.

February swap partners

Hello ladies, January is almost over and by now you should have completed you blocks and sent them to your partner.  If you are running late now is the time to email them and let them know this, and please copy me in.

Join me in welcoming two new ladies to the group swapping with us for the first time,  Carole from the UK and Sharyn from Victoria.  We hope your time with us is fun filled and that you make lots of new online friends.

We have 69 members now, with 7 sitting out the month for various reasons.  Happy stitching and I look forward to seeing everyone’s creations as pictures are published on the blog.

Two parcels in one week .............

 I have also been unable to load pictures from my files onto this blog and my own. So pleased that I can show you these lovely blocks. The first two are my December blocks from Lori in USA - a long trip by mail so arrived early January.

The next two are from Helen. These arrived very early in January, so 2 parcels in a week.

Thank you both so very much for these additions to my collection.

These are the blocks I sent to Lori -

and this one went to Helen -

Happy stitching,

Jan

Pictures...Finally!

Not sure why 'blogger' was not letting me post my 'own' pic's?
Anyway, I am thrilled & thankful that they are now.
So an up-date of
blocks that you have missed seeing.
Way back in the fist day or so of 2013 I sent this
by the way...how can we already be in the 24th day of 2013? Wew!

blue, green(s) tone 'wonky-log' block to Ruth in Idaho!
Does a different sized center block qualify as...'wonky'? Ha

Then this week I received these two twin 'Monkey-wrench' block's from Ruth.
She said she was having some trouble with the  size...so she sent both! Pretty!
That's our January Aussie swap...from the USA Thank you Ruth it was sew fun!
Blessings~
Lori USA
 

Goodies from Deb

Yesterday I received my January block from Deb in Queensland, along with some lovely surprises too! Lucky me!

Here's a better shot of the block itself:

Thanks for being my swap buddy this month Deb!

Cheers,
Sue P

God has blessed us.

A local quilt shop owner asked if I would take some of their material that has some flaws and do something with them. I graciously said "YES".  I estimate I received 100+ yards.  I will be cutting some into fat quarters and some into 1 yard pieces. As I send my blocks to those across the world each month I am going to include these fabric pieces. They are 100% cotton.  What a blessing from the shop owners. God is awesome, He answered one of my prayers.
I hope those that receive this material will share the blessing on with others also.

UPDATE:

After unloading this out of my car we realized that there is 300+ yards of fabric.

That is ALOT of fabric.

Star quilt almost done

 This is my quilt of stars that needs another small border and then I think a star fabric border around it. Thank you to all those swappers whose block is in this quilt. I showed it to a friend and she said that one wasn't a star. I hadn't noticed when I put the quilt together but it was a block I was sent along with a star block and as I like it and think it fits then it's become my "Whimsy"  I love all my stars so thanks again.

Dawnelles Churns for January

I was lucky to receive not one but two beautifully made black and white churn dash blocks from my January partner Dawnelle.

 

December Block from the USA

Received my block for December from Jen in the USA this week:

I love that background fabric - psychedelic almost!

My January partner was Deb in Queensland and I sent her these two blocks, which I hope she has received by now!

The bottom one is actually deep purple not the blue it looks in the photo!

I hope they fit in with what she has already!

Cheers,
Sue

Amalgamated groups - orphan blocks,

Hi lovely swappers,

As we have had a few members drop out (or be suspended) from our Beginners group (only 8 members left in that group) I have decided to amalgamate the Beginners into the Intermediate group.

I have kept track of who the Beginner members are and will be certain to only pair them with members requesting a simpler block pattern.  When allocating partners I will make a note in the email that your partner is a Beginner.

If receiving a block from one of our Beginners and its maybe not 100% perfect, please remember that we were all Beginners once and the best part about being a member of this group is the act of giving and friendship, and making items from blocks received is a lovely bonus.

I know (from experience) that incorrect blocks can be disappointing but remind myself that too that orphan blocks (in wrong colours, patterns or slightly undersized) make good cushion centres, bases for table runners, pot holders or the sides of carry bags.

Merging the Beginners into the Intermediate group has boosted the number in the Intermediate group to 52 active members.  If we get an influx of Beginners we can always branch away again.

If you are in the Intermediate group and you wish to expand your skills, you can also request to jump up to the Advanced group which currently has 15 members. 

January Blocks

Isa was my swap partner for January.
I was delighted with my beautiful block make in the yellow and blues .



and for Isa I made a Shoo Fly block in blue floral..



Hugz   Maria

Maxines block

Here is the lovely block made for Maxine by Vicki

you should get this in your letterbox any day soon

blocks sent and Received

 My block to Jane for December. Love making this one and it turns out so well.

 My December block from Jane. Love it. Thanks.

 Brenda from Ohio has received this block in the January swap and liked it so I can show and tell. Thanks Sue for the inspiration for this block. I will make this one again. Balkan puzzle in 1930's fabric. My block from Brenda is winging it's way to me so I look forward to seeing it. Thanks for swapping with me ladies.

Hello Encarna of Espana

My January partner is all the way from Espana. She is on a break and hope and pray all is going well for her.
Well Encarna,   this Block is on the way to you as we speak. Take care .                                          

January Blocks

Petah and I swapped blocks this month....

Petah asked for a Log Cabin... one side in neutrals and the other in brights

a challenge for me as I don't work with a lot of brights.....

I asked for a Churn Dash in muted civil war type colours....

a challenge for Petah as she doesn't work in a lot of muted!

I thought it was funny we both had blocks to make with fabrics out of our usual colour zones....

but that's what the block swap is great for... expanding our horizons?

I've decided to do more in brights now... thanks Petah....

Righto, Gotto Go... horizons to expand....

November and December 2012 Blocks…

I sent this block to Lorna in November, she requested “Stars or Hexies”



and I received this lovely block in my Blues and Yellows yesterday,




For December Cathy was my partner and she asked for either “ A Star, Churn Dash, Log Cabin or Bears Paw..

This is the block I made to sent her….



It always takes weeks for blocks to arrive from the USA so Cathy was happy my beautiful block arrived today..



I love both blocks and they will look great when I pop them into a quilt.… Need a few more to add to them.
A Big thank you to both ladies for my blocks….

Hugz  Maria

http://maria-lifeontheblock.blogspot.com

Churned chocolate

Doesn’t  that sound delicious, well that what my new quilt is going to be called.  After receiving enough yellow, black, grey and white blocks I have now changed my preferences to any chocolate coloured churn dashes.  Here is the first one made for me by the talented Tanya

My Block From Vicki in Australia

I received my block from Vicki in Australia the past weekend and I love the color combo she came up with. Great Job Vicki. Thank you.

Sharing some pretty blocks

Rosemary emailed me these pictures to add to the blog for her,  Firstly she sent this lovely Dresden plate block to Margaret

Then she was so lucky to receive not one, not two but THREE lovely card trick blocks in return

Here they are