Its almost our 3rd birthday

But you get the chance to win the presents.

On April 6th 2010 Quilting block swaps Australia was born.  So first a history lesson for the newer members that don’t know.

I was reading about quilting swaps in a magazine when I was home from work with the flu.  I googled block swaps, and quilting blocks and many other variations and found most swaps were long closed, not in Australia or at capacity. 

My search continued and I eventually found a group simply called Quilting block swaps ran by a lady in Florida USA- Sandi Jahn.  Sandi and I chatted online and I joined up, and doing so gave me an idea to start up an Australian one.  

The date that I created my blog and put up the first post was April 6th 2010, and the link to that post is HERE.

Initially it was just for Aussies, and as i got busy I had to leave the USA swap, and Sandi handed the reins over to someone else and later joined my swap as I opened it up to be international as I thought it would be fun to get to know quilters from all over the world. 

Anyhow, over the years many have come and left, but many have stayed for the entire time, you know who you are (smile). Many friendships have been formed and I have learnt so much, not just about quilting, but about blogging too.

I love running swaps and co ordinating the groups, and only wish that I did not work full time and had more hours and days to delve into my passion – stitching and quilting.

Birthdays mean celebrations and gifts, and at QBSA we are fortunate to have some gorgeous quilting suppliers that are happy to donate sponsored gifts.  For our birthday the lovely Eve from Fabric direct has donated a pretty set of blue fat quarters from Odds and Ends. 

 

The set that you can win is pictured below in the blue colour way and comprises of 8 fat quarters with a charming retro feel.



To win this set, all you need to do is tell me what you like most about QBSA. This give away is open to all past and present members of QBSA. The give away will be closed at noon on April 6th (our birthday) and the winner announced some time later that day (when I get home lol).

Hey, I just noticed we are at 193 followers, If we get to 200 followers by our birthday I will give away a second gift from my stash to a follower who is not actively a swap member. So you have nothing to lose.

Block from the South

Cathy in GA was my partner for March. Being a southern gal myself, as they all call the 6 states below Virgina,  it was fun to get something from another gal down South.  The colors she used really make the little cherries in the fabric pop.
LOVE IT!

March Swap from Carin in Sweden

This month I was partnered with Carin in Sweden and on Friday I received this lovely block from her:

That purple fabric is so different to anything I've seen before, looks great!  Thanks Carin for a lovely block and also for the lovely little bookmark and choccie. That choccie was lovely and now I'm going to have to see if I can get them here in Adelaide as I'm hooked!

I won't post a photo yet of the block I sent to Carin as it only left here just over a week ago and I don't think she will have received it yet. I don't want to spoil the surprise!

Thanks for being my partner this month Carin!

Sue P

charm pack table runner swap

Its swap time again for something more than just blocks

Click onto the image to take you to the details on my blog and lets have some creative fun with our charm packs

Hosted stitch-a-long

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I was hosting a stich-a-long for Libby Richardson’s new quilt, A little bit country - the patterns go on sale in April

Today I created the blog for this stitch-a-long so if you are interested in joining me, or just following our progress hop on over to have a look.

Here is the button that links to the blog, and I will pop this on the side bar and on my personal blog too.
I hope to see you there and have you sit and stitch with me.

Posting on the Blog

If you are a new member to QBSA and you want to post pictures of blocks you make and send on the blog, please send me an email and I will invite you to do this.  You do need to have a gmail or blogger account to be able to access it but its fun and easy to start a blog..... gosh if I can do it, any one can.

We can only allow 100 contributors, but with about 80 members there is still room for everyone.  Once you cease to be an active member of QBSA you will be removed from the contributors list, but you can still follow and place comments on posts.

Here is a link to Blogger help if you are a newby http://helplogger.blogspot.com.au/

Happy blogging everyone.

Block in the post ..

This month I was partnered with Michelle....

She asked for any block - just not in certain colours... and as I am collecting Churn Dash I thought I would make one for her....

It's in the post....

Hugz

Fiona 

Sharing some blocks for members…

Two members have emailed me the lovely blocks that they have made and sent.  The first one is from Melanie and is winging its way to Fiona.

And the second one has a journey from Janet H to Carole in the UK,

Just one more, from Anna in Nova Scotia to Carolyn that had to share it with us, as she love love loves it.

Great blocks ladies.

My stars...

Up-date I contacted Sharyn yesterday & did hear back that yes she received this block!
I was worried as I'd not heard from her...
poor thing she was not feeling well. So well wishes to her!




On it's way to Queensland to see Sharyn

Do hope that this 'blue-star' fits in with your collection!

I love blue and so enjoyed making this for you!

You know I see that I am not a good photographer and this is not centered...(sorry) and the color in real life is so much prettier, why do my pic's get the sort of 'yellow-y' look?

Let me know when it comes~

Blessings~
Lori USA

 

Magazine give away

Hi ladies

I have been having a tidy up in my sewing room and need to clear out some magazines.  I hate to throw these away, so am happy to give them away.  All you need to do if you want them is pay for the postage.  They weigh pretty heavy, but one in an A4 envelope would be a $1.20.

I have  a whole stack to give away, so you can have one or ten.  First in first served.  Up to 3kg is $12.50 and I can probably get 10 mags in one of those.  Sorry, for the purpose of this give away I wont post internationally as it would be to costly for you. ( The photo is of one box- I have 3 boxes.)

Retail of these magazines was $8.95 So this is a bargain, and great if you are just starting out and want some patterns and inspiration.

So, if you are interested pop a comment on this post stating how many you would like and i will email you my bank details to make a transfer for the postage.  As soon as I have funds i will pop them in the post to you.

March block for Cathee

Heres Cathees requested block for March...a scrappy purple 9 patch..hope you like it!

Mail costs ...........

I don't want to be mean - I love putting little extras into the envelope when I send my partner's block - BUT, when I mailed my March block to Canada this morning it cost $6.20.
The same envelope locally would be $1.20.
I don't think there was a mistake, it was at the same LPO that I always use, the people there are lovely.
I am not asking to partnered only within Australia, but at this rate I will have to send only the swap block.
Jan

Our first 2013 Sponsor

A big Big BIG thank you to the lovely Eve from Fabric Direct for offering to be our Birthday give away sponsor.  More details to come soon, so stay tuned ......

Fabric Direct is a Australian online quilting fabric store, but they also sell beautiful wool and all sorts of other goodies. Eve has a beautiful website and some gorgeous fabric so pop on over and take a look.  HERE

We also wish Eve all the very best, she is about to have a new baby girl any day soon, how exciting.

Churn Dash heading to GA

Cathy in GA was my partner for the month of March.  She had asked for a churn dash in 1930's reproduction fabric patterns.
I sure hope I came close on this.

Annie's block for Anne

Anne asked for Annie's block in crisp white and medium blue. Love the blue fabric I found - land and sea, with dot and outline features not unlike Koori art.
Basically it is a simple block but requires careful measuring, cutting and stitching to bring the points together.

I made the centre again and used it to stitch a mug mat/coaster.

Happy stitching Anne,

Jan

A bright star

My March Partner Vicki requested any star in bright colours, the brighter the better.  I really enjoyed the challenge of this star.

I will get to meet Vicki, as well as a few other bloggy quilting ladies this weekend at the quilting retreat being held in Adelaide.  I cant wait to meet everyone and get to give you real hugs instead of virtual ones.

March is here

I have just completed sending out the March partners with 66 members now in the group and 58 of them swapping this month.
A warm welcome to Carole from Dorset in the UK who joined us last month and for Roberta from New York who joined us only yesterday.  Welcome ladies

Exciting times ahead as we head towards our third birthday and I hope to have some sponsored give always for our Birthday month so stay tuned for that in the coming weeks.

Also with the release of designer Libby Richardson's new quilt “ A little bit country” in April I am planning of hosting a stitch along.  I am currently in communication with Libby about a group discount on the pattern set for those of you that may be interested.

I am currently participating in a stitch along of her Girls day out pattern and having so much fun.  This one is hosted by the lovely Sharon of Lillabelle Lane.
If you want to join in take a look at is on http://friendsmakingquilts.blogspot.com.au/

Here is a tease of some of the blocks in this new quilt – how gorgeous are these.  The stitch along will be to go at your own pace, so no pressure on having it finished but we aim to start some time in May / June this year.
If you think you might be interested send me an email so I can start gathering numbers to let Libby know.

 

The other swap that will be launched later this month is the table runner swap via my blog quilted hugs – details in a few weeks time.

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 for my January swap

And here is the delicious block that Julie K sent me from the USA for my February swap

But how lucky am I, Julie also sent me a block in my second preference of Aqua, grey and orange.  This is the first in this colour set, and I think they will make a very tropical quilt.