December 12" blocks received from Cathy

These are the lovely 12" green & gold star blocks that I received from Cathy Whitby for the December QBSA swap - these are the first 12" blocks received in my new choice - love the fabric choices.

 

November 6" blocks

These are the yellow & green star blocks that Brenda stitched for me - thank you so much (first in this new "collection").

December swap for Cathy

Cathy W. is my December 12" partner & requested any block in Fall colours - since it's Christmas I sent a few extra blocks to kick start her project.

 

 

November PP swap for Julie

Julie was my November PP swap partner. OMG - I am so so so bad .Lesson learnt BIG time for me
Lesson- always check the pattern prints at "actual size" NOT "shrink to fit page". I have sent both blocks as maybe Julie can use the "wrong" one as a cushion cover or on the quilt back.

12" November blocks for Joanne

Joanne requested red / maroon with white / cream Ohio Star blocks. I also stitched a Split Ohio Star block to make a cushion.

12" October blocks for Ank

Ank was my October 12" partner and requested Attic Windows block in black, white, grey & red colours, such fun blocks to stitch - Ank likes Australian fabrics, so one "window" has an Australian batik with kangaroos & gum trees. Ank emailed to say they have arrived in the Netherlands.

6" October blocks for Kerri

Kerri Borg requested Cathy's Campfire quilt block in civil war fabrics for the October 6" swap. Here they are - and in the mail Monday. The "Other" Kerry B.

October block posted

My partner this month was Narelle.

Narelle wanted me to do any block in Black & White.

I know that sounds easy but choosing a block is a big decision.

I went with one that I had made years ago and a member of Kilmore Quilters showed everyone attheir retreat. I have since shown my friends I sew with on a Monday. It is a fun and easy block to do.

The 3D BOW TIE block.

I also added a little gift. We are on the way to CHRISTMAS 

September PP blocks for Encarna

These are the traditional paper pieced blocks I stitched for my QBSA September PP swap partner - Encarna in Spain - in her requested colours of cream, purple & blue. Unfinished size is 8 1/2", but I trimmed 2 x blocks larger just in case Encarna has any "undersized" blocks. In the mail tomorrow & flying to Spain.

Purple Patches, Scrapbaggers, Attic Windows & Starflowers

Hi everyone, I thought you might like to see what I have been up to lately :)
It is time to play catchup with my blog posts, and to say a very sincere thank you to those that left beautiful comments on the passing of my father, both here and on my Facebook page - they were most appreciated.

A big thank you to my August partner, KerryB, for being so very patient in waiting for me to send her blocks to her - as a thank you I sent two blocks :)




Two blocks seems so little by way of thank you, as Kerry sent me a STACK of purple 9 patches so that I can finish my Purple Patch quilt just that little bit quicker :)

Here are the GORGEOUS purple 9 patches that Kerry sent me  - Thank you so much Kerry :) I will certainly be able to finish off my Purple Patch quilt so much quicker now!

purple 9 patches from Kerry

They will be cut up and placed on this quilt to finish it off!

This is what I sent Ank, my July partner.

Here are the lovely rainbow starflower blocks I received from Ank for July

Happy Sewing everyone :)

Special Halloween Block Swap

This post will stay on top until 19th September 2014  - please SCROLL DOWN to see recent posts.

Hi fellow block swappers :)  Cathy, Swap Co-Ordinator for the Christmas Block Swap here :)  This is posted with the permission of Sue, QBSA Swap Co-Ordinator. 

Anyone interested in a Special One-off Halloween Block Swap? - you will have 1 month to complete a 12" Halloween themed block.

This swap will only be open to members of QBSA (Quilt Block Swap Australia) & CQBSA (Christmas Quilt Block Swap Australia) OR bloggers/swappers known to me.

Sign-ups are now open - VIA EMAIL ONLY to xmasblockswap@adam.com.au  - close Friday, 26th September 2014.
INFORMATION REQUIRED will be:  Full Name, Postal Address, email address, Blog/Online details, International Post: yes/no

Partners will be allocated by 30th September 2014 and blocks are to be received by 31st October 2014.

I will do my best to assign partners within the same country if possible, but if you are open to an international partner, please let me know.

Cheers
Cathy
Christmas Block Swap Co-Ordinator

I've used my COUNTRY STARS

I have been a member of the 12" block swap for just over a year now. I was collecting country stars. Some partners were kind enough to send more than one block.

It is great to get work from other people. Fabric and colour choices you wouldn't normally buy. Different blocks from so many but then again so many the same.

The hardest part when doing a swap like this is that your blocks don't always measure what they should. The colours can sometimes be hard to put together. That is the whole challenge of this. 

Once you start collecting a few blocks your mind starts then you begin looking for ideas. I didn't just want to put them together with basic sashings. I need something different.

Thanks to Pinterest I found something I could work with.... http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/407-layered-stars-quilt-pattern/8462

These are who I received the blocks from and have used.

1. Carolyn.    2. Irene.   3. Fiona.   4. Kerry.   5. Beth.   6. Lorna.   7. Cathy.   8. Kerry.   9. Debbie.   10. Kerry.   11. Vicki.    12. Jan.

Thankyou so much ladies....

Now they didn't all measure the same so I needed to trim them. With them being stars when I trimmed them back to the same size I would have lost my points. No way out of it..... Well, with the quilt picture in mind I decided to cut the blocks into quarters.... YES CUT THEM. Like I said. I would have lost the points anyway.

I rearranged them, added framing borders and stitched them altogether again.

The quilt top is done. It measures 140cm * 190cm. A good size.

Like I said, trying to put all the colours together makes your brain work a little overtime. I am happy with what I have done.

NOW TO QUILT IT...

Ahead of time......

Sue is enjoying a trip away so we got our partners for this month a little early and at the same time.

This is where it all began...

http://quiltingblockswapsaustralia.blogspot.com.au

I like this idea because I spend one afternoon focussing just on them.

They are now done.

My 12" block for Traci. Traci wanted Dorothy's star done with a white background and any other

colour of choice. Mine was a nice chocolate brown.   http://www.quilterscache.com/D/DorothysStarBlock.html

Next for the day was my Paper Pieced swap was for Anna. When this swap started we were partners for the first month. I am still getting the same block " Hunters Star. " but Anna has changed and now is wanting a 12" Atlantic Seas block.. http://www.quilterscache.com/images52/atlanticseastemp.gif

I think I still a lot of work on paper piecing. My points are not matching. I hope Anna likes this block. It took me ages to do. These are shades of black and grey with a background of white.

Last thing on the list for the day was the 6" swap. Carolyn wanted any two 6" blocks done with 1930s fabrics. I'm not really sure if these are the right fabrics. I think they. I do like these fabrics and blocks. A traditional Rail Fence and Spool block.

These are a very sweet pink so I hope that Carolyn likes them.

September 6" blocks for Annette

Annette's request was for any 6" block in black and white fabrics. These were fun to stitch and I enjoyed them making them.

September blocks for Donna G

Donna G was my September 12" swap partner - her request was any block in blue & purple. Hope these blocks blend in with your planned project - sorry the colours do not show up correctly. Thanks to Rev. Traci (USA) for introducing me to the "Twist 'n Turn" Ruler.

AUGUST BLOCK FROM PETAH

My postie bought me a nice little surprise. A lovely Maple Leaf 12" block from Petah.

Late posting........oops

MY JULY BLOCKS FROM ANNA

 I received my 12" Maple Leaf block from Anna. We had been partners in January in the Paper pieced Swap so it was good to have contact again. All Anna had to do was make 1 * 12" block. To my surprise she made 3  blocks, added in a 6" block too. But wait, there's more.. A cute little coaster in the shape of a Maple Leaf. It is so cute. I am already using it.

August block from Serena

Here is my block from Serena for August. Thanks it's great and will be useful in the Blankets of Love that I am making.Thanks for swapping with me

"wonky tree" for Bellezza

 I just couldn't help myself - I had to make a "wonky" tree. Loving wonky - mismatched seams, crooked cuts, anything goes with wonky.

August 6" blocks for Bellezza

These are the August 6" blocks I stitched for Bellezza who requested "wonky" or "freeform" blocks. I made a Wonky Star, Wonky 9-patch, Wonky Disappearing 9-patch, Wonky Log Cabin and an Interrupted 9-patch. These were fun to make as "wonky" & "freeform" were new to me. I can't wait to see Bellezza's finished project.

July 6" blocks sent to Paula

These are the July 6" Friendship Stars I stitched for Paula - I hope they blend in with your planned project. Cheers, Kerry

July 6" blocks from Paula

These are the July 6" 9-patch blocks that Paula stitched for me. Thank you for the extra blocks and being a great partner.

Roman stripes for Petah

I have just sewn my block to send off to Petah.

She wanted white background with blue stripes... http://www.quilterscache.com/R/RomanStripeBlock.html

July blocks from Carin in Sweden

These are the "scrappy" Scrapbagger and Goose Creek blocks that Carin in Sweden stitched for me for the July swap.

July PP blocks from Jenell

These are the spectacular paper pieced blocks I received from Jenell. They are called Indian Summer.