Blocks for Kate and Lisa

Both Kate (of Blacktown, New South Wales) and Lisa (of Texas) have requested Blocks of turquoise, black and white. For Kate  (top pix),I did a Log Cabin Star and as the fabrics were stripes, it was a bit tricky to keep the stripes 'on the line'.

As for Lisa, I took a more safer route and ended up doing a Star for her. Lisa, your Block is on the way.

Two Blocks From Karen P

Karen P was my swap partner for March.  Not only did she make me one block but she made me two wonderful blocks!  She said she did this because she was a little late but I still received them right at the end of the month.  Karen and I were in the first ever pattern swap and she sent me a pattern she has used several times.  I look forward to making the little back pack soon.  Thank you for the adorable blocks, Karen!!

Hugs,

Linda G

Stray Stitches

Billy's Beautiful Hexagons

Billy was partnered in April with new member Lorna and she has made her a gorgeous hexagon block, I love the colours and the fussy cut centre - Beautiful work Billy

An Easter treat

Jane was my April partner and today her lovely block arrived in the post.  I have not seen this pattern before but I LOVE IT, its called A Dandy, and it is just dandy.  Jane also sent me a cute Easter card, a first for me,  Thank you Jane.

April Block for Chantell

This is the pastel floral, star block I sent to Chantell, with a log cabin mug mat from the same fabrics.

From Jan



Civil war prints

This beautifully made block is winging its way to Sue in Scotland from Vicki in New South Wales

This block is a perfect example of a lovely block that anyone would be happy to receive,

 well done Vicki.

WHAT NOT TO DO

I have received an email lately from a disappointed member regarding  the blocks they have received.

I am not naming names, nor am I going to email the lady that made and sent these blocks but have decided to show the offending blocks as a lesson to all of us.

The yellow background shows the 12.5 inch square so you can see that they are clearly undersized.
The seams and points do not meet and the block is not well made and crooked.  Dark fabric is used, but a light thread which shows in the seams.  Its like not a lot of love has gone into making this block, which would have been stunning if it was well made.

The second block sent is also undersized, and the selvidges are clearly visible as the fabric was not trimmed before being used.  Not trimming your selvideges is a big no no in quilting land.

Remember when making a block for your member to:

1. Trim the selvidges before cutting the fabric
2. Measure your block and ensure that its 12.5 inches raw edge to raw edge and
3. Make sure that it s square.

Only send a block that you would be happy to receive,

Lovely March Block

I would love to share the lovely March block that has been made for me by Linda Gilli from Stray Stitches.  It is exactly what I asked for and the colours are absolutely spot on.  Thank you so much Linda.

This month Linda and I were also participants in the first ever pre-loved pattern swap.  Linda's gift to me was a lovely pattern for a wall hanging that she had made.

You can see I feel very fortunate in my March partnership.  Thanks again Linda.

Until next time,  happy quilting, knitting, sewing and crafting ....

I did a boo boo

Lucky for me Jane spotted the block I had made her on the blog and emailed me, as I had read the instructions wrong.

Second lucky is that its an easy block to make so I immediately popped into the sewing room to make it correctly, sadly I didnt have enough of the lime green, so had to substitute it with a different lime in my stash - still part of the summer house range. I actually think it goes better with the centre block.

March Block from Maria W

Sorry it has taken so long to blog this.
I love my Tulip block from Maria.

I am collecting 1930's blocks and this will fit in beautifully.

March blocks

Jen was my partner for March and I sent her a postage stamp block, phew 144 tiny 1.5" squares. Lots of fun to find as many different fabrics as possible though.

Jen sent me two blocks as the first she made wasn't a star block which was my requested block. I do love them both though so thanks Jen. She also sent me the print outs of the patterns that she used which is fantastic. Love the site that she got them from... a good source! My blocks look blue but they are the most stunningly beautiful purple.

Modern square

I am getting my April block swaps done early and Jane is my partner this month. 

Jane is saving modern square blocks in fresh bright colours.  It gave me a chance to use some of my new Amy Butler Lark fabric.

I hope Jane likes the colours I have chosen for her.

HELPERS PLEASE

Hi ladies
With an influx of new members it seems I am calling on the same ladies every 2-3 months to do a double swap.  Now I know they don't mind - but I am all about sharing it around.

So if you think you would like to be a double swap queen let me know and I will pop this on the data base, examples of when this is called upon are.

1. When we have an uneven number of members swapping in the month
2. When new members join up after the swaps have been sent out
(eg I have had 2 join today with a 3rd lady making enquiries) and the April partners were only sent out 2 days ago.  Note: New members are only paired with members that have been with the group for more than thre months.

I do keep tabs on who has done a double swap and the frequency of them but an example is that we had 5 double swaps last month and 3 in February.

I have 15 members registered for a double swap which means that they are doing one almost every second month.

Also, if someone joins past the middle of the month they do need to wait for the next month to be included in a swap so the pressure is not put on you in the end of the month.

Eligible members to be double swappers need to have been with the group for 3 months or more - just to make sure you fully understand how the group is run, but you can let me know if you would like to do this and I will automatically register you at the 3 month mark.

Blocks Received and Block Sent

Just a quick update on blocks.  These are blocks received from Cate and Nolene from the Feb / March swap

Received from Cate Feb 2012

Received from Cate Feb 2012

Received from Nolene March 2012

This is the block I am sending to Nolene later on today, with some NZ fabrics in it

Sent to Nolene March 2012

APRIL PARTNERS OFF THE PRESS

I am taking a mini break from work today and therefore had the time to get the April partners allocated a couple of days early.

April is my favourite month of the year, the weather is always milder, (we get a lot of public holidays) and I like the change of seasons with the colours of the leaves.  Its also a good gardening month one of my favourite pastimes.

This month the message was back to basics, with April marking our 2 year anniversary its time to reflect on the groups rules and remember that we are here to support and be friends with each other.

We have a whopping 67 members with only 3 sitting out this month.  with the group being featured in this months Quilters companion I am expecting a few more membership enquiries.

A big quilted hugs farewell to our Christmas swap mummy Crafty Pugs was seen in March, she is also taking a rest from this group and I hope to see her back one day. We also farewell Beatrice, and Lynette from the group.

On the other side, join me in welcoming new members:

Lorna from Victoria, Shirley from the USA, and Carin our first member from Sweden, welcome ladies.

Now I am off to hit the sewing room for the afternoon, and looking forward to seeing every ones April creations

I am Dissapointed.

My aim for this group is to run a happy group full of respectful and pleasant ladies and I think I acheive that. But imagine my surprise when I am copied into an email when one member threatens another with suspension not because her block is late. (its the March 6 inch swap, she still has 2 weeks to make and sent it) but simply as she hadnt responded to an email !!

How was this lady to know that something tragic had not taken place in that members life, the email was cold, un-warrented and downright rude. I am not going to name names, but I have asked this lady to withdraw from the group.

Suspension is a serious step, and only I have the right to decide who will be suspended from the group, and when I make this decision its is because there have been multiple complaints against a member, not just one incident.

I understand that life can get in the way and sometimes people can forget to reply to an email or a not online every day, I am even guilty of that.

If you are having communication trouble with your partner, let me know, I will email them for you in a NON THREATENING way, and I will keep track of who is or isnt doing the right thing and make a decision if this person should or should not be allowed to continue in the group.

Now I have that off my chest, I can get down from my soap box and continue doing what I love doing best.

Brendas Blazing Arrows

Brenda from Ohio was my March partner and this lovely blazing arrows block arrived today along with a large colourful scrappy block.

Thanks Brenda - great work

March Blocks Sent

I just realised that I haven't posted about my blocks for March. I know both my swap buddies have their blocks so here are the photos.
This one was for Elaine in NSW who requested a Shoo Fly block in brights on white background:

My second swap buddy was Sharyn from Queensland who requested any bright house block. I had fun making this appliqued house!

Looking forward to April!

Billy's blocks

The lovely Billy had two partners this month, and has asked me to show her blocks for her.

The first one is for her partner Heather in Canada who requested any block in red and white. Isnt this basket block gorgeous

Then new member Jessisca joined and requested birdhouses. How cute is this block.

Marvellous Murray...

...arrived at my place and he is absolutely gorgeous.

My swap partner, Kerry, stitched him while travelling along the roads adjoining the Murray River between Mildura and Mannum.  This makes him extra special.  I just love him.  Thank you so much Kerry.

Kerry asked for any block in cream, pink and burgundy.  I'd been saving this fabric for something special as I just love it so I was very happy to use some in Kerry's block.

Thanks again, Sue, for another fun swap.

March block on its way ...

I made this yellow and white block for Debbie Mac ... who lives in Lake Island .. Alberta ... 

I am only sharing a sneak peek with you all as I do think Debbie should be the first one to see it .... 

So here it is ... Sure hope you like it Debbie .. 

Spool Block from Ank

Just received this amazing block from Ank of the Nederlands. I especially love the 'heart' which came with matching fabrics. Thank you Ank for a job well done.

My March block from Beverley has arrived -

Beverley sent a Framed Scrappy Squares block, along with spare fabric and an Easter design from her new embroidery machine.
Thank you so much for this lovely colourful parcel.



March block received ......

Tanya was my block swappie for March and this week this lovely churn dash arrived in my post box

we also swapped patterns and Tanya sent this lovely foundation piecing project which I had admired on her blog... she added some of her left over fabrics to give me a start to it... maybe I can see a frog being made?

Thanks Tanya, for a lovely block, a lovely pattern and lovely fabric too...

Thanks Sue for organising this little extra used pattern swap - great idea

Stormy Seas

Brenda from Ohio is my partner for March and I was challenged with her request for Storm at Sea, a paper pieced block.  I am quite the novice at paper piecing, and my first attempt (right block) came out undersized.  So today I tried again, size is fine, but some of the seams are a bit narrow. Brenda's colour choice is in blue, green and brown, quite an ocean scape.  Both blocks will be in the post tomorrow.

Now I can get cracking on my Christmas block

WOW!! received March blocks already!

Hi everyone

Here are the blocks I received from the super speedy Dawn - yes, I was lucky enough to receive 2 blocks for March.

Thank you so much Dawn - great blocks and I will get onto yours during the week and mail as soon as possible ;-)

A fun block....

I have received this fun block from Terri 

a lovely block in black and white with that lovely green giving it some ooomph...

Thanks Terri

March Block Swap Received, with a Bonus Block!

I received a lovely squishy surprise this week from one of my March swap partners, Elaine in NSW. I asked for any block in red, black and white and received this lovely block:

But lucky me, the lovely Elaine also included a leftover block from a quilt she made for her grandson which fit my request.  I love it!

 Thank you so much Elaine, your block is on its way to you so I won't post a photo until I know you have it!

March block to Beverley

My block to Beverley has arrived. The request was for any pinwheel block in pink and purple. I made a scrappy Paper Pinwheel [and a mug mat with the same fabrics].

I have seen a picture of the block sent to me, but I'll wait until it arrives before posting a picture.



Jan

March Swap Block.

Today Raelene's lovely block and swap pattern arrived.

Your block will look great in my child's quilt I intend to make out of my swap blocks.

I am very pleased with my bag pattern with an embroidery on it.

thank you so much Raelene for my nice parcel.

Maria

Block For Richard

This month my partner is Richard

and he wished for either

reds, oranges, yellows... he also loves purples

or

he is making a series of quilts in black and white

so 

I made a black and white star

Luv Tarnyia xxx

Bea's beautifull black and white

Yesterday I had a lovely squishy package in the mail from France.  I have to say that I think this is the first time ever I have received mail from France.

Inside was not one but TWO beautifully made blazing arrows, Bea and I were also part of the inaugural pattern swap and she sent me a delighful kitchen angel to stitch.  I think this will be a nice gift to make for one of my PIF recipients, so looking forward to cooler evenings to sit and stich this up.

Its almost our Second birthday = give away time

April 6th marks the second birthday of QBSA

and to celebrate turning 2
I am having a give away.

As some regular readers would know we have been approached by Quilters companion magazine to do a story on our group and this is set to be published in their April edition - how cool is that, especially as this is our birthday month.

The lovely editor of the magazine has agreed to donate 5 copies of this magazine to me to use in a give away.  Now I will keep one for me :)  but that leaves 4 to be birthday presents for you.  I intend to open this to ALL MEMBERS and ALL FOLLOWERS of QBSA and will send ONE copy internationally. 

I also have a stash of lovely Batik Fat quarters, and will tuck a couple of these into the giveaway too.

How to enter.
Anytime between now and 1st April pop a comment on this post for one entry and also Post a comment on your blog and link it back to this blog for two entries.  Winners will be announced on our birthday April 6th

Easy peasy.

February block

Having finally got my daughter home from a 2.5 week stay in hospital I was delighted to find this beautiful block in my letterbox.Made my day even better.Thank you Terry for the block, the extra fabric and the button on the tag. Love the fabrics.

Terry is also in another swap with me so here is the block I sent her along with a hexie flower in her choice of colours.

Spool Block from Sue of Scotland

I have just realised that I have not shown everyone the beautiful Spool Block that Sue has done for me. Love the choice of fabrics and colours that she has chosen for this Block. Thank you very much Sue and it has been a pleasure having you as my partner for the month.