NEW CHRISTMAS BLOCK SWAP GROUP

Hi everyone, I am very excited to announce a new blog for those of us feeling Chrissmassy all year round.  Crafty Pug and I have teamed up to run two sister swaps, side by side.  Quilting block swaps Australia and Christmas Quilting block swaps Australia. 

Head on over to her blog at by clicking on the button on the left side bar of this blog for  for all the details. 

We will be running the swaps in groups of 12, and request that you only participate in one Christmas swap at any given time.  So those of you in the first Christmas swap will be ineligible to join (sorry) until you have swapped with all 11 other members of this first group.  Once the second group fills a third Christmas swap will commence and so on.  Members can participate in the standard group and any one of the Christmas groups. Also, if you are in the first Christmas group, please start popping your posts of the Christmas blocks only on the Christmas block swap site.  Crafty will send all members invited to post directly onto this blog.  A button is also being created to link to your blog and this one all together.

Email either me or Crafty pugs if you have any questions.  Jingle bells Jingle bells

September block to Mary from CathyC

My block to Mary in Canada has safely reached its destination - it seemed to take 'forever'  ;-)

I posted a snippet earlier, so here is the full pic

Mary requested any block in teals or neutrals (no neons or novelty)

this block is Annie's Choice and is a real pleasure to make ;-)

September Swap II

Today I got a lovely surprise in the letterbox:

 

Yes it's my lovely Baby Bunting block from Kathy!  It's gorgeous! (much nicer than my dodgy one handed photo shows!).  My quilt is going to look lovely!!

Kathy requested the Twist block in limes and a hint of aqua:

This will be my last swap for a while since I'm sitting out October.  The only sewing going on this week has been on my arm and not by me! ;-P

I look forward to seeing all the October blocks and hope to be back in full force in november!

Xmas Swap - RoUnD #2

This is to tease Cathy...just a little bit !
I mailed off her new block so hopefully it will find a home with her in SA.


Just a peek now...



 This is soooo much fun !

OCTOBER SWAP PARTNERS SENT

Hi girls
By now you should have all received your October block swap partners details.  We have 32 members participating in the swap this month with 6 for the first time.  How fabulous is that.  It took me ages to get all the emails off, and I hope I haven't mixed it all up.  Please make contact with your partner to touch base, and if you don't hear from them within a week let me know,  remember not everyone checks their emails everyday, so be patient.  And most importantly HAVE FUN.

My Block from Alex...

Here is my gorgeous block from Alex who amazingly completed my block before her hospital visit. Alex, thanks so much for the fabulous fabric choices, I just love it!

Alex, yours is finally on the way today, (after the sewing machine hiccup!)

Christmas block sent and recieved

It was lovely to get home today and find that Cathy's Christmas block had arrived in the mail.  I can see why you agonised over this Cathy, you did a simply superb job.  I absolutely love it, and especially the little felt poinsettia that you put in the centre - very sweet. 

Thank you soo much x



Cathys star for me





Marys star

I also made a Christmas star for Mary in Canada - A simple twist on the Ohio star block with a fussy cut reindeer centre.  It will be popped in the post tomorrow.

Pats block for Leena

One of our new American ladies emailed me this pic of a Christmassy block that she has made for Leena, so its on its long journey from Oregon USA to Leena in Kensington NSW Australia.  Isn't it lovely and cheerful, well done Pat !

Two Sunshine awards

I have to say I have been honoured twice in the Sunshine award.  The first nomination came from Leona earlier this month, and as I was so busy at the time I completely forgot about it. 

Leona said "I enjoy following your blogs and appreciate the opportunity to be part of the block swap"  I am so sorry Leona for not commenting on this sooner.  I truly appreciate this recognition,  Thank you.

The second award came from Alex who is currently in hospital after having surgery on her wrist.  Alex said "i love reading your blog and keeping up to date with all that is going on for you- thanks for bringing some sunshine into my life!"  Thank you so much Alex - your strength and positive attitude is an inspiration to me.

A very fortunate find

I am soooo excited about this purchase that I wanted to share it with all of  my quilting friends.  For some time now (more than 10 years on and off),  I have been on the look out for an antique sewing table. 

Passing by an antique shop on Unley Road on Friday afternoon I glanced to my left and there is was.  I am so excited, it is in perfect condition, and is not only the cabinet but the original machine and instruction manuals and tools. Most of the ones I have come across have been missing the machine, or missing the timber top and replaced with marble.  This machine is a German made Gritzner and the antique dealer tells me it was made in 1910 but I cant find anything on the machine to verify that, it  has a serial number so I will do a bit of research.

I have popped my little collection of antique wooden cotton reels in one of the drawers as they match this quite well.  I might have a play with it over the next few days and see if I can get it to sew.  More postings on that.

my block from minette

This is the beautiful block I got from Minette I love it . All of my blocks are amazing and I cant wait to make my quilt hugs Beth

ITS BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE CHRISTMAS

Yes, its that time of the month again for those of you participating in our Christmas swap (sorry numbers all filled).

I am going to start sending out the partners emails tonight so keep a look out for them.  Pop the Christmas Carols on the Ipod and get creating. 

ALSO

Welcome to our FIRST NEW ZEALAND member Alethea and welcome Val from Victoria  and Julie from NSW.  So now we have members representing 4 great countries. 

a block from Dallas

Dallas' lovely block arrived today.

My autumn tones friendship quilt is starting to take shape  :-)

Leena`s block

Here is the block I made for Leena

I hope she likes it

hugs Beth

First Block received from....

Cheryl..... and it is just great!  Thanks, too, for the calendar....

CALLING FOR HELPERS

Hi Ladies,
With the influx of new members I often need to call upon other members to do more than one swap per month.  So far, I would like to thank

Teena

Cathy

Crafty Pugs

Alex

Cheryll

Beth 

Linden and
Tanynia

For volunteering to do more than one swap per month, but I need more helpers.  If its your first swap this month, I will be more than happy to call on you in future months but would like you to get into the swing of it first.  I do try to share it around and let everyone take turns.  However, it does seem lately that everyone is getting two swaps per month.
If you are happy to help out, please email me - A big quilted hugs thank you.  Sue

Also, just a quick note for those of you participating in the Christmas swap group (sorry to newbies, this was a fixed number and filled quickly so keep a lookout for the next one).  I should have your partners out to you before the end of this week.

My September block from Leona

Leonas block

Always exciting to receive a fat package when you get home, and this one was from Florida - such a idylic destination.  Thank you sooooo much Leona for your beautiful friendship star and the gorgeous gift of some vintage tea cup pattern - and in blue and white too! one of my fav colour combinations, I am so lucky xx

Ho Ho Ho



Sept Xmas swap



Yes it's beginning to look a little like Christmas at my place. Well this block certainly helps. Isn't it sooo cute with Santa in the heart. Even the strips have Xmas trees and the white has sparkly snow flakes on it.

Thanks Mary from Canada.

From CathyC to Dallas

Dallas has just sent me an email to let me know my block to her has arrived safely ;-)

So here is a full pic!

Dallas asked for a Star or Log Cabin block in autumn colours.   I have made up a Starflower block and Dallas is hoping to make a cushion out of this one as it matches her lounge suite :-)

Block from Mary in Canada

The materials are just gorgeous!

Look at all this lovely piecing - it is amazing!