Member #10 has arrived !!

Time for BIG celebrations as we welcome member number 10 Rosemary. 

Its amazing how quick we are growing which is fantastic.  I have had to get an excell spreadsheet going to keep track of everyones addresses, preferances and who they have swapped with - but its all in good fun.

Join me in welcoming Rosemary to our group, she is a new quilter too and excited about expanding her skills as we all learn from each other.

A new look- now its looks like a quilting blog

Hubby is watching the footy, so what better way to spend my time updating the look of the blog.  I can't seem to find any of the fabulous backgrounds with a craft theme to use.
If any one can help with where I can find some crafty backgrounds would love to know about it and how I can apply them to this blog.

Since posting this Alex has told me where to find blog backgrounds - google of course.  Cant believe I didnt think to look there, I google everthing else in life!  I found a quilting one that I think works well.  Its a bit busy compared to what we had.  It needs some tweeking to get it looking right, but sadly haven't got time this morning as I have to work today.  Let me know what you think of it.  

Sherees red white and black quilt

Very excited to complete the top of this quilt, its a square in a square so a simple design with the squares being off set from centre.  I chose a French theme using a layer cake + other fabric featuring Eifell Towers.  Have the backing fabric sorted and will bind this in black the same as the peeper border.  I also have enought fabric left over to make a matching cushion.  I will get to work quilting it over the weekend.  Just wanted to show it off now.  I think its stunning.
Adaption of Moon shadow APQ Vol 19 #2

quick find button

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Crafty pugs - a very clever lady figured out how to put a link on your blog direct to this blog.  Simply copy the text in the link box below and post it onto your blog and it should put this as a button on your blog.  all tested and working ok,

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Pugs block has arrived - and welcome new members Alex and Cheryll

I managed to get home a little early from work today, and as well as a lovely package of some more country themed fabrics ( a recent ebay purchase), I also received Crafy Pugs block in the mail.  Its just perfect,.. thank you so much.  Its also lovely to receive the notes and cards with the blocks and I have to say without a doubt Crafty Pugs note is the most interesting - it is made from paper which is made from recycled wombat poo!  How extraordinary is that..  I cant say that I would have ever imagined using it for that purpose.

We already have 2 new members starting their first block swap in August and I am looking forward to doing their first swaps.  I now know what each of them would like so its off to the pattern books (or google) and also to my stash to start planning.  I will be emailing all other members their August swaps next week .

I have received enough blocks now from my USA and Australian groups combined to start playing around with them, and its really interesting how they all do fit together quite well.  I plan to put them together in a quilt when I have about 12, so I am getting there as I think I have 7 so far.  When the quilts done I will be sure to publish a photo of it - but for now here is the lovely block crafty Pugs made for me.

More blocks - sent and received

Featured here is the beautiful Churn dash block that Leena sent me, I have had it for awhile, just keep forgetting to photograph it and put it on the blog, but here it is.  Thank you Leena, I "LOVE IT".

Also featured here is a Jacobs ladder block for Maria one of our new members for the month of July.  Maria has requested Jacobs ladder in creams/ neutrals with country colours so it gave me a chance to use this fun print I had with sunflowers and blue berries - very country I think.  I hope Maria likes her block, it will be popped in the post to her on Monday.

Still raining here in Adelaide, so I have done the ironing and made this block for Marie, now onto something else.  I have no unfinished quilt tops therefore I am debating over starting a new one. I have a few on my list to begin, one for me (or maybe mum) - in reproduction/ civil war prints, one for my daughter Sheree who wants a modern retro red, black and white quilt for her newly decorated bedroom or an eye spy for my neices daughters birthday (thats not until December so I have plenty of time).  My UFO pile is down to 3, so I think I can indulge in starting another. Just which one - so I am off to play with my fabric and decide on this.  Bye until next posting.

Growing and Growing

What a fabulous month its been for new members, so far this month we have welcomed Crafty Pug and Cheryll and today I received another email from Marie wanting to join who saw this blog on Crafty Pugs blog - isnt the internet great for networking.

Therefore a big welcome to member number 8  - our first " West Australian" - Marie.
I anxiously await both Cherylls and Maries colour and block choices to get to work on their first swap

Its been absolutely pouring down here in Adelaide this week so what better way to spend the evenings quilting.  On Monday night I finished Crafty Pugs block (that was posted today), and last night I completed the binding on one of my UFO's that has been sitting in my pile for several months now.  This one is called Nells flowers (from P&Q Magazine) but I chose not to do the scalloped border as that a little beyond my skill set.  Its in keeping with my flavours of browns blues and creams of present with a bit of red thrown in for good measure.  Its a lovely warm looking quilt, and as you can see it gets the tick of approval from Billy my Cavalier.

Friendship star for a new member

Crafty pugs, our new member requested any block in blues, browns and greens so looking through my quilting books I came accross the "FRIENDSHIP STAR".  To me this is a perfect block for a friendship block swap group, its simple - but refined.  I am really pleased with how it turned out.  I may have to make one for myself and use it in the centrepiece of a cushion or something useful.

Also a warm quilted welcome Cheryll, member number 7.  I am waiting for Cheryll to decide what blocks / colours she would like to begin with.  Cheryll is a relatively new quilter and a little anxious about her skill levels.  I would like to take this opportunity to mention to all members, that it does not matter if you are an expert or a beginner, the group is all about sharing and making new friends and each block made for you is a gift to treasure and appreciate. If a member requests a block pattern that is a little to challenging for you, let them know, I am sure they can then chose a substitute block for you to make for them

Welcome Crafty Pug -

A warm welcome to crafty Pug, our new member for July and a fellow South Aussie.
I am making her a "mystery block" in blues, creams and greens.  so now the fun of sorting through my stash for a great colour combination, and then onto the mags for a block.  :-)

ABC Quilt - almost complete

I have been busy working on this all week,  After my last post I ironed the cut out shaped in position and  here are the photos of the applique stitching being completed.

 Next I decided on sashings to match the blue of the cars with a yellow centre which was the same fabric from the boat to tie it all in together.  I then put on a border of a pretty blue and decided on some cornerstones in a pretty spot with a bit of pink just to break up the blue and yellow a little bit. 

I purposely decided not to do this exactly as the pattern with borders around each of the ABC blocks as I like the symetry of this, I did the original quilt I made "by the book" and although its very sweet it does look a little unbalanced to me

 Finally I put on wide yellow borders with a white spot.  I always like the freshness of yellow and white - kind of like daisies. 

I still have to quilt and bind this so more to follow.  I think I have enough of the fine check used on the sails to bind this with.

July block swap

I have been quite busy with my quilting lately,  I have finished Nicoles baby's Noahs Ark quilt including the quilting and the binding.   I didnt purchase enough of the backing fabric from spotlight and when I went back to see if I could get more they didnt have anything remotely like it,  So I decided to block piece the back with some ABC animal prints that I had from a layer cake.  I am really pleased with the result only wish I gave a little more thought to placement of the colours of the blocks.

I have also managed to complete my USA July block swap partners block.  Debbie is my first Canadian block swap member so I really am going global :-)

As Debbie is happy to receive any style of block I decided to do another version of the Jacobs ladder one that I made for Maree a couple of months ago as I was really pleased with how this turned out.  Her only request was pink and brown.  I have some very pretty pink and brown butterly print so I have used this with a tone on tone brown and a tone on tone pink. 

ABC quilt for Scott and Kelly

A good friend of my husbands and mine Scott Mathews and his partner Kelly are expecting a little baby boy in December so I have decided to make them by Alphabears quilt.  This is a fav of mine, having already made it for my first gransdon Mitchell, and a friend at works Jane. 

 Both versions, I forgot to photograph.  Therefore I thought I would go one more on this and document the making of it until the finished result.

Last night I went through my blue and yellow stash and chose an array of fabrics to use.

I then traced the pattern on visoflex (not sure if thats what its called, but quilters know what I mean), and ironed the cut out shapes onto fabric.

As my hubby Serg settled down to watch Adelaide thrash Essendon, I settled down to labouriously cut out the shapes. 

Today, I have to dig out some back ground fabric and iron them all in place and then begin the applique process.

Noahs Ark quilt in the making

This is the second Noahs Ark quilt I have made.  The first one came to me as a BOM and was in the original soft pastel tones. 

 I delighted in giving this to my new baby grandson Leonardo.  It now proudly hangs on his bedroom wall.  When my step daughter Nicole gave us the news she was also expecting a baby (due in September), I decided to make another one this time in brights, edged in black after seeing this version in a quilting magazine. 

The photos here show me pinning the quilt ready for quilting and then quilting on my machine, I have just finished all the straight edged bits around the ditch in each section and now I am about to change over to my BSR foot and do the free motion quilting around the animal shapes and filling in large gaps.  I also couldnt resist capturing my cat "Josie" in the photo as she - curiously was sneaking a peek into my sewing room.

BLOCKS SWAPS FOR JULY

Hi Ladies, I have just sent you all an email with your partners for July so happy quilting.  I dont have a partner this month :-( but thats ok as I have already partnered with each of you as you have joined and will continue to be the first swap for all new members -
on another note, Here is a pic of a quilt I have just completed the top of.  " Hooterville", it was a great way of using up all those scraps that seem to accumilate. 
I have to pop it in my pile of UFO's, there are 4 of them now waiting to be backed and quilted.  One I am working on for my step daughter for her new baby due in September so I better get a move on with that one.  Will pop that pic on when its done. 

A new block for a new member

Welcome Leena to our quilting block swap group.  Leena requested the card trick block - one I have always wanted to make but had not yet gotten around to, well now I have.  Leena wanted a black background and bright cards,  I have recently bought some stunning hand dyed fabric (on ebay), that worked well in this design.  I hope Leena likes her block.

Quilt for Betty

Here's a quilt I made for my mother's 80th birthday in Jan 2010. It was hand appliqued (tulips and dresden plates), machine pieced and hand quilted. I started it in July 09 and it is one of the few quilts I have finished in a reasonable time. Mum loves it and it has pride of place on her bed - Teena

New Member

Welcome to Leena, our newest member.  I am thrilled that Leen has joined our group and am anxiously waiting on Leena's preferences so I can get her first block swap underway.  This makes member number 5.

Mums quilt

I made this lap quilt for my mum using a jelly roll.  This was the first time I had used any precut fabric and I have to say I was impressed with the co- ordinated fabrics in such an array of prints.  I am hooked.  I now am making a lap quilt for me using a pack of charm squares - more postings to follow on that one

June blocks on the move

I have just completed my two June block swaps and ready to post.  Maree from NSW requested Birds in the air in autumn tones.  It does not show up on the photo, but the choc triangle is made up of 5 pieces and the pale colour is a soft olive green shade.

Andee my US swap lady requested any pieced blocks with birds.  For her I found some lovely fabric in my stash with Australian parrots and complimented this with red and blue fabric to match the Rosella's. 
I hope you both enjoy your blocks. 

I certainly am enjoying the challenge of researching requested patterns and using colours that I would not normally use - I have to say I have been surprised and pleased at the same time with the results.

Members blocks received thus far....

I am home now from my lovely trip to far north Queensland to pay a visting to my darling new grandson.  I have changed my profile pic on here to one of me holding him.
Thank you ladies for participating in the block swap.  Here is a show case of four gorgeous blocks that I have received thus far, including one from Sandi my first ever block swap partner in the US.  Clockwise from top left they are from sandi, Cathy, Teena and  Marie.
I hope you have all enjoyed receiving yours and are all thinking about the blocks you are making for June.  I have yet to start mine, but will get onto that this weekend as we have a long weekend here in SA.