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More members, we are now at 21 (key to the door)

The flood gates have opened up, and I can barely keep up with all the enquiries for new members wishing to join.

A big warm quilted hugs welcome to new members Nolene from Shoal Bay in NSW,  Dallas from central Victoria and Leona from Florida.

Just when I have my excell spreadsheet all sorted with the swaps I have to do more juggling.  Not complaining though as its great to have such a great bunch of ladies all wanting to share and participate.

Since posting this I also would like to welcome Mary from Canada # 22

its raining members-

I cant believe how fast things are taking off- 

A big welcome to Debbie, our first Canadian to join, and also to Irene (an Aussie). 

I am still waiting to hear back from a few new members with their preferences but we should be all set with me allocating members partners for September.  I have decided that the cut off to join each month will be mid month as it gets to hard, so if anyone joins from 15th of the month on (or thereabouts), they will start their first swap the following month.

Lastly here is the Shabby chic Ohio start that I made for Ellen in the US. She wanted predominantly green with floral.  I think it fits the bill.

Two more US members joined overnight

Please join me in extending a warm Aussie welcome to Mary from California and Pat from Oregon who will also be doing their first swaps with us in September.

Welcome to Alicia from OKLAHOMA (member #14)

Just a quick note to welcome our first international member Alicia from Oklahoma in the USA.  Alicia will do her first swap in September. - which is only a couple of weeks away now. :-)

USA MEMBERS INVITED

After some email discussions with some of you, I have decided to extend membership of the group globally.  It should make it more fun and challenging with friends being made far and wide. 

I know some of you have already joined the USA group that I am also a member of, and I have extended an invitation to them to join our group as well.  I have also emailed the co ordinator of that group Sandi to see if she would mind putting the button to the link of our group on their blog.  They dont have a button, but perhaps this may encourage them to get one to so we can link up. How cool would that be.

The postage to the US is not huge if you flatten the block and use a normal sized envelope.  I posted one today with a postcard and it was only $1.80 airmail.  If you do not wish to swap with the US ladies as they join up let me know, and if you are a member of their group and have swapped with some of them, when you make email contact please encourage them to visit and follow our blogs and join us too

Lucky member 13 and churn dash finished.

A big welcome to member number 13 Larain.  I am just waiting for confirmation of Larain's preferences for her to start swapping.  Interestingly she saw details of our group on the US one which I know a few of you ladies have joined, so this is great networking.  You may recall some time ago I made mention that I had resigned from the US swap, but that only lasted a week before I rejoined.  I just couldnt leave all my wonderful American friends.  I was contemplating inviting them to join our group too, but first wanted to check with you all if you would be ok with swapping with US.  Their group is run very similalry to ours as I based the idea on theirs after being a member for a few months, the only real difference is that your postage is about $1.50 to send an airmail quilt block to them in the US.  I also pop a post card of my home town in, and have received the same in return or info on where they live like town information pamphlets and the like.

The other exciting news is that I have now received all of my churn dash blocks so I can begin to play around with them to form a quilt - pics will be posted as this comes together.  A big thank you to Rosemary for your block, It came in the mail on Friday as did my Canadian swappers block from Debbie.

First eye spy quilt

planning the layout

I have been saving novelty children's eye spy prints for about 2 years now and finally have got around to using some of them.  I have so many that I have stored them into categories, boys, girls, and animals - which can be for either.  Its quite amazing when I look at them the array of fabrics I have  cows, racing cars,  dinosaurs, frogs, ballet dancers, mickey mouse and dogs flying planes and everything in between.

As I have 5 great niece's, 1 great nephew,  and 2 grandsons (with another due in September) and twins due in March 2011 - I will have plenty of demand for them.  Each of these littlies has received a nursery quilt from me (except the unborn ones of course). 

Giaan is  a very girly girl so her quilt has castles and ice scaters,  cupcakes, butterflies and magic wands - just to name a few. 

The final stages were to outline each jigsaw puzzle shape in bias binding.  I was very pleased to find this pink border fabric which has A is for apple, b B is for bird and C is for cupcake written on it.  Quite appropriate for the eye spy theme.

The quilt is a gift for Giaan who will be turning 3 very soon, I just need to get some batting and then I can quilt it. 

Inspiration for this quilt came from APQ magazine Vol 17 #4

Christmas block swap

Christmas stash

By now most of our members have registered to participate in the Christmas swap.  A couple are yet to send me their preferences so if you have not already done so please get these details to me.  It will work exactly as the general block swap only with a Christmas theme on the block and fabric.

The swap will start in September and I will send out (email) partners in the last week of August, and then I will send the regular swap partners out first week of September so it is staggered each month.

Most months you will have 2 different partners - so we can mix it up a bit, I will try hard to get this right. I have excell spreadsheets all set to go, and my stash of Christmas fabric is growing in readiness.

Welcome member # 12

A big quilted hugs welcome to member 12 Linden from Canberra.  I approached Linden from seeing her profile on the American quilt swap site and invited her to participate in ours.

Rosemarys quilts-

One of our members Rosemary (the cats mother) was kind enough to email me some gorgeous photos of quilts she has made, and so I wanted to share them with everyone.  The quilt on the left is made of scraps of other quilts some pieces as small as 1/4 inch.  The red sash strips are only one inch wide so its really  a mini quilt. 

The other was made for a friend cat lover that recently lost her beloved cat.

Pyramid door stop and other stuff

I spotted a bright pyramid door stop on Marias blog a few weeks ago and she was kind enough to share the pattern with me.  I have a massive basket full of strips, mainly left over binding pieces and jelly rolls so I needed something useful to use them all up and this was a great solution.  I have to admit though I did get carried away sewing all the strips together and ended up with a pyramid somewhat larger than the pattern intended.  I may try again and make a smaller one or two as I have not even made a dent in my strip stash. 

scrap bag quilt in progress

I also purchased a Moda scrap bag on ebay a few weeks ago, in Awesome fabric.  Having absolutley no idea what to expect.  Its basically all the selvidge bits from jelly roll and layer cake productions, so you need to trim them.  There is not as many strips in a jelly roll, and I ended up with about 5 strips I could not use as the selvidge if trimmed would have only given me one inch to play with but most trimmed to 2.5 inches.  I may try to use these bits for the binding.

I googled jelly roll patterns and found this one.  So far I have only put the corners of each block together so I am yet to join these up.  I think I may put some sashings in between to break each of the four blocks up.  But for $15 (cost of the scrap bag) I think its a great bargain for a lap quilt.  To make it bigger simply add a few borders.

Alex's block has arrived and so has Beths

Thank you Alex for your stunning block and hand made card, received today.  I also would like to thank Beth for her block received yesterday also with a card with the block printed on it which is a lovely keepsake.  I posted a pic of Beths block in an earlier post.

Its amazing, only one week of August has passed and we have almost all done our swaps for the month.  From emails received from most of you the creative juices are flowing and we are all excited about the swaps which is FANTASTIC to hear.  Just as well most of us are doing 2 swaps from next month on with the Christmas swap taking place.

quilting panel and rainbows

I have never purchased a quilting panel before, always thinking they are a cheaters way to make a quilt which in a way they are. 
But to my surprise I received one in a quilting packet that I recently purchased.  The items were farmyard fat quarter blocks as I am saving chickens etc to make a country quilt and this was added in as a gift.
 I had already made a quilt for my step daughters new baby due in September, but I thought this would make a nice tummy time floor quilt.   I actually enjoyed quilting around all of the animal shapes to outline them.  I double layered the quilting batting to make it puffier and softer for the floor.
 I am really pleased with how it turned out. 

I also want to share with you this beautiful rainbow that I spotted while driving along in some drizzle yesterday.  It does not show in the photo but the rainbow was a  whole arc and every colour was vivid and bright.  Quite splendid to see. 

Some more August blocks

I have been trying to catch up with you all on your blogs and its great to see the variety of blocks being made and received.  Such an array of patterns and colours.  I have completed my fourth block swap for the month with new member Rosemary.   Being a new quilter, Rosemary had not even heard of a churn dash block so had a little trouble finding a pattern, but I have to say she has done a remarkable job. 

I have made Rosemary a log cabin block in browns and greens as her choice is natural colours so to me I think  grass, trees and earth, and thats how I interpreted this block. 

A few members are asking where patterns can be found so I have put a reference in a side bar to a couple of quilting block pattern sites I utilise.  Best news is they are free to download.  Isnt it lovely how our fellow quilters have put together these sites for us to use.

More August swaps sent and received

Thank you Cheryll for your beautiful block that I received in todays mail.  I love the blue flowers its just so pretty and a great addition to my collection. 




Here is the Shabby Chic star I have made for Beth.  It was lovely to play with these pretty colours and made me think to ear mark this theme for a future swaps

A quilt made in this style would make a nice mothers day gift.   Maybe thats a theme for swaps after we have done the Christmas one. 

Beths block to me

Beth just emailed me this image of the block she has made for me- very exciting.  I purchased some fabric today to join all the blocks together, so one of my main projects for this month is the churn dash quilt top which I cant wait to begin, it will be very special as it has been made primarily by all of you.  I cant wait to play with all the blocks, still a couple to come. 

Busy making August blocks

I Know I know, its not even August yet, and here I am showcasing two blocks made for my August swap partners.  But in all fairness, with 5 new members for the month I had to get ahead.  I am planning to start my 3rd one tomorrow, (pattern and fabric ready to go), and then number 4 after that.  Crafty Pug is helping with a second swap with new member #5 Paola, and I promise to share this around with any future new members throughout the month for those of you that have offered to do an extra swap as needed. 

These two blocks are Baby bunting for Alex.  Alex is saving this pattern in pastel / gelati colours on white, and I am to choose the colour each month so it will be a surprise for her, and this way she wont get double ups.  For the first month I have used baby blue, with a hint of pink and green to tie it into future blocks.  Think mango and pistachio ice cream or baby pink and lemon for the coming months.  The other swap is for Cheryll.  This Christmas themed block is what gave me the idea for the second monthly swap.  I recall seeing this naive pattern in a quilting magazine * by Ruth Buchanan and thought it was sweet.  Cheryll is saving green on white, but I did put a hint of gold in there too and sewed the star with a sparkly filament thread to make it Chrissmassy.  I will post these two blocks to their recipient's on Monday.  I hope you like them.  Sue xx

Register for a second Christmas themed swap

A few members have suggested they would like to do a second block  swap in a month, so to steal an idea from Cheryll, who is saving Christmas themed blocks how does the idea sound if those of you wishing to do a second swap are paired up to make a Christmas themed block.  And if all go's to plan before Christmas 2011 we should all have enough blocks to each put together a Christmas themed quilt which is a collective Christmas present from all of the members.

Post a comment if you would like to join in and we can start this one from September.

On another note I also forgot to mention that today I (sadly) withdrew from the American swap - as our Australian group has taken off so well I am certainly keeping myself very busy staying in contact with you all and following your blogs and co-ordinating the swaps- I am loving it. I will still follow their blog of course and may start up with them again some time in the future.


I also should have enough churn dash blocks for assembling in a quilt after the August swap so stay tuned to see them come together. I am planning to set them on point and just need to play with some colours for the background fabric to tie them all in together. Of course this will be after August blocks are received. I cant wait to see how it will look when all done. So now I have to think about another block and colour scheme for my next swapping project.

quilted hugs, Sue. xx

Some more July blocks on display

Thank you Maria for the wonderful churn dash block I received from you today, and the photograph of your local quiltings group - airing of the quilts.  I love to see these displays and go to as many here in SA as I possibly can.

 

I also have recieved a Friendship star from Mary in California which was a wonderful surprise as I swapped with Mary back in May - I made Mary a Sunbonnet Sue block, but forgot to photograph it before I posted it which I regret now.