Still Another Way to Play with Fabric

When it comes to my crafting, there is one constant: more projects on my "want to make" list than I have time! Add grandbabies to the mix and the list gets longer, and even more fun:)


I finished a fabric tag book this week, inspired by Gwen Marston's book, Fabric Picture Books. I got to play with bright colors and fun patterns; the possibilities are practically limitless...






And the rewards are priceless...how sweet is he?!


After a visit with the little guy yesterday, I headed home, having waited out a huge windy, rain storm. Seems we've had way too many of those this summer. But then the rainbows appear and I never tire of those!



Marilyn

Doll Quilt Swap 9!

Doll Quilt Swap 9 is getting started--sign ups are complete and partners were revealed Sunday!


I'm very excited about my partner! In this swap, our partners are kept secret until the quilts are sent and received---late August/early September for this round. It's really fun to "stalk" Flickr photostreams and blogs to get ideas for the kind of quilt to make for them ;)

And just in case my partner happens to stop by my blog for a stalk, here's a peek at my Inspiration Mosaic--a few quilted works I've seen on Flickr with colors and patterns I love!


1. patchwork for family room, 2. Plain Spoken, 3. baby quilt for Melissa, 4. doll quilt for DQ7, 5. Daisiez quilt, detail, 6. colcha colores aecc, 7. Windmill pillow , 8. Christmas Trees, 9. Synergy - Heather Ross Mini Quilt, 10. DSCN0097, 11. Or maybe this for the doll quilt swap, 12. doll quilt #2, 13. DQS8, 14. Sew2Speak Wonky Neighborhood, 15. Looking up, 16. 18" sofa pillow

But really, dear partner, whatever you make I know I'll love! I hope you'll have fun with it ;)

This will be my sixth round of Doll Quilt Swap, because it's just that FUN! How about a trip down Memory Lane?

Doll quilts I've sent in previous swaps:


Doll quilts I've received in previous swaps:


F-U-N, right?!

Marilyn

Here a Swap, There a Swap...

Oh my, two weeks since my last post! Where does the time go?!

Most likely fun times spent with these two cuties...




And I've also enjoyed some time in the craft room. I made a couple of potholders for the KC Modern Quilt Guild potholder swap...

(fronts)

(backs)

We swapped them at last week's meeting and I came home with two amazing potholders!!

This one is from Jaime--isn't the fabric adorable?!


And this one is from Alex--I love the purple and gray, and the grommet!


*******************************

An ATC Swap in Mary's Your Vintage Gluebook Online Class is soon and I finished my six cards this afternoon...


This has been the best online class--Mary is an excellent instructor and shares so much information and beautiful images too! I need to show you my lesson pages, and will do that soon, but for now you can see some lovely work in the class Flickr group.

Marilyn

April & May Quilting Bee Blocks

Hope you've had a great holiday weekend; relaxing and safe...I can't believe it's practically summer already!

Which, I guess, means it's about time I show you my virtual quilting bee blocks from April and May.....

In the Stash Busting Bee International group, we made blocks for Kyra's postage stamp quilt with one inch squares:



And for Corey, blocks using a pattern she designed:

(one inch squares in this one too)

In Bee Obsessed, Kathy requested blocks for a music themed quilt for her teenage daughter who plays guitar, piano and keyboard:


And for Katherine, I had tons of fun making blocks for a "transportation/things that go" quilt she is making for her 4 year old son:




One of the great advantages in virtual quilting bees is making blocks I probably wouldn't have made on my own.....and just look at all the fun I would have missed!

Marilyn

KC Modern Quilt Guild

Before I went to the very first KC Modern Quilt Guild meeting in January, the only thing I was pretty certain about was that there would probably be other quilters there.

Yep, quilters--35 of them. And since then, we've averaged about 70 at each meeting and I've experienced more than I ever expected.

I've been inspired by many amazing quilts. I've learned new things because of shared tips and information. We had our first "Sewing Saturday" this month--the hum of a room full of sewing machines + chatter and laughing = so fun!

I heard about the Downy Quilts for Kids project and requested a kit that I completed this weekend and mailed back yesterday...




Several of us sewed a quilt block for a quilt we're making for a member's daughter. We all received the darling owl feature fabric to use in a "square in a square" block. I think it will be a fun quilt:)


I even won a door prize at this month's meeting! Our guest speaker was Tia of Camp Follower Bags and Quilts fame and organizer of the Bushfire Quilt Project. I participated in that project (in early 2009) and it was very interesting to hear her talk about it. She also brought along two different project bags and this darling pincushion to give away...



Now, imagine a bride tossing her bouquet...that's what it looked like when Tia stood with her back to the group and tossed a bag over her head to the first section of chairs, another bag to the next section, then the pincushion, the same way...and lucky me, I got to bring it home!

Marilyn

It was a beautiful day today...

Excellent weather for a lovely drive to Karla's and craft day!


It seems a while since the last time our regular group got together. Karla, Beth, Mary and I were there today. We missed Shawn this time...she delivered a beautiful baby boy a couple of weeks ago! And don't you know we're looking forward to when he gets to join us for the day:)

It also seems a while since I played in my gluebook, but again lucky, because that's what I had a chance to do today.


Especially fun because I've signed up for Mary's Your Vintage Gluebook Online Class and I can't wait for the first lesson on Sunday, May 16th! Nine lessons total and gorgeous images from Mary's incredible collection are provided in the cost of the class.

If it's something you'd like to try too, just go here to register and be ready to learn from a most talented collage artist!

Marilyn

Don't Be a Square...or a Rectangle

I was never really sure of the official theme name for April's Swap Til You Drop mini quilt swap, but that just added to the fun!

My fabulously good-time-swap-partner, Dolores (deeroo designs), dubbed it "hip to be (not) square, or rectangle". I also saw "Don't Be Square" and "Don't Be a Square" but whatever the official-ity, no doubt you've guessed that our mini's were to take any shape but.....square!

And "square" it isn't---this gorgeous rainbow-shaped, ticker tape style mini that Dolores sent my way:


I'm in love with it...everything about it! Is that binding not perfectly placed?! Amazing!!

And how about these fun gifties she sent too?!


Those four beautiful fat quarters are laying on my ironing board waiting for me to decide what they'll become. I'm leaning towards a tote bag, for summer--wouldn't the fabrics be perfect?

: - : - : - : - : - :

The mini I sewed up for Dolores is, as you can see, octagonal. The 1" squares were cut from a second charm pack of Tula Pink's "Plume" that I ordered after falling in love with it in Project Plume.


And a couple of little extras...


Dolores, you made it the most fun--thanks very much!!!

Marilyn

Hoop Up!

I realize, as I've been working on the final block for Hoop Up! Stitch & Send Swap, that it's been a while since I shared anything new in that department!

My last block is for Missy. Her theme is Nursery Rhymes...I love "Hey Diddle Diddle" so it was easy for me to choose what to stitch for her.


I'm pleased with it so far, but have some outlining still to do and also some filling in.

**05-04-2010, edited to add** Finished and on it's way to Missy!

The next two blocks are finished and have already made the trip to their new homes...

For Cathy, a fairytale-ish woodland theme:


And for Nicole, a Paris/or France theme:



Two others in our group have added to Nicole's French street scene---a florist's shop and a pet grooming salon---what fun!!

This has been such a great group of stitchers! We all agree how much fun we've had and how sad we are to see it coming to an end. The deadline for finished blocks is April 30th. Maybe there will be a Round 2?

Marilyn

Project Plume

The KC Modern Quilt Guild meeting last night was so fun! Actually, all of the meetings have been fun...but last night was the runway showing of Project Plume...


Fabric designer, Tula Pink, is a member of the guild--she is everything you would want in a designer--modern, sweet, fun...and also generous in so many ways.


At our February meeting, thanks to Tula and Moda Fabrics, 36 charm packs of her latest line, Plume, were given to members interested in a quilting challenge...oh yes, please and thank you:)

The guidelines were posted:

- use ONE charm pack of Plume fabric
- use only one HALF YARD of additional fabric for the top (any fabric of your choosing, does not have to be Plume)

You do not need to use all of the charm pack pieces or an entire half yard. That's just the maximum you get for the quilt top.

(front)

- any fabric for the back and binding

(back)

- bring it to the April meeting
Not a competition, just a fun challenge. It will be great to see what everyone will come up with!


And it was great to see what everyone came up with. I would say mine was kind of basic next to some of the others, but I like the results and I'm now using it for a table runner.

If I find pics of the challenge quilts, I'll be sure to add the link here so you can enjoy them too!

*04/21/10* Edited to add: Shea (Empty Bobbins) posted these pics--Enjoy!




Have a wonderful weekend!

Marilyn