Kitty mini quilt swap

I never shared this, but I have been participating in a fun swap! It's the kitty mini quilt swap, hosted by Felice. I've just finished up my mini, and am sending it off to my partner. Here's a picture of the top before I quilted it:

I want to keep it, which is always a good indication of success! And check out the goods I received, from what the bobbin!

She sent me an amazing grumpy cat mini, from the paper-pieced pattern by sew what sherlock, and so many fun extras! I especially adore the little pins and pincushion. Those pins!

It's been awhile since I've participated in a swap like this, but it's been really fun!

A little of this

I'm way behind on sharing projects, but here's a few recent happy makes:

I made this pillow as part of a birthday club. I made some similar ones a few years back. I'm thinking of making another one for my etsy shop. I love the simple patchwork and linen look.

I missed you, embroidery! I stitched this teatowel (using a Sublime Stitching pattern) up for Sara in the wonky bee swap. P.S. She's selling amazing naturally hand-dyed yarns now! Gorgeous.

I'm crazy in love with these paper-pieced treasures. I'm not sure what I will do with them, but I will be making more bits, no question. The apron is by Charise Creates and the mixing bowl is Ayumi's for Superbuzzy.

Here's to a crafty week, friends!

Mini Quilt Swap: Sent & Received

It's been a long time since I participated in a public swap. Swaps are always fun, but also challenging, especially if you don't hear much from your partner. But more often than not, it works out in the end. I find it helpful to stick to my convictions and focus on making a quality gift.

Schnitzel and Boo orchestrated this mini quilt swap.

I made this little mini for my partner, babydoxie. I used a variety of colors, a block from Patchwork, Please! (the same one from this apron), and quilted it by machine and by hand.

The back shows off the quilting a little better. I haven't done much hand quilting, so this was a bit of a stretch, but I am fairly pleased with how it came out. I, personally, do not like to use white sashing, but that was something my partner specifically requested.

As for what I received, I was so surprised to see a package from Tammy in my mailbox (you know, since we live in the same city, are friends, and hang out fairly regularly). She tricked me well! We even discussed the swap at Quilt Market last month.

I just love the mini she made for me. It's got lots of my favorite elements, and will fit right in with my collection of minis.

I really love the label detail, too!

I probably won't do another swap for awhile, but this was a fun one to participate in, and I met lots of new people.

You know what I love?

Ara Jane and her amazing style. And the fact that this is how she starts each blog post. Telling you something she loves. How positive is that?

I met Ara Jane earlier this summer at our retreat and got lucky enough to have her draw my name in our recent swap as part of the do.Good Stitches Love circle.

Ara Jane professed in her card that she might have gone a little overboard, and she did, in the best way! Not only did she send me some of her delicious granola (we had this on the retreat and I have yet to try the recipe for myself) and some Theo chocolate bars (oh, the hazelnut one is my favorite so far!), but she also sent me some lovely green yarn.

And of course, there are handmades:

There's this embroidered hoop featuring the ever-awesome Treat Yo Self phrase (Monica's blog post has the video if you need a Parks & Rec fix). Ara Jane's embroidery is beautiful, and I actually have no hoops adorning my walls. So, yay for that!!

And the pillow.
Oh, the pillow.

I love the geese.
I love the colors.
I love the fabrics (this is my first dose of in-real-life Chicopee, and I must get that black voltage dot!).
I love her hand-stitching.

I love that Ara Jane's personality really shines through in these gifts.

Thank you again, Ara Jane!

Sickly

Hello, friends. It seems I've caught some sort of head cold, and I've been taking it easy the past couple of days. I feel worse today, but hopefully, I"ll kick this before too long.

I do have a couple of things to share. The do.Good Stitches Love circle did a little swap, and I drew Blue Crab, Elizabeth as my partner. She was very specific in asking for potholders, which I really appreciated. And she loves Innocent Crush!

I made her two potholders. The left, in log cabin style, and the right, using Elizabeth Hartman's Mod Mosaic technique. They were fun to make, and I made them without binding.
Do you prefer to make/use potholders with or without binding? Just curious.
I like both methods of making and using.

I included some Innocent Crush scraps for Elizabeth as well.

I also just finished this Echino tote bag. I just love the stag prints they printed.

It holds lots of yarn, too!

I have other things to share, including my received Love circle swap items (!!!!), and a semi-fail skirt.

I'm also playing in the scrap bin, a la C.

Oh, one last thing! Amanda shared the cutest pouch tutorial on Sew Mama Sew! Check it out!

Received!

I received my Modernista swap package this week, and I couldn't be more thrilled with it! Safiya Alyse made my gifts.

Would you look at this quilting??

Safiya made me a sewing machine cover with wonky stars, and each area is separately quilted! Wowza.

It fits in with the rest of my colorful mini quilts I've received from friends.

She also sent me this fun project bag (from Ayumi's lunch bag tutorial. I just love the texty print she used! Yes, this will work very well to carry my knitting about!

Sometimes, signing up for a public swap can be a little risky, and you aren't guaranteed to love what you receive. But sometimes, the person works hard to make something you will love and enjoy, and it's clear Safiya put so much care into these fun things. Her quilting is inspiring! I need to start practicing some FMQ...

Thank you again, Safiya!

FO: Modernista Mini

The other night, I finished my mini quilt for the Modernista swap. I am in love.

This might be the most proud I've ever been of an FO. Hopefully, my partner will be proud to hang it on her wall. I used Tamiko's paper-piecing template to make three blocks. Fabrics used are from Half Moon Modern, Lizzy House's Hello Pilgrim (the blue stripe), Flea Market Fancy gray seeds, the ever-awesome elephants from Daiwabo, Pezzy Prints, and Anthology orange orbs. Using a text print (that I can't identify at the moment-anyone know the name of it?), I pieced together a top.

It's backed with another Flea Market Fancy print, and I quilted a fun pattern using orange Gutermann thread.

The quilting is my favorite part. It's bound in an orange solid (tangerine, I think!).

I'll be sending this, along with the pincushion organizer to my partner very soon.

ETA: Dan helped determine that the text print to be Tiny Type from Michele D'Amore's Word Play collection for Benartex. Thanks, Dan!

(nearly) Wordless Wednesday: Happy Stack of Fabrics

Lots of lovely fabrics and a partial Bella cat

Coasters from Casey!

Casey and I decided to do a swap, and she made me these super fun crocheted coasters! I love them so much. They are so colorful and happy. Thank you, Casey!

I haven't fulfilled my end of the bargain, but I'm working on it! I'll share Casey's gift when she receives it, in the next few weeks.

Little swaps like this make my day!

FO: Pincushion Organizer

I'm pretending today is Thursday, since here in America, Wednesday is the 4th of July. So, I have two two-day workweeks. Kind of weird, but I'm embracing it. I used my Sunday wisely, and was able to be in my sewing room for a lot of the day.

I started and finished this fun pincushion organizer for the Modernista swap. I used Elizabeth Hartman's pattern, posted on Sew Mama Sew. The pattern is very straightforward, and the only trouble I had was handsewing the closure in a pretty way. Luckily, the seam is hidden in use. The pattern uses just under three fat quarters, and a small piece of felt. The cushion is very substantial, as it is filled with rice.

Fabrics used are all from the stash. The interior of the scrap bag is a Ruby Sundae Stripe, the exterior, is of course Mono Pez in navy, and the pocket panel fabric is from Leah Duncan's Maya.

Hopefully, my partner likes it! She's been quiet in the group, so I'm going with my gut. I'm still deciding what to make for my second item, but I've still got all month to figure that out.

Here's hoping your Monday (or Thursday!) is a happy one!

Enabler alert

I often joke with crafty friends about my enabling abilities, especially when it comes to buying fabric or starting new projects. I guess that comes with the territory of crafting or any hobby, really. There is a constant influx of new media to excite us, and that is more true in the fabric world than in most communities. I'm sure there is less temptation if you, say, make model airplanes.

With that being said, I have one current fabric crush to share with you, as well as one new swap I've joined.

I'm sure you've seen Tula Pink's Nightshade by now. That cloud print was just too good to be resisted. I bought it in all three colorways, and then had to grab some of the bird lace as well. The flowery print in the background is fun, with little skulls strewn about.

I've bought some other new things as well (although I'm trying to be good!), but this is one of the recent stashings that I'm wanting to cut into first.

I know we all go through the constant desire to start something new, while works-in-progress sit patiently waiting for attention.

I've been steadily progressing on my finishing list. It looks as if I'm about halfway done there! Of course, the glaring missing finish is Swoon. As soon as I get my Improv quilt finished (eta: this weekend!), Swoon is next.

Speaking of improv, Nicke chose improv chevrons for her month of Wonky Bee. Since I enjoyed them so much in March for do.Good Stitches, I jumped the gun, and have already completed them for June.

It's a testament to how fun this block is. Six White Horses came up with such a fun technique! And Nicke's colors are awesome, based on the custom bundle she created for Pink Castle.

And one last enabling effort for today, I've joined a new swap. After a long hiatus from public swaps (for no reason other than trying to get through some lingering projects), I thought the Modernista swap sounded fun. For the first round, we are making something for the sewing room/area. I've been wanting to make a new machine cover, so this seemed like a great opportunity to have one made.

1. Sewing Machine Cover, 2. Sewing Machine Cover, 3. Triangle Mini Finished!, 4. new sewing machine cover, 5. NestingChairs-Sewing-Machine-Cover-003, 6. Sparkle punch potholder ready for binding, 7. Pillow Talk Swap Progress, 8. herringbone, 9. side 2, 10. Scrappy HST Quilt, 11. Sewing spot, 12. Just Swell sewing machine cover

I'm hoping my partner can make something nice and structured for my machine, with bold color and geometric patterning. It should be a fun swap, and there's still a little time to join! The swap closes this Sunday, so don't hesitate if you're interested in joining!

Whew! I'm wordy today. I hope you have a fun weekend! I'll be seeing some friends, and finishing that quilt!

Gifts from HMQG

How was your weekend? Some of my favorite girls took me out for sushi and karaoke. We belted out some eighties tunes, and had a blast!

I wanted to share with you the surprise gifts I received at last week's guild meeting.

Surprise doesn't even begin to describe it! I've only been a member for a few months, and I was touched by the generosity and thought that these ladies put into gifts for our wedding.

You know I love to cook, right?
The girls made things that we can use in the kitchen!

From HMQG March 2012

Chi made me this reversible apron (also, my face is another confirmation of silliness).

Here's the other side. I can't pick a favorite!

Amy made me these napkins and dishtowels, and also included some yellow bowls and mugs!

Pam made me this table runner; she included Insul-Brite, so it's a functional trivet!

Mona made me these adorable potholders, one granny square and one argyle.

I love the back of this one; she thought my wedding colors sounded like a weather forecast. It's so fun!

And finally, Robin drew my scraps in our guild swap.
In January, members brought in a bag of scraps to swap with another member (blindly). We then had two months to sew up the scraps into an item for that member.

Robin made me this dishtowel and potholder. I love them!

I drew Beth's scraps, and I made her this tote bag.

I must admit, Beth's scraps didn't really grab me, but I added the scribble print and the blue solid. I really like this bag now!

I've got some bee blocks and improv to share soon!

Received: From Sara and Rue

Today is my sister's birthday. Happy birthday, Jiller!

Also, thanks for your kind words on my tutorial. I was nervous about posting it, but I'm glad it's done!

I want to share two very happy packages I recently received. One, handspun yarn from Rue, in exchange for the mini quilt I made Tadpole.

Rue is such an even spinner, and the yarn is so soft! I have misplaced the card with yardage and fiber content, but I'm sure I'll find it as I pack away my room. Rue also sent along some local treats, which have been (almost) devoured. She sent some incredible espresso shortbread and a chocolate bacon bar. Yeah, I said it. BACON. And it was delicious.

Thanks again, Rue! It was so fun swapping with you!

Two, from Sara, a mini quilt and a pillow cover.

She used selvages to make this pillow cover, and look at her quilting! It's so beautiful. This was a bonus gift (!) to say congratulations to Elliott and I. Elliott actually liked this pillow better than the mini quilt, so I know he won't mind if this gets planted on our couch!

As for the mini, well, the scrappiness is out of control awesome. I love it so, and the fact that she used so many teeny tiny pieces and abandoned blocks (based on Chawne's very cool method) just makes it all the more special. Sara entered Jennifer's Modern Mini Challenge. I've got my fingers crossed for her!

Thanks again, Sara! Your package should be arriving any day!

Tadpole's Geese

You may remember that I met Rue in person a few months back. We agreed on a swap around that time. She asked for a mini quilt to hang in her daughter's bedroom. She lovingly refers to her daughter as Tadpole. I love that nickname. She's the cutest little baby, too. I got to meet her in December as well, and she is the happiest baby. Precious!

So, Rue made this swap pretty easy for me. She asked for specific colors, to match Tadpole's room. She also commented on loving the geese mini I made for my mom last July.

I used some fun prints in the colors she requested. I included prints from Outfoxed by Lizzy House, Tufted Tweets by Laurie Wisbrun, a chevron from Half Moon Modern, Essex linen, a Kona solid, and Laura Gunn's Painter's Canvas. For the back, I used the same green chevron print. I quilted using three different Gutermann threads, a purple, orange and green.

In return, Rue spun me some yarn, which I should have very soon! I'll be sure to share it with you when it arrives.

Have a great rest of your weekend, everyone!

Stella +

Happy Valentine's Day! Do you remember the Echo pillow I sent Nicke? Ah, I'm still so in love with that yellow stitching.
Well, last week, I got my lovely pillow! Nicke knew I would fall for a gray and yellow plus pillow. She was right.

She used some lovely prints, including Dear Stella, Amy Butler, Ruby and others.

Nicke handquilted around some of the pluses, and it just looks lovely! She also included an invisible zipper, which looks masterful!

I would certainly call this a successful swap! Nicke is so much fun, and I feel lucky to count her as my friend.

FO(s): Double Fortnight

Actual knitting has been finished! What??
Yes, in the past couple of months, I have actually finished at least two knitting projects. Specifically, these hats you see above. I used Brooklyn Tweed's Fortnight pattern, found here. Both hats were knit in KnitPicks Wool of the Andes, colorways Tidepool Heather and Persimmon Heather. The pattern is easy to follow, and I adore the large garter stitch brim. Each hat took just around 100 yards of worsted weight yarn on a size 7 circular.

These hats were knit for two very special people. One is Jules, who just sent me the amazing selvage mini and extras. For her, I knit the rusty orange hat to match the pair of Fetchings I made last year. I sent along some extras, including one of my last coffee cozies and some fabric.

Jules' husband took this photo of her wearing it. I just love those cables!

The teal version was knit for Amanda, who has fast become one of my best friends. I "knew" her before sewing summit, but it was after meeting in person that our friendship solidified. We have chatted lots since then, and hanging out with her this past weekend (where we exchanged gifts in person!) was so much fun.

Although Amanda is a very proficient knitter, she said she didn't have a hat for herself; she's given all of her hats away! So I knit this one and included some extras. I'll share what she made me next time!

Happenings

I hope those of you that celebrate Christmas had a lovely one! My weekend was hectic, but very enjoyable. After traveling most of the weekend, I was happy to pull up to my house Sunday night. I had a few packages waiting for me when I arrived, so it was like Christmas all over again!

I received this special package from my good friend Rachel. She shared some homemade huckleberry jam, one of her signature calendars, and two skeins of Brooklyn Tweed Loft! Wow. Rachel is such an amazing person. I so admire that she loves her work, and I always enjoy seeing what crafty things she's doing. Thanks again, Rachel! I'm touched.

You may remember the Echino stag and Melody Miller tea cup pouches I made a few weeks ago? Those were for Rachel, along with one of my coffee (or tea) cozies)!

My other package was a large box of fabric from Pink Castle Fabrics.

Half Moon Modern scissors and the green chevron print. These prints are so bright!

I also scored a layer cake of the amazing " A Stitch in Color", Malka's new Moda line. I have a small piece of her hand printed fabric, so I was anxious to see the Moda-printed line in person! It's vibrant, and I'm already dreaming up ways to use the prints.

I also got a couple of yards of Anna Maria Horner's beautiful new flannel, which I plan to quickly transform into new pillowcases. The thought of a flannel pillowcase seems cozy.

In other swap and gift news, I received my #ssswap last week. My secret santa was Megan!

She made me an adorable zipper pouch, and sent along some stitch markers and some homemade caramels (which have already been devoured!). Fun! Thanks, Megan. I love it all!

Last, but certainly not least, my pal Amy, made lots of these adorable pouches in different fabric combinations. She gave one to each attendee of the HMQG holiday. These are so cute, and I love the kitty print!

Well, that's all for today.
I managed to finish the big secret project, which was a quilt for my sister. She loves it, however, the weather was so dreary all weekend that no pictures exist yet!

She has promised to take some photos soon so that I can share the FO with you!

I've been thinking about my 2012 crafting goals, and I'll be sharing them with you soon.
Oh, and I have a small birthday this week, too. ;)

Talk soon!

Sent: SS Swap

Well, I'm down to just fourteen items on my gifty list (and I should mention, some are commitments, not truly gifts)!

As mentioned here, I participated in the Secret Santa Swap that Sukie organized. And my partner received her swap last night, so it's safe to share the other details. You've already seen the fabric basket I made. My partner, Kaki requested red, white and aqua items, and is especially in love with the new(ish) Children at Play fabric line by Sarah Jane Studios. It just so happens that I had recently purchased a little of the pinwheel fabric from Pink Castle Fabrics, and with some more help from the stash, I knew Kaki was going to be happy.

Along with the basket, I made a little mug rug, featuring an embroidered pinwheel (which I drew). I also included the rest of the pinwheel fabric and some Ruby scallops (used on the mug rug and for the basket lining).

Based on her tweets last night, I am pretty sure Kaki is a happy girl!

Now, I just have to sit tight and see what my santa brings for me!

Post-Summit Swap: Received

I have been so fortunate in the swaps I've participated in. The Post Summit Swap is definitely not an exception. Here is the mosaic I created as an inspiration for my partner:

Please click through to see image sources

And my partner, Diane totally rocked it!! She made me an adorable mini quilt in the always awesome grellow color scheme:

Please excuse the bad lighting, but you can see how gorgeous it is! And look at that little pouch! A kitty! What???
Here's a better shot of the pouch that Diane took. So yeah, I truly love these goodies she made me!

Thanks again, Diane! I intended to get it up on the wall this weekend, but hopefully, it will be hung sometime this week!

Post-Summit Swap

I know, I know. I have a hard time resisting a swap. I've been good lately, but when Liz decided to organize a Post-Summit swap for Sewing Summit attendees, I jumped in. I knew there was a good chance I'd be paired up with someone I met there.

As luck would have it, I got Liz's name!

After looking through her favorites, I decided to make her a mini-quilt with some flying geese.

I used some lime and aqua scraps (some of which were picked up at the Sewing Summit), along with Kona Caribbean, and quilted around the geese.

I especially like the parallelograms in between the geese.

I backed the mini with a piece of Tula Pink's Prince Charming. Love it!

You can see the whole package I sent to Liz here in her photostream.

I haven't received my package yet, but the swap ends next week, so I should see a package soon!

I hope you are all having a fabulous Saturday. I'm actually enjoying a few days off of work at the moment, and have lots of crafty things to show you soon!