Summer Swap: Summer Holiday Sunset

OK OK OK OK... I've been such a slacker -- I guess that's summer for ya.
I got this phenomenal quilt in the mail from Leah at Pugglelogic. (We both participated in the Four Seasons Quilt Swap). She also sent along some goodies for me -- a fabric that represents her homeland of Australia and some gorgeous embroidery floss skeins. I am so grateful to her for putting such thought into this little art piece. She -- like me -- is a stay-at-home mom with young children. So I know the kind of effort it requires to first get to the sewing machine, let alone create something with zing.

The sunset she has created is peaceful and warm. Her stitching is great and I love how closely the quilting comes together in parts. It's really perfect. She also used a technique of laying another layer of fabric -- almost like a two-sided flange -- onto the quilt to create surf. The dimension is just right (without getting all fussy). To me it just says, "Can I bring you another zombie?"

I don't know how she did it, but she created something that resonates with me and my personality.

Thank you Leah! You're a gem.

Summer Swap: Lone Tree

I'm returning to the tree theme this season for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap. Sadly, this might be my last quilt in this swap. I'm just getting so busy. I don't know if I can continue.

This quilt is not quite done. Still needs the hard stuff, quilting, binding, washing, mailing, etc. But I should make the deadline. In fact, I've got to get it in the mail this week as we are traveling a great deal of July. Wish me luck.

I'll talk more about the choices when I send it off and I know the partner has it. Otherwise, might give away too much. (The label is blurred to conceal her identity -- well, there you go, I'm not sewing for the one guy in the group.) I did hand embroider the label and learned that I loathe embroidery on black fabric. Maybe if I could find a better way to mark the fabric I'd try it again. I do like the contrast.

Spring Quilt Exchange: It's Here

OK... Just as I was starting to feel like my spring was getting ruined -- first lots of torrential rain, now everyone in the house is sick -- this little darling showed up. I was so excited I opened it at the mailbox (which is about a block from my actual house). When I saw just the edge of it I knew which one it was -- as I'd been lurking the flikr group like a hawk -- and gave a little yelp of joy.
It's got raw edge aplique and tons of quilting. A really fantastic piece. The embellishments are the perfect proportion and the colors are so cheery. I could not be happier. Well, maybe if it was like King size I might be happier. It's so bright and marries modern with vintage.
Perhaps my favorite feature is the label. The artist used baby necklace beads. So stinking original. I love them.
I hung it in the entry to our kitchen where all the world -- at least the part of the world that comes to my home -- can see it. As soon as I did my 3yol said, "I like it. It's really cool!"
So, cheers to the artist, Nikki, who I know worked very hard on this little thing. It was a challenge for her as she has little kids, too. I know only too well the stress of that. Thank you!

Because of Lady Bird

The spring installment of the Four Seasons Quilt Swap is finished!
I'm on a strict stash diet, so everything in this quilt was found from remains of other quilts or purchases for "that perfect project" that never happened. I can't discuss the particulars of why I chose these colors or the inspiration. But I will say that I wanted to leave my swap partner with a little bit of mile high spring. This pattern is created and published by a Colorado native.

It's Here: I LOVE IT

Modernjax, the sweet gal who had to sew for me in the Four Season Quilt Swap, sent me such a cute quilt that I'm going to have to find a way to "budget" my time and participate in this swap, again. Seriously, it is so cute it brought me back from the brink of breakup with the swap. (More on this later.)
So, aside from the cute quilt Modernjax sent me sweets, ornaments, and fun playstuff for my kids.
More on the sweets: She called them buckeyes but they were like crack. I popped them into my mouth, one after another, after another, tried to fight off my kids for the last one! Ridiculous. The quilt is just great. I love the tree, the fabric, the design, the craftsmanship, the mix of techniques.
More on the fabric: I have a few thoughts.
1. I applaud anyone who can make a fabric like the background fabric that she used work. It starts out dark and gets lighter. It MAKES the quilt. I'm not kidding. People, dare to do this. It makes a huge difference.
2. The binding fabric is light and beautiful and makes me think of sugar cookies. So precious and sweet and tames the funky shapes of the modern styling and the bold prints used in lime green.
3. And before I forget to mention it, the really brilliant part of this quilt was the quilting. She used both silver and red thread to outline stars/snowflakes and gifts (under the tree). I know what you're thinking... not a big deal... but the gifts under the tree were actually squares of fabric on the back of the quilt. This allowed the designer to work in the label as one of the packages. So fantastic. I love this idea for labels, because frankly a lot of labels give me the heebeejeebees (is that a word?!?!?!).
Now let's talk about the swap and my breakup thoughts:
I am facing a seriously busy spring. I was worried that I just couldn't devote the time to make a little quilt. So, I was just going to quit. Plus, it's not the quilt, or the size, or the system that intimidates me. It's the stress of pleasing someone out there that I've never met. I stew and stew and stew about it. But NOW with my cute little quilt in hand I'm reminded of how fun it is to get a quilt that someone -- whom you have never met -- made for you.
Also, the real reason I signed up for this swap (twice, now) was to learn something. That I have done. Both of the quilters who have sent me quilts have introduced me to ideas and techniques I would have otherwise never seen. And so, maybe I'll rethink my breakup and jump back in for Spring, too. IF Spring will ever get here. Have I mentioned that I AM BREAKING UP WITH WINTER?!?!?!?!?
In closing, Thanks Modernjax. You are a true sweetheart and really made my day/week/month.

Winter Goddess: Four Seasons Quilt Swap

This is my winter installment for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap. I can't speak too much about why I came to this design, yet. But it has a lot to do with the swap partner. The pattern is original, and so is the fabric. It measures about 17" by 20". Which might be a little outside the swaps guidelines but the fabric was speaking to me
The trees were first snipped out of black fabric. A little like cutting a paper snowflake -- nightmare. Then I satin stitched them down. The quilting pattern is meant to resemble winds and the way in which they blow new seasons, spirits, fairies, whatever, into our lives.
I've yet to finish the label. The swap label requirements are HUGE. So, I'm working on making it as small as possible while still meeting all the requirements. I'll place it directly over the blue stripe on back. The title of the quilt is Winter Goddess, I think. If something else strikes my fancy, might change it. Must sew all night to get that label done, want to get it in the mail tomorrow.
Cheers.
PS -- if anyone out there from the swap is lurking... I'm including a note with the quilt explaining the inspirations. So, if it's yours, you'll know why. Or perhaps you already do...

Winter Research

My assignment in the winter four season quilt swap has arrived. On the surface, it appears i'll need to do quite a bit of research. I've already started and I think I have an idea. But will have to work out my own pattern and look for some dark, dreary, wintery fabric.
ideas?

Sono Occupata!

Birthday apron(s) is complete. Looks like two aprons; but it is one! That's right, I made it reversible.


The round pocket says, "Sono Occupata." Italian for, "I'm busy."



ps -- used scraps from fall Four Season's Quilt Swap

Calling All Quilters

The Four Seasons Quilt Swap was so fun. I'm going to do it, again. I believe the organizer is looking for interested participants. So, if you're remotely interested... click on the big purple square on the right-hand side of my navigation bar. You can get all the details. Don't worry, the next swap isn't right on top of x-mas. She's giving everyone until January.

She even lets non-U.S. quilters join. So, you could get a quilt from another country... or from Texas... that's a whole OTHER country, right?

PS -- If I have sewn you a quilt (or something else) please send me digital pictures. I want to add them to this online, electronic seamstress' journal I'm making.

Four Seasons Quilt Swap, Fall Project