trading pieces and places

Christmas Trees for Lara!

It is such an appropriate time to be sewing for Christmas! This was an interesting technique and not too difficult to put together. I may want a Christmas Tree quilt, too, one day! I'm totally inspired to get my Christmas Stocking project out and work on it.

At the risk of sounding completely self absorbed, I'm caught up, and ready for Marnita's Christmas quilt block project! =) WooHoo! Having fun!

Thank You, Jennifer(s)!

I wanted you to know that I found the squares at the church. I love them! Thank you so much. This is so exciting. I am loving beautiful squares showing up at home and church and in the mail. Thank you everyone!

Thank you, Jennifer(s) Russell and Schwartz!

A Beautiful Day... to post progress!

This is Kristin's May Flower! I had most of it done forever. I recently finished the stems with a running stitch using embroidery floss. Kristin- I'm sorry it's so late. I do hope you like it!

This is my Scrappy Star for Mardie. I'm so happy to have it finished for you, Mardie!

Another Scrappy Star- by Jennifer Schwartz

Julie, I've finished your chicken block!!!!!!! I was just so excited to give it to Jen, that I forgot to take a picture of it. Would you post a pic when you receive it? I hope you enjoy it!

Here are some other things I've worked on since my last post.

Double Hour Glass Quilt - I pieced together about half of these blocks and then began sewing the blocks together into rows. My mom finished the project while I was busy with kids and activities this summer. This was a gift for my cousin, my mom's nephew, Tyler Dillon and his new bride. I LOVED the way it turned out! The top was SO easy (and quick) to put together. We used the tutorial from Cluck Cluck Sew. You can find it here.

Here is a closer picture which includes the simple quilting that my mom did on her regular sewing machine. It was the stitch in the ditch method. I think she did a lovely job!

I am fortunate to have my Mom and Dad in my life a LOT! My dad worked on a small garden in my backyard this summer. These four products were a sampling of what came from his hard work! Why, yes, we did try the MIDDLE of this honey of a watermelon FIRST! I'm not ashamed. =) It tasted as beautiful as this picture looks. My mouth is watering.

I love to make these bookmarks for birthday gifts for my daughter's friends when I can squeeze in the time. With two children still in diapers, I don't get to do it as much as I want. I had made many a bookmark before I finally did one for myself! Isn't that how it is!?

I made some scrappy flower pins recently. They were fun to put together. I pinned them to a blank card and used a green color pencil to draw in a leaf under the flower. I think the presentation was fun. I've already given these out and can't wait to make more.

Next up for me- is Lara's Christmas Tree's. I've got most of my fabric... but I'm missing a neutral background. I think it warrant's a trip to Hobby Lobby fabric department, don't you?

Happy Sewing!

Five scrappy squares for Mardie!

I have received FIVE scrappy squares! Thankyou, Lara, Courtney, Llewellyn, Marnita and Connie!! It is like Christmas when you get a square. I am so excited!! THANK YOU!

I have also been making my own "Rainbow-Ticker Tape" squares. I am ready to sew them together. I would like your vote/input on the layout.

I will leave each row in it's own family, but am wondering if you like layout "A" with the darker colors at the bottom of the quilt or layout "B" with the rows alternating with Light to Dark then Dark to Light, etc.

This was a project done by "12squared" and Liz and I loved it so much, we made our own. It was so fun! Quite addicting I must say...

Layout "A"

Layout "B"

Hello, My Name Is....

Since I have been absent from this quilting group for several months, I thought I would take a few minutes to re-introduce myself.  I am the fool who thought she could start a virtual quilting group and do a major remodel.  It did not work so well.  I apologize for my long absence.  Here is a part of what has kept me away.

I haven't had a functioning kitchen for the past 3 months.  I finally threw my hands in the air last week and made the bold decision to quilt again.  What's another week tacked onto the 3 months? 

It felt so good to quilt again!  Here is what I have accomplished.

A colorful flower for Kristen.

Some festive trees for Lara.

A very bright star for Mardie.

And an homage to chickens for Julie.

I have taken a couple of days off to tackle the kitchen again...Oh to have a great home cooked meal instead of from a crockpot, toaster oven, microwave or grill...

I will be sending all of you fabric swatches for my block this month.  I will hand deliver to the locals and mail yours, Julie.  So...get the creative juices flowing...think Christmas....traditional Christmas.
Marnita

With Hat in Hand

So...This kind of reminds me of the feeling you get when you miss a class in college- and you know the teacher pretty well...and you feel bad for skipping said class..so instead of fessing up..you skip again. And again. Until you are completely embarrassed you drop the class. Not that I have any experience in doing that. I just heard that's what it was like. Okay...I did have a really bad semester one time- that I like to blame on a boy. Anywho..sewing. My deepest apologies to you ladies I
"owe" blocks to. I got so freaked out by Jennifer's block- I just froze and stopped. Not an excuse- the truth. I could tell you how crazy things have been the last several months at work and how I'm working on a wedding dress for a friend--but we're all busy. And I am sorry. Maybe next time I should try a 6 month quilting circle..And it's not that I have forgotten you..I have thought over and over "What type of modern flower is modern enough for kristen?" "Is this fabric 'holiday decor' color enough for Laura?" "I have to keep all my scraps for Mardie" "What goes with chicken? Potatoes?" "Jennifer--AAAHHHHH!!!!" Inner monologue-no outer action. I will say Jennifer's square is done! (Thanks to the help of my be youutiful talented Courtney) Will post and get to you ASAP. The others seem so much more doable now. Again..sorry ladies it is so late and sorry I let you down. I hope you still want them- because you'll be getting them! much love! xonik

My Chicken Coop!

Here is my "Chicken Coop"square! Had a fun time using a mosaic pattern. Hope you like it, Julie.

Caught up .....almost!!

Here are some more of my finished squares!!!   Feeling so good now that I can see daylight!!

Flowers for Kristen!

Christmas Trees for Laura!

A scrappy star for Mardie!!

I can't wait to see your finished products!!  Now on to some chicken fabric!!!