misfits hoop swap

I don't know about you - but I'm addicted to swaps. Have you ever participated in one? The first few I was in were block swaps, which are fun, but I'm now into what I like to call "finished product" swaps.

About a month ago, I found the Misfit Quilters website, and they were just starting an Embroidery Swap and, seeing how I had just started with embroidery, I decided to give it a go.  I lucked up and got someone I already knew for a partner, so it was double fun.

In the intro e-mail, Katherine said she was, "dreaming of a bike...maybe with a flower basket, or a wagon, or a tricycle, or an umbrella...Something sweet and cheerful, and something with blue and red."  So, this is what I came up with...





Katherine and I have been friends on twitter for a while and she's been in three other swaps with me (two of which she's been the mama for!) and so she knows my, um, dislike for the Pips.  (Please don't shoot!!).  She, on the otherhand, loves them, and the instant I saw her name, I knew my hoop would somehow involve Sherbet Pips despite the fact that I owned not one stitch.

Thanks to the generosity of my other twitter friends Carolyn and Selina, I didn't have to buy any fabric.  They both sent me more than enough Pips scraps to get this done.  The bike is a freebie embroidery pattern from Early Bird Special that I downloaded and then I matched up my threads to the colors in the Pips line.  And of course, one of the scraps was perfect for a little hexie, so I couldn't resist adding it.  :)

As fate would have it, Katherine had drawn my name, too.  I had asked for something whimsical and bright, and this was her take on that, with lots of fun extras.




How darling is this??  Katherine drew the design herself and included extra floss, and some neat little gadgets.  I'm particularly excited about the "Jean-a-ma-jig" as I'm hoping to do a half-square triangle quilt soon and this will help me get over those stubborn, thick seams.  That, and I didn't even know such a thing existed.  Very cool.

I have a couple more swaps in the works.  I was in a post-Sewing Summit pouch/mini swap which was mailed off on Monday and we're exchanging pot-holders at the Triad MQG meeting tonight.  I'm lucky enough to know my partner in that one, too.  Heehee!!

WIP Wednesday

Here we are once again with another WIP report... finally!!!  I must say, I've really missed being able to post progress...mostly because of my lack of progress...LOL!

No finishes this week - yet.  But I am working on a couple of things. Feels good to get some sewing done.

Completed:  None.  :(

Ongoing/Progress Made:

My Misfit Quilters swap is moving along quite steadily.  Probably because it's mostly embroidery.  I only have pedals to add on my little bicycle.  Hope my partner likes bikes....   (**wink**)





The swap is for 9" hoops, so I'll be adding some fabric to this.  And, well... a hoop.  *note to self - buy hoop.*

Next up is the beginnings of an iPad case.  Technically, this one is finished - I'm using it as we speak - but I want to make several adjustments, so I'm not quite ready for a full reveal.  I hope to have time this weekend.





I used Lee's Kansas Dust Storm block and then off-set it a bit for a little different look.  You could really do this with any block and I've thought about a little tutorial for the case part.  What do you think....is that something you'd like to see?  (Oh - the fabric is from Joel Dewberry's Heirloom, btw.)

Ongoing/No Progress:

Bethlehem Star - haven't touched it in weeks.  :(
Jane's Black and White Quilt - I really need to get moving on this one, it's done except for the binding!


New Projects:
Despite swearing I was at my limit, I've joined two new swaps.  One is for a post-Sewing Summit group and the other is through the Triad MQG.  I'll be making a zipper pouch for the former and potholder for the latter.  I'm thinking of using up my leftover Central Park scraps for both as I have plenty and both partners have stated they like bright colors.  Hopefully will have some pics next week.  :)


So that's it for me.... enjoy your week, everyone!!

Finished it Friday - #6

Oh my word.

I can't remember the last time I've been this thankful to see a Friday.  Maybe today instead of "Finished it Friday", I should call this post, "I Survived to Friday".   Have you ever had one of those weeks?  You know...like this:

• Monday:  Kids start school, new work hours (7 am - 6 pm) start.  Sewing class immediately after work, not stopping at home first.  Home about 9.
• Tuesday:  Day two of 5:50 AM wake-up call.  Half-day grad school orientation.  Work until 6 and meet family at ball practice (where hubby graciously brings me a sandwich).  Oh yeah, and grab groceries en route.  Home about 9.
• Wednesday: Birthday breakfast at IHOP (yes, IHOP - his choice) for the youngest.  Work all day after not sleeping most of the night.  Straight from work to church where, thankfully, they have dinner before activities.  Home - you guessed it - about 9.
• Thursday:  Up again at 5:50 - it's not even light yet!  Class all day with a few breaks to run to the office and catch up on work.  Straight to 5:30 birthday dinner at a local restaurant and a ball game.  Massive storm hits before game, we get soaked on the way in only to have them call the game 30 minutes later.  Guess what time I got home?  

At about 4:00 yesterday afternoon, I decided come heck-or-high-water (and the high water nearly happened!) I was going to get some sewing done.  Maybe the storm was God's little gift to me as my parents, who were with us for dinner and the game, took both boys home with them to spend the night and we got to go home early.  That meant a child-free (read: guilt-free) evening with hubby and my sewing machine.

So about an hour later - and I know that because my auto-off iron shut down right before I pressed the last seams - I had these:










The Ohio Star was a welcome break from the sometimes complicated other blocks I've been working on.  It's simple and clean, yet looks fabulous with these fabrics.  These are both for my friend Charlene, who is in my 12 Blocks of Christmas bee.  They are a day or two late (due in August), but I'm pretty sure she'll understand.

So tell me - how has your week been??  Are you enjoying the interviews?  Has life been so crazy that you haven't read any?  Don't worry - I've not caught up with all the blogs I follow, either.

Both giveaways are still open at the time of this post.  You can always check the 10-for-10 page for updates and a list of the giveaways that are open.  At least one should be open every day in September, and most days two will be open.  :)

Now - enough rambling.  Show me what you finished this week!!  Remember - a finish is a finish.  Quilt blocks, quilt tops, entire quilts.  Handbags, back packs, lunch sacks.  Skirts, pants, shirts, scarves.  Pin cushions, mug rugs, doll quilts.  What did you check off your to-do list??

Can't wait to see your work!

Finished It Friday - #2

Welcome back to another edition of Finished It Fridays!





Though I had quite a productive week as far as getting work done, I only had one true "finish" and that was for my Bow Tie Block Swap. I signed up for 40 bow ties, and finished them just last night.










As you can see - I think every finish is a good thing to note. Even though this isn't a large quilt or a project that took me months, these little blocks are still one less thing on my to-do list.

So.... your turn. What's off your to-do list now??

(Click here if you need a refresher on the rules.)

WIP Wednesday - Number 8

I went back and counted all my WIP Wednesdays and can't believe I've already posted seven of them. I knew I loved them, but wow! If you haven't yet jumped on this train, I highly suggest that you do. The accountability really keeps me hopping though my projects.

This week has not been my most productive, probably because of our Atlanta trip. Most of my sewing is evening and weekend work, so trips tend to pull down my overall productivity.

Completed: No finishes (yet) this week. :o(

Ongoing:

Sierra's Quilt - Rows are pieced. Going to attach them soon for a finished quilt top.

Guitar Quilt - binding is done over halfway around. Is it just me, or is this one taking for-ev-er? Oy.

Bethlehem Star - nearly finished with all paper-pieced glows that will go inbetween the diamonds. Should be able to knock these out in the next day or so.

Bowtie Swap - all squares are trimmed and I have each solid attached to a white square.






Tops That Need Quilting:

I'm happy to say that I finished Jane's Black & White quilt top on Monday. It looks so good...she's gonna love it!

Please excuse the shadows - the sun was setting, but I wanted to get the shot in.  

I've also pieced the back, using scraps from the front and this fabulous fabric.



This was actually the first fabric I bought for the quilt. It jumped out at me at a fabric store so I bought 5 yards. I didn't know what I was going to do, so I wanted to be sure I had plenty...LOL! I'm not going to show the back, although it is pieced and ready, because I want it to be a surprise. We (the boys and I) worked on a little layout that adds a real personal touch. :) I quilt it tomorrow.

No progress this week:

Mexican Star
Flipside Quilt - but I have decided on a recipient...heehee. :)


New Projects:
I'm in the 3x6 Sampler Quilt Mini Bee this go 'round, my first time. I'm a little nervous because I'm not one for sampler quilts, but I thought I'd give it a try. I have asked for gold and charcoal blocks and put together this mosaic:

  (Click on the image for full credits of all photos.)

Whatcha think??

Don't forget to link up over at Freshly Pieced and tell us all how you are doing!

WIP Wednesday - another great week!

I'm guessing I should start numbering these, huh? :)

This has been another wonderfully productive week.  I have to say that it is such a relief to have the projects slowly whittled away.  I feel much less stressed about my to-do list, which is great considering quilting is supposed to be my stress reliever, not a stress creator. 

OK, enough babbling you say?  On to the stuff you're here for... progress reports!!!

Jenn's Sudoku Quilt - ladies (and gentlemen)... this baby is DONE! Come back Friday for a full report.  I haven't presented it to the owner yet, so I don't want to post a lot of pictures here.  I will give you a little teaser, though.  :)





I'm also going to start a Friday linky-party this week, called Finished It Fridays.  So...really...come back, check it out, and link your own finished projects!  :)

Sierra's Quilt - I finished up the blocks on this one last week, and finally got around to piecing the top.





And here they are auditioning for the layout...





These are the first pictures I've posted on this project. It's become one of my favorites. The pattern is Alice by the fabulous Rita of Red Pepper Quilts. The fabric is Kona white paired with a Fabricworm half-yard bundle I purchased back at Christmas. (Yes, shameful to take this long...I know.)  I managed to get the rows together last night.  I'm thinking of straight-line quilting this one, in true Rita style.  :)

No Progress this week:

• Mexican Star Quilt
• Bethlehem Star Quilt
• Jane's B&W Quilt
• Flipside Quilt
• Guitar Quilt

Since I've finished the Sudoku quilt, I'll be working on the binding for the Guitar Quilt.  Trenton's birthday is August 31st, so I need to have it ready.  

New Projects:

Yeah, I know - I wasn't supposed to do this, but I couldn't help myself.  I'm in the midst of a bow tie block swap, and have signed up for 40.  They are too fun and too easy!  (And there is still time to sign up if you want to jump in - check out our flickr group.)

Here they are, all chain pieced.  Next up - trimming.





And finally, for kicks and giggles, I've jumped in to the We Love French Knots craze. But more about that next week.






Don't forget - One of my followers will win a Flurry charm pack on August 1st. Will it be you?
(No comment required - all followers are automatically entered.)


Happy Wednesday, y'all - enjoy your week!

the swing of things

It's hard to believe how much time I've not had to sew since coming back from my trip. I wanted to spend time with my family, of course, so the notion of sewing didn't really hit me until days later.  By then, I was chomping at the bit...nearly three weeks total without a stitch!

But, first things, first.  While I was away, I received a wonderful package from Jessica over at The Laizy Daisy.  We were in a mug rug swap together, and I was thrilled when I opened the box!

As you can see, all kinds of goodies...chocolates, coffee, tea, a sweet note, some jelly roll strips and a beautiful mug rug all sitting there waiting for my return.

...and waiting...

...and waiting....

...and waiting...

You see, I didn't discover the package until a full week after I got home. Turns out, hubby was expecting me to jump right back into sewing after such a long break.  So, he set the box on my sewing table instead of by the mail plate where we usually put things.  In his defense, though, I fully expected to be sewing within a day or so, too, but life worked out differently. The evenings after my return looked like this:

• Monday: recovering from a night of stomach issues (thank goodness they didn't hit on the 8-hour flight from Frankfurt!),
• Tuesday: Night with my family, just enjoying each others company
• Wednesday: cookout for my dad's birthday and treating the boys to (free) box seats at the local minor league baseball game,
• Thursday: last regular baseball game for my youngest,
• Friday: last regular baseball game for my oldest,
• Saturday: flight to Atlanta for an afternoon meeting (and, sadly, no Braves game),
• Sunday: back home in time for lunch with friends.

Yeah...any wonder why I didn't sew?

Fortunately, this past week was a little different and I did get a small bit of time at my sewing table.  It looked like this when I started...

...but, if you'll notice, the photo is much brighter.  I finally have LIGHT!!  Hubby took the chance to install more lighting with help from our electrician friend Steve (thanks, Steve!!).  Oh it's so nice to have light down there now and not have to constantly reposition portable lamps.  BTW - see the package on the left..yeah, that's the one the mug rug was in.  I was photographing it without even knowing it!

So, after a quick cleanup, I finally got to work and finished a Project Linus block I am doing for Jan over at Daisy Janie fabrics.  She sent out charm squares to several quilters and will be making a quilt out of all the blocks.  Too fun!  I took lots of pictures and hope to have a short tutorial for you in the next day or so.

I also had a little time to quilt Sunday night and last night, which is good because I needed something brainless (meaning, no math involved!) and I need to get some of these WIPs out of my hair.  I worked for a couple of hours each night on Matt's coffee quilt, which has been basted for about two months now.

I have two tops finished, one basted, and three other tops started. Can you tell that quilting isn't my favorite part??  I'm a piecer, for sure . . . which do you like best??