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

I think things are *finally* starting to settle down a bit, as I've been able to get a good bit of sewing time in this week. Classes are ramping up, but I feel like I'm in a routine at this point, which makes all the difference in the world. I have a couple of things to share with y'all later - like my finished iPad case - but I want to wait for some good pics. One of the disadvantages of going to work at o'dark-thirty is, well...it's dark. No snapping pictures on my way out the door like I could in the summer.

Completed:  iPad Case; Misfit Quilters Hoop Swap

That's right, I finished my hoop last night.  I can't wait to show y'all....I'm so tickled with it.  Thanks to my wonderful twitter friend Carolyn at Just One More Stitch I was able to add some Pips scraps to add to my hoop.   Can't reveal just yet as it's not sent, but here's little sneak peek:





Ongoing:  TwitterB October Block

I came close to finishing this one last night, but really needed sleep.  The most-awesome Belinda sent us some Loulouthi fabric for inspiration, with specific instructions to not use it in the block, only use it for color choosing.  I think I'm happy with my fabric, but will have to wait and see when it comes together - hopefully tonight.  :)






Ongoing, No Progress:  Same as last week - Black-and-White Quilt and Sierra's Quilt.  *sigh*

And, for once... no new projects.  Though I do have to get busy on my post-Summit swap.  It's due out next week.  Eek!




Don't forget to link up with Lee! 

Happy Wednesday!!

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!!

more fabric

Saturday was a happy day, and I needed one after the week I'd had. Apparently, when a package of fabric hits my door, things just all sorta melt away...





Wondrous Woven Fabrics had a sale and a good one at that! 30% off quite a few lines.

From the top, fabrics one, two, and three are from Central Park (*squeal*) and will be transformed into a new tote bag for graduate school.  It starts Sept 1st and I'm starting to wonder what the heck I got myself into as I will continue to work full-time as well.

Fabric 4 is Sanjay in Red from Kumari Garden Holiday.  I'll be using it for the August Stitch-Along over at Feeling Stitchy.  We're going to be embellishing fabric with embroidery.  Here's a close up of it...still no clue on how I will embellish it.






Five is Laurel Dots in Cherry - another to add to my Soul Blossoms hoard pile stash. Actually - I cut into these on Saturday, but no details yet.  They are for a tutorial I'm working on for later this month as a guest blogger at Mauby's.  (So excited!!)

Six, seven, and eight are for hubby.  Yeah... I know I just finished a quilt for him, but I'm ready to do another.  These will be paired with the Joel Dewberry Aviary that I snagged at InTown Quilters during my trip to Atlanta.

I was also able to finish the top row of my We Love French Knots sampler.  To enter the grand opening giveaway, two of the squares have to be finished, so I'm good on that front.  I would like to finish the whole thing soon, though.  I'm trying to keep it on my end table... you know, so it won't be out of sight, out of mind.  :)





Happy Monday, y'all!

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!