Travelin' and Stashin'

When you travel out of town, out of state, or maybe even out of the country, do you make it a point to add local quilt stores to your itinerary?

Today, I DID!!

I'm in Oklahoma City this week for work. From the little of it I've seen, it's a great city. Have you been here?

I take a 6 am flight out tomorrow, but I discovered there are a few quilt stores in the area (thanks to the almighty google)...so I jetted out of my last meeting for the day and found my way over to Oklahoma Quiltworks.

 

I should have taken more photos of the shop, but as soon as I walked in I got sucked into the wall of pretties! You understand....Check out their website for a sneak peek. :)

With only 10 minutes to explore before they closed I did a quick loop around the store and found some goodies!

I had a few low-volume fat quarters picked out but ultimately settled on 1/2 yard cuts of these three neutral-ish (that's the technical term for it, ha!) geometric prints by Moda. 

I also picked up this great pattern, by Allison Harris who blogs at Cluck Cluck Sew, which I'd pinned a while ago. It's not new, but the fact that I still like it 2 years later means we're destined to be together, right?
It's fun to see some your favorite online designers' and bloggers' patterns in person, don't you think??

The ladies who worked at Quiltworks in OKC were very sweet and the store is just wonderful. They had a TON of modern prints, some great reproductions, a nice variety of precuts. I wish I could have had more time there! Although, for the sake of my budget and the carry-on weight limit on the plane, it's probably for the best that I only had a few minutes to dash in and out.

I do wish now that I had gone ahead and bought those other fun low volume prints, but I was trying to exercise something that resembles self restraint. Oh well, I guess I'll just have to plan for a longer visit on my next trip into town.

Hear that boss? I'm pretty sure there are some really important meetings I need to attend out here.. *hint hint*


Recently, I came across these blocks which are from the first round of the Mini Scrap Basket Swap. I think I'll turn them into a small lap quilt. It's good to see them in the day of light again! I'm sure that 5 more 12" blocks I need to finished this one out won't even put a dent in my scraps, but it'll be a good start!

Getting back to normal... maybe.

It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks!
I sent out fabric to two bees and a swap....





 

Wooh! My living room floor is clear again and I am done trekking to the post office with laundry basket full of squishy envelopes.

I won't be hosting another swap round right away (I promised hubby at least a few weeks of postal normalcy) but it was a huge success and I want to thank everyone who participated.

Just look at the beautiful variety we came up with!

And somehow I did manage to get a bee block sewn for someone else in the fabric frenzy.

This block was super easy, and only required two 10" squares each of the print and the background.
I like the movement of the dots in it, don't you? Here is the full tutorial if you would like to check it out.


I don't love the color on its own, but it will look great with the other fabric Susan has chosen.

How has your June been? Are you getting into summer craze or summer laze?

WIP Wednesday (4/25/12)

I have been absent from the weekly WIP linky lately... but it's time to catch up!


I gotta share some major fabric loot with you. I haven't bought fabric in a while (times are tough and I've been trying to keep all my projects stash friendly) but I did score these pretties for $2/ yard!!
It's okay to hate me.. I would.

 
In my defense they are going to be cut into charms for swaps. That makes it okay, right?

I've been sewing up a storm over the last few weeks, but feel like i don't have much to show for it.
Maybe I do? Let's take a look.

Bee Blocks for March & April count as progress, even though they aren't for me, right?

April was my host month for the Gone Quiltin' Bee, so I am now getting wonderful blocks back from my bees. The quilt will be going to my sister, for her college graduation. I know she doesn't read this so I'm safe talking about it :)  It will be a blue and yellow version (her school colors) of the quilt pattern by Nancy Rink (pattern in Quilt magazine June/July 2011 page 45).

I also made some major headway on my Made in Cherry Quilt - 4 more points down, 3 to go. 

I just have one problem, it has no name.. Made in Color? eh.. Color Wheel Cherry?  not feeling it.

Any suggestions?

Nuetral and Solids Swap - Sign Ups Now Live!

UPDATE: 
The 28 guaranteed spots are now full. But go ahead and sign up to be put on our waiting list - if we reach 56 by April 15th, we can double our variety!! Spread the word!
__________________________
It's official! 
I present to you...

Each person will purchase 2 yards of fabric (1 yard neutral, 1 yard solid) and cut them into 5" charm squares. 1 yard = 56 charms.  (I recommend buying 1.25 yards- never hurts to have a little extra in case you make a cutting mistake.) 

The first 28 people to sign up will be guaranteed a spot (you must fill out the form, comments will not count). After that I will start a waiting list and if we reach 56 by April 15th , we will do 56 participants. 

This will be open to U.S. swappers only this round. Sorry! This is my first swap, so cross your fingers, if it goes well I will do a second round and open it to international swappers!

Wanna Sign up?  HERE is the form.  


 Wondering what sort of fabulous fabrics we'll get back?

Here are some examples of fabrics that would be great 'neutrals'



Here's some 'solid' eye candy ;)

Are you wondering what you can do with this lovelies? Here's what I am inspired by:

1. Improv circles pillow by stitchindye on Flickr 2. PTS7 in progress! by BlueElephantStitches on Flickr 3. Solids Swap package finished by Sarah @ FairyFace Designs on Flickr 4. the big orange wall quilt by Spotted Stone Studio {Krista} on Flickr 5. gelato circles by alobsiger on Flickr 6. YIP 365.230:: Windmill mini by stitchindye on Flickr

Aren't you drooling? I am!

Can't resist? Secure your spot in the swap HERE. 

___

Here are the particulars

Mailing deadline will be May 25th 2012. This gives you little more than a month, since lots of families are traveling for Easter and Spring Breaks.

 Fabric requirements (as written by the wonderful Jennifer @ Ellison Lane Quilts):

1. Choose a fabric that has a small print suitable for an 5" charms. Scale of the print is very important as smaller works better in this case. A larger print has a larger repeat and you want each charm to have enough of the print showcased on each piece.
2. Fabric should be designer label, 100% cotton, quilt shop quality fabric.  No Hancocks, Joanns or Michael's fabrics. For a fabric swap, the fun is receiving quality fabric that you might not be able to pick up around the corner.  *The exception to this is Kona Cotton Solids which can be purchased from Joanns, just check the end of the bolt to make sure it says Kona Cotton.
3. Fabric must be new and unwashed and must come from a smoke free environment.
4. Before mailing, cut your fabric into 5" x 5" charm squares.  Press your fabric before cutting. 1 yard = 56 charm squares (5" x 5".)  Here's a great tutorial on how to cut fabric into charms by Elizabeth Hartman.
5. Put your fabric in a ziplock bag and include an index card with your name and email address. 
6. Upload pictures of your fabric to the swap Flickr group and include the name of the fabric, designer, etc. This ensures that there are no duplicate fabrics chosen and allows everyone to find out more about the fabrics in case they would like to order more once they have received their charms. 

    

New Charm Swap: Neutral and Solids Charm Swap!

Update:  THIS SWAP IS NOW FULL! 

---------------
I love charm swaps, recently there have been some awesome rainbow charm swaps. 

Now though, my stash is so very low on neutrals and solids.

Turns out I'm not the only one.  

Since I'm feeling up for an adventure and there was a great response to the idea. I present to you...

Sign Ups will go live on this blog 12 noon EST on Friday, April 6th, 2012.

The first 28 people to sign up will be guaranteed a spot (you must fill out the form, comments will not count). After that I will start a waiting list and if we reach 56 by April 15th , we will do 56 participants. 

This will be open to U.S. swappers only this round. Sorry! This is my first swap, so cross your fingers, if it goes well I will do a second round and open it to international swappers!

Mailing deadline will be May 25th 2012. This gives you little more than a month, since lots of families are traveling for Easter and Spring Breaks.

 Fabric requirements (as written by the wonderful Jennifer @ Ellison Lane Quilts):

1.  Each person will purchase 2 yards of fabric (1 yard neutral, 1 yard solid) and cut them into 5" charm squares. 1 yard = 56 charms.  (I recommend buying 1.25 yards- never hurts to have a little extra in case you make a cutting mistake.) 
2. Choose a fabric that has a small print suitable for an 5" charms. Scale of the print is very important as smaller works better in this case. A larger print has a larger repeat and you want each charm to have enough of the print showcased on each piece.
3. Fabric should be designer label, 100% cotton, quilt shop quality fabric.  No Hancocks, Joanns or Michael's fabrics. For a fabric swap, the fun is receiving quality fabric that you might not be able to pick up around the corner.  *The exception to this is Kona Cotton Solids which can be purchased from Joanns, just check the end of the bolt to make sure it says Kona Cotton.
4. Fabric must be new and unwashed and must come from a smoke free environment.
5. Before mailing, cut your fabric into 5" x 5" charm squares.  Press your fabric before cutting. 1 yard = 56 charm squares (5" x 5".)  Here's a great tutorial on how to cut fabric into charms by Elizabeth Hartman.
6. Put your fabric in a ziplock bag and include an index card with your name and email address. 
7. Upload pictures of your fabric to the swap Flickr group and include the name of the fabric, designer, etc. This ensures that there are no duplicate fabrics chosen and allows everyone to find out more about the fabrics in case they would like to order more once they have received their charms.

    Still interested? Awesome! I'd love to have ya!

Check back here for the SIGN UP FORM, after NOON on Friday April 6th!

Neutral and Solid swap. weigh in!

Hey lovelies!

I am loving all of these rainbow swaps! I know you are too.

I am totally lacking coordinating solids though, and neutrals. This made me think.

I don't see many swaps for these, but they can be really useful and striking. See?

pouches by Sarah @ fairyface designs

wall hanging by malka at stitchindye

SO, since I'm feeling spunky and up for an adventure, I am thinking of hosting a swap 

(similar to the usual 28 or 56 person format).

Would this be something you'd like? No commitment here, just gauging interest. 

a Light Bulb Moment (and dusting off the DSQAL fabric)

We get excited about projects, sign up for swaps and bees and quiltalongs and those quilt endorphines pump like crazy (or at least mine do).

And then real life happens...
.... you live a year with a partially re-covered couch

.... your halloween wall hanging gets shoved in a box unfinished around thanksgiving

.... your dead simple pallete sits teasing you in a corner

The word keeps turning and you wait for things to settle down.

Please tell me you know the feeling??

Then sometimes there are happy moments of epiphany that balance out those moments. Like this:

Moody Blues Bee member Cristina is having a 'life happens' month. She was having trouble getting a block and fabric ready for her month , and said she was thinking of skipping her month. 

That broke my heart! Skip a month? That's no fun!  

And then I had an a-ha moment.. 

...that out-of-sight but not out-of-mind Dead dimple pallete flashed in my brain.

 ..the quilt I have been having a flickr love affair with flashed in my brain.

"Fact or Fiction" quilt by Karen of Blooming Poppies

Cristina and I have swapped months, I am queen bee this month, and have recruited the fine ladies of MBBR2 to have a hand in making my first all-solids quilt and my first improv pieced quilt!

I've sent the ladies the following:

   

Quilt math hurts my brain, especially this improvisational stuff. So I've asked them to make 6.5" and 8.5" 'bricks' of  (almost) any length with the fabric they receive I will string the bricks together.

I'm literally shaking with excitement! I am trying something new, using my much adored dead simple QAL fabric and Cristina will have plenty of time to prep for her turn as Queen bee. WIN WIN WIN!!

And the cheesy side of me loves that this group of talented ladies will be making 'bricks' to help me build my quilt. It’s going to be great to see what they all come up with!

What are your thoughts on improv piecing? Love it or hate it? Never tried it or old news?

I've linked up.. hop on over (if you haven't already)!

WIP Wednesday 11/9/2011 (Progress on Swaps)

All of my progress this week has been for swaps.  

Hi my name is Annaliese. And I'm a swap junky.

1.) I loved the pile of charms that I got from the 1st round of the Color Wheel Charm Swap hosted by Kate (from the Blue Chair)! So much so, that I couldn't say no to Round 2.

 

This round, we are each assigned a color (mine is orange) and we each send in a light and a dark fabric. Here are mine! I got them cut and posted way early for the Nov. 19th deadline! Win.

Life Savers in Apricot by Connecting Threads

Morse Code in Tangelo by Connecting Threads

     2.) Did I mention that we got our first snow out here in central PA? Ya. We did. Back on Oct. 30th.  It put me straight on into Christmas mode (much to Hubby's confusion and dismay, haha).

In the holiday spirit, I'm well underway for my progress on the Modern Christmas Tablerunner Swap 2011 being hosted by Susan. 

Can I just say this group is uh-maze-ing.  Truly and completey amazing. 

There is an incredible amount of positive energy and participation in the flickr group. I have to say they have set the bar REALLY high as far as swap experiences go. 

Enough bragging...

I've been turning this mock up...

 

...into fabric.

The 5 wonky star blocks are pieced and ready for the 'confetti border.'

I know I won't be winning any photography awards with this washed out , shadowy picture, but consider it a teaser :)

My swap partner is a pretty advanced swapper (her work is seriously amazing, but it's a secret swap so I can't tell you who it is.. yet!) so I am taking my time and trying to be as accurate and precise as possible. It makes progress slow, but so far so good. 

You likey? Me likey.

No Progress

1.  Across the Sea QAL
2. Dead Simple QAL
3. Scrappy Friendship Quilt
4. Quilt with No Name
5. Sewing Room Pencil Holder
6. Thomas the Tank Train Bag
7. Log Cabin Flag Quilt (partially quilted)
8. Quilts for Kids (2 quilt kits) 
9. Needle Case
10. The Great Couch Re-cover

What have YOU been up to?  As usual you should check out every one's works in progress at Lee's!

This week's stats:

New projects - 0

Completed projects - 0
Currently in progress -11