Friday, October 2, 2009

New Round Robin?

I have decided against running a 4th session of the SFRR this fall. Life is kind of busy. Instead, I am hoping that I can stir up enough interest for a monthly block swap. It is listed currently on Flickr as "Blocks of Love" and will run similarly to the Cottage Quilting Bee, and Sew Connected swaps. Here's the link...

And here are the guidelines...
This group is dedicated to the Blocks with Love swap. In this swap, we will make 2 blocks per month. Each month the blocks will be for a different recipients. Each swapper will end up with 22 blocks (if swap signups are full), enough to make a full to queen sized bed quilt. Be aware that this is a 12 month committment.

Swappers will specify the general design of their blocks. They will also send each of the swappers pieces of 2-3 key fabrics that they want in their blocks, if they so choose (not required). You may send several different fabrics, as long as each person only receives 2-3. Fabrics shall be sent by the 25th of the month preceeding the month that their blocks are to be made. Swappers will specify the finished size for their blocks up to 12-1/2". Please use only good quality quilter's fabrics. When making the blocks, you may add fabrics from your own choosing as well so long as they coordinate with fabrics you have been sent. Please be careful in using only top quality white fabrics so that they all look cohesive in a person's quilt (rather than having ones of a thin variety that appear so). Each person will send approximately 1/4 yard of fabrics. My best estimate is you should send each person a half fat quarter or eighth yard of 2-3 fabrics. This should be adequate for making 2 blocks. When you send your partner's blocks, please return all fabric scraps as well.

This swap is reserved for intermediate and advanced piecers.

To make this fun, each swapper will make up a riddle to describe for his/her fellow swappers what type blocks they'd like to receive. As an example, I might say "Amish Extravagance", hoping to receive blocks that have a simple Amish Style piecing, but with more elegant fabrics. Another example is "My Modern Garden" - whereby the blocks may be modern in design, but featuring more floral fabrics. Obviously I am struggling to think of better riddles, but I am sure you can because you will have an idea of what fabrics you want to use!

The month for each swapper will be assigned once signups are closed. I will accept either 12 or 24 swappers, depending on the interest. If you have not swapped with me previously, I may ask for a reference from another swap host.
Depending on signups, we will plan to have the blocks begin in November. So whoever is selected as November's person, will have to be prepared to send fabrics to all 11 people by October 25th.

There are similar block swaps currently running. If you want ideas of how this swap will run, please see the Bee Inspired swap, Cottage Quilting Bee, or Sew Connected Groups here on Flickr.

Please spread the word to others you think may be interested.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Last quilt arrives home

The original 8" center for Rita's quilt went missing after it had both borders added to it. I nearly flipped! We had the absolute worst luck mailing to Luxemburg this swap, with 2 pieces going missing. To make matters worse, there was not a complete picture showing the 2nd border.
I opted to try and "recreate" the essence of her quilt, without actually having any of the actual fabrics. The center and 1st border designs are close. The new flimsy arrived to Lil for quilting (and a sigh of relief). And she mailed it out practically on time too, despite the minor catastrophe. And then it was in the hands of the postal service.
When it did not arrive in 7-10 days, I started to curse the LUX postal workers again, swearing that they had nice quilt collections, kind of like I think the Portugese post men do. I was ticked. About 4-6 weeks later, after having confirmation that it DID in fact enter the US in San Francisco, we had Rita search deeper. The little package turned up at the bottom of some mail room, beneath a shipment of computers! So...everyone has received their quilts now, some even got quilts that they made the centers for! Thanks, Lil for a great quilting job again.
Margaret

Monday, August 10, 2009

Finish Quilt

I realized I never shared my quilt here.

I love my quilt, the colors are sooo me! :) Thank you to everyone who worked on it:




I did the center 8″ block, Helen from the UK did the first border, John in NC did the second border, and quilting was done by Carol in VT. They did a AWSOME JOB!! I’ve never been so excited to see a quiltlet come home!!

Thank you to each of you for putting your heart into my little quilt.

Finished quilt


I got home from vacation and this lovely quilt was in the pile of mail.
A BIG Thank You to Laila in Norway, Gina in South Wales, and Toni in Maryland USA.
I love it.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

The 27 Finished Quilts

If your's is not home to you yet, please email me.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

She s back home!!!


and I love it. It is very sunny and beautifull. Thanks Chelsea, Trish and Tami for working on it.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

The Latest Arrival

Center: me
First border: Sharon
Second border: Julie
Quilting and binding: Jeanne

Thanks so much to everyone!! I love it!