Jan 29, 2010

Finally . . .

Sew & Tell Friday!
 

Finally, I can talk about this mini I made for my January Swap Til You Drop (STUD) partner--I had fun playing with snowball blocks and using up some pink someone had given me. I was really stumped on the quilting, though. I think a stipple or something would highlight the blocks better. Sometimes when I looked at it I could NOT find the snowballs at all. I know using more fabrics would help, and I thought maybe larger corners might (but I didn't like the snowball shape with bigger corners). All in all, I'd like to make more snowballs.

I also completed a pillow cover for a Valentine's Swap. (Ok, Mary, if don't want to see it now, stop reading.)  

You know, I LOVE these swaps: it's fun to virtually meet other people, as much fun to lurk around their postings to try to figure out what they might like; at the same time, it's hard to start--paralyzed by the desire for perfection. You want so badly for them to love your piece. For the Valentine swap, I felt my partner would welcome appreciate a wide range of ideas, so I felt a little freer to experiment. This is actually plan C--I liked the first two, but they weren't very Valentine-y! It's all an interesting process. And yes, this was supposed to be wonky (maybe even wonkier than it actually turned out).

I started with Jacquie's wonky heart tutorial. (She posted about her heart quilt today--very cool.) But of course, I didn't really follow directions--and I ended up with a heart that had too much emphasis on the red polk dots. I wanted "love" birds, so instead of putting them next to the heart (love + birds, get it?), I put them on top. Then I had to relearn how to do satin stitch on my machine. I think the top one looks a bit more like a starling, but I guess they find love, too. Anyhow, I basically like it, and I hope my partner does, too.

For more great Sew & Tell (provided you actually read all this!) go to Amy's.

Gratitudes
  • Settled (but cold!) weather that doesn't require so much shoveling!
  • A day off on Saturday.
  • The movie Julie & Julia--I might have to watch it again. My mom made boeuf bourguignon, too!

17 comments:

Anne at Film and Thread said...

I love the fabrics you chose for your snowball quilt and the little birds are too cute!

- Mighty B said...

The pillow cover is so cute! I love it!

beth said...

very cute! thanks for sharing.

Mandy Noble said...

Love your valentine's pillow and the fabric for your snowball quilt

Diane said...

Love the snowball. The pink looks great with the tan. And your heart block looks great!

ktquilts said...

Great job! Love them both!
Blessings,
KT

Jocelyn said...

Very nice. I like both of them.

Catherine said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about you snowball blocks. This pattern is on my 'to do' list. I like your colour combinations and think the tan makes the patterned fabric stand out. Love the patchwork heart and the birds appliqued on top! Nice work!

Nina... said...

I just love the little birdies! Your projects are beautiful, great job!!

Leslie said...

i really love this...i like your choice of solid fabric. it sets the other fabric off nicely.

Kristen said...

I love the polka dots. I also love the random quilting. I have to try that. The birds are sweet.

Karen said...

Great finishes! I like that you can't see the snowball blocks until closer inspection.

Rebecca said...

What fun little projects! They both turned out really cute!

Holly said...

your love birds make my heart go pitter pat

Day before Michelle said...

Loving the lovebirds!! And since I am a big fan of polka dots, I think the heart is awesome :)

Rene' said...

Both projects are great. I really like the snowballs and fabric selection of your mini. Love the Valentine swap. I've got to try Jacquie's tutorial. I really like the quilting lines you did on this one. Thanks for sharing!

Lesly said...

Love those snowballs - great use of fabric and colour!