DQS9

Yahoo, I got into the new Doll Quilt Swap. As you know, I LOVE these swaps. The Doll Quilt Swap is extra fun because (1) you get to stalk your secret partner, trying to figure out what they might like, and (2) you get a few months to create something new and fun. I love the STUD swap, too, but sometimes 1 month feels a bit rushed.

So secret partner, what do I like? I like so many things, but especially brights, especially orange. I like things a little out of the box AND I like traditional blocks, especially with a modern twist. I love all the birds in quilts lately, zig zags, pinwheels.

I don't like pink much at all, as well as cutesy, nor white in any quantity. But fun, now fun is a different matter all together. A sense of humor is great.


The most important thing to me, however, is that you have some fun making the doll quit. Try something new if you like, use up stash/scraps, whatever you like. And I hope you post something about the process--I try to comment as much as I can :)

Let the fun begin!

Mail Box Boon

Sew & Tell Friday

Here are my May STUD quilts.
Top left, a wonderful sewing machine from Scrapnchick, inspired by my previous post on my mother and her sewing machine. The details are great, as was the letter sent along with it. I just love it!

Top right, SaraSQuilts "Wish You Were Here" mini of her farm in PA. Check out the little cows in front of the barn! The back also has a lovely pieced star. This will look great in my office "gallery"--thank you!


I've been waiting to Sew & Tell my May contributions. On the lower left, my "Wish You Were Here in Iowa." Later in the summer, the goldfinches (Iowa state bird) will flock to our sunflower folly ( a 10 ft circle of sunflowers). Everything in Iowa is surrounded by corn and bean fields, shaded in all kinds of green and golds at one time or another.

On the lower right is my "Anything Goes." Scrapnchick said she loved cherries, and I really wanted to try Oh, Fransson's rick rack block (see older post). Harder than it looks, at least for me to keep straight, so I embraced the wonky!

Check out more Sew & Tell's over at Amylouwho's (click on the sidebar button). Have a great weekend!

Gratitudes

• A good week at state church meetings with a little road trip thrown in--fun to get out of town!
• Starting a new STUD mini
• I'm in the DQS9! I have all summer to let my ideas percolate.

SWAP Mania

Sew & Tell Friday
 

1. dec stud rcvd, 2. Received from Julie!, 3. November STUD Recd, 4. Jan STUD Rec'd, 5. Definitely NOT Square! from Meg, 6. Fresh Churn Dash from SaraSQuilts

Ok, so I didn't sew any of these--I can't actually show you the 2 minis I finished this week, at least not until my STUD swap partners receive them. Be sure to check all the Sew & Tell finishes over at amylouwho (click on the button on the sidebar).

No, these are just some of the great little quilts I have received over the past year or so of swapping. Don't you love them? And I have lots more. Here's my top 10 for being in SWAPs. A SWAP project:

10.keeps me starting and finishing a new project often.

9. keeps me checking out flickr & blogland for new ideas, as I "lurk" around my partner's stuff.

8. helps me try really new things, stepping outside my box.

7. helps me meet new people.

6. gives me a nice little collection of great minis--no one else in my house makes quilts for me!

5. freshens up my office, where I change minis every month.

4. shows me different approaches and techniques in quilting.

3. gets me mail!

2. gives me lots of planning/day dreaming time.

1. makes me quilty happy (I know, sounds sappy, but the simple truth).

I wish I had time to be in more swaps. Check out flickr for a million of them, from potholders to minis to pillows to who knows what. Gotta love 'em

75 Post Winners ~ Since I only had 5 entries, I am sending out 5 packages! Send me your snail mail address if I don't already have it, along with a repeat of your favorite color combinations, and I'll get your giveaway ready. It will be so much fun selecting your fabrics!

Have a great weekend--the weather's absolutely perfect in Iowa!

STUD Sneak Peek

Wish You Were Here STUD swap

Not any better clue than Sara gave me :) On its way today!

If you want to enter my 75th post giveaway, scroll down. Open until Thursday!

75th Post Giveaway

I know, in some ways I think ONLY 75 posts. I've been dabbling at this blog thing all along. But I missed the 50th, and I think the last 25 or so I'm starting to get the hang of this.

When I started this blog, I thought I'd be able to consistently post 3 or 4 times/week (I thought I'd get to sew that often--silly me). I thought maybe I'd make some things to sell. I thought none of it would take much time. But then, that's the story of my life--routine underestimation.

I'd tried this blogging thing a couple times before and just couldn't stick with it. False starts. (If you're like me, you've written HUNDREDS of posts in your head!) But then I discovered SWAPs! SWAPS really keep me motivated, not only to finish things but to blog about them. And I love reading so many of the quilty blogs out there. And here I am, talking too much again.

Here's the giveaway:

Two kits + pattern for this table topper--it's easy to make (although I don't want you to have to WAIT for me to make one). With each kit, I'll include some extra goodies, like a take-along sewing kit, perfect for stitching down binding. This little thing is easy peasy and fun to make--one of my favorites.

Just leave a comment with (1) your favorite thing about quilty blogland--free tutes, reading about process, meeting people, just what inspires you most? and (2) your favorite color combination. Deadline: Thursday, noon, Central Time. Winners will be announced on my Friday's Sew & Tell.

Have a great week! And thanks for stopping by!

Gratitudes

• Central Air = real sleep (it's been 90-ish with high humidity all weekend)
• Rhubarb cake--very little redeeming about it nutritionally but so yummy
• Automatic washing machine--if we had to use a ringer machine or a washboard, we couldn't get some sewing in at the same time! (I got 4 loads done while finishing up a mini for the STUD swap.)