Little Finish - Heart Swap Mini

I know...twice in 24 hours!

A necessary thing to rid my phone of some photos....I'm in a constant state of flux trying to not let them pile up which results in a long editing/filing/saving session...blehhh...which I loathe!

Good news is you get more quilty pics and pithy dialogue from Moi....hahaha

OOOh let's just admire this yumminess...long before I became a "love all the modern fabric designer's" girl, I was a Moda 3 Sisters fan and particularly their floral designs. Then I had a wee girl and went all spazzy for Turquoise/Pink/Red fabrics and Lecien dainties aaaand 30's prints.

So when I saw my partner for the #heartswap2018 run by Sharon Hurrey, I knew I had the perfect stack sitting long hoarded and neglected. Lecien's Flower collection....yum scrum pigs bum!

Ok, two mentions need to be made here

. If you'd like to participate in a well run, extremely organised and super fun mini swap, then look no further than @shoppershaz_swaphost I've participated in several of her swaps and they're fantastic.

Secondly the cute pattern I used for this swap is by another duo I found on Insta the Mother/Daughter team Lisa & Sarah who run A Spoonful of Sugar Designs. Click on that link to be taken to the pattern details and where to purchase/download.

I printed  my 5 large hearts at 75% and the contrasting red hearts at 50%...this kept me under the 16" quilt requirement. I also bought the Clover double needle threader on Suzy Quilts recommendation    ( awesome!) and the Clover jelly thimble...still getting used to this, but no blood was lost so win win LOL

I'm rapt with how it turned out and it's extrememly satisfying to sew something beginning to end in a week and just enjoy. the. process.

My life is quite busy/hectic/chaotic on a weekly basis and sewing is my calm, my flow and my escape......so I quite often have multiple projects on the go to keep emptying the creative tank...sometimes they become hectic too....LOL

A little mini is the perfect calm in a sea of swirl and flux...doable and perfectly small so easy to finish.

I look forward to my partner receiving it.....nice chatting peeps xx

Linking up with Amanda Jean and Myra

BWQS2 - Black & White Quilt Swap Round 2

If you've been around these parts at all you know I'm a fan of mini quilt swaps.

The main reason being it's an opportunity to try something on a small scale that either you've had on your bucket list and it's stayed on there through fear of commitment or you're not sure if it's within your skill set.

JOIN A SWAP.....sorry for yelling...but the best way to empty your bucket is to tip it out and jump into the wide world of options...but in a mini way LOL

I loooove NYB blocks.....but I have a fear of commitment...allllll those curves and bias edges and templates urggghhh

The paper piecing bit is easy and you know what??

When you follow the instructions of a NYB expert stuff works ....crazy thought ay???

I missed the first BWQS and there was no way I was missing the bus this time....I also love me some skeletons....even the non fussy cut ones....LET IT GO....OCD issues.

I'm hoping the neighbours are getting used to the crazy happy dancing and positive self talk that goes on in the basement...dontcha dance around by yourself when stuff works??

I learnt a couple of things on this mini

1. Instructions are helpful

2. Expert tips are even more helpful

3. You can sew anything when you relax

I also learnt that I still love NYB blocks but if I'm going to make myself a quilt its gonna be made out of blocks bigger than 6" or I will never finish it LOL

I'm totally thrilled with how this turned out and I should've taken some close up photos of the FMQ that I did like a ninja all over it....perfect block to practice and pretend like you're Angela Walters and noone can see that you're really like a 3 year old scribbling hahaha

Linking up for a Friday Finish with Amanda Jean and Finish or Not Friday with Myra

Playing Catch Up - Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap

Hi Peeps!

This is a retro post brought to you by the Month of October in the Year 2015?!! holy balls that's a lifetime ago!

Anyway... I participated in the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap

I chose the Take Wing pattern by Lillyella .

OMG she is a genius in the paper piecing world, you've probably seen the ridiculously crazy gorgeous Epic Halloween Quilt which is being run as a QAL by Flying Parrot Quilts.

The Midnight Bite pattern is the block which captures my eye the most....already added to the WIP list....sigh

Anywhoo I digress...this is the back of Take Wing....shes a bulky girl and carries alot a little around the middle like most of us Mummas ;)

I chose a Robert Kaufman metallic spot for the background....just to give her a little sparkle to go along with her shimmery wings. 

I am a crap  novice FMQ at best and although I love trying new and time involved patterns for these minis, I get a little frustrated at the lack of my FMQ skill.

The back features a gorgeous Kaffe print that I've hoarded forever...was keeping just for this mini lololol

Here she is in all her Sparkliness...totally a word!....I was very sad to see her go

A couple of extras my go to Heather Bailey pincushion and cute skull fobs...everyone needs a bit of skullduggery in their life!

Mini Quilts swaps are a great way to try something new and small, maximum size is usually 24" but can be less. Plus you usually have heaps of time between sign ups and mailing deadlines......don't know why then I always leave mine until the last minute??

Catch ya later Lovelies x

Sew My Stash Mini Quilt - Any Idea Where 6 Weeks Went?

August!!

That was the last time I was here?

Where did the last 6 weeks go??

Hi My Lovelies it's nice to see you, grab a cuppa and we'll catch up!

Instagram.....hmmmmm...it's a vortex into which I slip on a daily basis, I love staying connected to the sewing community through the little photo snippets of projects.

Which leads me to the first of my two swaps...so restrained...due before Christmas.

It Started With A Kiss....mmm Hot Chocolate....don't be daft it started with a sketch after surfing the net and typing in Tri Rec

Once I was happy with the design I did the Maths and worked out a colour scheme.....then I paused....24" square ( the maximum allowed for a mini ) means each square is 1 1/2".....do I really want to do this?

Choose some fabric and try one out......

Which leads to another....and yes I'm making it....with the assistance of middle child who is ever so patiently trying to teach me photoshop for the purposes of paper piecing....bless him!

I did find that I needed the coloured pattern to keep everything straight in my head but it went together slowly but seamlessly....which is unusual for me!

After it was finished I wished I'd changed the colour gradients a little more but I'm trying to enjoy the creative process and not to be my own worst critique. I do this for the simple pleasure it brings me and there is always the next quilt to practice on.

Tha'ts not to say the seam allowances on the half Tri Rec units were more than a little challenging at 1 1/2'' x 2 1/2" despite being paper pieced!!!

 But I'm really happy with the end result and learnt a lot of new skills whilst making it

The reason I find these minis so appealing is the ability to try something challenging or new that would be overwhelming or far too time consuming on a large scale...in this instance I'm not convinced however.

At a guesstimate from conception to finished quilt I've probably spent a good 40 hours on this...that's at least 2-3 easy baby quilts in my world LOLOLOL

This was a Sew My Stash Swap so all materials were to be on hand from your stash, no special fabric purchases were to be made.

In the spirit of this and because I ran out of time!! I've applied the same principal to the extras, not ever required but just a lovely after thought....these including some fabric ( Of Course!! ) and chocolate, haha, were ALL in my sewing stash???

I will be seeing you again my friends as I've finished quite a few quilts in the last 6 weeks and I'd love to share xx

Linking up with AmandaJean for Finish It Up Friday

No I Haven't Been Smothered By My Stash!!

Contrary to popular belief I haven't disappeared under a pile of fabric!

I am also in complete disbelief and denial that its been 2 MONTHS since we last spoke??

Damn life that keeps getting in the way LOL

OK moving on.......Below is the gorgeousness that is Alison Glass fabric and her deliciously saturated colours and the basis for my Alison Glass Mini Quilt Swap run on Instagram.

Some of them really smack you in the eyeballs like the Corsage and Party Streamer Lines

And even the Bike Path range is colour heavy although it reads to me as more of a stash builder fabric as it's less of a dominating  feature fabric

image sourced from http://alisonglass.bigcartel.com/category/fabric

Text is probably the most familiar range on a visual level, simply for the big "text" following particularly in low volume prints these days.

Now you've had your brief Alison Glass lesson I will flood you with Pictures of my Mini

My first plan was something paper pieced....Surprise Surprise you say

But the more I played around with the fabric I wanted to try something that would showcase ALL the fabrics not just a select line or only a few fabrics.

I used the teeny tiny Dresden that I got from Westwood Acres for free with one of my orders...the cuteness was ridiculous!

Then I decided to add some Butterflies and hand stitch them down with Perle 8 thread.

It wasn't without a few trials and tribulations, including melting the invisible thread AFTER I'd appliqued the centres down, and having to redo two centres as the seam allowances popped out in the embroidery hoop!

But I think that's what these minis are all about? Trying something new, different or challenging on a small scale...but I do wish I was brave enough to be more adventurous with my FMQ. It's non existant!

And just look at this BEAUTIFUL mini I received from Shirley @simplesew

Shirley has used the Art Theory Panel in White and Charcoal and appliqued it down on some quarters  and also cut  a feature from another in the range to put on the "Bitch" background fabric which is a nod to the Profanity Swap I did back in February

My photo doesn't really do it justice but I'll try and capture a better on for Instagram tomorrow

Little OWB was suitably impressed and as excited as I was....I'm training her well LOL

Shirley packaged it generously with some lovely selvedges...which I do collect

And some generous extras, needle minder by @whatthebobbin and a nifty two finger magnetic sewing machine screwdriver, plus some charms.

A great Swap!!

Linking up with Heather and Meg cause I miss Fabric Tuesdays

 

Rainbow Mini Swap on Instagram- Still Cheating On You

Yes I'm still cheating on you my lovely bloggy peeps!

I have a tonne of posts to do but sadly noone has gifted me extra hours in the day?

Here's a recent finish for you to look at over your cups of tea,coffee,vodka,gin etc

This was another mini quilt swap run on IG by @katebasti and since I had yet to make a Rainbow inspired quilt, my rubber arm shot up and I joined....once again failing to check my commitments for the month!!

I missed the International deadline by one week but it has gone!

 I bribed my partner with fabric and chocolate and lollies for my tardiness LOL

I have had this pattern by The Tartan Kiwi for a wee while just waiting for the right opportunity to use it

If you have yet to try one of her paper pieced patterns I highly recommend them

I worked loosely on the ROYGBIV order with a little more room for subtle shading between the main colours

The body is made using Robert Kaufmann Metallic and it gives the perfect amount of gold flicker in the light, so I used it for the binding as well.

Don't tell the others but the Purple girl is my favourite...she's the Sassy One!

I quilted in the ditch externally and internally on all four wings then roughly 1/8" outside all four ladies, if I was a fancy quilter I could've gone crazy in the white space, but I'm definitely a Piecer not a Quilter!

She was hard to give away, which I always believe is a good sign that you've done your best work!

But look what I received from Katy of The Littlest Thistle all the way in Scotland!!

This lovely, which I had admired in the #rainbowminiswap feed, immediately caught my eye with it's beautiful simplicity and deceivingly simple design.

It would not have been easy at all...it is perfectly lined up and spaced so the quilting intersects each point on the hexagons exactly and exactly down the middle between each one also!!

It's also on one of my all time favourite fabrics, Heath by Alexander Henry.

Katy also popped in some lovely extras for Moi and Little OWB....teenage OWB's stole the Jelly Bunnies immediately.....Katy is also in this particular magazine with one of her patterns!!

Once again a great swap and ALOT of fun ....which is what it's all about.

Lets count this as a finish for Finish It Up Friday