A Swap Finish!

So I am participating in the Quilting Gallery's Mug Rug Swap. 

 I did the Candle mat Swap in November.  Hopefully I have a better partner this time as something happened to the person who was assigned me.  However Michelle is AWESOME organizer and had Angels lined up to pick up the slack!  I received this beautiful candle mat a few weeks ago from my Angel , Jenn from ND.

So here are the two mug rugs I made for my secret partner.

It was a little hard narrowing down what I wanted to do as she has no blog, no flickr account, no preferences, and not even a pet listed!  She said she was up for anything so I hope she likes them

I used my leftovers from the BE Mine Blog Tour projects and mad this cute Valentine's mug rug.  I even used pin pearl cotton and added a heart.

The I went through my fav scraps and paper pieced this mug.  I quilted it with orange and green pearl cottons.

And here is the back and binding .

I said I would share some of the goodies I found at the Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza in Statesville, NC.  First up is the Cottage Quilt Shop from Taylorsville, NC. 

and I will have to continue later as I cant find my pictures of the goodies :o( , plus I am tired from being sick the last two days.  At least the temp is gone and the yuckiness too.  See you later

keep dreaming...Colleen

I love these old tobacco barns, this one had a lovely view.

Vendors galore!

Today I did something I love which I haven't for a long time. 

I went for a drive through the back roads (westen NC) and took pictures of random houses and landscapes.  This is a beautiful old plantation house in the middle of nowhere. 

That is what I did AFTER I went here-

Jan 28-29, 2011

"The Quilting and Needle Art Extravaganza"

Statesville, NC

Location: Statesville Civic Center, 300 South Center St, Statesville, NC 28677

Hours: Fri-Sat 9am-5 pm

Admission: $5.

Comments: Over 40 of the BEST vendors from Western NC in one location. Shop for fabrics, books, machines, rubber stamps, beads, yarns, buttons and more. Quilts and quilt tops for sale. Raffle Quilts on display. Door prizes and demonstrations.

More Info: www.quiltersgallery.net

Needless to say I found a number of goodies to help with some of my current projects.  I will post over the next week the goodies I bought/won as well as the contact info and pics for the venders I patronized.  I will start with a vender I did not purchase from but who had a WONDERFUL selection of vintage buttons of shapes and sizes and colors!

I loved the quilt hanging as her backdrop/  And notice the suitcases and treasure boxes she had her buttons displayed in.  Everything was organized by size and/or color.

Here is her contact info

Paula Woods

Clyde, NC

email: teardream@earthlink.net

Well I have some sewing to do this weekend.  Two civil war blocks, some work on my DQS10 quilt.  Here is the ongoing plan of the moment.  I have already decided not to use the words as they are.

You can click on the picture to see more info and comments on flicker.

keep dreaming...Colleen



Restored farmhouse at the Westbend Winery Vineyard, NC.



Pay it forward

I was looking for a friends blog and stumbled on Leah's SewtoBed.  She was sharing a neat present she had received in the mail as a Pay it Forward.  Let me share with you.

As is the tradition with Pay It Forwards, it is now my turn, so here is how it works.

1. I will make a little something of the first 3 people who comment on this post. It will be a surprise and it will arrive when you least expect it.

2. I will have 365 days to do it in. What's the catch? To get a handmade present from me, you have to play too! This means YOU pledge to send a little handmade something for 3 readers of your blog. It doesn't have to be quilty - just handmade!

3. You must have a blog.

4. Once you comment here, you must post about your Pay It Forward on your blog to keep the fun going - with the Pay It Forward badge.

keep dreaming...Colleen

iris in Deer Lake Cove, Gull Lake, Ontario, Canada June 2010

Happy Birthday Kelly!!

 Happy birthday Kelly sister! 

Hope you enjoyed your day!

How did she get so lucky to have a sister like me? 

She was given a custom made coupon clutch with nice plastic dividers she can custom label.  Tutorial at the Moda Bakeshop.

Also a lovely small portfolio made from linen with a lovely purple daisy print from my fantabulous scrap box.  I even found a sleek little pen with a purple gem on top!!  Tutorial at my friend GinaBeanHandmade.

And last but not least a lovely little mug rug made from some incredible purple scraps including a little Heather Ross lightning bugs.  And this great polka dot backing/binding.

Happy happy day Kelly!

  

Keep dreaming…Colleen



Kalli-cat curled up in my studio comfy chair.



2011 UFO todo list

 I know I am a little late in posting this but it has been a busy month.  So I will start with my oldest UFOs and I will probably forget something.  I need to explain all of the 90's swaps I did were through Quiltnet online quilting guild based out of Cornell at the time.  It split into two groups it got so large.  One for just quilting info and discussion and the other for exchanges.  I do have some finished projects from that time including my favorite Quiltnet  World Quilt.  The border was made up of autographed 6" charm squares, pieced or appliqued blocks from as faraway as Australia and Norway.  The computer blocks were r also the guild pin.  The center is a 3D stuffed earth with beads marking locations of guild member who sent me blocks. The blue stars represented online guilds. 

1.  Twelve 12.5" 199something Hoffman fabric challenge blocks.  We had to use the purple butterfly fabric to make an Ohio Star. 

I also have these fabrics we had to send with the blocks.  Do you think I should sash these or sew them together without?

2.  Twelve 12.5" Amish blocks-I love these and think I will definitely sash them with a plain black border.

3. thirteen 12.5 Autumn Star blocks-I think I definitely need to set these with sashing or maybe on point.  What do you think?

I still have some great green w/some gold hand dyed look leaf print I had bought for a backing.

4.eight 12.5 black and white cat blocks-  I think probably sashed in a 2x4 grid. 

5. six 8" colorful cat blocks- I'm not sure what to do with these.  What do ya'll think?  Small wall quilt? Maybe the back of the BW cat blocks.

6.  sixty- six 6.5" Amish 9patches-These are from about four different swaps.  Did I tell you I learned to quilt/was addicted to making 9patches?  I am going to make a quilt sorting the colors together somehow and using black sashing and backing. 

7.  six 12.5 Hoffaman challenge fabric blocks-I think these might make an interesting table runner.  I don't think I will use my ugly block (lower rt)  it can always go on the back.  Opinions?

 I also have extra cuts of this fabric.

8.  Black and White Cat wall hanging-I love this wall hanging I made myself.  I think I moved before I could finish it.

9.  Then I have these crazy wonky blocks made from the bits and pieces of left overs.  Not sure where these will go if anywhere.

10.  Ok don't laugh to hard at these next blocks.  They are the first ones I EVER made.(circa 1991)  These were made pre ANY quilting knowledge, tools, or clue.  I followed I think a PBS Georgia Bonesteel show to make the small log cabin type blocks that when four were pieced together make different blocks.  They are very badly hand cut and sewn with our knowledge of seams on the sewing machine. LOL

Here is a closeup of one the better sewn blocks.  LOL.  Got to love those Piece Good prints-these were probably some of the first fabrics I ever bought.  I mostly used scraps from Grandma's House.

They might be interesting squared up and just sew together.

11.  Eighty or ninety (I forgot what I counted) Muslin 9 patches-  I would put these together just like I have them on the wall.  The stack are the ones I couldn't fit on the wall.  I love the way these fit together and they are all different.  They are mostly all signed and represent about 8 or 9 swaps.

12.  I have about 50 Christmas nine patches too but I forgot to photograph them.

13.  Border exchange-This is one of two I did that needs to be basted, quilted and bound.  I love the center block I made very wonky and free form using some hand dyed fabrics I made.

There were four borders put on this quilt by others in a round robin exchange.

I sent a label with it that every one signed and id which border they made.

14.  Border exchange #2-notice this one is in a lap hoop and has even been partially hand quilted.  It has ben a decoration as is for about 11 years.  LOL

15.  Sailboat Watercolor quilt-Does anyone do watercolor quilts anymore?  I haven't seen any on the blogs.  I have red fabric for the border and a great sailboat print for the backing.

16.  Twenty four Novelty print 9 patches-I forgot to take a picture of them

17. No muslin 9 Patch quilt-This quilt top and backing just need to be basted, quilted and bound. It represents another 4 or 5 swaps.  Told you I was addicted! It has my favorite pink repro fabric.  I love this and am hoping to get it long arm quilted soon so it can be my new bed quilt.

Well there you have it my 90's UFOs.  Anyone out there in blogland participate in any of these Quiltnet/Qxchg swaps?  Some will make lovely quilts I have been wanting forever!

 

Keep dreaming…Colleen

Jenn from ND was my angel in the candlemat swap when my assigned person dissappeared. 

 Thanks Jenn it is beautiful!  Just my colors and style!

I'm a Stylish Blogger?!

 I was honored this week by Staci over at the Confused Quilter with the

Stylish Blogger Award! 

It is awarded to great bloggers with under 300 followers! I have to tell five things about myself and pass on the honor. 

1.  I have a trunk full of 90's UFOs and vintage quilt blocks and tops. which I collect.

2.  I have a cat named Kalli.

3. I love to Kayak.



My kayak is called the Lucky Duck after the rescued rubber duck on the bow (boat word not ribbon word).



4.  I am a five year cancer survivor.

Me with no hair anywhere and my family during chemo.



5.  I am addicted to quilt swaps which is why I have so many 90's UFOs.

One of many UFOs from the 1990s.

My nominees for the Award would be

1.  Hillbilly Handiworks - I love how she helps with the training of assist dogs and makes each one a quilt blanket with their name on it.

2.  Rose Room Quilts -I love the fabrics she uses especially the Amy Butler.  She inspires me with her designs.

3.  It seams to be sew - my new friend Lana's blog-I love the fabrics she uses, and her stylish modern sense of design.  She is also very caring.

Check out their wonderful blogs!

Keep dreaming…Colleen

This is a pic of the frog that lived in my pond this summer.

DQS10 and an incredible givaway(not mine)

 So first here is some fabric I am considering for the DQS10. 

Different ideas stewing.

So many options.

So some fabulous finds from last weekend...

One of my favorite fabrics form my 90's stash-LOVE this print!

We had cool fabrics back then too.  I think it was a Hoffman.  I forgot to look.  Oops.

And a charm pack of the fabulous, yet to be released Sherbert Pips!  I was saving this for a quilt I am designing but realized a layer cake or fat quarter bundle would work better.  I'm saving my money to preorder in a few months!

Here is some random fabric I'm using to make something for someone.  They are fabrics I bought in one of those finds at a yard sale a few years ago.  About 20 yards of fabric for $5.  Hey my moto is why spend $50 when you can spend 50 cents.

One of these is a Micheal Miller print can you tell which one?

The giveaway can be found here at Lila Teuller's blog. 

Keywords:  Riley Blake, fat quarters, layer cakes , and charm squares!