McKinney Modern Quilt Guild Pillow Scrap Swap

At the McKMQG May meeting we exchanged bags of scraps.  The challenge was to make a 16x16 pillow.

These are the fabrics I received.  I was kind of at a loss on what to do so to start I pieced 2" strips together.

My partner is very earthy and has often made items with trees so I decided to make a tree be the center focal point.  I did raw edge applique because I thought it was more "earthy".

I added her last name to the bottom to make it more personal.  I also decided to frame the tree applique with two simple stitch lines and then with the pieced fabric strips.

  Here is the finished pillow.

For the back I used a solid.  I used buttons and hair elastics for a modern closure.

Heres a close up of the label on the back side.

This was a really fun swap.  I don't usually work with blues, yellows and oranges together so it was nice to step out of my box.   We exchanged the pillows last night and my partner loved it, now I think I need to make one for our house!   Thanks for stopping by!

Christmas Sweet Pouch Swap Sent

Here is what I sent my partner Barbra in California for the Christmas Sweet Pouch Swap.

Barbra likes pastels so I went with a pink, hot pink and green color scheme.  I sent a snowman ornament that I made in the hoop, a mesh bag with monogram applique and one of my zipper pouches.  My thought was that the mesh bag would come in handy for Christmas gift wrapping; like storing tape, scissors and gift tags.   Hope you are having a great holiday season... I am doing a lot of sewing keeping up with orders in my Etsy store.  

Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap

I am in a happy swap mood.  Last week I also joined the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swp for Round 3 and volunteered to be a group moderator.  I am so excited.  Follow us on Instagram!

Here's my group icon.  I have 40 girls from all over the US and different parts of Europe.  

  

Sweet Pouch Swap #4

I am so excited to be part of the Sweet Pouch Swap hosted by Roz in Austrialia for the 4th time.  I already got my partner assignment and we've been corresponding and getting to know each other.

This time around my partner is in California so it will be easier to send extra stuff in the package, sending to Europe & Australia is always such a challenge because I always want to include bulky items.  I can't wait to start sewing.  #sweetpouchswap

Basket received

This is the fabulous basket I received in the McKinney Modern Quilt Guild Basket Swap from Elizabeth W. The tote is large, the handle part can be folded down to make a basket and it's completely reversible. How cool is that! These are the fabrics I've used in my Sewing Room so it will be great for toting stuff... It's so fun to do swaps, thank you Elizabeth! #mckmqg

Basket made for MckMQG swap

Yesterday was our monthly McKinney Modern Quilt Guild meeting.  These are the items I made for the basket swap.  We actually exchanged bags of fabric last month so that was a fun twist.  My partner included a lot of fabric in her bag so I made a few extra things in addition to the basket.   A mugrug and matching mug that said "stitch your stress away", a layered flower pin cushion and of course a zipper bag -- which is something I make for every swap.

The basket was big and I felt like I needed to put something in it so it would not be so empty so I quickly embroidered a fuzzy fleece throw with some of the left over fabric.  (I keep these blank throws on hand in case I need to make a quick gift.)

I think the throw with a C turned out really cute.  My partner seemed to really like everything and I really enjoyed sewing with fabrics that I would normally not buy.  Thanks for stopping by.

Mini Quilt I sent

Here is the mini quilt I sent to Miranda in Iowa.  Tomorrow I will post the other items I sent.  This is a modified version of the Stacked Square pattern at Moda Bake Shop.

I tried to use bright colors since Miranda said she liked rainbow.  This was a little out of my comfort zone but I am pleased with how it turned out.   Hope you are having a great weekend. 

Swap Received from Iowa

This is the fabulous swap I received from Miranda in Iowa for the Mini Quilt Swap!

The mini quilt is so awesome, she used one of my favorite lines from Sweetwater and of course my favorite "sewing room colors" red and black.

Here is a closeup of just the quilt.

And of course the box zipper pouch. 

Thank you so much Miranda, I love everything. 

Sweet Pouch Swap -- what I sent

I am finally getting back to posting.  It has been such a crazy month.

This is the pouch I sent to Jane in Australia.  She finally received it so I can reveal. I am so pleased with the way it turned out.  This pattern is by Embroidery Garden, a bit time consuming compared to the other simple pouches I make all of the time, but totally worth it.

On the back I appliqued a big J, I just couldn't let it be blank.  This is the Tuscan alphabet by Embroidery Boutique. 

I added a little signature with my initials and date in the lower right corner. 

The lining was the spool fabric. 

This was for the Sweet Pouch Swap hosted by Ros at Sew Delicious.  I love her swaps, everyone does some amazing pouches. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

Sweet Pouch Swap- What I received

Here is what I received from Jane in Australia for the Sweet Pouch Swap.

Isn't the bag totally adorable?  She knew I liked red & black sewing themed stuff and added a cute Texas Applique.  She also sent some Australian magnets for Micaela's collection and some yummy treats, those Tim Tams were delicious! 

Thanks so much Jane, love it all!

 

 

Sweet Pouch Swap

I am participating in the Sweet Pouch Swap for the third time.  My partner is Jane in Australia, her favorite colors are purple and green... and she loves owls.  Here's the fabric I have chosen.

 

Here is a sneak peak of what I have made....  As soon as she receives, I will reveal.  Thanks for stopping by...

Hexie Mini Quilt

Can you believe February is already here?  This is the adorable Hexagon shaped mini quilt I received from my partner Betsy in the Heart & Sew Swap.  See what I mean --- every item deserves it's own post?    I am so looking forward to putting this on our breakfast table for Valentine's Day.  Our table is a scalloped square so it's going to look perfect!

 

The fabric is Surrounded by Love by Deb Strain for Moda.  Here is a close up of the beautiful piecework. 

Thanks for stopping by... 

Heart & Sew Sewing Swap

Happy New Year.  After much encouragement from the gals that participated in the Halloween & Be Thankful Sewing Swaps, I've decided to host a Valentine's Day swap. 

Register online HERE. 

Mini Quilt Received

Last month I posted the Mini Quilt I sent in the Mini Quilt Swap, I hadn't shared what I received.  Take a look at this adorable mini quilt I got from my new friend Kristen in Ricon, Georgia.  Is this not the most adorable weenie dog item you have ever seen?  She totally took into account everything I love, weenie dogs and red & black. 

She used Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater which is one o my favorite designers and lines.  I could not be more perfect!

I absolutely love it!  Thank you Kristen!

Paris Mug Rug Set

Here is the second mug rug set I made for my partner, Nancy. I did free motion quilting on the mug rug, made a scrappy pin cushion, a crisscross scrappy tissue holder, and a little hoop art.  I wish I had taken better pictures because you can't really see the detail of ribbon on pin cushion, the cute back and the different fabrics on the crisscross tissue holder.  I was in a rush to get everything mailed.  My partner loves Paris, the Eiffel tower etc.    

Thanks for stopping by!

My First Mini Quilt

I've been sewing alot just haven't had much time to post.  I joined the Mini Quilt Swap hosted by Kristi at http://www.schnitzelandboo.com/ a couple of months ago .  I have thought about this quilt every day since I got my partner assignment.  The swap is secret so no one knows who is sewing for who. 

One of the reasons I like to do swaps is that it forces me to try new techniques. 

The questionnaire from my partner said she liked mixing vintage and modern and liked a "rainbow" color scheme.  It also said she collected vintage Pyrex bowls.  From that moment, I remembered the bowl fabric from Lori Holt which she happened to list as one of her favorite fabric designers.   

So, the first thing I did was order this fabric.  I love how bright and cheery it is

I decided I wanted to do a Dresden design.  I carried the fabric all over town for weeks to find matching/coordinating fabrics for the petals or blades.  Here is the first Dresden I made.  I used the Stampin' Up! Dresden die to cut everything out...
 

Long story short, this Dresden didn't make it on the quilt.  I started to hand sew and turn all of the petals and give up quickly-- it just wasn't turning out like I wanted.  Then, I decided to make it round.  Well-- then it got wonky and I decided to just start over about 2 o'clock in the morning

I made a whole new Dresden and sewed the blades with points instead so I wouldn't have to deal with the curves.  The second one turned out much better... but somehow I could not get it to lay flat, so I had to add another blade to make it work (17 blades total).

I appliqued the Dresden on white on white dot fabric, did a blanket stich around the points and sewed in the ditch of the blades.  I then added the bowl fabric for a border....  Here it is without the center and binding.

 

I debated about the color for binding and center circle.  Part of me wanted to go with black and white dots but I finally opted for a grey and white dot instead.  I had a difficult time sewing the binding... remember what I said about forcing myself to try new techniques-- well I got a good taste of binding!  I did the whole thing twice and finally got it to look right.  Here it is the finished.
 

Here is the back. 
 

I added one little extra handmade item... one of my zipper pouches.   

Here is the whole package with a few little Texas treats from a few stores in our Historical Square in Downtown McKinney...  Texas Bumpy Road Popcorn from Mom & Pop Popcorn, Goodies Chocolate in the shape of Texas from Goodies, Obleas from Mexico, Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines from our state capital and finally everyone needs a Texas license plate with their name on it! 

I hope she likes everything.  It really was hard to let this go but I hope my partner enjoys it and loves it.  The package is being delivered today and I look forward to hearing from her.  Thanks for stopping by.

Autumn Be Thankful Sewing Swap

We've had so much fun with the Halloween Swap, the ladies want to do it again.  Opening up a new swap.  This is for one single Autumn item due by November 15.  You can send extras but not necessary.

Use this link to register online.    Closing soon, don't delay.

Halloween Pillow

I have to brag.  My Halloween Sewing Swap group has been so much FUN.  We have a Facebook Group and 60 of the more than 70 ladies are constantly posting pictures and having great conversations.  No one really knew each other before the group and it has been so fun to read everyone's post, droll over Halloween Projects, exchange ideas, support each other and just plain bond.  We have already decided to do another swap for Autumn and I can't wait.  There are probably more than 100 pictures of Halloween projects so far.  I plan on making a slideshow or video of all of the projects and sharing them here after we are done.

 

In the meantime, here is another item I have made for my Halloween Sewing Partner.  The pillow is 10x10.   I sewed 4 strips of 2x2 patchwork and then attached it around the center panel.  I am pleased with how it turned out and to be honest I am going to hate to part with it.  Micaela has already made my promise I will make one with an M for her.

Hope you are having a great day!  Stay tuned for more Halloween projects in the coming days. 

Fabric Bin

This is the fabric bin/basket I received from Julie 'Hopkins' Laidlaw in the McKinney Modern Quilt Guild Swap last month.    You might recall the swap I made BettyPat with her fabric in late June.  I was in Hawaii the day of the swap but Julie and I finally connected a couple of weeks ago and I was in awe of the gorgeous bin she made for me. 

 

This bin, basket or swimming pool (as Julie affectionately refers to it) is gorgeous, GIANT (more than 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide) and I love it!  

 

Thank you Julie! 

 

The cool thing about this swap is that the recipient supplied the fabric. I supplied a variety of the fabrics that I have used to decorate and make things for my sewing room. You can see all of the pillows on my daybed in the background.  I actually tidied up a bit to take the picture.  I'll share new updated pictures of my sewing area in the next few weeks.  Thanks for stopping by! 

Patriotic Pennant Banner

This is the banner that Angie my partner in the Patriotic Swap sent me.  Isn't it darling!  I had it hung on my mantle but I could not get a good picture, so I hung it on the bannister of the front patio to take a picture.  I just love all the fabrics she used! 

You can see all the other great items that were sent and received from all of the other girls on Instagram by searching #spiritsewingswap.  Hope you are having a great Tuesday!