Swapping

As always, I've been busy swapping lately.

I joined the Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap. My partner, Filomena, loves everything red & aqua, so I purchased Camille's new Mini Puddle Jumping pattern, and dug out some of my favourite fabrics.

Mini Puddle Jumping Quilt - Pattern by Camille Roskelley, Sewn and quilted by Quilting Barbie

These blocks are teeny. They measure 3.5" unfinished!

Teeny Quilt Block - only 3.5"!

Mini Puddle Jumping Quilt - Pattern by Camille Roskelley, Sewn and quilted by Quilting Barbie

I also received a lovely quilt from Nikol. She's an aqua lover too, so she used tiny pieces to make a ticker-tape quilt. She even added a touch of orange - my favourite colour scheme. (Nikol, if you are reading this, can you say hello, so I can follow you on flickr/instragram and say a proper thank you?)

Mini Ticker Tape Quilt. I'm calling it Aqua Love!

Don't you just love that orange?

Cute little orange rectangle hiding in the sea of aqua.

I'm working on some other swaps too, so hopefully I'll blog about them soon. Things are pretty crazy here. Last month, we found out that the mill that my husband works for is closing in March. Thankfully, it doesn't mean that we'll be out on the street, but it does mean that we're most likely going to have to move sometime next year. That will be 3 moves in 4 years. Yikes. I am starting to hate moving. As of right now, we don't know where it will be, but likely further north. I am just hoping that we can move to a town big enough to have French Immersion and Highland Dancing. Apparently, those two things are extremely important to me. Two of my kids are in French Immersion (Grade 2 and Kindergarten) and I teach FI Kindergarten part-time too. And, my daughter is an extremely talented Highland Dancer. I'd hate for her to have to give it up. I Highland Dance here too, but I've accepted my fate that I'll have to give it up when we move. There aren't many places with recreational adult Highland Dancing. Don't you hate it when you have weird hobbies?

Sorry for the rant. And Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American quilty friends.

Where did September go? A catch up post.

Wow, I can't believe September is almost over! It has been a very busy month for us. My son started Kindergarten, my oldest daughter started Grade 2, and sweet Little Miss S started back at daycare. I am teaching French Immersion Kindergarten (my son's class) two afternoons a week again this year. In all of my years of teaching, this is the first time that I've ever done the same job two years in a row. I am really enjoying having another go at it.

And still, there has been some time for sewing. I promised to show off the charm pack that I created for Cathy. Cathy also wrote a very sweet blog post about it, so if you want to see the rest, go check them out here. Here's a peek:

HR Charm Pack from Quilting Barbie

I've also received a few amazing swap parcels in the last little bit. Deanna from Little D and me, sent me a sweet little pouch and 50 amazing charm squares for the Simple & Sweet Scrappy Swap. 

Pouch and Charm Squares

Beautiful Charm Squares from Deanna

A bunch of them have already been used in a quick little baby quilt that I just had to make. (No, it's not for me). Thank you so much, Deanna. I love them. Especially those little foxes. And the Tula Pink. And the beautifully textured organic fabric. And...okay, I love them all.

A quick baby quilt - Can you spot Deanna's Charms?

I also received a special package from Amy in the UK for the Modern Scrappy Bits Swap. This really is one of my favourite swaps. Amy made a mug rug that is just my style, and sent some gorgeous scraps. Thank you Amy!

Modern Scrappy Bits Package Received from Amy in the UK

Finally, I just received a beautiful package of fabric from Helen from all the way in Australia. We had a private swap, and she sent me some beautiful Saffron Craig fabric. I am new to this Australian designer, but I'm smitten. The colours are beautiful and vibrant. I hope to make a special project (probably a cushion cover or a table runner) with the fabric. Thank you Helen for the wonderful swap!




And other than getting great mail, I've been trying to finish a few things. Hopefully I'll post again before yet another month goes by.

How was your September?

Simple & Sweet Scrappy Swap

I know it might come as a bit of a surprise, but I joined another swap on flickr earlier this summer. This one is the Simple & Sweet Scrappy Swap. And now, with the deadline looming, I finally sat down to cut up 50 charms and make a simple pouch.

My partner said she likes Heather Ross, so I dug into my scrap bin, and made two simple nine-patches for the pouch.

Heather Ross Scrap Pouch

Although linen, a neutral solid, or even low volume would have been the expected choice for the border of the nine-patches, I decided that I didn't want to do the expected. I have tons of Brown Posies in my scrap bins (it was the backing of my Maple Leaf Rag - which, by the way, I really need to finish hand-sewing the binding so I can show it off), and I thought the colours helped to unite some of the colours of the HR scraps.



It does strike a bit of the 1970's, with all the orange, brown and teal, but I'm okay with that. I was born in the 1970's after all, so it can't be all that bad.

Heather Ross Zippered Pouch

I'm not going to show all of the charms just yet, I want my partner to get them first. But I promise I'll show them then. They are worth waiting for!

Simple & Sweet Scrappy Swap Package for my partner!

Modern Scrappy Bits Swap

It's no secret that I love swaps. I especially love simple and quick swaps. One of my favourite is Leona's Modern Scrappy Bits Swap. A quick project made with scraps, a fat quarters worth of scraps, a sewing notion and a postcard. Easy peasy.

I've participated in all four rounds that she's hosted. And this time, we were asked to make mug rugs. To be honest, I really don't care for mug rugs. I think it is kind of silly to have a rug just for a mug. My kids would swipe it in an instant for a doll quilt, Lego tent or train shed. So I just hang them on my wall.

I found a fun (and free) pattern on Craftsy for a mini-Dresden. The pattern includes photo instructions and a template for the wedges. The pattern calls for 19 wedges, but for some reason I could only fit 18. I'll try it again and see how many fit.

Rainbow Mini Dresden

The downside of the pattern is that it does not include a circle template. I found glass to trace, and used Oh Fransson's tutorial to make the centre.

And because I hate hand sewing, I sewed it down by machine. I think it would have looked nicer hand-stitched, (and hand quilted) so next time I'm going to give it a try.

Rainbow Mini Dresden Mug Rug

My partner asked for scraps in gray, green and blue, so this is what I pulled out of the bins.

Blue, Green and Gray Scraps



And the package is now on it's way. Leona's already talking about Round 5 of the swap, with a Quilt As You Go theme. If you are interested, I definitely recommend joining.

What about you? Are you a swapper?

Drunkard's Path Quilt

I started a new quilt a few weeks ago. I am making it for someone who loves circles, and asked for bright colours with pink, green, orange and aqua.

Drunkards Path Quilt

I decided to dig out my drunkard's path templates that I've had forever (mine are Elisa's Backporch Design in both 3.5 and 7 inches), and use only fabrics from my stash. These templates are amazing. The cutting was so quick and easy as compared to paper templates.

 

The blocks were easier to piece than I expected (the templates came with great instructions for only using 1 pin per block). However, once I got all of the blocks made and placed out on my design wall, I hated this quilt. It just seemed much too bright. When I was picking fabrics, I really tried to mix my mostly medium tone prints with both light and dark prints, but it was difficult to do using only stash fabrics. I think now that I really needed more low volume, or even a light neutral background fabric to tone down the brightness of the quilt.

I must admit, however, that it is slowly growing on me. It helps to take a step back, and to take a look at it through the camera lens. Then it is possible to see the circles, and the quilt is a little less crazy.

Drunkard's Path on the Design Wall

I am now working on quilting it. But I'm having a terrible time. I bought new thread - a pretty variegated Mettler silk finish thread, and it keeps breaking. The tension doesn't seem to be the problem, so I think the needle is too small for the thicker thread. Of course, I can't buy needles for my machine locally (I need heavy duty needles for my Pfaff Grand Quilter) so I ordered some new ones today. I'll give them a try, and if that doesn't work, I'll have to change thread.

Free Motion Quilting

I'll leave you with a photo of me and my youngest. She loves having her photo taken, especially by her big sister.

A Fun Swap

In the last couple of years, I've become obsessed with Waldorf inspired dolls. Obsessed. I love that they are homemade. I love that they are all natural. I love that each one is a little piece of art. Kind of like quilts, don't you think?

I don't love that they are pricey (like quilts). So at first I tried to make one. Or I did make one. She's lovely, and my daughter actually plays with her. But I discovered that I really don't like making dolls. Actually, I discovered that I really don't like hand-sewing.

Waldorf Inspired Doll - Little Amigo Pattern from Growing Up Sew Liberated

So, recently, to get around both having to make a doll, and having to pay for one, I did a private swap with a mama. I made her some pillows. She sent me a gorgeous Bamboletta Little Buddy.

Bamboletta Little Buddy

My swap partner was the best 'customer.' She asked for bright and modern. She told me she wasn't afraid of colour. That was it. I was free to make whatever I wanted. Here's what I came up with.

The first was a simple string pillow. I used Ashley's tutorial.

The second was a simple bright and low volume hst pillow. It feels so good to actually use some of my hoarded Denyse Schmidt fabric.

Finally, I used a pattern from Amanda Jean Norberg for my last pillow. The pattern in Math Facts and it is in the Winter 2012 issue of quilty magazine.

Math Facts by Amanda Jean Norberg

Isn't the barter system wonderful? 

A Wonky Quilt and a new Swap

Hello Friends! And Happy February. How is it already February? And time to set goals for A Lovely Year of Finishes. As you probably could have guessed, I didn't actually get my quilt top done for January. But I did get all of the blocks made. So it I'm carrying it forward for February.

Maple Leaf Rag Quilt - all the blocks are finally finished!

 My goal for February is to get my Maple Leaf quilt top and backing finished. I've actually started sewing a few of the blocks together, and it is one wonky quilt. The wonkiest I've ever made. And it isn't supposed to be a wonky quilt. Oh well. I'm just going to go for it.

And I am so excited to be in a new swap on flickr. Since it was a US only swap, I was so excited when Leona let me participate. (Never mind that I begged :)) But Katy and I were thinking that maybe we could start up our own Canadian Edition. What do you think? Do you want to swap some text charms?

Fabric for TEXT me a charm swap

We are thinking that we will aim for 28 Canadian swappers. If we all buy 2 half metres of fabric, we can swap 56 charms. What do you think? Any interest?

It is beautiful and sunny here! I'm off to enjoy the sunshine. Enjoy your day

I've discovered....

the cure to perfectionism!

1.  A two month old baby who loves to be held (and a mama who loves to hold her).

2.  In set seams. Enough said.

In set seams...how hard can they be?

3. And a deadline. I'm working on it. I promise.

A hot pad/table topper for my SUTK partner

Spicing Up the Kitchen

Even though I'm not doing much cooking these days, I still couldn't resist joining the SUTK Round 2 over on flickr. Last night, Little S actually slept during the evening, so I made this little basket for my partner. I've always wanted to make one, and it was so fun, so easy and turned out so cute. If my partner doesn't comment on it in the flickr pool, I just might keep it for myself.

Made from this tutorial from Pink Penguin. I don't think the handles are really different lengths in 'real life.'

Next up, one more item for my partner!

Spoiled!

My gorgeous Doll Quilt arrived yesterday. It took my breath away. Honestly. I am stunned by how gorgeous it is.

Doll Quilt Swap 10, Made by Janet (What Comes Next)

Janet, What Comes Next, made me the perfect quilt. It blends tradition with modern fabrics and a colour scheme that I adore. And the quilting is amazing. Really amazing. Janet's workmanship is absolutely outstanding.

Check out that quilting...perfect!

Janet also included some amazing goodies. Look at the pattern for those cute little baby bloomers...don't you think my baby needs a pair or two? She also included some lovely fabric and a tiny little scissors case.

Spoiled me...I'm bringing those scissors and case to Quilt Retreat this weekend.

It was also a shock to receive a Doll Quilt from someone right here in BC. Usually I get swaps from Texas, Florida, or even Australia. It feels like Janet is a friend already, just by the fact that we live in the same province. 

I couldn't resist one more shot of the quilting. Janet even used different colour thread. Ahh....I love it.

Thanks so much, Janet. I love it!

Doll Quilt 10 Complete

I finished my little quiltie for Doll Quilt Swap 10 just in time for the International Shipping Deadline. I love me a deadline.

Doll Quilt 10

I added a couple of more birds to the centre to try to take away from it looking like a 'face'. Once someone pointed it out on flickr, I just couldn't stop thinking of a face every time I looked at the quilt. Hopefully I fixed it....although I'm not sure it really did. Again, that deadline was looming...

Dresden Plate Centre - I think my partner likes birds and toadstools.

I pieced together a back from a fat quarter and some scraps. I even hand-stitched the binding on (which goes against my new love of machine stitching) because I think I read somewhere in the official rules and regulations that we're supposed to do it the traditional way. It actually turned out really nice and I can see that it is worth the effort on special quilts.

Doll Quilt 10 Back

Quick Quilt Stats:

Approx. Size:     23" x 23"

Pattern:             Dresden Plate (tutorial from Oh Fransson)

Fabric:              Yellow and Aqua from my stash, background is a linen blend

Binding:            Rainy Days and Mondays by melimba & beccabury by Riley Blake

Close up of quilting - I stitched in the ditch around the dresden, and fmq in the background.

I'm so thankful to have this one off my plate. And I'm looking forward to receiving my own quilt soon. Okay, not that soon, as Canada Post is officially the slowest postal service in the world!

Spicing Up the Kitchen Swap Received!

I received a beautiful package from my Spicing Up the Kitchen Swap partner, Amy, last week. (Amy blogs over at amylouwho). I've just started to follow her blog...check out her gorgeous bird quilt. It's lovely! Anyway, Amy made me a gorgeous Dresden Plate table topper to go with my retro red kitchen table.

I love, love, love dresden plates. Especially ones with red polka dots.

I love the way it looks on the table.



I have my dad's old chrome kitchen table - the table topper is perfect!



Amy also made a diaper pouch and some burp cloths for our new baby. I'm thrilled to have some new baby items. With this being baby #3, the poor little babe is going to have to get used to hand-me-downs.

Thanks Amy for the thoughtful baby items!

The backing fabric is perfect too.

Even the back looks amazing. My daughter loves the apples and pears.

Thank you so much, Amy. I love them! And thanks to Darci and Erin for organizing a wonderful swap. I love the kitchen theme and the short turn-around time for making and sending items. I'm definitely up for Round 2!

Catching Up....

We're having computer/camera/Internet issues here at the Quilting Barbie house. Each works independently but they are not play nicely together. Finally today I figured out how to get some photos onto the laptop (which still has Internet access), so I thought I should give a quick update on what I've been up to.

I'm working away on my quiltie for the Doll Quilt Swap. My partner is pretty darn quiet, but since I signed up for the quiet group, I guess that is to be expected. While not the most creative choice, I figured I couldn't go wrong with a Dresden plate. Everyone likes Dresdens, right? I used the tutorial from Elizabeth at Oh Fransson.

My initial idea for the centre was some yummy HR Owl and the Pussy Cat, but in practice it turned out terrible. The linen blend was just too thick to get a nice curve. So I'm back to the drawing board...any suggestions?

Dresden Plate for DQS10. Any great ideas for the centre?

I'm also sewing away like a mad woman on my Spicing Up the Kitchen Swap package. I broke out my gorgeous Amy Butler thread last night for some quilting. Hmmmm....I wonder what colour(s) I used???? More photos to come, I promise.

Gorgeous AB thread for my SUTK Swap project.

And finally, I had a great time in the big city of Vancouver...and I made a few fabric purchases too...so I'll share those soon too.