INS AND OUTS OF THE SWAP...

I was recently a participant in the DS (Denyse Schmidt) fabric, doll quilt swap on flicker.  The participants were international with most coming from Australia/NZ and North America.  We were a small but, very fun and polite group.  We are all fans of the Denyse Schmidt fabric lines.  The focus was on the Picnic and Fairgrounds lines that were released through JoAnn Fabrics.

Here are a few of the pieces from Picnic and Fairgrounds. Some of the line was exclusive to the US and some to Australia but, all  fabric played very nicely together.  Between the two lines their were 31 pieces. 

 I ordered a FQ bundle from a gal in Australia, so I did have the complete line to play with.  The only limitations were to stay within the Picnic and Fairgrounds fabric lines (solids ok) and keep the quilt size under 18"x18". 

I will say this "this swap DID NOT disappoint." 

Lorraine, from Australia sent me all this... (post cards showing the town my quilt came from, very clever!)

This was her first swap and claims, she has only made two quilts in her life!  But, on the other hand has sewin for many years.  Well, I was amazed at the small quilt.  Her work is exceptional and she used, so many techniques in this little quilt.  It's hard to see but, the leaves and tree 3-D.

This lovely little quilt is my treasure to keep!

I am truly smitten!

After the excitement of receiving her quilt,  the one I sent to my partner seemed so...so, boring. 

I was recently inspired by the fall sky's and the geese that are migrating.

I knew my partner like the blues and greens in the line and especially the dots.

Well, this is what I came up with...

Not so exciting, compared to the one I received.  I did,  however accomplish my goal and used all 31 pieces from the two fabric lines.  All in all, I really enjoyed this swap and the participants could not have been nicer and a VERY talented group of ladies.

Inspiration...

I am drawing my inspiration from the fall sky...

                                                                      flying geese!

My Friday Night Plans...

deep sigh... It's been a long week and yes,  I will have to work a half day tomorrow.  But, I am REALLY glad that it's FRIDAY night and I can't think of anywhere else, that I would rather be than in my sewing room playing with these...

I am in a swap group, we are exchanging doll quilts, using the Denyse Schmidt,
 collections Picnic & Fairgrounds.  Playtime, here I come!!!

Ohhh, I should mention I am going the gang for the October Friday Night Sew In. 
Come join in, it's not too late!

First Applique...

Is finished and it only took two years!!!  Wow, finally it's done.  Darling Daughter and I started this adventure two years ago, when she came for a fall visit.  We worked on it again the next fall, when she returned. I promised, another fall would not go by without it being done, and it it is...

I love the colors and the layout, but I hate the piece.  Well, that is how it finished.  This was my first attempt at applique and had I known... I would have not let so much time lapse in between having worked on it.

 I messed up, literally.  I used spray adhesive and pins, lots of them!  The piece over time and lots fondling during the quilting process began to loosen and while I noticed it,  I didn't realized what was happening and it stretched.  

 

  The end result is the piece, did not remain flat and taunt and in looks rolly. It was too late, to do anything  at this point.  I was not starting, all over. I had too much time vested and I would just finish it. IF... I ever make the attempt to applique again,  I  will keep at the quilting until the piece is done. I hate life's lessons, especially when it can be prevented!

The bag, is in the mail...

I finished my X-mas swap bag.  I am only going to show the back and inside.  I want the front to be a surprise to my partner, just in case she reads my blog.  Trust me, the fun is on the front side!

Just a peek...

I didn't meet a deadline and I am doing my best to make up for that!

  So, here is just a quick peek of what

I am working on...

Milestones...

Warning... This post drags, blah, blah, blah...

I mentioned in my last post that I had set my "focus" on something this summer.  Well, that focus has been me!  I had a reality check this spring when we had visitors and pictures were taken, I was appalled...I literally gasped when I saw them.  I later had my own pitty party and shed tears over what I had seen.  I hardly recognized myself and no, I won't share those pictures. I was out of control and knew the only way to fix it was going to be through myself. This I know...If you do what you always did, then you will get what you always got!

I also, had a milestone birthday approaching and knew I had to leave my 40's behind and go into my 50's feeling better.

It began slow through proper nutrition and exercise, I have lost over 35lbs and figure I am about halfway to where I need to be.  I want to get to a weight that I can maintain and feel comfortable carrying.  The number is not important to me but,  how I feel.

Though diet was my main focus I also, incorporated exercise.  I have always enjoyed walking but wanted more of a challange.  I wanted an accomplishment!  I decided I would train to run my first 5k.  Well, last week I turned 50 and today, I celebrated!!! 


I ran my first 5k and I am tickled to say I completed it!!! I wasn't the fastest but, I found my pace and ran my race!  I finished the run without stopping and it felt great!!! The camera man didn't see the extra batteries I had set out so, there were no finish line pictures but, I do have a medal to prove!


 
I had told SO, that I did not want anything for my birthday but time.  I wanted to hang with him over the weekend.   We have both had a rough summer with obligations at work and have not had much together time.  We even took seperate vacations to visit our kids.  We could not coordinate our time off together, that sucked!
 
SO, told me not to make plans... as he had a surprise.  We were going to be out of town over night.  I asked him what I needed to pack and he said, casual would be fine.  Then he did drop one hint, Galena!  That is Galena, Illinois.  I love this area, it is so beautiful.  Picture perfect!
 
About halfway there, he called to confirm his plans.  I could see on his face, it was not good!  The weather was not going to cooperate and they were cancelling the evening flight!
 
This is what was planned...

We tried again the next moring but again, the weather did not cooperate.  I was touched by the fact that SO, wanted to give me a memory for my 50th Birthday.  We did make memories...

We had a nice dinner, and meandered  in and out of the quaint shops that line the curvey main street.  This town is so romantic and full of ambiance...

We also, took a run down the alpine slide...

This was so fun, you ride the sleds down the run, which decends a half mile down the hills to the bottom where the Mississippi River lies, across the river is Iowa.  Again, views are breath taking.  Then you ride the chair lift back up and do it again!
 
I had a terrific time with SO and I am happy to have celebrated another birthday.  There was a time I despised them but, now I embrass them!!!
 
I am promising, quilty things to come!

REASONS / EXPLANATIONS = EXCUSES...

I have so much on my mind but, yet nothing to say...    My blogging hiatus was not planned.  I cant blame it on  an exotic adventure that took precedence.  As a matter of fact,  I found that the longer I stayed away the harder it was to come back.  I wanted something spectacular to show you but, that didn't happen.  I worked on numerous little things over the summer and have no "grand project"  to share with you at this time.  I have about six projects that need a day each to finish.

However, I did focus on something this summer and will share soon, it takes place this weekend and no I am not having a baby!

I also, took a new position at work that is proving to be a challenge.  I use to walk away from work and leave it at the office, now I find that I am bringing it home with me, in my head!  Not bad but, yet it's with me.

Here are a few pictures from our visit up to Minnesota over the 4th of July, to visit with SO's folks...

 SO's dad has a great hobby... wood working.

 I had requested that SO and his dad work on something together.  His dad had most of it together when we got there but, there was plenty of sanding and final assembly.  Isn't it awesome, they used maple.

This is going to be my curio/quilt cabinet....LOVE THIS!!!!

 While the guys were in the wood shop, I played on his mom's mid arm...

I doodled and doodled...  Lots of fun and more practice needed before I attempt a real project.

My reasons/explanations for not blogging only = excuses.  I have missed the quilting communtiy and I am happy to say, I AM BACK!

Everything, has a start...

And this is mine...

My first five blocks for the Farmers Wife Quilt Along.  It's a bit addicting and yet, a bit over whelming at the same time.  The group on flickr is amazing and I am constantly in awe of what everyone else is doing.  There hasn't been a day go by that I haven't re-thought my blocks, because I am loving what I see others do.   It's fun creating these little guys, but I am going to take it slow.

YES, I am ...

CRAZY... I am starting another one! I have so many projects that are waiting for TLC. BUT, this QA is eating away at me. The QA is Simple Things... being hosted by Charming Girls, Kelly of Charming Chatter and Carol of Brown Quilts. There are two project sizes to choose from. I am hooked on the big one by Carol but, I am loving Kelly's little version, too!

I want to make Carols version large enough to fit a queen size bed. I am trying to figure out how to grow the quilt without ruining the integrity of her design. Suggestions, are very much appreciated. I am not a math whiz and don't claim to be but, I know it can be done! Might have to get SO involved in this!

Part of my justification for starting this project is one, I have all the fabric in my stash. I over bought for a mystery QA that I ended up opting out of and was left with oodles of the fabric line Sunkissed, by Sweetwater. Reason two, is that SO and his dad have drawn up plans to build a bed frame. We up sized beds a few years ago and have never had a nice frame for the bed. Well, with a new bed in the makes, there certainly should be a new quilt, right?

Here is my fabric choice...

I should note, I won the second fat eighth. So, as you see I have truly been Sunkissed! Do you see that nose in the picture?

Anna, had a Dr visit today for shots and regular check up, she has been extra clingy. Her tail wagged the whole time I was taking the pictures, she thought it was all about her, as usual!

They have only posted the cutting directions. It's not too late to join in, you know you want too!!!

I also have to show you these...

I made these for DD. She picked out the fabric when she was here this spring. She thought it would make up cute pillowcases for camping, she was right! Are these just not the cutest? She will have one classy camper!

WOW...

What a win...

                                    

This is the bounty, I won a couple weeks ago from Ryan, over at I'm Just A Guy Who Quilts.  When I entered I assumed the items were to be split amongst many, as he was giving away so much!  When I saw my single name, I was elated, and amazed that all the loot was mine.  Dang, near left me speechless!

He also included an extra pattern, Read Between the Lines.  It's from his pattern company, Patchwork Squared.  It looks like it will make up quick, using 4 charm packs and some extra yardage.  I will be making  this one!

Thanks Ryan, for your generosity.  IT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

Perhaps, it was meant to be...

I am joining... The Farmers Wife quilt-a-long, over on flicker. (take a peek, it's very inspiring and growing across the quilting community).

My reasons for wanting to make this quilt are probably more sentimental than most.

My friend Lynn, sent me a copy of "The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt" by Laurie Aaron Hird after visiting her ranch in Idaho, last year. She had a copy and I could not leave it alone. Shortly, after arriving home I received my own copy in the mail, courtesy of Lynn. She, has been known to feed my quilting passion, of which I am very grateful! Yes, I am drawn to the challenge this quilt presents and I want to create an heirloom. However, the main reason I NEED to make this quilt is...

In my past life I was "The Farmers Wife." Yes, I was married to a farmer in North Eastern, North Dakota. I grew up in Arizona, a city girl and married the "boy next door" to grama (whom, I visited in the summer). He happened to be the son of a farmer and the rest is history... My three children, are farm raised. I have since moved away but, all three kids still remain in the North Dakota, all with agricultural connections

My daughter is now, "The Farmers Wife" and is raising her family on a farm. So, it only seems appropriate I make this quilt.

I am going to use Denyse Schmidt's line, Picnic & Fairground from JoAnn's (I was impressed with the quality of this line and I have been accused of being a fabric snob!). I purchased the fabric earlier this spring and was waiting for just the right project. Well, this is it! It has a vintage, yet modern flair and think it will compliment the quilt nicely. I have also ordered a bundle of the Australian cousins from this line and will incorporate some other fabrics to compliment.

I will probably be slower than most creating my blocks but, I look forward to the challenge!

It was a Nautical & Nice Weekend...

OKAY...FIRST, is there nothing more irritating than when you actually have something to say/share/show and you CAN'T ??? I have been trying since Sunday evening, to post and all it did was sit and spin. It has been such a long dry spell for me, that when I finally have something to share...I am silenced by blogger, GRRR...

Anyhow, I am here now...

I have, had these 4 charms packs of Nautical & Nice that I have been dreaming of cutting into.

Literally playing with time and time again.

I have other things I should be doing BUT, I CAVED TO TEMPTATION!

HST, is was... and LOTS, of them!!!

Then the creativity began. SO, has caught me a good half dozen times playing with them. He, calls them my building blocks! He said had he known how entertaining they were going to be, he would have encouraged me sooner to make them, ha!

It's a toss up between pinwheels and the zig zag.

AND just when I thought I was done trimming up all those HST, I found a hidden pile. At least 50 more blocks which creates 100 more, HST. OH, dear!

Swap in, Swap out...

I have been involved in a number of swaps this spring.  A couple of pincushions swaps.  One, of which I received nothing in return.  Oh well,  I guess that's a chance I take signing up.  Leaves me feeling greedy for signing up for two.  Should have been happy with one!

I also, took part in two eye spy swaps.  I now have over 200 4" squares to use in my own eye spy quilt. 

It's a quick, easy way to get a variety of novelty squares.

Then there is the Red & White swap over at Sew Many Ways.  We are exchanging 5" squares and in return will receive back 125 Red & White squares.  I can hardly wait to see what variety comes back to me.

Here is my fabric choice...

 It's a simple little pattern but , this picture is messing with the optics. 

I Spy Swap II ...

                                                                More things, I spy...
dogs in sweaters, golf balls & tees, Christmas candy, Christmas lights, tennis shoes, birds & nests, nuts & bolts with wrench's, animals, pink spiders & webs, and lastly dinosaur skeletons.

I am participating in another I spy swap.  This time over at   Green Apple Orchard.   When I get the blocks back I will have a nice variety of blocks, over 200 4" blocks.  Not sure how many a person needs to make a lap size quilt.  Has anyone done one of these?  If so do you have a pattern suggestion or thoughts on a layout.  I have something in my head but, might be needing more blocks.

Giveaway Winner...

                                                                       **UPDATE**  
 I am happy to announce that Heartsdesire, has claimed her winnings.  Thank you, to those of you who entered the giveaway!

The winner of two Sunkissed Charm Packs is...

Congrats to...
                                                       Heartsdesire


Please contact me via email with your mailing address and I will get these mailed out.  Please note, should I not hear from Heartsdesire by 6 am Thursday, May 5.   I will select another winner and again post here.

Thank you to those who entered the giveaway!

Sew on ~ Kim

May Day Giveaway....

I am celebrating May Day, with my first... Giveaway!



 
The prize... Two charm packs of Sunkissed, by Sweetwater.
 
I am keeping it simple.  No hoops to jump through.  However, there is one "catch" (keep reading).
 
All you have to do is leave a single comment on this post.  The giveaway will end at midnight Monday night and a winner will  be chosen by random number generator and will be posted on my blog Tuesday.  Now, here is "the catch."  You will have to come back to my blog to see who wins and claim your prize.  If the winner does not claim the prize by 6 am Thursday, another winner will be selected and again I will post on the blog, etc.
 
Good luck and I hope you enjoy your day!