Scrap Quilt

Started this one in January. It's a split 16 patch. NO strip piecing on this, it was all individual patches. I used 2 1/2 inch squares. The blocks are 9 inches.

Celtic Solstice

Quilt Show

Block Swaps Update

I'm still having a great time swapping quilt blocks. Every time I join a swap I learn something new. Here is a picture of the blocks I received in the Civil War fabrics Ohio star block swap.




Here is a picture of the Puss in Boots blocks I received:




I'm working on three other swaps, a "scrap happy" swap on Quilting Around the World a mini nine patch swap for block_swappers and a nine inch nine patch for the same site.


There are many good reasons to join a block swap.
Reason one is to try a new color scheme. I tried a new color scheme for the Puss in Boots swap. I had all those colors but never would have combined them myself.

Reason two is to find out more about your stash. In the Scrap Happy swap I learned that my stash was lacking in very dark colors. Next time I shop I will be adding some dark colors to help make my quilts "sing".

Reason three is to try a new block pattern. In the Scrap Happy swap I made a block I've never made before. It's just a simple double four patch, it's a classic, but I'd never used it before.

Reason four is to increase your productivity. Those deadlines really get you sewing.I find that having a deadline makes me more productive. I know that without these block swaps I wouldn't have made as many blocks as I have. When I finish these five swaps I will have enough blocks made to put together 5 new quilts. How's that for productivity!

Reason five is to help you "raise the bar" on your accuracy. I always want to send in my best work so I'm a little bit more careful and accurate when I make blocks to swap. That's a good thing because I know sometimes I get a little sloppy than I'm not happy with the way my quilts turn out.

Can you tell I highly recommend swapping quilt blocks? Head on over to some of my favorite forums and join a swap today, you'll be glad you did.
Quilting Around the World
Block_Swappers
MailBlocks
About.com Quilting

If anyone knows of other block swap sites please leave me a comment.
Also I'd love to hear about your quilt swapping adventures so leave a comment, I'm sure we're all interested in what you have to say.

Free Live Workshop

Marney from Artella is giving a free live workshop on this Thursday, February 26, called The Complete Idealist's Guide to Growing a Creative Business: 37 Ways to Really Make an Artsy Living.

I'm going to be leaving my quilt guild meeting early so I can join in. Click on the link to sign up. If you haven't checked out her web site you really should. Artellaland is a great place to visit for crafters, writers and artists.

One World One Heart Winner!!

I'm a lucky winner on not one, but two blog giveaways at the One World One Heart blog event.
I've won a paper-mache item from GreenishLady. Follow the link to see a photo of my prize. I really can't wait which one I get. I'm glad I don't have to choose, I don't know which one I'd pick.
My other prize is another mystery from Palm Coast Art It is a mystery packet of beads and a handmade bezel. I'm sure I will love them. Check out her Etsy shop here: palmcoastart.
This blog event was great fun. Maybe next year I will have my own givaway.

If you missed the givaway this year you can still see the list of participants . I'm still checking out the blogs I didn't get to visit during the givaway, you should too.

One World One Heart

Just want to let everyone know about the givaways at http://oneworldoneheart.typepad.com/
I'm not participating, I just found out about it but maybe I'll try it next year. Of course I'll have to update my blog a lot more often!!