Pink Chicks - Trying to Keep It Real

GREAT NEWS!

Happy Friday everyone!  Have you heard the great news?  No?!  Well let me share it with you.  Kathy over at Pink Chalk Studio has opened her own online store! It is called "Pink by Mail."  Isn't that a cute name?  And yes, I know Pink is my all time favorite color, so of course I would like the name. LOL!  Kathy is selling her own patterns as well as some patterns by other designers.  She also has some nice fabric choices.  I bought this fabric  and this pattern. 

Kathy has a new pattern out as well, which I also purchased.  It is called the "Mail Sack."  The bag looks really nice.  I can't wait to make one.  I will be making one in pinks and oranges.  It will be nice for running around this summer.  Another thing I like about the pattern is you can make it in adult or childrens sizes.  The girls would love a bag like this.

Four Seasons Quilt Swap - Summer Session is Open for Signups

Hello everyone!  It's that time again!  Time to sign up for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap!  Signups are open for the summer session. 

I have already signed up.  I love making small quilts and meeting all sorts of nice people along the way!  I already have a few ideas brewing in my head.  I think I am going to try some sort of applique this time along with hand quilting.  I might even learn how to paper piece correctly.  We shall see! 

Margaret does an excellent job of matching up partners and keeping up with everyone!  I can't imagine all the work she puts in to it.  I really appreciate her as a person and as a quilter.  Her quilts are beautiful and inspire me to work to learn new techniques. 

Don't hesitate to join us for this round.  Check it out if you are interested!

I hope everyone has a great day!!

DQS3 Quilt

DQS3 Quilt
Originally uploaded by solihubb

This is the quilt I sent to my partner yesterday for the DQS3. I must confess that this is the second quilt I have made for the swap. I was just about ready to send out the first quilt (the shades of blue one I posted before) when I realized that I had made the quilt according to the preferences of my partner for the Miniature Booty Swap. I could have had a heart attack! Oh well, at least I noticed it and all is well now, right? LOL!

Quilt back

Four Seasons Quilt Swap Received

Four Seasons Quilt Swap Received
Originally uploaded by solihubb

I received my Four Seasons Quilt today. The very talented Jeanne B. Mitchell made it for me. I have admired her talent and was pleasently surprised to receive this in the mail. Boy I have had some good mail days recently! The hand quilting is lovely! I can't say enough about it. And the fabric, it's beautiful! I love the sweet bunnies, don't you?

There are some really talented women in this group and I am happy to be a part of it. I am learning a lot and looking in to trying techniques that I wouldn't have before.

**Hop on over to the Four Seasons Quilt Swap group and see what everyone else has been up to.

Lunch Box Swap Received

Lunch Box Swap Received
Originally uploaded by solihubb

This is the gorgeous picnic bag and accessories that I received from the wonderful and gracious Ellen. Ellen's bag is beautiful! She included all my favorite colors. Ellen even included some extra goodies in the form of place settings for a picnic. My girls and I are beyond thrilled!! Thanks Ellen!

Head on over to the Oh, Fransonn's Lunch Box Swap Pool and check out other terrific creations! 

Lunch Box Swap

I participated in a Lunch Box Swap hosted by of Oh Fransson.  Here is what I came up with.  I was going for something springy that included my partners favorite color.   I made it large enough to hold lunch as well as a magazine or book.  It is getting to be that time of year where if you are lucky like I am, you can go outside for your lunch hour and eat and read.   I would love to be outside enjoying the spring weather instead of working today. LOL!  I am going to make a couple more of these bags for my girls.  They really liked this one and were sad to see it go.

I included a copy of Martha Stewarts "Good Things" healthy home edition.

The bag is reversible!

Four Seasons Quilt Swap - Spring

This is the quilt I put together for the Four Seasons Quilt Swap for spring. 

For the center blocks, I decided to go with a layered flower.  The flowers are made from prairie points that are  positioned and sewn to a foundation.  After the layering, I added my borders.   The block is set en pointe.  I have never done this before and it was a little nerve wracking trying to figure out the exact size for the triangles.  I finally figured out that all the angled lines on my cutting mat are there to help me with just that. 

I love how the quilt came out and will probably make another one to go in the girls room.  They really liked this project as well.  I know they want to know why Mommy keeps making things and sending them to other people.:)

Here is a close up shot of the layered blocks.  Sorry for the poor picture quality, but you get the idea. 

I hope my partner likes it!!

Miniature Booty Swap Quilt

Miniature Booty Swap Quilt
Originally uploaded by solihubb

I made this quilt for my partner in the Miniature Booty Swap. I am really proud of how it came out. It is based upon a quilt I saw "Quilt" magazine. I like the fact that I learned a couple of new skills. This is the first time I have used prairie points and the braided design for the blocks.

Fabric Folding

Fabric Folding
Originally uploaded by solihubb

For the spring version of the Four Seasons Quilt Swap, I am making four flower blocks that use layers of prairie points to make up the flowers.

Final Border

Picture 837
Originally uploaded by solihubb

Here is a picture of the block after I added the final part of my border. After working on the butterflies and sighing the sigh of relief that it was completed, I forgot that I was supposed to be using some of the fabric that was sent along with the quilt. Duhhh! Anyway, I like the way it turned out.