Trees in August!

 Here is what my cutting board looks like this afternoon!

Just squared up 28 little trees for a swap I am doing.  I went to the quilt shop this morning and got my fabric and started cutting and sewing.  They were really fun.

We each send 27 trees to the swap organizer and then she is going to send each participant one tree from each of the other participants.  This way we will have a beautiful multi-colored tree quilt.

These are very small little blocks, 3.5" x 4" after trimming, so it will end up making a small wall hanging.  The instructions have some blank blocks mixed in with the trees.  You can see the original blog posting on how to make this here from The Purl Bee.  

I found out about this swap from the Misfit Quilters and now I am one too!  I can't wait to get all my trees. I am debating on adding some more of my own depending on how big I decide to make it. 

The fabric is from Adorn It - Life's a Hoot and I got more than I need of course to help my stash! (Like it needs it) LOL!

Hexalong!

Just because I really needed another project -LOL- I joined the Hexalong from Lily's Quilts.  Go here to get started and check out her hexies.  Here is my progress so far:

Put together so far.  The blocks are about 2" on the edge.

Lynne shows you how to print out some graph paper so you can make up your hexies in all different configurations like these.  

Classic 60 degree diamond star.

This one was fun.

Tumbling block.

Just one big hexie! 

The fabrics I used are Circa 1934, I had bought a charm pack and just decided to use that!  Not sure how big this is going to be or what I am making but I will probably need to get more fabric than one charm pack.  Oh darn, more shopping!

Mug Rug Love

I just went to the mailbox and found this awesome package that I have been waiting for!  I didn't know what it would look like because the mug rug swap was a secret swap so you didn't know who your partner was.

She did great didn't she?  

Cute little owl

Love the fabrics she used.

Mushroom

Thanks Karie!  I love it so much.  

Karie has lots of cute pictures on Flickr - check her out at Four Monkeys Quilts

or check out our Mug Rug Swap Adventure 2 Group here.

Here are some pictures of the mug rug I made for my partner Linda at Stray Stitches, so check out her blog.

She always has interesting facts, photos, links to giveaways.

Sorry about the bad pictures, took them in my car right before sending them out.  Linda has a better picture on her blog.

Back of mug rug with selvages.

Close up of hand stitching.

I really enjoyed making the mug rug and especially receiving one!

I will definitely do another swap and encourage you all to try it too if you haven't already.

Jodi

Lazy Girl Bag for my Mom - Finally!

I have been making bags for years now for friends, myself, gifts, etc. and yet I had never made one for my own mother!  I finally pinned her down and made her decide at least on a color scheme and to my surprise, she picked black, white and pink.  I love it.  I started pulling fabrics from my stash and this is what I got.

I started cutting strips and sewing them together, not totally sure what I was going to do with it.

So pretty!  I just love the colors but I made way too many strips for what I used.

So I ended up piecing the strips onto the back of the bag with some black and white print and here is a view of the finished back of the bag.

Then I did a little hand stitching with hot pink embroidery floss along the edge and inside some of the squares.

A heart for love for my mom.

She also specified she wanted this flower on the bag also, I had done another project with this and she really liked it.  I modified it to make it a little smaller though to fit on the bag.  

Below is the front view of the bag with the pocket and handles with rick rack sewn down the middle.

The bag pattern I used was the Margo Handbag by Lazy Girl Designs.  I have used many of Joan's patterns and love them all.  They have great instructions with lots of pictures and this one even has an easy way to do a zipper.  Go here to check out all of her great bags!  Lazy Girl Designs

 "Blinged out" zipper pull.

Top view of bag with zipper.

Just inside the zipper I added some decorative stitches with hearts for my mom again. 

 Inside view, lots and lots of great pockets  inside too.  All of Joan's bag patterns 

have lots of pockets that are really easy to do.

The lining fabric was one mom liked and I like the LOVE words all over it. 

 I hope every time she looks at this bag she knows how much I love her!

Fabric Love! DS Quilts - some purchased and some won!

I love getting packages like this in the mail!

I ordered this charm pack from Etsy since we don't have any JoAnn stores where I live.

Look how cute it is, tied up with a fabric bow.

In case you don't know, these fabrics are by Denyse Schmidt and are only found at JoAnn stores under the name DS Quilts and the lines are Picnic and Fairgrounds.

Not sure what I am making yet but some will be used in my hexagon quilt for sure.

So a few days later, I entered a giveaway from the Happy Cottage Quilter and won this!

6 fat quarters and 1/2 yard of more of the same line!  How great is that.

She even included some cute patterns from the store and some matching buttons.

What a cute note card too.

Thanks so much Jocelyn!

Go check out her blog here.

Now I will be trying to decide on what to make.  I have been thinking about trying a dresden plate 

and these fabrics would be just perfect for that I think?  Any other ideas for me?

Fabric Swap for Hexagon Making!

Wow, look what I got in the mail last week!!!  Lots of fabric love from Kristen of  K*D Quilts.  We are both making hexagon quilts and hers is a NO REPEAT - mine is not, so we swapped some fabrics to give mine more variety and help her fill the need she has for over 1,000 different fabrics.  Go check out her blog too, it is great and I am really glad I met her here online!

She wrote me a sweet little note too. 

Don't you love that little deer at the top!

She sent me a lot of beautiful fabrics that I didn't have.  This was so much fun, we are going to do it again later as we both collect new and different fabrics.   Thanks again Kristen!