Quilt Block Exchange

We finally had our quilt block exchange this week. Actually it was really nice because I am in AZ for the week (my husband is taking a class for his CFP test coming in Nov) so I was able to attend the exchange. We had a nice lunch, showed everyone the block we made ourselves, and then received our new blocks. I am so impressed with the quilting skills. My block was definitely the easiest and the least traditional...but I still like it. Here is what all the blocks looked like.

 (I am missing my own block, and my mother in laws block because she forgot to make 2).

I especially loved these blocks.

 

Applique....I just love the detail and the color combination. Gorgeous.  

All the petals are amazing.

The fabric is bright and cheerful so now I have to figure out what I am going to do with it. Should I make a fun quilt for the park, or maybe a guest room blanket (even though we don't have a guest room)? Or maybe I should just save it until I have another baby and use it for either the baby's nursery or Lizzy's room (depending if the baby is a boy or girl....I AM NOT PREGNANT, just thinking about it)?

I'll have to think about it, but in the meantime I can marvel at all of the sister's quilting work.

Quilt Block Decision

Well I decided on my quilt block for the quilt exchange. I took your recommendations as well as some from the quilt group and decided to make the ruffled block. I am really bad at quilting. It is the numbers and measurements. I just had the hardest time coming up with the correct 12.5x12.5 block. I guess I bring it on myself because I don't like to use patterns. After fiddling around with the strips and my ideas I decided on this:


It uses 4 jelly roll strips at 2.5x12.5. Then another jelly roll strip cut in half so it is 1.25x12.5. The last piece is a white strip used for the ruffling measuring 4x24. This seemed to work with a little adjustments in the seam measurements. I am happy with the result. I know the ruffle will make it hard to actually quilt on it but I love the dimension it will bring to the quilt. Did I mention that I am making this for my king size bed. I need a new bedspread. Hopefully the other members in the group will approve of the ruffle.

I also added ric rac to my personal blocks just for fun. Thanks for all the advice. I will be sure to show you the quilt top when I receive the other blocks.

I'm linking up here

Which One???-Wowzer Wed

I am currently in a quilt exchange. Sounds like fun right? A group of women from my MIL's ward are doing a quilt block exchange and they invited me to participate. Here is the idea: we all make 16 quilt blocks measuring 12.5 inches from the same fabric line. Then we give each women one of our blocks so everyone has a block from each other. All your blocks need to be the same design that way each block on the quilt will be different. The line they chose is Moda's Fresh Flowers (I LOVE MODA).It is a little bright but I still like it.

Anyways, I am suppose to be done with my quilt blocks by Sept. and I have really been dragging my feet. When I agreed I thought what a fun idea and a good opportunity for a master bedroom makeover. Now the summer has gone and the deadline is creeping up on me. And now I am thinking maybe this wasn't such a great idea. (Have I told you I have a little problem with commitment? Not to my spouse but in regards to appointments, deadlines, that sort of thing). I am really having trouble deciding which quilt block to do. I want something simple and fast. I am not the best quilter so simple is good. Here are my two ideas:

1

2

This one has a strip of straight, then a ruffled, then straight, then ruffled, then straight.

I should probably mention that I bought a jelly roll and that is what I am planning on using to make either of these blocks.

Here are my arguments for each:

I like the first one because it has a lot of colors which will incorporate well with the other blocks I receive.

I like the second one because the ruffles will really add some dimension to the quilt. Plus it is a lot easy than the first (less cutting and measuring which tends to be my downfall).

So what do you think? HELP ME PLEASE!

Gifts from the Heart

Some of my favorite projects are for other people. It is really a shame because I give away some of my best stuff, and it is not ALWAYS greatly appreciated. However this time I know my gift will be used and snuggled with love. For Christmas I made my sister a new blanket for her bed. She is starting a new life and decided she needed to make over her room as well as her life so I figured I would help her get a jump on the decor. She wanted black and white with pops of color. After a lot of thought on what I could make that would be economical as well as mailable I ended up creating a quilt. Now I started with my scraps but that wasn't turning out how I liked so after cutting out all the pieces I scratched the first idea and came up with something totally different. It is young and fun, perfect for a single woman's room.  Here is what I ended up with:

These rag quilts are so easy to make. Just cut your squares whatever size you want (I did 7x7) and arrange them in whatever pattern you like. Then sew the wrong sides together so the seam is on the outside. Once all the squares are sewn together clip the seam pieces in small squares. Then add your batting and back, quilt whatever designs you like to hold everything in place, clip the outside seams. and throw it in the wash. When it comes out of the dryer you get a cool frayed look which adds some interest to the quilt. Happy sewing everyone!