March's BOM Is Posted!

March's BOM is now posted on Ewe's Quilting !  Sorry about being a bit late--Love Apple Quilters are gearing up for our quilt show at the end of this month, so my time is not my own.  (Would love for you to visit!  Check out Love Apple Quilters to get all the details!)

Here are a couple of blocks made from past months' patterns:

Pretty nice so far, don't you think?

Thanks for checking in and I hope to have some more completed projects posted soon--one's on the frame and ready to go!

New Block of the Month "Quilty Delights"

One of my many New Year's resolutions is to do five quilty things a day--sounds easy, doesn't it?  In the spirit of keeping this resolution alive, am going to share more of what I'm doing here on this blog, including more finished quilts!  Have so many on the brink of being finished, but that's a post for another day.
 
As swap hostess for BlockBuddies, I've provided a Block of the Month swap for the past four years and here's the one for 2011:

This month's block is Cross and Crown:

We make two blocks, one to keep and one to swap.  If you're interested, feel free to join our little on-line quilting group--the button is on the right of the screen.


Here are a few other colorways you might prefer (purple is way out of my comfort zone, but it was requested by the group):

Americana

Autumn Splendor

Would love to hear your feedback!  If you are interested on making the blocks along with us, please feel free to get the instructions free on my website, Ewes Quilting.

Anatomy of a Swap

Some might wonder why I don't post more finished projects, so thought I might take you on a journey through the process of hosting a swap.  The swaps you'll see here are from the BlockBuddy Yahoo group.

First step is to select a swap. We have several running at the same time.  The most popular right now are the Chicklets, an invention of my imagination.   Chicklets are 4 1/2 inch four patches using white on white and a flavored gum color.  The flavor of the month was grape.

Lots and lots of grape chicklets!!

Just love all the colors!

Another favorite are the Country Nine-Patches.  Found this charming block here: Quilting.About.com .  Not only are they addictive to make, but thinking they are going to make a fabulous quilt.

Classic blue and white--can't wait to start assembling the top!

A quick and easy block is the Double Four Patch.  If you'd like to try this versatile block, directions are located here:  http://quilting.about.com/od/quiltblocklotto/ss/january07_lotto.htm .  Saw one in a recent quilt show--just love the classic blue and white set in a visually pleasing way.

 This cute little four patch is called a Stripey Four-Patch.  These darling blocks are done in white-on-white and 1930 reproduction fabrics.  If you only have fifteen minutes to sew, these blocks should be your first choice.  Am partial to them being set on-point, which creates a tessellating design.  My black and batik top is done, just waiting for the quilting.

 Sometimes we just swap components of blocks.  Been swapping half-square triangles for months and am growing a delightful collection for a future scrap quilt.

Dozens and dozens of half-square triangles!  Oh, the possibilities!

And, we swap 2 1/2 inch strips called "Zippy Strips."

Galaxy Star

Last, but not least, we have a block of the month.  The pattern for this month's star is located at www.EwesQuilting.com under the BOM section.

Once all the swaps are sent to me, I distribute them to their new homes where they live happily every after!

Waiting for the mail carrier to whisk away the squishies to their new home!

If one or more of these swaps appeal to you, please come and join us at BlockBuddies!  Go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BlockBuddySwaps/ and sign-up.  You'll find lovely, talented ladies, fun activities and boatloads of swaps!!

October's Star

If you're ever in the mood for a Block of the Month, would like to invite you to my website, www.EwesQuilting.com !  This BOM is the third I've run for BlockBuddies, but the first I've offered on my website.  The blocks from January to October are up now and November is ready and waiting for next month.

Appreciate your feedback!

It's Your Turn Round Robin!

Block Buddies is doing a special project--an "It's Your Turn Round Robin" in the style of Pat Sloan's quilter's activity by the same name!  Due to time restraints, we're going to just have four members in each group and everyone's going to make one block that fits the theme.

As you can see, my theme is Christmas.  Used a Nancy Halversen design for the Nativity and the Karen Kay Buckley method of machine applique.  The background fabric at the top has Psalms scrolling across, filling the sky like I imagine the angels did when proclaiming His birth all those years ago.  (Luke 2:13-14)

Am hoping for lots of angels, sheep (am very fond of the black ones) and a star.  Am fortunate the group I'm in is filled with incredibly talented ladies who will do an exceptional job.  Will be sure to post when it's finished!

If this kind of activity appeals to you, please feel free to check out Block Buddies for yourself!  Here's a link  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/BlockBuddySwaps/ .We have loads of activities and one is sure to appeal to you!

A Couple Completed Projects

A friend was having a birthday, so thought a tablerunner would be a nice way to celebrate. Found the pattern and fabric at Calico and Cotton in Ocean City, NJ.




The next project was a prize for a contest I had with BlockBuddies, my on-line yahoo group. We were starting a new swap and she picked the winning name.

It's a chocolate covered strawberry pin cushion. Just for fun, put some stuffing in a dish to look like whipped cream--the perfect fat-free dessert!! The winner seemed to appreciate my humble offerings and put it to good use.

Now, off to finish a UFO!

Quilted Clock

Because the commute to Ohio is not reasonable for me and I'd love to work in her quilt store, Donna from the Spider's Web Fabric Store (www.thespiderswebfabricstore.com) kindly allowed me to bring home a kit from our Block Buddies retreat to make as a store sample for her new brick and mortar shop.

Donna selected a fabric with cats strolling in lines and a beautiful amber colored hand-dyed. Because it made more sense for the cats to march horizontally rather than uphill, the squares needed to be cut on the bias, making for an exciting time piecing and quilting. With a little planning and careful handling of the bias edges, the whole project came together by lunchtime.

The directions were well-written, but part of the clock assembly instructions were excluded. If you decide to make this project, remember to put the hanging bracket on the motor first (it isn't listed) or you'll have to take it apart later. (Not as much fun as it sounds!)

Off to pack it up for shipping--Tuffi is offended that I would make a clock with quilted kitties instead of dogs, but Wheaten fabric is hard to find!

Block Buddy April Challenge

April was my month to decide our group's challenge, so I selected an easy project from All Stitched Up. ( www.allstitchedup.blogspot.com/2007/06/spiral-steno-pad-cover.html )

Was able to make this cute steno notebook cover with two fat quarters and a batting scrap in under an hour. The Dollar Store has the steno notepads for $1.00, so you have an inexpensive, thoughtful gift in no time. Would be great for keeping lists, college students or meeting notes.

Flannel Swap Blocks

Being so quick and easy, this block made a wonderful choice for a swap. Participants will contribute six 8 1/2 inch flannel blocks to each swapper, which will give us a 30 block head start on a quilt. Thinking I might like to have a larger quilt, so would make another 30 blocks--just the right size for keeping warm on a chilly evening . Wondering, though, if it will be spring by the time I get this finished.
The best part of making these blocks is that both the girls helped. Each contributed opinions on color placement, one helped with cutting the chained pieces apart and the other learned to press. They were so excited and would like to try to make their own quilt with this block.
We've come a long way from DD#1 asking me, "Mommy, can't you be like other mothers and not sew?"

It's Your Turn Round Robin

Our Block Buddies group tried a new type of round robin--this time making whole blocks instead of rows around a center square. I made the star in the lower right-hand corner and sent my block to travel around the country. It went to Michigan, Texas, California, Washington, D. C. and Kentucky to be worked on by very talented ladies. They each added their own star with a black background. All I have to do is sew it together and quilt it for a lovely wall-hanging.

Thank you, Ila, Kathy, Lori, Sheila and Becky! I appreciate every one of your efforts!

January Challenge

My on-line group is running a monthly challenge for its members this year. The first challenge was a potato baker--one throws washed taters in the bag, no pricking necessary, and they go into the microwave for two or three minutes. People who have made these bags claim that the potatoes are cooked to fluffy perfection. I'm really hoping that the microwave doesn't melt the rayon thread used in the embroidery design--don't want to add that "little something extra" to the taste of the potatoes. Eww!

Downloaded the directions for this project from Sherry Titzer (http://www.atimetostitch.com/). She gives detailed, step-by-step instructions with excellent photographs. The embroidery design is a free download from Serena Smith (http://www.embtreasures.com/), who is a talented digitizer. (Serena Smith also has directions on making one of these bags and they are very clear.)

Up-Date: We used the potato baker and they were the best potatoes from the microwave! As with anything else, it must be used with caution, so follow the directions that are on the website. This project only takes about thirty minutes if you use prequilted fabric or a placemat--it's worth every second!

Super Sized Round Robin

My all-time favorite on-line quilting group is Block Buddies, sponsored by The Spiders' Web Quilt Shop, my favorite on-line quilt shop.(http://www.thespiderswebfabricshop.com/) Donna, the owner of the list and shop, always provides a pleasant experience for quilters. The best part of all is enjoying Christian fellowship no matter where we are across the miles.

We have a regular round robin that comes home to us at 14 1/2 inches square, but this swap was something special! We started with large centers and added rounds up to 6 1/2 inches. My 18 inch center went to West Virginia, Texas and Michigan before it landed home a whopping 54 inches square! Am thrilled with the final block and plan to finish it just as it is--will make a wonderful lap quilt.

So, if would enjoy swapping blocks with a group of talented, kindhearted ladies, then think about joining Block Buddies on Yahoo groups.

A Whirlwind Existence

Seems like the month of May is worse than the Christmas season. Between end of the year activities for school, a big 13 birthday party, a host of quilting project coming due and the usual household responsibilities, time is at a premium and chocolate is a staple.

The first picture is of the rocket that involved the entire family to create. It may not have gone the farthest, but it was the best looking rocket, complete with nose cone. We were very proud of our effort.

Then came the blocks for the Good and Plenty swap with Block Buddies, my favorite on-line quilt group. Made six Sprocket blocks and six Paths and Stiles in black, white and pink. There was a paper pieced aspect of the Sprocket block that took forever. All in all, they turned out fine and it will be fun to see what I get in return.

After that, the fabric postcards with Love Apple Quilters came due. The best part is that I was able to get my American Flags, complete with the Pledge of Allegiance done in time for Memorial Day. (They didn't call me Betsy Ross in high school for nothing!!)

Finally, I finished an apron for another swap with Block Buddies. My swap partner wanted a tea themed apron in green and purple. While on the NJ Shop Hop, a tea cup fabric in purple and green jumped off the shelf and I had to purchase it. Also bought an apron pattern that made a very simple, easy to embellish apron. The only challenge was to use rick-rack. I had jumbo rick-rack that looked great on the pocket, complete with teapot. Got a very special red-headed model to show off the completed project.