Three Kitchen Fairies

My DSQ arrived today!!

 

Dear DQS11 partner:

My DSQ arrived today!! I was suspecting it was time for something to arrive for me at the post office, and it actually was. You're DS quilt arrived today here in Ann Arbor, MI.

Thank you so much for such a lovely little quilty!! Perfect doll size 11" by 14.5". I love the little grey frame around the wonky crosses, and the print fabric. The binding works perfect too. You're so talented. I wondered how did you manage to make such perfect 1.75" blocks, really amazing!

Thank you also for the lovely extra goodies. The fabric is adorable, and the thimble holder will stay with me forever and a day.

Thank you, thank you, you made my day!

XO

Paloma

 

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DQS11 update

Thank you for all your comments here and on Flickr about my 'tea leaves' mini quilt. The controversy is set on how is that I'll be able to match the color pencil shades of the sketch to the real fabrics. Well, it's not going to exactly match the colors on the sketch since they are different medias. The sketch is only going to be a guide in the process. It's not an easy task but so far so good. I spend a good amount of hours testing colors to match the background as well as the leaves. The blurry picture above shows part of the process. It's like squinting to check that the shades of fabric somehow match the pattern on the paper. The "X" is a part that wasn't working out for me at the moment I took the picture...

 
Here is nice picture of it, but it's upside down with reference to the sketch. 

Every little square and its leaf was pinned, and numbered...

 

... to be hand applique. So far 8 of the 36 leaves are ready. 

A quick reminder: my giveaway is still going on, in a few days I'll draw the six winners. Yes, six amazing prizes. If you still haven't comment here is the link.

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Tea leaves, a DQS post.

 

I spent the last three days trying to figure out my project for the Doll Quilt Swap. I went through most of my quilting books until I found this 'tea leave' pattern. 

It's from a book called "More quilts from the quiltmaker's gift". I won't tell you much about my partner but I really want to make her a quilty  that she will really love. I love curves in quilting, and I think she does too. There is nothing more exciting for me that getting those curves just right; they are so challenging and daring.

After I decided to work with this pattern, I drew it and I made six photocopies. I spent some time coloring in the little quilt drawings to weight in my color options. Do you have a similar way to plan for your quilt projects??

I cut the little paper blocks, played with them, and glue them back on point. To my surprise, this new arrangement gave my project different feeling, and the option of making less tea leaves. I love that this pattern gives you the choice to make the leaves look like four petal flowers, or circles depending on your choice of colors, and also on the positioning of the blocks. 

 

Finally, this little sketch won my heart. The creative process finally paid off, what a sweet ride!! Without even thinking, and after much color deliberation, the color palette in it resembles the colors of this Tula Pink fat quarter bundle that I've been saving for a special occasion. 

Now, I only hope that the real project turns out just as pretty as the one I sketched. 

 

PS: There is still time to comment on my blogaversary giveaway. Thank you to all of you participating, liking 3KF in Facebook, and following us on Twitter. If you haven't comment yet, go ahead!! There is still time!! I'll be drawing the winners on August 13th.

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Doll Quilt Swap.

Credits here

I've always admired the pictures of the DQS flickr pool, wishing to someday come across the sign up days for the next round. Well, this time I made the cut!! I'm super excited to start working on my partner's quilt, and to start looking at the massive amounts of inspiration on their Flickr group. One of the requirements is a photo mosaic. In my defense I only can say that I'm expecting to be surprise (in a good way ...) Here is my mosaic, these are some my favorite pictures, they are mostly quilt related. I also included some non-quilting related pictures that still inspire me because of their colors, the composition, or just because they make me smile. The possibilities are endless: applique, hand stitching, lettering, buttons, trims...

On a unrelated note: my embroidery pattern is still going as a freebie. Have you downloaded it already?? there is only four more days before it goes to my etsy.

 

 

Random Friday

 
A tea moment with Miss O. was the perfect opportunity to use this lovely pot holder by Avalanden. It was part of a private swap, it came with another pot holder,and some yummy Kokka fabric. Thank you my friend!!

 
She told me her long term plans, then she left me for the cat and I got a chance to take a look at my new book. The Modern Crosses quilt in the front of the book caught my attention, and  after looking through it  at Borders I decided it was a 'must have.'

 
This week I spent a great deal of time writing a tutorial for the Tissue Box Cozy. I went over the instructions and made another cozy to make sure the tutorial actually works out, and it does!! Do you write your notes by hand?? I must be one of the few people that still uses paper and pencil to write four pages long notes. I guess is part of the craft. Hopefully, next week I will find the time to put it in the computer, make it presentable, and available to you.

A random finding: I found a few of my pictures at Pinterest. I didn't know from that site. It was a lovely surprise to find my pictures there; I feels good to know people likes what I make.

 
And there she's with our cat, inseparable friends.

What about you, any random things to share??

 

Pink and yellow quilt top

 

One of my goals for the first weeks of fall is to get done with two quilt tops that I've been sewing for the last six months. This week I finished this yellow and pink quilt top. It was made with blocks from quilting bees, and some embroidery pieces from the Hoop Up Stitch and Send swap. These two swaps happened almost simultaneously for me. As the embroidery pieces and the blocks arrived, I selected a bunch of them to be turned into a quilt. I made extra blocks [accordingly] to add a variety of color, and to add to its size too. At some point this was a square quilt top, I decided to add more fabric at the top and bottom to make it into a twin size quilt; which I think are a better choice as we used them more than the small quilts.  

Let me tell you that as usual I found it terribly difficult to take a good picture of it. I must have taken at least thirty something pics. in the quest for one good one, which made me decide to choose one that was just good enough. The good thing is that the more difficult it gets the more I have to study my camera, and its instruction book, as well as the web to fine how to change the ISO, and the AF, and all that stuff. On the other hand the weather is not helping much either.

I want to thank all the lovely ladies who made a part of this quilt: rebeccasrags, always inspired, seaferncottage, lizzi whiz, isaacmama,smoochee, The Sometimes Crafter, quiltingkimmie. And Spiced Coffee for the lovely extra-fat quarters that I used for this project. Thank you also to the organizers of these super cool swaps, as well as the swap mamas.  Big hug to all of you!
 

In pink and yellow.

Little by little another quilt top is being made. This time with my beautiful blocks from two swaps: 3 X 6 bee, and my "hoop up" embroidery blocks.

This will turned out to be another sampler quilt. I added borders to the embroidery pieces to make then 12.5inches, and I also made a few extra blocks to make it big enough for naps and cuddling up with it. 

 
In the past I've made this cheaters 8 point star for other people, and I really loved it.  So why not, I made an extra one for this project... 

It has a bit of everything: I even included a wagon wheel block left over from this quilt, and an embroidery of my girls' hands that I still need to work a bit to make it more interesting than just their hands. I've been testing different lay outs for it, and so far what may work best for it is sashing the whole thing;  therefore, I ordered some Medium Pink Kona Solids. Those Kona Solids have been appearing on my mail box for different quilting bees, and I just couldn't resist, they are so beautiful.

Good days

I was looking for some ideas for a pincushion for the Scrappy Pincushion Swap. I looked for quotes, all sorts of them: peace quotes, love quotes, inspirational quotes. Until I found this one under "sewing and quilting quotes." The author is unknown, but still it was simple and truthful.

I added the "scrappy" part, and some little flowers to make it extra special...and tada!! a scrappy pincushion was born. I also made this, but it got instantly swapped for some goodies. I hope my partner likes it. 

Swapping rules!

 

We are almost in May and I’m still working really hard on getting all my swappy commitments done. I always try ( like most of us do) to enjoy myself, and to learn from the process.  I can tell that I’ve learned much more than crafting techniques and embroidery stitches in the process. By following all those Flickr threads on different swaps and quilting bee’s, I’ve also learned that the rules are still not clear. What I mean is that the rules for the craft in order are most of the time clear but that “swapper’s etiquette” is still unclear. So…while stitching my last two pieces for my Hoop Up partners I came up with a list of swapping rules. I want to make it clear that these are rules that are in accordance with my personal point of view. I’m listing them as a fun way to remind us swappers and quilters about what is fair to do as a sender and as a receiver in a swap agreement. There is no intent whatsoever to point out at anyone in particular. After all swaps and quilting bees are just for fun, and our lives don’t really depend on them.

Here I go.

1.- I will think before I join in a swapping event.

I know this from a fact. I see swap and I immediately want to join in the fun. I’ve learned from experience to think about it at least for a couple of hours (at the very least.)Then, I check my crafty calendar, check the school calendar, and check the regular calendar, and I come up with an answer.

2.- Do not flake!!

Flaky partners hmmm….do you know how it feels?, I know how it feels. Those are the ones that make you feel down in the crafty world. It’s a bad feeling when the swap has been finished, and the deadlines were three weeks ago. I can elaborate on that one but I won’t.

3.- I will try best because it’s most likely that my partner/partners will try their best.

What goes around comes around, maybe not the first time you swap but eventually lousy swappers will be well known for their lack of effort. Even when you’re a beginner it shows when you did your best.

4.- Do give credit to the author of the pattern or tutorial you followed.

Join their flickr groups and show off. I agree that there are tons of inspiration in the blogsphere. I do believe it’s OK to base a piece of work on that lovely piece of inspiration that you found and make it your own. Just like the guys on Idol say: “make it current”

And remember “copy is the best form of flattery.” And those “flattered by” be nice, and don’t send your dementors hunting for the copycat.

5.- I will respect the deadlines.

Our lives may not depend on swaps but still there is a receiver wanting for her/his part of the deal.

6.- Pay enough postage, and don’t forget delivery confirmation is sometimes necessary.

It’s frustrating when a package comes back because of there wasn’t enough postage. It’s worse when the parcel is lost with no tracking number.

7.- I will let my partner know when I received my goodies.

How exciting it’s to receive a lovely package!!! It’s also a relief to know that what we sent wasn’t devoured by the sorting machine. Yes, they do rip envelopes from time to time. I know because it happened to me, but that’s a different story.

8.- Swap admins. and quilting bees’ organizers account a great deal on the success of the group.

Most people love it when their person in charge is really in charge. I particularly love one that sends monthly e-mails letting her fellow quilters know how we are doing. She recognizes everyone’s efforts, and she keeps us excited about our little group. Those are the admins. that make rounds 2, 3, and 4 happen again and again.

9.- Be understanding.

Things happen last minute and some swaps may get spoiled. Please, do not get discourage by it. Some groups have angel swappers to come to the rescue ...

10.- Last but not least: I will enjoy.

That’s the point of signing up for a swap, isn’t?? After all: swapping rules!!

I would love to hear from you and your experiences as swappers and bee’s participants, and organizers. And if you agree with me feel free to take the "Swapping Rules" button, posted in your blogs, and swap mostly happily ever after.

Quilting bee's and Swaps update.

After a nine day long vacation in Washington DC we all came home refreshed, renewed, and full of energy to tackle the day to day work, and activities. The down side to such a wonderful vacation is that we came home to an empty fridge, closets full of winter clothes to wear on our warm and wonderful Spring time, and to stand face to face with the mother of all laundry loads. Nine days of vacation turned into a nine day Spring cleaning marathon. I'm done thank you to the help of my fairies and my lovely, and understanding husband who helped me with last bits during the weekend.

So I'm back to normal and happy to be able to post again. During my nine-day cleaning marathon, I gave myself little breaks here and there and I was able to finish a couple of blocks for ATWQ and one more embroidery piece for Hoop up, stitch and send swap.

I wanted to try this tutorial for a long time and here it's my block for Brioni.

 
I'm also the bearer of good news this week. I made the last block fro Cindra's ATWQ quilt. Her blocks are done!! I was excited for her, but also for me because that meant that my quilt was next in line, but guess what? It got mixed up and it's more than three quilts away :( I'll be patient....

For her I made a paper piecing pattern that I'll be sharing with you soon. I want to make a tutorial to go with it, and I can't wait. I'll start working on it soon.

And my last crafty endeavor of last week was this:

This is my Hoop Up piece for Kimmie, she asked for sewing imagery: threat, buttons, scissors, that kind of stuff. I couldn't find something I wanted to stitch so I made this pattern. By the way, this pattern will be available for you soon!

One last thing to show you...

I got these six half yards of Nicey Jane from Freshsqueezedfabrics. You would agree with me that getting these fabrics was a must, don't you??  

 It's good to be back!