Swap Quilts Deadline!

That's right, today is the mailing deadline for our Modify Tradition swap quilts. Be sure to email Jennifer when you send your quilt and when you receive it. Also, if you haven't finished yours yet, or if you can't send a quilt at all, email Jennifer asap so we know what's going on.

modify tradition swap quilt
Originally uploaded by sonnetofthemoon

I'm sending out my swap quilt today...hopefully you like it partner!

Sneak Peek

Good morning! Here's what I worked on this weekend:



My mini quilt top is done! I wonder who it could be for? Do you like lime and grey? If you're my secret swap partner, I sure hope you do!



Also, as Jennifer mentioned this weekend, feel free to post sneak peeks in the flickr pool so we can feature them on the blog. We're so excited to see what you make for the swap!

Picnic Blanket

Good morning everyone! I'm sad to say that this is our last project tutorial for Round 2. But! Jennifer and I are cooking up some new ideas for the near (and not quite so near) future that we hope you'll like just as much.

But, for now, today's project is a sweet and simple picnic blanket:



The finished size is 5' square, big enough for a proper picnic or to cuddle up in on a cool summer night. You don't need batting or binding for this blanket but I do recommend flannel for the backing. It adds weight and warmth and softness.

Giveaway Day!

Today is giveaway day! For a chance to win this quilted wall hanging, comment before I draw a name on Sunday:



Today's questions (should you chose to answer any of them) are: how many quilts have you finished? How many did you keep and how many did you give away? Which was your favorite and why? Do you have a picture to share?

In my four years of quilting, I finished twelve quilts and I only kept three! My favorite is the quilt I sort of accidentally made for a giveaway on my blog last year.

Quilted Wall Hanging

Today's project is a quilted wall hanging. Of course, I know you all know how to make a mini quilt. I just thought it would be nice to show you my favorite way to create nearly invisible hanging tabs.

Love in a Mist

I love blocks that look complicated but are actually very easy, don't you? I looked long and hard for a block like this and I think I have a new favorite! But I say that about every block, don't I?

Giveaway Day!

It's giveaway day again! To win this week's project, hand made by yours truly, comment below before I pick a winner on Sunday.



Speaking of hand quilting...everyone seems to be catching the bug lately. I blame Anna Maria Horner for her beautiful and bold stitches. In fact, Jen is even planning to hand quilt her Modify Tradition quilt from Round 1! She even found this great deal on Perle cotton thread. I've just placed my order! You know, for when I somehow have time to hand quilt something.

So, the question for today is: have you ever hand quilted a quilt of any size? If you have, feel free to link to a picture so we can all see. If you haven't (or if you have), what's your favorite quilt that you've made? Why is it your favorite? Again, link to pictures if you want.

Hand Quilted Embroidery Hoop

Today's project is a great way to display smaller quilt blocks as art. It's also super easy and a fun way to practice your hand quilting/embroidery skills on a small scale.

Petite Drawstring Bag

I really like the idea of giving gifts in bags. I like that the wrapping is reusable and it can match the gift. (I like things to match.)



Today's project is a petite drawstring bag. The finished size is 8.5" x 6".

Forest Paths

I know some of you are participating in one (or more) pinwheel quilt-alongs right now so I hope you don't mind one more pinwheel block. This block was so perfect for tomorrow's project that I couldn't pass it up. Hopefully you'll agree.

Giveaway Day!

Today is giveaway day! To win the travel checkers, comment below before I pick a winner on Sunday.



And speaking of travel, what was your favorite vacation? What's your favorite vacation destination?

My favorite trip as a kid was the summer my family and I drove to the west coast, camping the entire way. It was my first time seeing the ocean and the water was surprisingly (and disappointingly) cold off the Oregon coast. My favorite vacation as an adult was the trip Ian and I took to Venice a few years ago. I'd love to go back for a weekend during Carnival. So what about you? Where do you love to visit?

Travel Checkers

Today's project is my absolute favorite. I've wanted to make a fabric checker board for a while but I was put off by the idea of needing a separate bag to put everything in for travel.



This board is double sided and one of the edges is left open, creating a generous pocket to store the game pieces, magazines, coloring books, etc.



Just stash everything inside and roll up for travel.

Table Runner

I wanted to see what would happen when I put two or more quatrefoil blocks together...but I didn't have enough time to make an entire quilt. So, today's project is a simple table runner. While I'd still like to use this block in a quilt, I like the simple pattern made by the three flowers together.

Quatrefoil

Good morning everyone! It's so very early, isn't it? I don't mean to complain about daylight savings time but it's hard to be cheerful about it when I'm so tired.

But, something that did make me happy despite the tiredness, was seeing John's post about our little blog. I'm definitely a Quilt Dad fan, aren't you?

So, welcome to everyone who's here because of his recommendation. You've picked a good day because this is the block we're making this week:



This is definitely one of my favorite blocks. I'm not actually into flowers but for some reason, the pointy "petals" really appeal to me.

A Pillow Cover with Pockets

I know it's been done many times before but I just couldn't resist making a pillow cover for one of our tutorials. There are some blocks that just beg to be made on a larger scale and when Jennifer picked the Corner Star block, I knew just what I'd do with it.



And the best thing (in my opinion anyway) is the back of the pillow. It's made with a men's button up shirt with pockets!

A "Dandy" Little Tote Bag

Today's project is a tiny tote bag...an "I'm going to read books under a shady tree" bag or, if you're like me, an "I can't fit all this stuff in my purse but I need to bring everything with me wherever I go" bag. Either way, I hope you enjoy making this quick little tote.

The Dandy

This week's block is one of my all-time favorites. First, the name is just too good to be true and second, it's nearly impossible to screw it up. The points on the star don't have to match up with anything...they just float there looking all pointy and perfect. Try it, you might like it!

Rice Heating Bag and Removable Cover

I really love today's project because it's cute and (in my world) very useful after a long night of sewing. Today we'll be making a rice heating bag with a removable cover.



Just warm it in the microwave to help relax those aching shoulder muscles.

Apron Tutorial

This week's project is one of my favorites...a double sided apron:



These aprons are so fast and easy because the base is a pre-hemmed tea towel.



Interested?

Shoofly

This week's project requires a truly tiny block (6") so rather than drive you all crazy with truly tiny pieces, I picked an easy block. It's an oldie but goodie...the Shoofly Block: