Saturday, May 1, 2010

Mini show and tell

I thought I would finish a quilt back or two today for the Spring to Finish challenge, but that never happened.  After spending a lot of time looking for good deals on fabric online without ever actually pressing that "buy" button and then grocery shopping, I didn't find any time for sewing until late in the afternoon.

I finished this Hope Valley 36 patch for a bee,

and these gnome homes for another bee,


and I finished a few more cross blocks.  Believe it or not, I'm actually running out of fabrics for each cross quilt and need to get more.  I still just can't make myself hit that "buy" button.
You should probably know that my beautiful daughter looked at me with her big eyes and flashed her movie star smile, and she will now be the happy recipient of the Nicey Jane + Essex cotton linen cross quilt.  It was only a matter of time really.

Actually, I did buy one thing online today -- the first issue of Fat Quaterly.
Seventy-eight pages of information, inspiration, patterns, articles, and giveaways! 

On Wednesday you saw that I am joining the Pillow Talk 3 Swap, and I am very excited about it.  I love the pillows that have come out of that swap in previous rounds.  Maybe I should make a practice pillow.  The only pillows I've ever made were the ones to match Molly's half hexagon quilt from last summer.


 I recently completed my first swap in a Flickr swap group.  This is what I received from Melanie (Crandons):
The swap was for the 1/2 yard of the Amy Butler fabric and the 1/2 yard of the FMF vines, but Melanie tossed in all these precious scraps!  Opening the package felt like Christmas morning, and I am convinced that no one could love or appreciate these scraps more than I!  And -- another believe it or not moment -- my first FMF ever!  It's about time!

And last, but not least, I prepped just a few more hexagon blocks for the ORBC quiltalong.


With wishes, true and kind -- Joan

27 comments:

  1. What great inspiration! I love the gnome homes...so cute! All your pillows are so nice...thanks for sharing!

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  2. Wowsers! You had a busy day! Love all your "stuff". Molly's quilt and pillows are especially gorgeous!!

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  3. I do love your hezagon blocks! Isn't that AMH fabric beautiful!

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  4. What a fabulous post Joan, I love the show and tell! The blocks are wonderful and boy do I love the cushions. I'm watching the quilt along with lots of interest!

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  5. The Gnome Home blocks are too FUN!!! They make me smile and want to twirl around! I'm known for filling a virtual shopping cart and then NOT pressing buy! OK...I don't know what FMF is...?! And, I've never done an on-line swap, nor a quiltalong either. I must be living under a rock?! Love your Crosses, Hexes and pillows too. ; )

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  6. Joan, You have been one busy lady! I am amazed at what you have accomplished. Love all the pillows! But the hexagons are wonderful!

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  7. Joan,
    You are going to love, love the pillow swap. It is soo exciting stalking your partner and trying so hard to create a pillow they will love. Bienvenidos!

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  8. Looks like you've been quite a busy quilter there, Joan! I will confess to having just come from hitting the "buy" button. Well, it was a sale that was too good to pass up. :-) Your blocks are adorable! That hexagon quilt is gonna be a stunner!

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  9. You ended up with a lot done!!
    What a fun little package of happy fabrics!

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  10. busy. busy. busy. Love the gnome homes. Looks like you're really having fun with swaps! making lots of quilty friends too!

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  11. Where to start... Those hexagons: now I know where my Ana Maria's FQ's are going towards! (once I finish my niece's!) And I am taking a pillow class tomorrow: Thanks for the idea: I will take some UFO-blocks and use them! :) Joan, you are an inspiration!
    xox
    Valentina

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  12. What a lucky daughter you have! You have been a busy bee. :) I love the 36 patch; very unique!

    Jennifer :)

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  13. I'm having a hard time with the buy button too...what's that about I wonder?

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  14. I love the house blocks, too cute :)

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  15. Your bee blocks are so fun! I love the placement of the gnome. I have that fabric but haven't figured out just the right project for it yet. Great inspiration. I have always loved those pillows you made for your daughter last year, so I bet you will come up with an amazing project for your swap. More inspiration for me to sleep on - thanks!

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  16. Those gnome-house blocks are about the cutest things ever. I love the 2nd one - i need one - no idea why, just b/c it's cute. The blocks look great - lots of work getting done up there! ;)

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  17. Joan, you've gotten quite a bit accomplished. Love all your pictures. Those hexagons are gorgeous. What fabric are you using?

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  18. Looks like you are keeping busy! I love your cross blocks, what a lucky daughter!

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  19. OK. Overawed by the fabric I'm seeing in every picture! The ISQ block is fabulous and the tiny gnome home is awewome! A new fave for me.

    You already know how much I loved your quilt and pillows for your daughter, so I can't wait to see what you do for PT3!

    The hexies are just incredible. Joan, you're a genius!

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  20. You are a busy gal! Love the gnome houses! And I'm really wanting the Fat Quarterly~the hexy's are very cute too. I'm catching up on mine, as well! Have a good week!

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  21. It all looks too beautiful...you busy girl you!! I wish I had a problem pushing the "buy" button, but for me it's the opposite. I seem to be pushing the buy way more than I have been sewing. Maybe because I can do it with a baby girl on my lap!!

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  22. Pretty artworks, the colors are so lovely!

    Have a happy Tuesday, Joan. xx

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  23. Those gnome homes are just adorable!!! What do you think of the Fat Quarterly? I'm dying to find out. I should just go ahead and buy it myslelf shouldn't I!

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  24. You have been so productive! Lot's of lovely blocks created, teh hexagons look great!

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  25. Mel is the best isn't she Joan??? Ok, so those hex's are FABULOUS! (and yes, I'm shouting!:))

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  26. Wow! So much beautiful stuff. I love the houses, pillows,....well everything really :)

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