Swap items I made and sent

 This is the wool pin cushion I made Deb for the Pin Cushion swap that Susan  organised.  I had brought the pattern (Pear Tree Pincushion by Hatched and Patched) on a trip to the Warracknabeal patchwork shop previously, but it seemed fortuitous as I could see from her blog, that Deb loved Anni's patterns.

It was also great to find some crushed walnut shells at Quilt Convention, as they made the pear sit nicely without falling over!  

This is the first pear I made from my Anni Downs pattern....being new to wool I wanted to see how it sewed up with the stitching on the outside.  I loved it and was going to keep it for myself...but Vicki was having a birthday, so it made a nice gift.  I will make another one for me!

And lastly but not least, this is the reproduction dolls quilt I sent to my swap partner in USA.  Now we didn't have blog addresses, so I had no idea who I was making for or their tastes.  So being a lover of traditional patterns, I decided everyone loves a log cabin!

 I decided to quilt it very simply in the ditch, but used a stencil to quilt a "orange peel" around the border.  I have never made this variation of log cabin before, but I thought it complimented the mix of colours, as I wanted some brights and some darker colours.  My partner sent me an email recently to confirmed it arrived safely, and she loves it, phew!

Happy quilting Sue.  

Pin cushion swap

After thinking I wouldn't be able to resist opening my pin cushion swap parcel early...I nearly forgot to open it Sunday!  When I picked up the mail Friday I was busy with kids etc and I put it in the sewing corner and then promptly forgot about it!

Sunday I was rushing out the door to go see my Dads groups wood turning exhibition and then meet Mum and Lisa for some sewing...when I found the parcel!  Elyte made me this beautiful hexi appliqued pear on a linen background...with red reproduction fabrics!  Love love, love it!  And it was wrapped in this sweet floral fat quarter and also contained this cute bird button.

Now I know I am suppose to stick pins in this, but it makes a delightful pillow to display on my (new to me) wooden carved wall "stand" (eg I have been told it's really a pipe holder, but smoking is definitely out of favour at our house) 

AND

it looks super nice next to my lovely new mini....did I mention I love red...and pears! : )

Happy quilting, Sue

Dolls Quilt Swap

I have never done a swap before - and I have been quilting for 15 years!  So with extra time on my hands I signed up for a pin cushion swap....I have sent mine off, but still waiting on mine to arrive...but that's OK as we are not allowed to open them until the end of the month...and I am not good at not peeking!

Then Lori set up a Doll's Quilt Swap on her blog Humble Quilts.  I signed up and set to work.  Parts of the pattern's cutting instructions I used was incorrect :( but I got there after a bit of re cutting and unstitching.  I have posted my little quilt off to US, accompanied by some extra goodies.  I was going to do a sneak peek...but realised that even the picture of the back of the quilt gave the design away!

Then this lovely parcel arrived for me!  Because its my first swap I thought I had to wait to open it....til I realised that was just for the pin cushion swap, phew cos I am not a patient person!

 Charlotte (no blog) sent me a beautiful four patch quilt, in cheddar...I don't have a cheddar mini and I love four patches, so this was a big thrill....we didn't know our recipients, but she chose a design I love.  And her workmanship is exquisite, tiny pieces and beautifully quilted, I am a very happy girl!

And I got some beautiful bundle of 6" squares of shirting's, a quilting badge and a lovely little pattern. 

The pattern captured my attention immediately....I am busting to start making it, but trying to finish a charity quilt at present...then I will be making this mini quilt immediately!  Oh and I have my Dad hard at work out in the shed restoring a dressing table for me...so just ordered a new draw handle (one was missing) and found a shop that stocked the tiny screws needed to replace in the draw handles....and now off to order a new mirror....then I will get to my sewing on the charity quilt!

Happy quilting Sue.