swaps and linus tops

I've been checking some small things off my list. My color blocks for the color blocks swap are done ... it was fun to make sets in lots of different colors and I look forward to seeing what fun fabrics I get back.






I finished the next round of the spring fling round robin and I'll show just a peek of my sawtooth border.

I finished two 8" nautical blocks for a swap group we organized in our guild. Each of the 12 members gets to choose a block or a theme for their month. I only needed to make 1, but I couldn't decide which I liked best, so I'm letting the recipient decide.


I also finished a few tops for my Project Linus group. I'm trying to clean out some fabrics (I loved those tropical birds in another project, but only had 8 left), and I can combine my stash with things from the Linus stash attic for tops. I haven't been inspired to tackle any complicated projects, so I'm getting satisfaction from some simple shapes and bright colors.

Mid-May Progress

Finishing a top for AHQ has been on my to-do list for months (note my sidebar.) Well, I finally put that pile of fabrics on my cutting board and made this top. It's an easy combination of 9-patches and rail blocks that I had saved a blog picture years ago. I can't give credit to the blogger or the designer, but thanks!


Here are my Judy Niemeyer star centers, still no closer to completion, but soon the may get top priority.

Months ago I was playing with my repro scraps and made some blocks. I had them stitched together and put them on the dresser in my sewing room (aka guest room) but it wasn't the right size. Wanting to finally quilt and finish it, I slashed it in half, sewed it end-to-end and practiced feathers using my friend's Gammill. It is now just the right size for the dresser top and I really like how it turned out!


This zig-zag quilt is a bright tutorial from the Purl Bee - it is for a new baby boy to be born in our extended family next month. I have a cute blue letter fabric to use on the back and will do the simple zig-zag quilting suggested in the turorial.

Stitching in Silence

Happy mother's day to all the moms out there - my kids gave me some wonderful cards and poems!

I'm still stitching this and that, but haven't had anything very exciting to post. A few charity tops and the rest of my Judy Niemeyer quarter circles are done, but I won't have my table runner completed to share at tomorrow's guild meeting. Here are a few charity tops - 2 use Mary's quick strippy pattern - really a fun way to feature a kid print!





I was very excited to visit a friend who let me shop her stash for the perfect 1800 repro fabrics to add to the next round of the spring fling round robin. I didn't have anything that looked good, but she had a fabulous selection. So nice to be able to share with friends!! Now I just need to start stitching the ideas in my head.

I have been having fun helping my daughter make some new clothes for her doll - she runs out of steam if I leave her on her own, but she has made some great outfits when I help out here and there. We've been inspired by the photos and patterns in the book Dressing Dolls with Rosemarie Ionker - a great book to make doll clothes in many sizes.