Hitting the summer highs with our US bloggers

If you're an avid blogger like me, you are probably aware that the US is in a summer frenzy. So in their own way to celebrate the summer season, there are a number of Quilt Along projects out and about for people to join up with. 

So to get away from the winter blues, cold days and frosty mornings, I have decided to focus on a couple of summer activities. So I joined with the Kaledioscope Quilt Along with Don't Call Me Betsy  

and the Synchronized Squares Quilt Along with P.S. I Quilt

So in case anyone was wondering what my fabric choices are I plan to use Sandy Gervais' Lollipop range for the Kaledioscope QAL 

and Kate Spain's Terrain for the Synchronized Squares QAL.

If you're curious about how I was able to get a layer cake of this fabric range when its not released until October at the Fat Quarter Shop I happened to stumble across it when I was looking for a layer cake at a great online shop called The Fabric Patch here in Australia. They sell Moda precuts and other items of interest. I have shopped there before and have received great service and great prices for fabric in Australia. Fabric here is not the same prices as the US but occasionally you can get a bargain or even something desirable that you just want to drool over like the above fabric.

But in case neither of these QAL tickle your fancy. You just might be interested in this one from In Color Order. Jeni has an amazing view on colors and gradients of colors. Its definitely interesting but I'm not sure that I could handle another QAL.

W.I.P. Wednesday

Welcome back Lee. I hope that your toilet training adventures were not too grueling. I'm getting ready for the whole toilet training run with my 2 year old son in the next few weeks.

So this week it was about reaching my 5 goals on my list. I was busily working to achieve at least some of these but as always it is a W.I.P. for sure.

1. Make pillow cases for the hexagon stars. - This did not happen as I have to buy some fabric for the pillow cases.

2. Cut out fabric for my Friendship Challenge. All fabrics are picked and ready for ironing and cutting. - Still a W.I.P

3. Finish putting together Archie's quilt. I did happen to iron the pieces that I had sewn together. Doesn't it look gorgeous. Can't wait to see how it all looks sewn together. Must get a wriggle on..LOL

4. Cut fabric for my next Quilt Block Swap and hopefully start putting them together. Here is the cut fabric but not sewn together

5. Finish off my Friendship Swap blocks so I'm up to date with this month. I made significant progress on a stitchery but have yet to finish it. Hopefully by next Wednesday there will be more of a show and tell.

When I started blogging, I made of list of the things that I wanted to achieve the most in 2011. My biggest UFO or W.I.P. if you like was my diamond hexagon quilt. I fell in love with an antique quilt I saw in a book a couple of years ago and decided that I needed to make one of my own. I chose the gorgeous muted fabric range At Water's Edge and purchase a large quantity of the fabric to ensure that I had enough to play around with. 

Diamond to be completed

So far I have pieced 16 hexagon diamonds and put them together with background fabric. My special friend Michelle at Daisy Hill Quilts is also making one is 1800's reproduction fabrics and was kind enough to work out the finer details or maths work if you like.

The quilt looks something like this. I need 99 completed diamonds and half diamonds to complete that quilt top for a queen size bed using 1" hexagons. Here is my completed quilt top so far...

Diamonds Completed: 16

Half Side Diamonds: 0

Half Length Diamonds: 0

So as part of W.I.P. Wednesday I have decided that I desperately want to get this W.I.P completed because I will probably want to hand quilt it as well. So as of this week, I will attempt to complete one diamond and some background to add around. Its still going to take a while but you can watch my diamonds develop over the coming weeks.

So for my W.I.P list this week.  I don't think that I want to have a list. I just want to see how things come about as the week pans out. I thought that I had made some achievements this week (even with a head cold) so I hope to have a great show and tell for you all next Wednesday.

Snickerdoodle Paper Bag Swap

My special package for the Snickerdoodle Paper Bag Swap arrived today. I was so excited about opening up the package from Ruth to see what treasures she had provided for me to make her a special gift. 

On looking at my bundle, I found that I had some great fabric of my own to compliment hers. So that I have this to play with.

I have already had some contact with her and I know that she doesn't like tote bags. So I found a great pattern for something just a little different. Stay tuned for further updates.

Quilted Fabric Basket Swap

So I had a red and white card in my mailbox to collect on Friday but had to wait until Monday because I was too late for the Post Office last week.

It arrived from Wyoming USA. My new quilted fabric basket from Kate. Thanks Kate. So happy that I received such a lovely gift. Just so you know, my little girl has claimed it as her own already.

Because I can't help myself

I just can't help myself. I have joined another Quilt Along with Elisabeth at Don't Call Me Betsy. Its all about the Kaledioscope block. 

Its begins 23rd June but fabric requirements are up. I've decided to use Sandy Gervais's Lollipop range. I just love the fabric. Can't wait to see how it all turns out.

Something special that is not craft related....

On 2nd August 2007, my DH and I were blessed to become foster parents to a gorgeous 6 1/2 month old baby girl. We have watched her grow and develop into an amazing little girl who are times has challenged us as parents (but whose children haven't). 

Well today has been a special day for our family. Over the past 10 months my DH and I have been working towards making our little girl a permanent member of our family (even though she is already a permanent member). But after further training, a lengthy assessment and a panel of people making the final decision, we have been approved as permanent carers for our daughter. We are so happy that this step has finalised another part of the process to make her our child. So over the next 12 months, another step will be completed that will ensure that my DH and I will be her legal guardian until she turns 18 years old.

Life without her would be very different for us and our family would not feel as complete as it does now.

W.I.P. Wednesday

Its that time of the week again. Some like to think of it as 'hump day' but for others its all about our sewing and craft. Time to reflect, review and achieve for the next upcoming week.

Sadly, Lee at Freshly Pieced is on family duties (she is toilet training her 2 year old) and has handed over the W.I.P Wednesday to Don't Call Me Betsy. So while we are on the subject and change of scenery, Betsy is having a quilt along starting at the end of June. Go and check it out. I haven't decided if I will join yet but it sounds interesting. I have some fabric just sitting around waiting for the right thing to come along.

So what have I achieved this week. Well being hexagon mad, I've finished off the second black and white star/snowflake however you like to see them and I've decided to put them on a couple of pillow cases. They are going to be a birthday present. So the next W.I.P. is to make the pillow cases.

Secondly I have fallen behind on my Friendship swap with my local quilting group Murray Mallee Quilters. So I have been playing catch up. Haven't had a chance to take any pics but stay tuned they will eventually arrive sometime soon.

Instead of my usual list of W.I.P.s. This week I've decided to break down some achievable goals for my upcoming week.

 

1. Make pillow cases for the hexagon stars.

2. Cut out fabric for my Friendship Challenge. All fabrics are picked and ready for ironing and cutting.

3. Finish putting together Archie's quilt.

4. Cut fabric for my next Quilt Block Swap and hopefully start putting them together.

5. Finish off my Friendship Swap blocks so I'm up to date with this month.