Let's SWAP 50-cents Worth...Open to ALL!

There have been a ton of Dresden Plate Quilt posts flooding the internet lately...and I'm itching to do some blocks myself. So, thought some of you might be in the mood to. Let's swap some fabrics...so we all have a great selection.

 This is a centralized swap. Everything comes to me...and I sort and swap and mail back to you.We will have FOUR COLOR CATEGORIES FOR SWAPPING... You can swap in one, two, three, or all four of these categories:

LIGHT (light prints or solids, some could read medium)

BRIGHTS (need sunglasses to view! prints or solids)

 DARKS (dark prints or solids, some could read medium)

UGLIES (whatever color or style you consider ugly)

We are swapping ONE SET of TEN DIFFERENT 5-inch squares...otherwise known as "nickles"...hence the "50-cent Worth" title...get it?...10 nickles = 50 cents...okay, whatever....hugs! Every square must be a different fabric in the set. You can send as many sets as you want to receive back. BUT, if they do not fit the rules...you'll get your OWN back!!! ALL FABRICS MUST BE GOOD QUALITY 100% COTTON(Good Quality means that you can's see through it...and the weave is nice and tight)100% Cotton means just that...no poly blends or other types Fabrics do not have to be washed...so we can use pre-cut nickles TO JOIN:Send me an email letting me know you will be playingEmail must include your NAME, MAILING ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBERThis information will not be shared with anyone! THENFOLLOW THESE RULES: 1. Determine what Categories you want to swap in  1. Cut one 5" square of 100% Good Quality Cotton Fabric from TEN DIFFERENT fabrics in your chosen category (lights, brights, darks, or ugly style fabric colors) 2. Put the 10 squares into a baggie (sandwich baggie is fine) and include a piece of paper with your name and the category written on it. (Example: Kathy Shaw PASTEL) 3. You can prepare as many "baggies" as you want to swap 4. If your baggies do not follow the rules they will be returned. If we do not have enough folks swapping for the number of baggies you send, you might get some of your own back. I MUST RECEIVE YOUR BAGGIES FOR SWAPPING BY 20 MARCH 2012  I will sort and re-send baggies of 5" squares back to you.THEN, we'll get busy making some wonderful Dresden Plate Quilt Blocks...or you can use the "nickles" any way you want! Donations for Return Postage are appreciated...but not mandatory.  Want to play...send me an email!(shaw dot kathy at yahoo dot mail) 

 If this BLOG Swap works out well...we will do some more of them. If you have any ideas...I'd be happy to hear those as well.HUGS to YOU ALL! 

Ever Seen a Hairy Butterfly?

That's what I've got! Really, this little gal is fresh off of the bead loom...my first attempt! Now, I have to weave all of these threads back into the beads and trim.Here's a closeup...she will be my post for BJP February when completed.

 

HGTV BOM #2 Done

Finished piecing Section #2 of the HGTV Message Board Group's BOM. And here is how it looks along side of Section #1.

  Thinking that I'm going to like it when done...even though I have no ideas right now of the pattern. It's allowing me to use up a lot of my scraps however, and that's a good thing!

Any Idea What This Is?

What if I show you a smaller one too?

Yep, bead looms! I can't wait to get some time to work with the larger one..but for now, I'm helping Aidan learn..so the baby loom is busy! 

 She's starting to get it...and about 1/3 of this work is hers! It takes a lot of patience for her! BTW, these particular looms are made in the USA by BeadandBeadLooms. I found their prices to be reasonable and their workmanship is just great!

UFO - Done!

It is great to get an UnFinished Object finally completed! And, especially when it has been sitting in a dresser drawer for two years!...Yep, I admit it...two years! Oh please...that's not AT ALL my oldest UFO. But, that is an entirely different post...for another day! This quilt top is a shadow applique Christmas In July design that I created for HGTV Ladies ...and when the class was over...just didn't finish it by adding the last two borders. So, finally....it is done and ready to head off to the machine quilter for quilting!Woot! Woot!Oh, if you want to create this quilt yourself...the patterns are FREE, and loaded in the files section of the Shawkl_Blog_Files Yahoo Group site. Enjoy!

Darlene's Wine Continues

I managed to get a little more stitched on the Wine Round Robin this week. A little "D" for Darlene, complete with a Swarvoski crystal bicone grape cluster.

 And added some sequins and bead grapes to the fabric motif already on the block. Next....a few seams!

Did You Miss The Boat?....

Wow, I just stocked 6 of these buttons on my Etsy site...and as of today...they are all gone!I hope the next time I order buttons...there are some of this style back in stock...so I can get more for ya'll!That was a fast emptying of my shelf!!...but, they are gorgeous...so really...it should not come as a surprise. Just sorry that I didn't list only five...and keep one for myself!

Happy Valentines Day

I've been working on some heart applique blocks...and today seems a great day to post a photo. You can see that I have a few to get done...so no chocolate for me today! I have to finish stitching these down to their background squares...and them trim up to size.

 I use the "freezer paper" method...it is what I stated with and for simple shapes like this heart...the one I gravitate to for the best results.

Wine Round Robin Begins for Darlene

 

Just getting started on my work for Darlene in the CQI Round Robin "Wine". Isn't this a really pretty block to work on! The colors are not as in the photo...the "blue" is really very dark purple.

 My first element is a bunch of grapes. They are felt circles sewn down with blanket stitch. The little leaves are trimmed from velvet craft leaves, and the little curly vines are DMC Color Infusion memory thread that has been curled around a large needle to make tight little spiral springy vines. I'll be back when I have more done....

Midnight Fantasy Finished for Cathy L.

My portion of the Midnight Fantasy Round Robin block for Cathy L. is finished. I've added some ground cover floral at the "foot" of the large purple flowers...and some ants climbing up a stem. Thanks to Allie A. for "how to" on the ants!

And, because no little girl should go out at midnight without a protector...even a fairy...I've sent her along with her little Teddy. (And, if you want to learn how to do Soft Sculpture Applique, I have a class open now over at Maureen's Vintage Acquisitions).

Here's the entire finished section.It's ready to go into the mail.Also, I would like to add...if you want to participate in some really fun Round Robins, you should go to Yahoo Groups...and check out Crazy Quilting International. A great bunch of ladies!This won't mail out until the end of the month...so I can show it off to friends until then!

I'm dancing in buttons...

 Gorgeous buttons arrived yesterday...and I loaded them on my Etsy Shop this morning. Check these new arrivals out! I have been waiting and waiting to get some of the small cobalt buttons...but they are always out of stock. But, not now...so I have ten to share!

These are the new designs..and the glass is so carved it is just stupendous...love the aurora borealis colors!

And, check out these gorgeous flowers. Each petal is etched in the glass and a tinsy tiny little gold stem and trim accent the delicate looking flower. I got them in white/pink, peridot green, and aurora borealis colors...Just gorgeous......but aren't ALL handmade glass buttons that way...gorgeous! I could just sit and stare at them all day long! Beautiful!If have never treated yourself to a Czech Glass Button..really, you should...every woman should own a button this pretty.And, they also make beautiful brooches if you turn them into a cabochon (cut the shank off) and bead the edge. 

Don't know how to convert a button, edge with beads, and create a brooch? Well, I have a class being offered over at Maureen's Vintage Acquisitions...and you can learn. She has all the supplies even...in a handy little kit. So, no need to hunt all over town for cabochons and it also includes one of my Czech Glass Buttons too!

Midnight Fantasy RR - Cathy L.

I'm almost done with my work on Cathy L.'s block in the round robin, Midnight Fantasy. I have a couple of little "surprises" to include...then will be ready to mail it out.Cathy included this guidance in her instructions..."...this block, along with other blocks, will be part of a wall-hanging that will glow in the dark, have leaves to lift, etc...interactive for the grand-kids..."Well, Cathy...I think that this is a great idea! And it takes the block into a whole new realm...away from traditional CQ into the ArtQuilt venue...and I love that!!Hopefully, the grand-children will spend countless hours searching for little hidden treasures all over the wall-hanging...Oh, BTW...isn't the little fairy so beautiful! Cathy stitched that area herself, before sending her block around. Didn't want ya'll to think that I stitched her...even though I'd LOVE to claim such whimsical work! Just so pretty!

Just Could Not Resist...

Found this photo on the web, and could not resist making this sign.I'm going to add it to my sidebar...just to remind me to have some fun!Life is just too short not to enjoy it! You are welcome to grab it too...if you like.Hugs!

Roses, Roses, Roses...is back Home!

And isn't it glorious! I just love all of the beautiful stitching and ribbon work the ladies did! Thank you so very much to Cathy L., Meg W., Rita C., and Ruby R. for their beautiful work. Want to see some close ups? Of course you do!!!

So pretty, tiny little sweetheart ribbon roses, delicate lace trims, silk ribbon roses, and perfect bullion rose cluster. 

What a great idea...cross-stitching some roses on top of the fabric! I'm gonna borrow this idea for sure...cause I have some waste canvas around here somewhere! Ingenious...and beautiful!

Delicate little lace trim, fluttery little butterflies, and one is painted with pink nail polish...which I do myself too! Loved that!

Aren't these just stupendous! I love the ribbon work, and the charms...wonderful!

This large rose just proves that you don't have to shy away from large motifs! Just lovely.

Pretty, pretty little ribbon clusters...like walking along a garden path.

A second little fluttery butterfly, Very unique...made from layers of fabric cut to shape. Hope you enjoyed the eye candy...as much as I am. It's even more glorious first-hand of course...photos just never do our work full justice. I'm a happy, happy girl today...after having received this block back home!