Friendship Swap

I've joined my first Friendship Swap. I must confess, I find the whole process a bit intimidating. Just how picky will all these women be about the blocks they receive? Will I know, or be able to figure out, how to make all of the requested blocks? Will I be able to keep up with everything else going on? Well, despite my concerns, I joined and am committed to getting through it.

For the next six months, I will make two different blocks for two different recipients.  We started about a week ago and I got right down to business.

The first block requested is Wonky Squares-In-Squares. Wonky is right! From the requested color scheme to the type of block, I cringed when I saw the request. Having completed the block, though, I can admit that I'm rather proud of the finished item and happy I tried the block. I doubt I'll do it again, but I did learn several things along the way.

I didn't anticipate making so many blocks. I started each with 1.25" strips. Though I really like the effect, I think I'll make the project a little easier on myself and start with 3" strips. Perhaps I'll be more inclined to make a larger project like this if each block doesn't take quite as much time or use as much fabric.

Thinking I was moving on to something a little less complicated, I started the second block for May, the Eight Pointed Star Block. This block is new to me, too. I followed the directions as posted on the website and got through the block fairly quickly.

Much to my frustration, though, I had the darnedest time trying to get this completed as a 12.5" square block. My sewing is straight and by stitched lines measures 1/4" when I lay the ruler on the fabric. Once I press it, presto-chango, I loose about 1/8". Seriously? How is it that I can't press a seam right? What I didn't realize is that thread can play a roll in this problem. Who would have thought the thread size could make such a significant impact on the finished product? Now I get play with threads to see if I can find one that doesn't mess with my seam allowance when I'm piecing!

The good news is that I did finish the block to specifications and it's ready to head out the door to it's Canadian recipient. As for me, I'm all set to get going on the June blocks. Not bad. It's the first month and I'm right on track. I wish I could say the same for the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Quilt I started. It's another monthly piecing project of which I am over a year behind. Oops!

Comfort Case

I have a friend, Jen, who is well known for her compassionate gestures for any and every occasion. In the past few months, I have lost count of the number of comfort quilts that she made, coordinated and contributed toward. As she recently posted on her blog, she "quilt[s] without obligation." What a great way to be!

Two weeks ago, Jen's dog, Holly, died. Jen recently learned that Holly was sick and made the most out of the time they had left, making her a comfort quilt of her own and a new bandana. Making time for extra cuddles. And, indulging in whatever made things easier for Holly. I've never had a dog, but it is clear that Holly was a best friend; family. She is sorely missed and I'm sad to see my friend have to journey through the sorrow of loss.

In light of Jen's loss and it being a time when comfort is needed, I really wanted to whip some kind of comfort together for her. If she waited for a quilt, though, her need for comfort would have likely passed. So, rather than throw the towel in and skip the idea all together, I decided a small gesture was better than nothing and put together a "Comfort Case."

I don't know if you can see it well enough in these photos, but each water dish says Top Dog. Holly was most definitely the Top Dog in Jen's book. One of a kind, irreplaceable.

Even though it's not a quilt, I think it will do. It's completely hug-able, doggy-cute and more than capable of collecting a tear or two. Hopefully it brings a touch of  comfort, too.

Suduko Block Interlock

It's done! The top of the Sudoku 9-Patch Challenge is complete...and I'm thrilled with the result!

I probably should have waited for tomorrow, with natural lighting, to take the picture. Frankly, I'm just so happy to have completed the top that I have to post now.

Here is a close-up shot of the center blocks. Doesn't the black just make everything pop and dazzle? The sashing is 1/2" finished. This is the first time I've tried strips this narrow, but I sure am glad I did. Having laid it out with and without the sashing strips, I decided these blocks needed some distinction in order to identify the Soduko pattern. If I made the sashing any wider, though, it became a distraction.

There are two interlocking Soduku blogs in the finished top. (These are in addition to the original layout, which was a full-game size, 81 squares, Soduku board layout.) They share the four center blocks (yellow, green, magenta and blue).

Soduko Block 1

Soduko Block 2

And last, but not least, a close-up of the yummy border fabric I added.

I think the added black of the sashing and border really worked to make the black from the blocks blend into the larger group.

All that's left to do is trim the edges down, purchase black batting and a backing and quilt and bind this work of art. I haven't decided where it will go, yet. It really doesn't fit the colors in my house, but I plan to just "make it work." :)

After seeing how differently mine and friend's version have turned out, I can't wait to see what the rest of the women do!

Sudoku 9-Patch Update

I was feeling a bit frustrated with the Sudoku 9-Patch the other day because I felt like it wasn't looking quite right no matter how I placed the pieces. The biggest obstacle was the rainbow-black fabric that was thrown in with all of the other colors. To solve the problem, I went shopping! (This is pretty funny considering I loathe shopping. Fabric, however, appears to be the exception.)

I laid out several random samplings of how I thought I might ultimately place the blocks and began auditioning backgrounds. Luckily, it only took a few bolts to happen across just the right fabric. You're going to have to wait a bit to see it, but for now, I'll say that it is a complimentary rainbow-black batik. I also decided to add black sashing to really make each block pop on its own and to increase the size so that this will work as a bigger lap quilt for one of my children...if I decide to share. *giggle*

Knowing I had remedied my problem, I set back to finishing my blocks. I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning and successful figured out a pattern for each set of blocks. To the average viewer, the quilt will likely look fairly random and integrated. To appease my OCD, though, I assure you that everything has been carefully planned and executed. Organized chaos; the story of my life!

Isn't she a beauty?! She's even prettier next to all of the other blocks. I must say, I'm feeling mighty proud of myself, too. Though they are not all perfect, my seams are pretty stinkin' close. And do you see all the areas I had to match up? No doubt this will be a work of art when it's complete. Unfortunately, it will have to wait a few days. The black I'm hoping to use for my sashing is currently out of stock. As soon as it arrives, I'm ready to go!

Gadget Giddiness

A few of the many wonderful things about retreat are all of the exciting new techniques, tips and tools that you come across because of the diversity of experience, exposure and style. This past retreat was no exception. One of the gadgets I came across was a fork pin. For all I know, these have been around forever. But, for me, they were brand spankin' new and, I must say, slicker than snot!

I was so enamored with the gadget that I had to purchase some while on retreat. Then, I promptly tucked them away, too intimidated to use them. You see, I am pretty anal about most things in life.  Sew, I pin...and pin...and pin, in hopes that nothing slips and everything comes out just perfect. Well, perfect rarely happens, but I apparently take comfort in the rituals of effort for perfection because I do them *all* of the time. This new gadget is supposed to help improve my accuracy and curb my pinning enthusiasm. Despite witnessing the results for others, I somehow doubted they could work for me.

Well, I was wrong!

 So, if you're like me, you might be asking I'm talking about. Here are what fork pins look like.

They are designed to hold butted-seams in place. (It's hard to see in the picture, but directly across from the one I laid on the table is the one in the fabric.)

One pin. That's it. Really? Because before this, I could frequently be found using anywhere from two to four pins to ensure the same result. But, yes, really, they work! One of several "keepers" I picked up from retreat. What about you? Any new, must-have/must-know techniques, tips or tools? I'm always on the prowl and just as happy to be enabled as I am to enable. :)

And speaking of perfectionism and enabling, might I recommend a blog to you? (Can you see my sinister smile?) If you have taken the time to comment on my blog, it seems only right that I take a minute or two to learn more about you, if you've put the information out there. Well, Del was kind enough to offer an encouraging comment and I found that she has a few blogs of her own.  Sugar N' Spice Home is one of them. Today's post was so poignant, and right at the core of my daily goal of living in the moment, that I've returned several times and forwarded the link to friends. Perhaps her reflection will resonate with you, too, and enable positive change.

Q & A

Question: What's this?

Answer: A Sudoku 9-Patch hot-mess!

Twist and turn as I may, I'm not loving the combinations...yet. This, however, is only six of the nine, nine-patches. There is still hope.

On a brighter note, I've already decided on the 18 block layout design AND I've managed to keep the Sudoku layout. Better yet, it will actually be two, interlocking, Sudoku blocks. It ought to be pretty swanky, if I can just come up with the individual block design. Wish me luck!

Soduko 9-Patch Something or Other

Recently, I have not had nearly as much time for crafting as I would like. That said, I did manage to finish the second Origami Bag that I started at Jen's Patched Works' Party.

I chose the cupcake fabric because I thought it work well as a bag and a keepsake when I need a small container for a birthday gift. On the whole, I like it. I must say, though, there is something about the way this bag looks in Asian fabrics that makes it far more striking. Perhaps it was the way the fabric was laying, too. You can't even tell that there is a second fabric in my cupcake bag, but there is and it's super cute, too!

Yep, I definitely wish I could see more of the polka dots. Oh well.

The other thing I've found a small amount of time for is my Sudoku 9-Patch. What's that? Well, it all began with a trip to a quilt store when I was on retreat, last month. While shopping, I came across a kit for a Sudoku 9-Patch quilt. I was quite taken with the idea, but not so much with the price tag.  No problem, though, because Jen got the "brilliant" idea to coordinate a Sudoku swap with 9 of the women from our retreat. (This was also way cheaper than buying the kit, woo-hoo, I was in!)

The idea caught quickly and we headed to the fabric store the next day. Working together, we chose the 9 fabrics, divided them up, cut them down to 5" squares and swapped. Now, it's up to each of us to come with with something, using the Sudoku puzzle as the base layout.

I like things orderly, so laying mine out was fairly simple.

You can see that I kept the same fabric combinations, over and across, just shifting everything by one row per block. This alone looked pretty boring. Besides, I knew Jen was up to some crafting wickedness, which motivated me to do something more.

Originally, I thought I would cut each 9-patch into 81 pieces and make a miniature Sudoku board in each block. In fact, that was the plan until this morning when Jen shared a link to Dreamz Happen Quiltz. Just like that, I was off and running in a new direction.

I haven't gotten far, but I did get a start. I went from a block that looked similar to this:

to these beauties!

So far, I've only completed the first 9-Patch. I haven't sewn these together, yet, because I have a couple more ideas. First, I think it will look better if I mix and match all the pieces once I cut the other blocks. Second, I think I just might be able to reassemble a Sudoku, of sorts, depending on how I ultimately lay things out.  Either way, I think this is sure to be gorgeous once it's complete. I'm so glad Jen suggested the swap and shared the link today.

Jen has completed her projected and shared more information on the project. If you want to see what she came up with, be sure to stop by her blog. As I come across more of the completed projects, I'll pass them on so you can see the diverse results. I can't wait to see them all...and, of course, finish mine!