2014 block exchange ... new year, new beginnings

Today's the day that our 2014 block exchange begins.

It's become one of my favorite days of the year.

Tonight is full of potential: 

we learn a new pattern, see new fabric combinations, revisit old patterns, 

dig through our stashes for just the right fabric (or we buy new fabric).

 

It's also a chance to reconnect with friends: 

to wish a happy new year, complain about the cold, 

warm up with homemade goodies.

Check back for photos of the blocks we'll all be making this year.

2011 BE blocks

Here's the quilt top of my 2011 block exchange blocks.  This is a wedding quilt for my cousin Brian and his wife Josey.  Lucky for me they got engaged last year on Christmas Day!

 Josey and I went fabric shopping at Glad Creations, and she picked out a beautiful poinsettia backing fabric that is perfect.  I'm hoping to get it basted and mostly quilted over the Christmas holidays.

Thanks, all, for your blocks in this quilt.  It is lovely!

2012 Block Exchange quilt finished

I'm happy to announce that I have finally finished quilting my 2012 Block Exchange quilt - Bird's Nest! I'm so happy with how it turned out.

Isn't it lovely?!  Thank you all for your blocks in this quilt.  I have it hanging in my living room for awhile until I put up my Christmas quilt some time next month.

If any of you have finished block exchange quilts from the past couple years, please post pics on the blog.  I would love to see them.

september 2013 ... year's end

September was our last Block Exchange meeting of 2013. And although this year has been light on participants, the quilts (in various stages of completion) did not disappoint.

This one is Jan's. It's called Gemini. She made several blocks in addition to the ones we made for her. All batiks and all together.

 This one is Terry's. I think it's called birds of paradise. We each made four blocks.

Cool how some of them look like hearts based on the placement of colors and hues.

This one is Carol's. We've called it Legos, or confetti. It's a great scrap quilt that makes a hearty sized block. Word is Carol may do this one again next year ... so keep those scraps.

These blocks are Dorothy's. She's having us make them again next year. At least one of us (okay it was me) made the block completely wrong, so I'll make two and be ahead for next year ... that's the plan.

These blocks are mine. I love the great fabrics. The blocks will be sashed in white, and a white border will be added too.

And, at the last meeting there were quite a few 'extras' in show and tell:

This one is Jan's from a previous year's exchange.

 This one is Terry's. She's been hand piecing it as she's been taking a friend to chemo treatments. Sadly, Terry's friend passed away. This quilt is certainly a lovely tribute to their friendship.

 This one is mine (Eileen's). It's for a friend's daughter for her third birthday.

 This one is mine (Eileen's) from a previous year's exchange. It think it was 2004 or 2005. It's done now and will be off to it's new owner this week. It's part of my 'brothers 2013 project.'

 This is another one by me. It's for us. I quilted in a quilt as you go method.

 This is Louise's latest project. Actually, it's an older project that she did for someone that they asked her to do for their kids ... that's how we quilters are ... traditions started, and carried through.

Star-Crossed Cats quilted and bound

Here are some photos of the completed Star-Crossed Cats quilts.  Thanks for your blocks!  I really like how this pattern turned out.  I'm mailing it to Shannon today as her retirement gift.

The next project on my list is to finish machine-quilting my Bird's Nest quilt from Block Exchange 2012. I'm planning to hang it in my living room on the "rotating display" wall.

June block exchange: blocks and feet

My most sincere apologies to my Block Exchange pals for not getting these photos up sooner. Just like that, July was started and now, nearly over! Whew.

 I've just realized that many of these block photos, in addition to the quilt blocks, have feet in them ... mine and other people's. Weird, but considering we lay them out on the floor, there are bound to be feet. (Phone photos, so the quality is a bit suspect.)

On to the blocks ...

This one is Cindy's. All in greens and blues. Very pretty blocks.

 These are Dorothy's blocks. You can see that there are two ways to get these done, 

either with strips or logs. Both equally lovely!

 My blocks ... and toes.

 Jan's blocks.

 Phyllis' blocks ... she needs some fall colors in California, I guess!

Terry's blocks. Very cool design when they're set like this.

Carol's blocks. Super awesome scrappy look that translates into a big block. 

This would be great even with bigger pieces for a good sized baby quilt.

This is a show and tell by Daisy (and my toes) it's a great spool quilt.

Since we're meeting again next Monday, look for another post soon (maybe even in July)!

Star-Crossed Cats quilt top done

Thanks for my BE blocks!  Here's the finished top.  I hope to get it basted this weekend.