Catching up

Wow, 2015 has flown by so far! I've had bronchitis twice already so I'm looking forward to being healthy for the rest of the year and on my way to Quiltcon next week. That's right, I'm off to Austin! I didn't know about the modern quilting world last time; I was just getting into quilting. I'm really excited to take workshops, listen to lectures, shop, and of course meet and hang out with all of my online quilty friends.

I've been trying to finish up a few projects before I go but of course time is running out. I've managed to whip up a few garments - pictures in another post. I made myself a lanyard (but I'm not sure I like it) and even broke down and ordered some pins for the #quiltconpinswap.

I also sewed up this adorable Fairport Pouch as a pattern tester for Radiant Home Studio. It's a great pattern with several options for personalization. I would definitely make it again and you should try it too!

On the swap front, I've already finished up two swaps this year. First was the Schnitzel and Boo Mini Quilt Swap. My partner Allison is a fan of blue and monochromatic schemes so I made her this mini version of Alison Glass's Tesselation pattern that came out to about 17" x 21". I added in some matchstick quilting in variegated blue thread and was truly amazed at how much thread that takes! I really love how it came out and I hope she did too! Of course no swap package is complete without some extras so I also made a pouch (she likes Tula fabric, of course!) and threw in some other goodies.

In return, I got this awesome package from Allie. Are you sensing a theme here? I think all of the partner assignments were alphabetical. Allie knew that I loved low volume and Carolyn Friedlander prints so she made me this great selvage mini. I've never sewn with selvages before so it was nice to get something that I would not have thought of making myself. She also was amazing with the extras she included. It was a fantastic package and I was very happy to receive it! So happy, that I didn't get great pictures because I hung it right up on my wall.