Down Under Doll Quilt Swap ~Done!

First off I have to show you the beauty that I received.

Are you ready....

sure....

okay then

ta dahhhhhhhhh

My new beau and I went on a little tour of the garden.

We got a little carried away, but it was such fun!

This beauty came from Leah aka Smoochee over on flickr.

Thank you Leah, me loves it!

Now for the one I made for my partner.

I had a whole lota fun making this, quite a sideways shift from my normal Doll Quilt. I felt so relaxed during the making process. Sometimes things didn't work so I just deleted them, sometimes there were happy accidents, like making mitred corners of the pink and blue strips. I hope my partner likes what she receives. It was posted today, so hopefully I will know before the end of the week.

Thanks for stopping by.

Cheerio for now!

x Mandy

Catch up!

I've been away from my Blog so long, I can't remember if I have shared some of these photo's! I don't think I have, but my apologies if I repeated myself.


This is the DQS8 quilt that I sent to my partner, The Sometimes Crafter. I really enjoyed using the grey to highlight some of my fave big floral prints. And the variegated grey DMC thread was perfect for some simple running stitches. I wanted to try and emphasize the weave effect of the floral fabrics. I was pretty pleased with the outcome!


This one also has some running stitches! More along the Sashiko line though. The Sashiko panels are also my own work. The cushion size panel comes from Japan, it has pre-printed lines to follow. I found the hand sewing to be very relaxing. But decided to cut up the panel to make this Wall Hanging. The indigo fabrics are from my first Jelly Roll purchase. I just couldn't resist all those different Indigo 2 1/2' strips. I really enjoyed making this one, I gave it to a good friend for her Birthday.


This is a tiny Coin quilt! I sent this along as part of a fabric swap. Ack! I can't remember which one!


Ahhhh, this one is quite recent. I called it 'Amy Butler Sorbet', I am sure all these colours could be found at a Gelato bar. It went to Melanie, and was a DQS Angel quilt. Poor Melanie waited a long time to get her quilt. I hope this made up for it. Me and my monochromatic prints, I do so love them!


Look!!! I've finally pieced another big quilt, I've even quilted it, just trying to decide if I've quilted it enough though. Each pinwheel is about 18", yes huge! It is a ORBC quilt-along quilt. I'm really quite pleased I've started to use some of my yardage. I've definitely got over my 'cutting fabric' hesitation! 'The Old Red Barn Co.' Flickr group is like a second home to me, along with the 'Doll Quilt Swap' group and the 'Mini QT Swap' group.

I've found I have more conversations with people in these three groups. It feels so good to talk to like minded quilting/fabric peeps. I don't really get to chat to people, about my obsession, in my daily life.


I've got more to share, more Bee blocks, a Mini QT Swap quilt (sent and received). Plus some adorable 3 1/2 " blocks from 2 swaps. Oh and DQS9 sign ups are happening again. I love swaps!


Cheerio for now
x Mandy

DQS7 received

from the lovely mommymae......I just love how the colours in the quilt echo the colours I choose for my garden. I actually added this one to my fav's on Flickr, I commented on many, but really only fav'd a few. So........I was very, very, happy, when I opened the parcel. Jenny also included a bundle of stunning scraps, all my fav colours. I've promised some wonky cabin blocks will come out of them. Absolutley sure about that.

I've also received my Friendship Bag Swap bag (or should I say bags!!!). But haven't managed to take a good enough photo yet. Also in the mail came a fabric trade from the US. My very first piece of Munki Munki. It's oh so new to me. I think it's a clothing line, that has Heather Ross designs on it. Anyhow, I am now the proud owner of a pyjama leg! But...it is a bright red, teetering on orange background, with a lost, 3 eyed, Martian family on it. Some are on the mobile, some are looking at space maps and some are looking rather confused. Rohan, over my shoulder, saw a block made with the fabric and asked if I could get some. I commented on the photo about what Rohan had said, and she offered a swap! Love this crafty community.

Anyhow, the long and the short of it is.....I need to take some more photo's.
Be back in a day or so.
Cheerio for now
X Mandy

Kiddies Quilt & DQS7

She's off! Winging her was to B____n, as we speak.

Making this quilt was a real roller coaster ride for me. There were many firsts while making it. My first wedge piecing, first applique, first _____ on a quilt, first pieced back, AND first free motion quilting. Well, actually, no, second free motion quilting. Because my first real free motion quilting, which was supposed to be just a practice piece, I turned into a mini doll quilt. And gave to a good friends little girl. I seemingly have to make something out of everything. Here's a picture of it.




Which reminds me of another first, oh alright, second on the Kiddies Quilt, multi pieced binding. Not really very difficult, but look at those corners, I think I need to work on mitred corners a bit more.
So...... the roller coaster. Remembering, this is the first Quilt I have made for a swap. My first Quilt Swap. Somewhere in the middle of making it, too late to start over, I got worried. I forgot who the quilt was for, a 3 year old, and started to worry that it didn't stack up. I saw numerous imperfections, and couldn't continue. Needless to say, I got over it and stopped worrying, and finished a quilt I am proud of, even it's wonkiness. Because I made it with my heart, it is the best I could do and totally with this small person in mind. And I think every true crafts person can recognise that in other peoples work. It was a lesson I had to learn, and it has stood me in good stead for DQS7. My confidence has soared, and I think my new DQS work reflects that. It's not that I don't care what my partners think, it's because if I can make it to my satisfaction, then I have done my best. My Dad always said to me during school, "do the best you can". It's all we can ask of each other and ourselves.

I have chosen a prominent colour (orange) from my partners web spaces and from then on totally self-indulged myself. Pink, orange and red with a small bit of green. If you'd asked me a month ago if I would put those colours in one piece of work. I'd have said no, instantly. But, here they are in all their glory. They do make me smile.





Anywho, back to my 50th post winners bag. Oh yes, I've not forgotten, I just had to start DQS, I was itching to see those fabrics together.

Cheerio for now
X Mandy