12" block process

Earlier this week I posted on the blocks I received from our 12" block exchange this year.  I love each of the pieces I received.  But, I did struggle making my five blocks.  First, because I thought we weren't doing the challenge...hence, I didn't meet the February 14th target date!  Where was I! Oh well...they are all finished...and here's my process! This is one I kept and the other four were the same layout using the same fabrics. Pics are at the end of this post.

Fortunately, I brought with me a yard of my hand dyed mono printed fabric I made a few years ago...as well as some cotton suede all in the same color!  So, I set off making a pattern up in patchwork, thinking I'll add a 1/4" strip of black in between. Talk about struggle...for some reason, I couldn't figure out my blocks!  What's up with that!  I finally had to shut off the TV, IPOD and dogs! so I could concentrate!  HA  Here are two pages of my patterns!  Yes, I made it more difficult than it needed to be...duh!

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I decided to stamp the solid cotton suede with a stamp I had made awhile back.  The fabric at the top is the mono print.
So once all the pieces were finally cut to size!  and sewn together,  I started to hand stitch the mono printed designs.


Not sure why that picture looks purple!  But I kinda like it!

More hand stitching!

And more stitching.  I just couldn't come up with a design to free motion stitch...glad I stuck with hand work.




And here are the four I mailed to Tommy, Gayle, MaryAnn and Irene!  Hope they enjoyed them!

They look alike but each one is different...does that make sense!

12" Block Exchange

Here are the blocks from our 12" exchange this year.  They are in order I received them!  I finally got mine in the mail!  Geeeezzzzzz

This is from Tommy

This is from Gayle

This is from MaryAnn

This is from Irene

And this is mine!

I'll be doing a blog post on how I made mine later this week.  Until then, hope you enjoy our little show and tell!

Stitching Time!

Finally, I'm back to doing some stitching!  I can't show much of what I'm doing....we are making  12" blocks again to exchange with Tommy, Gayle, Irene, MaryAnn and myself.  This was our exchange in 2013 here;  2014 here .

We agreed to do another 12" challenge while visiting with Tommy this fall but I honestly don't remember hearing a target date...hence, I forgot all about it.  That is until Tommy sent out a note that she was mailing her 12" block!  WHAT!  I guess some knew that the target date was Feb. 14th and some didn't!  Yes, I had margaritas that weekend!  Blame it on the margarita's!  I guess beside making "your clothes fall off" (it's a song!!  I don't lose my clothes, honest!) they also make your brain go dead!  Who knew!

So I've been busy this week looking through the limited fabric stash I brought with me.  Fortunately, I had a yard of mono printed, hand dyed fabric I did a few years ago.  I also had some pink suede fabric that I incorporated in the design, which I stamped.

Now it's hand stitching time to get the pieces quilted, so to speak!  Then add some binding and ship the buggers off!  I may not quite make the February 14th date but I won't be far off.  Besides, I'm not the only one!  Thank goodness!

I should get caught up on all the TV shows I have taped...haven't had a chance to just sit and watch them...since I've been too busy eating, drinking and just goofing off!  It's Florida, folks!  You gotta go with the flow.

We have had more rain this week!! And it's been cooler as well.  For me, it's perfect weather (without the rain!) for walking dogs and just enjoying the cooler weather.  I'm not an 80's degree kind of gal!  I prefer 60-70's...that's also great stitching weather to sit out on the Lanai!