Quilty Friends

We are all moved in here in St Louis and everyone is doing pretty well (except for the kido home throwing up!). Seriously though, we have been so blessed. Everyone has transitioned to their new schools really well with only a few bumps here and there. In fact, our cat has had the hardest time adjusting - she spent the first month pooping all over! Grrr...

I have my sewing area set up and have been working on some things. But before we get to that I wanted to show you this beauty.

At my last guild meeting in Iowa my wonderful, amazing, lovely guild-mates gave me this wall hanging. Isn't it amazing!?!? Everyone pitched in to make spools, piece, quilt and bind it.

Look at all of those improv spools! I love the variety, colors and fussy cutting details. And the wood grain shelves and quilting? Swoon. I tried at one point to guess who had made which but failed miserably.

And the pincushion with fancy quilting and embroidery? Too cute!

The piece de resistance is the sewing machine pieced by Doris. (That is the sign of a great friend!) Great fabrics and colors and I love our guild's logo.

I really can't express how important and special all of my relationships with my guild-mates are to me. They are an amazing group. *hugs*

Now I just have to get my rear in gear and figure our where I am going to hang it. It has to be the perfect spot for the perfect gift!

Tote Swap Reveal

A few months ago I signed up for a tote swap with my local quilt guild.  All the participants made inspiration mosaics and we were given a secret partner to make a tote for.  At this weeks meeting, we gave the totes to our partners.  Can I just say that the gals in the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild rock!?!  Each tote was a work of art and all the participants totally [get it, tote-ally? :) ] nailed their partner's style.   (Click for more pics of the totes.)

Melissa made the beautiful tote pictured above for me.  I am in LOVE.  She used a variety of American Jane fabrics - we both love American Jane! - and captured the scrappy bright look I like.  I have used it all weekend and couldn't be happier.

Only one partner was really lame and forgot to bring their partner's tote....me.  Seriously, I think I am brain dead.  So sorry Doris!  Here are pictures of your tote and I will get it to you as soon as possible!

Doris said she liked (among other things) all things British and I got the feeling from her mosaic that she liked a combo of black and bright colors.  So I decided to use a piece of black Echino fabric printed with bright London landmarks as my inspiration fabric.  I started by making a wonky log cabin quilt as you go panel for one side of the bag.  I didn't like it - seriously, I almost threw it away.  But I couldn't tell if I didn't like it because it was ugly as sin or just not my style.  I pressed on and made another panel with a simplified Union Jack.  I was sure she would like that.

I decided to make the bag reversible so that if she wasn't a fan of the first panel she could turn it inside out.  I used a larger piece of the black Echino as one panel of the interior.  I added three pockets (triple zip style), each lined with fun bright fabric.  I love those pops of color!

When it all came together I was pleased as punch.  I even like the first panel now that it is in the bag!  I hope you like it too Doris!