Quilt-Alongs, Swaps, & Bees

One of the main reasons I started blogging was to join the online quilting community in a fuller sense. Right away, I jumped in quilt-along-ing with Block-a-palooza, Socken, and later, Supernova, which in itself was a profound quilting experience. Now, I am eager to start Kaleidoscope next week, with prints from my stash.

Mostly Denyse Schmidt Fairground, with a Katie Jump Rope plaid,
Amy Butler Lotus dots, Michael Miller Ta Dot, & Cloud Nine Nature Walk.
A prized piece of Flea Market Fancy Green Dot is on its way to round out the collection.

I ventured into the swap arena with safe, low-commitment SewSara's Scrap Swap and  A Little Fabric, A Little Chocolate {Swap!}. They were fun, and gave me the confidence to join Gen X Quilters' Spoonflower Swap, with its slighty higher {read: custom fabric} stakes, and flickr's Scrapbuster Swap, where we'll swap modern Scrappy Depression blocks like these . . .

photo credit: JulieFrick on Flickr

And I confess, when I started blogging, I had high hopes to eventually join a quilting bee. And that I have, just this week! The [3 X 6] Sampler Quilt Mini Bee seems a perfect 'first bee.' I can hardly wait to be assigned to a hive next week.

So. Progress is being made. Quilts are being created. Community is being built. Fun is being had. I've made some bloggy friends, who I enjoy sharing progress and ideas {and life} with. I find great inspiration in seeing the work of my fellow quilters, and I'm learning some things. All in all, it's a good thing.

Fresh Sewing Day

The first day of each month is Fresh Sewing Day, hosted by Lily's Quilts and Sew Fresh Fabrics. The purpose is to show something you've been working on the previous month that made you happy.

Even though Supernova was my favorite project in April, she was still stealing the limelight well into May. Other than her, I think the project I enjoyed the most was this little table runner I made for my ALFALC{Swap!}.

My swap partner had indicated that she liked Dream On by Urban Chicks. Honestly, I had to go look it up! And even when I ordered the charm pack to make this runner, I was kind of ho-hum. But once I dug into those little swatches, I was wowed! They were really a treat! I thoroughly enjoyed piecing this little one, and adding the orange binding was great fun.

Be sure and go check out some other quilty goodness on this Fresh Sewing Day!

A Little Fabric, A Little Chocolate {Swap!}

Last week, my partner in the A Little Fabric, A Little Chocolate {Swap!} on Flickr received her package from me. Yay! She liked it!

Well, today, I received my package from Nicole! It was full of some fantastic fabrics! (Love those grays! And can't wait to dig into that charm pack! And those threads!)

And some yummy chocolate and other fun goodies! (Such yumminess! And darling papergoods!)

Wow! My first A Little Fabric, A Little Chocolate {Swap!} was a real treat!