Snaps

It's been over six years since I hosted the *Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Block Swap. I had seen Karen/CapitolaQuilter's post on Polaroid blocks a few days before and was quite smitten with them. But realizing my stash (at that time!) didn't really have the fabric needed for a good variety of Polaroids, I did what any of you might have done, I'm sure. I started a swap! Just two months later, the swap came to a close after 114 swappers from all over the world swapped 3293(!) blocks, and in the end, I had 205 of them for my own use. So of course I made a quilt! Actually, I enlisted the help of the Always Bee Learning bee, sending them each nine Polaroids to puzzle into a block for me.

Fast forward, and even after I mailed off 50 in a giveaway, believe it or not, I still had a handful left. I started in on another quilt, using Yvonne/@quilting JETgirl's On a Slope pattern, which just happened to be the winner in a Cirrus Solids Block Challenge. Apparently I didn't get too far, as I just came across the blocks which I'd begun in 2015. Oops! Purely for sentimental reasons, these needed to be made into something... anything. So basically I just pieced the framed blocks into rows, changing the original design intent, of course, but sometimes time changes things.

After adding  borders (shocker!), I went to my stash to choose a backing, and found something I remembered purchasing years ago for just such a purpose - a length of Objects by Robert Kaufman. Perfect, no?!

Quilting was a bit of a quandary and even harder to photograph. There were basically three components.... the gray Xs in the side framing, done in gray thread, then a black angled diamond around each Polaroid....

And on the sides, both gray and black echoed triangles to mimic the HRTs on the sides of each Polaroid.

And though I contemplated a matched binding, I instead went with a continuous binding of Michael Miller Mirror Ball Dots. Nice they could escape the ole stash and be used!

Soooo.... here's to sentimentality for the win. I think that's the end of the Polaroids for me. But to this day, those little snapshots evoke such fond memories! 

Gifty

When I need a fabric gift-bag, there's a good chance I'll turn first to the Lined Drawstring Bag by In Color Order. It always sews up just right. The hardest parts are deciding which fabric to use and what size to make.

When planning to get together with my local quilting buddies this week, I decided a little gifty-ness was in order - just a few sewing goodies in a sweet handmade bag. I remembered some sewing-themed Polaroid blocks in my stash, and they were perfectly sized to piece into the front of the "Snack"-size bag option on Jeni's pattern. Hopefully they'll bring some smiles.

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday.

Snapshots

July 6, 2012. I remember clearly the day this quilt began. I had seen Karen/CapitolaQuilter's post on Polaroid blocks a few days before and was quite smitten with them. But realizing my stash didn't really have the fabric needed for a good variety of Polaroids, I did what any of you might have done, I'm sure. I started the *Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Block Swap! Just two months later, the swap came to a close after 114 swappers from all over the world swapped 3293(!) blocks, and in the end, I had 205 precious ones in my possession.

And they sat. You know how it goes. Sad but true. Finally, in May of this year, I hatched a plan. I asked the members of my Always Bee Learning bee to help me out. I sent them each 9 Polaroid blocks + 2 1/2" strips of at least three black or black & white fabrics. I asked that they 'frame' each Polaroid block and then create one large block with them all. 

My sample measured 18 1/2" square, but I gave them free reign to do whatever they wanted with what I sent.

In July of this year, a year after I started the block swap, I put my Polaroid quilt on my Q3 Finish-A-Long list. Obviously I didn't make it that round, so I'm more than pleased that I managed it in Q4. Backed with the bright and bold Mod Century by Jenn Ski, I quilted a square meander around the Polaroids that unfortunately/fortunately you can barely see. Let's just say I'm still perfecting that technique. For binding I found the perfect tomato red that coordinates with the backing yet contrasts nicely with the blocks.

Hubby was kind enough to photograph "Snapshots" while I was at work today, and in his mind, this is a "postcards" quilt, thus all the travel books in this carefully composed shot. smile 
And considering these blocks came from all over, that really isn't far from the truth.

You can see my bee-mates were also creative in their block designs, and I was pleased how I managed to have a 'unique' block in each row. If you're a counter like me, you'll have figured out already that I haven't used all my Polaroids yet. But for my final finish of a terrific year, this one's picture-perfect!

This quilt was on my Q4 Finish-A-Long List! Also linking up with Finish it Up Friday.

2013 Finish-A-Long: Q3 List

Considering I've just received the last of my blocks in three bees, it's pretty obvious where to start my third quarter FAL list! Top priority is FAITH Circle's June quilt, where we used SewCraftyJess' "Starburst Cross" block tutorial. 

Next up, the Modern Maple blocks made by That Stash Bee.

In May, I sent Always Bee Learning Bee beemates 9 polaroid blocks collected during the *Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Swap, along with several black and white prints, and asked them to frame the blocks. I just put all the blocks up on the design wall to take a photo for this post, so what you see isn't the final layout. I'm thinking that will be a tad tricky!

Not bee blocks, but I decided to go ahead and add the Slice and Insert blocks I made during Katie & Jacquie's class. I'm thinking maybe a wall hanging with these. I hope I can get back into the improv groove, as I'd like to make a few more blocks before putting them all together.

All of these projects are ones I'm really looking forward to, so hoping this can be a successful quarter!

Linking up with Leanne/shecanquilt and the Finish-A-Long Q3 linkup.

Polaroid Progress

Once upon a time, I hosted the *Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Block Swap, and by the time it was over, I had amassed 205(!) blocks from all around the world. Why I don't already have a Polaroid quilt all stitched up, I have no idea. But now's the time.

Enlisting the help of the Always Bee Learning bee, a Polaroid quilt is this month's project as I take my turn as hostess. As references, I've shared this Polaroid primer by capitolaQuilter and this gallery full of block layouts.

So the plan? I've sent each bee member 9 Polaroid blocks + 2 1/2" strips of three black or black and white fabrics. I'm asking that they 'frame' each Polaroid block and then create one large block with them all. My primary adaption from the original instructions is to trim each framed block to 6 1/2" rather than the 4 1/2" suggested. Here's my sample block which measures 18 1/2" square:

My bee-mates are being given free reign - to either make a block very similar in layout to mine - or to use a placement inspired by the gallery or their own imagination. Either way, I'm looking forward to seeing a Polaroid quilt finally take shape.

Oh, those Polaroids!

Just look at these pillows made by Sewmama123! The second photo below is actually the back of the large pillow in the top photo. What a lovely use of Polaroid blocks, isn't it?

1. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51109548@N08/7828343668/in/pool-1843503@N22/">Perfect Polaroid Picture pillows</a>, 2. <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/51109548@N08/7828349604/in/pool-1843503@N22/">Envelope back</a>

And I had to try just a small project myself . . .

A drawstring Snack Bag using Jeni's pattern, with a little Polaroid pieced into the front panel. Honestly, I need more practice with bordering and trimming the blocks - I had intended on this little block being wonky, but trimmed everything wrong. And too close. So I'll be perfecting my technique, but for a first try, I'm quite happy with it. Fabric-wise, I used Essex Linen for the main bag, Michael Miller dots for the accent, and Painter's Canvas for the lime lining.

There's lots more sewing fun in store for all of us who swapped Polaroids, but meanwhile let's give away those six packs of blocks. According to the random generator, the winners are:

#49 ~ Karen of Lintonville.com

#21 ~ Candice of Sunshine, Handmade

#19 ~ Yzo of Chez Roo

#45 ~ Jayme of finding sweetland

#50 ~ Jennie of Jennie's Threads

#37 ~ Teje of Nero's Post and Patch

Congrats to you winners - I am emailing you all! And thanks again to everyone who participated and made the *Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Swap a rousing success!

Linking up with sew & tell, {sew} Modern Monday, and Fabric Tuesday.

W.i.P. Wednesday

I don't have any completed projects this week, but do have alot in progress! So welcome W.i.P. Wednesday!

Ongoing projects
Zakka Style Sew-Along project #15 - I'm doing my own thing this week, but I have my bookmark ready to sew up.

4x5 Quilt - Boy, this modern sampler really needs a name before all is said and done. Meanwhile, I got that pieced back done - nothing too exciting, except the main fabric, of course - one of my current favs, Dear Stella's Gridlock.

Source: hawthornethreads.com via Debbie on Pinterest

The blocks' framing is all quilted up quite simply, and now I'm slow but sure, quilting the blocks - some straight-line, some free-motion, something a little different in each block. I've gotten 5 of 20 blocks done so far. It'll be a while.

Storytime Squares baby quilt - The top is done. I didn't find a good backing in my stash, so am waiting for one to arrive - a Vintage Modern floral.

*Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Block Swap NEW - Not sure what I was thinking when I impulsively started a swap last weekend!

the blocks that started it all - 1 untrimmed & 1 trimmed

But things are hopping, and I've got lots of 2 1/2" squares cut out to make my own polaroid blocks to swap and keep.

Upcoming projects
* more Zakka
* QWERTY variation
* a quilt to coordinate with my Christmas tree skirt - Christmas in July??
* scrappy Metrolink
* Plus quilt for my sister-in-law
* Always Bee Learning July block
* EZ Dresden Challenge project - maybe??
* FAITH Circle July blocks
* 100 Quilts quilt to donate

Linking up with W.i.P. Wednesday where Kati from the blue chair is hosting today.

Clicking Away!

Oh my goodness! I started an innocent little *Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Block Swap on a whim, and things are clicking away over there! As of this writing, 36 swappers have signed up, each with plans for swapping from 5 to 50(!) little polaroid blocks! Several are cutting and sewing away already, with at least one preparing to ship! Gulp!

capitolaquilter

Sewmama123

 

busybeequilts

shecanquilt

*Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Block Swap!

After reading Karen/capitolaquilter's post earlier this week, I was thinking I'd sure like to try my hand at some polaroid blocks! But I really don't feel like I have that many focus fabrics that will fussy-cut well, so why not have a swap and collect a larger variety??

What a novel idea, huh? So . . . if you are interested, you can check out *Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Block Swap! Wanna join in the fun?

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