Modernista Homemade happiness

Since sending off my Modernista Homemade swap items, I had sort of forgotten that I would be receiving items in return, so it was a total surprise when my goodies arrived in the mail this week.

I really really love the things my partner (Bianca aka binkiege) made for me.  First up, this lovely (and, at 24" square, huge!) pillow cover.  I love all the fabrics used, and I don't have any of them in my stash, which makes this extra special.

The extra item is this super cute pincushion which you put over the arm of the sofa when you are stitching on the couch (here being modelled by my fence).  Aren't those owls sweet?

These items co-ordinate beautifully, but aren't completely matchy-matchy.  Bianca was very kind and thoughtfully included a few extra goodies, like sweet little flower-headed pins, little sewing themed charms, cute ribbon and colour-catchers for the first time I wash the pillow cover.

Finally, I have to show you how well this pillow goes with the quilt on my bed.  This is either a total coincidence, or some high quality stalking was involved!  Since it goes so well (and Ivy approves, as you can tell by her photo-bombing antics), it will live on my bed, and has already proved to be very comfortable to lean on. 

I often write my blog posts from bed at the end of the day, so I am already thinking of this as my blogging pillow - it seems an appropriate name, especially since it came to me through an online swap.

Thank you again Bianca, for the obvious time, effort and care you put into these items, and making this swap such a great experience!

WIP Wednesday

I'm working away on several things this week.  First up is this x and + block I made for Kirsten who was Queen Bee for March in our group in the Simply Solids Bee.  It was really simple to sew up - I am definitely going to make more of these.

I've also been working on a small project which for which I'm writing a tutorial.  I just love this fabric!

Finally, I need to get this quilted up for the Modernista Homemade swap - here's hoping my partner likes it (sorry for the crappy photo).

Don't forget, Friday is my stop on the Meet: My Machine! Blog Hop - and, because it will be my 150th blog post, I am having a giveaway to celebrate, so make sure you stop by to hear all about my sewing machine and to be in for a chance to win!

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced:

WIP Wednesday

I have been playing around with these 5" squares - I am using them to make two baby quilts.  I was planning to make two half square triangle quilts, which would have been very similar but unique at the same time.  However, I just can't face trimming the number of half square triangles I would need to make two quilts, so I decided to change things up a little.

One quilt will be half square triangles, and one quilt will be...wait for it... wonky stars.  Can you believe I have never made a star block before?  Crazy!  I must remedy this immediately.

I've also been plotting my item for the Modernista Homemade swap.  I posted this picture of my potential fabric selection to see whether my partner would like it, but she hasn't commented.  I was aiming for a spread of colour values from light to dark, but given the lack of feedback and my partner's stated preferences, I think I will stick with the brighter fabrics.

What are you working on this week?

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced:

Lots of swaps

I just signed up for two swaps being run on flickr - they are both new for me but have been through at least one round already.

The first one is the Modernista Homemade swap.

This round focuses on the living room, and I asked for a pillow.  You might have been able to tell from my mosaic...

1. PTS9 finished !, 2. PTS9 Pillow Received, 3. Pillow Talk Swap 9 - Sent, 4. Pillow Talk {Swap} 9 Recieved!!, 5. Spinning Stars QAL Twin Quilt Top in Good Folks, 6. PTS Received!, 7. Pillow Talk Swap Angel Pillow - April 2012, 8. texty hexies pillow for MQPS, 9. PTS#8 pillow cover #2, 10. Aqua, grey, yellow chevron quilt, 11. Pillow Talk Swap 9 - Done!, 12. Finished Pillow Talk Swap Round 9 Pillow, 13. Pillow Received

Partners are being sent out tomorrow, and I am really looking forward to seeing who my partner is, what they want, and to start plotting!

The second swap I've signed up for recently is the Sew Sew Modern swap, also on flickr.

I've nominated a sewing machine cover, or a fabric basket or two as the large item I'd like, but I'm pretty open to ideas.  I'm still not 100% sure I'll get into this swap, so fingers crossed - the reason I joined was because I kept seeing amazing things from the last round on blogs I follow, so I'm really keen to participate.

1. sofia's sewingmachine cover, 2. Another fabric bowl, pattern by Nova, 3. Patchwork zippered pouch, 4. Field of Triangles #2, 5. Proverbial Sunshine, 6. go anywhere bag., 7. Patchwork Bucket, 8. Sewing machine cover in 'Hope Valley', 9. pixelated heart

I think both these swaps will push my design skills and my sewing skills, and I can't wait to get started!

As an aside, it took me AGES to realise just how much modern sewists use flickr, and how key it is to participating in swaps etc, and getting your work noticed.  It's not a site I had ever used before I started this blog, and its not somewhere I ever looked for quilt inspiration.  However, you can find so many beautiful things on there, many of which are not posted elsewhere.  I'm guessing most of my readers have already cottoned on to this, but thought I would share my experience just in case anyone else was wondering about flickr.

Are you participating in any swaps at the moment?