New plans

Posted by on
In spite of the fact that I resolved to take on nothing new this year, I have taken on two new commitments in the past week but with good reason.  The first new project is to join Katy's swoon-a-long on Flickr.  Camille Roskelly's Swoon pattern was the big hit of last year and looks set to continue the same way this year with nearly 300 quilters already in Katy's Flickr group.  The quilt is made up of nine large blocks and ends up somewhere around 80" square.


Katy's starter post is here if you are interested in swooning along too.  I had already committed to make a quilt for my French neice and had decided on using my J'adore by Dear Stella fabrics combined with some of the fat quarters which came to me from Eternal Maker as part of their Fat Quarters Club.


After some deliberation and advice gathered on twitter yesterday, I decided to pair the fabrics with pomegranite.  Snow was too pale, I am bored of sashing with greys, as much as I love them, and suggestions of pale blues and aquas also seemed a little safe.  So I settled on Klona pomegranate which is a bright in-your-face pinky red or redddy pink, a kind of raspberry red.  I placed my order with Alice at Backstitch yesterday and today 4 yards of Klona pomegranate arrived together with a handy Klona swatch card for colour matchings solids with your fabrics.


The second is to join a mini quilt swap over on Flickr.  I got the invite to the swap on the same day that a deadine for something I was working on was moved back a few months so it seemed like it came at just the right time.  Called the Fab Little Quilt Swap, I will need to make a mini quilt by the middle of March.  Making mini quilts is a great way to try out new techniques and to make something outside of your usual comfort zone and, since you are making for someone else, you also have to tailor the quilt to their likes and dislikes which is a fun challenge.  Here are some mini quilts I have made in previous Flickr swaps.





Jaunty Jack



Have you accidentally joined any new bees, swaps, quilt-a-longs or inadvertently started any new projects since the start of this year?

Comments

  1. dutchcomfort10 January 2012 at 13:22

    Oh yes I have. I also joined in the Swoon-along!! And today I joined in the Mouthy Swap (making a zippered pouch) and I already joined in Potholder Pass #10. This isn’t according to plan, but some swaps and quilt-alongs are so tempting!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet10 January 2012 at 13:25

    Too many QAL's to count, but all the buttons are on the right side of my blog if you want to join in a few.

    ReplyDelete
  3. randi--i have to say10 January 2012 at 13:25

    i am really looking forward to following the swoon project. i can't join myself (no time!), but i just love those blocks. maybe i will be able to sneak one in at some point!

    happy sewing!

    ReplyDelete
  4. rolleiflex10 January 2012 at 13:28

    Joined anything quilty? Certainly not. But I love the choice of pomegranate for Lucy Locket's quilt. That will be a BIG hit.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cindy Sharp10 January 2012 at 13:32

    I havent joined anything on accident...but am thrilled to be in another mini quilt swap. Glad to see you joined FLQS too.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Esch House Quilts10 January 2012 at 13:35

    I joined the For the Love of Solids swap and the Valentines Day swap from GenQ magazine.

    Hopefully I can handle that much :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Unknown10 January 2012 at 13:40

    Swoon along, mouthy stitches, pay it forward, Finish along with rhonda, 4x5 bee... Oh my. I thought I was having a quiet quarter!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Suzanne10 January 2012 at 13:41

    My SIL got swept away with the swoon QAL and I promised to cheer her along. In fact, I'm dusting off my pom poms for all of you who are joining in.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Leanne10 January 2012 at 13:51

    I have joined, but it would be cheating to call it an accident. I love each of your mini quilts, it will be fun to see what you make next.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Josie McRazie10 January 2012 at 13:52

    This year I am a Bee Keeper, and in two bees!! I am having so much fun! Quilting is new to me, but this whole thing has been great fun! Thank you for sharing great tips and pics!!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous10 January 2012 at 13:57

    I've only hooked up with a couple finish a longs or sew a longs. I plan to work in my own stash - doing projects that I've wanted too for a while. Then I'm not over committing myself.

    Have fun with your bee's! =)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Rachel10 January 2012 at 14:21

    I've joined the Mouthy Stitches swap, my first swap for about 8 months! I do love the Swoon design but it's just too big a project for me to commit to at the moment - looking forward to seeing how everyone else gets on though. Oh, and Pomegranate is one of my fave solid colours - your niece's quilt is going to be amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  13. {Leila}Where the Orchids Grow10 January 2012 at 14:25

    I will be swooning vicariously through you lot, but I am not joining in. I am resisting the temptation, really I am! *puts foot down*

    ReplyDelete
  14. Unknown10 January 2012 at 14:43

    I did consider joining the swoon group but have been good and decided to keep going with the projects in hand and hopefully start developing some of the ideas floating around in my head
    Other than that I am proposing to do a FMQ QAL to improve my quilting skills and you invited me into my first quilting bee, so that will keep me busy otherwise ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Paige10 January 2012 at 15:09

    I'm swooning right along with you! I started cutting into Hope Valley last night!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Amy Friend10 January 2012 at 15:48

    I want to do both things but am so far resisting....it's so hard though!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nicky10 January 2012 at 15:49

    Oh yes though I was determined not to this time! I am thinking the Swoonalong might actually justify my cutting up my beloved Echo fabric - what do you think Swoon in Echo??

    ReplyDelete
  18. www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com10 January 2012 at 15:55

    I want to join everything, especially the things the "cool kids" are doing. I have joined Jeni's HST Block of the Month, Katy's Swoon-along, Isabella's =and X swap, The FTLOS swap and the Rose Star block party. I'm already over my head and it's only January 10th. Glad you are in the swoon-along. What quilt will you be making with the Dear Stella. I bought that bundle too.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Krista10 January 2012 at 16:04

    Ive sworn off swaps this year, but have also been very tempted by the Fab Little Quilt Swap. I'm really waiting to decide what to do. And the swoon-a-long is also tempting. I've had that pattern for months and love it. Thinking maybe I'll do a smaller baby playmat if I do it.

    It just seems that every outside project I take on keeps me from doing something that is uniquely "me." And I want to try to reclaim that this year.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Michelle C10 January 2012 at 16:09

    Some bandwagons are so irresistible that you just have to jump on them. I would jump on this one in a second if I had any internet purchasing privileges....being allergic to credit cards is a bummer sometimes. Maybe I'll find it for free somewhere in the next decade. Or win a copy. Someone wants to give away a copy right? ....right?

    ReplyDelete
  21. NancyinSTL10 January 2012 at 16:14

    Yesterday, I started selecting fabrics and cutting 3" squares (all from my existing stash) to make a Plus baby boy quilt. Also, I'm very tempted to join you on the Swoon a-long.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Trudi10 January 2012 at 16:20

    oh yes! Although no resolutions as stringent as yours made, it's time to think about no more commitments :) I'm Swooning, Mouthy Stitching, and ORB ATBATP Ab Fab Free Bees spin off round robin ... along with the Brit Bee and I've taken on the BOM at the local guild too! whoops!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Archie The Wonder Dog10 January 2012 at 17:04

    I'm resisting so far...just! I have so many projects that are ready to start and I really want to finish piecing my HAL top at some point this year (maybe even completely finish it?) so I'm going to hold out as long as possible...won't stop me cheering on the sidelines though!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Jennie10 January 2012 at 17:32

    I joined swoon too - I just cannot resist temptation - I look forward to seeing your blocks!

    ReplyDelete
  25. ✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾10 January 2012 at 18:22

    I love the pomegranite! I did happen to join two quilt alongs and then two bees. I meant to join only one bee, but I got them confused and joined both! I am enjoying them--Stash Bee and Beejeebers. Tons of fun and an excuse to sew something new and different from my comfort zone.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Isisjem10 January 2012 at 19:47

    Having sworn off swaps I am about to join one swap after. I had also seen all the lovely mosaics for the FLQS appearing in my contacts flickr stream but alas I am not cool enough to be invited to the party. I've avoided accidentally joining anything else because it seems so much is going on I'm missing out on hearing about until it's too late! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Angela10 January 2012 at 19:53

    Ironically I have succumbed to the exact same two that you have. lol Great minds...great intentions...great fun!

    I can't decide on my sashing color either. I think I may do grey even though I'm a little bored with it as well but I think it really is the right color. Grr...

    ReplyDelete
  28. Catherine10 January 2012 at 20:03

    i have joined the finsh a long at rhondas, but until I finish my exams, i absolutely not must do anything else. honest guv

    ReplyDelete
  29. Mrs Flying Blind...10 January 2012 at 20:20

    Being a Mouthy Mama is enough swapping for now, though I may Swoon in at the last minute,I have the Made in Cherry on the go too xxx

    ReplyDelete
  30. Elizabeth Dackson10 January 2012 at 20:27

    I am SO tempted by the Swoon-along!! I'm trying desperately to resist, but I'm feeling my resolve melting.... :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Lori10 January 2012 at 22:20

    I joined the "For the Love of Solids Swap" on accident. :) I told myself no swaps this year but this one is the best! I couldn't pass it up. And I'm not gonna lie, the swoon-along is very tempting. I have had the pattern for months.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Two Wednesdays10 January 2012 at 22:25

    I want to join the swoon-along, but I'm afeared of the quilting (can't afford to send it out and am struggling with free motion quilting my tree skirt - I know a tree skirt! - not sure I could cope with such a big quilt.)
    I love the pomegranate - one of my favourite swoon quilts on Flickr uses a dark blue as the background fabric, so I think it will look amazing - I just wish I was your french niece.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Sarah PingsAndNeedles10 January 2012 at 23:07

    moi? commit ?

    Oh, ok, For the Love of Solids, Rhonda's finish-along and my blooomin bletchley quilt ... eek!

    resolve of a jellyfish ...

    ReplyDelete
  34. Katy Cameron10 January 2012 at 23:14

    Well, with those minis from previous rounds, no wonder they rushed to invite you, how fab!

    Happy Swooning - I'm holding out on that at the moment, it may be a QAL too far! I do love my Klona colour card, but haven't had a chance to use it in anger yet, although I'm hoping to get to in the next week or so.

    As for accidentally joining things, err, yes, I'm doing the Sew Happy Quilt, the Scrap Attack QAL, the Sparkle Punch QAL, the Finish Along, the HST QAL, the FTLOS Swap and am pattern testing for a couple of people, plus I'm already in 2 bees. I need more time in my day o.O Or perhaps a better resolve... I did hold out on one swap and 3 QALs today though, are you not proud of me?!

    ReplyDelete
  35. Poppyprint10 January 2012 at 23:43

    Oh my gosh, that Swoon is going to be the bomb!!! Love pomegranate. Missed that entire Twitter convo. Good thing, I would have probably advised the safe route.

    I'm going to sew up the Made In Cherry quilt by Sarah Fielke in the quiltalong. I might even make two.

    ReplyDelete
  36. ♥Duff11 January 2012 at 00:21

    yeah! Your color sense is always staggering so I'm excited to see your blocks come alive!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Susanne11 January 2012 at 09:59

    Your background color choice is superb. I am currently thinking about choosing a sashing color for a mod mosaic quilt. I don't want white (not easy-care), black (to dark, not easy car with cat hair ;)) so I think I will choose a bright color too (Kona Cotton Crimson?).
    I don't plan to continue any bees this year (3 are to much). But I accepted the invitation for a blog hop QAL and to write a tut for Riley Blake Design. Very exciting.
    Best wishes
    Susanne

    ReplyDelete
  38. Annabella11 January 2012 at 11:45

    Yes I have `accidentally` joined the Swoonalong (bought pattern a couple of months ago and hadn`t started), a pouch swap and a solids swap. The fact I`m separated from my stash by a thousand miles has nothing to do with anything. Obviously.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Lucy | Charm About You11 January 2012 at 12:32

    mmmmm, love it with the pomegranate!! I'm joining in the rose and star block party, my first time paper piecing!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Rachel12 January 2012 at 13:43

    Yes. Katy is a bad influence (and I told her so!) I am Swooning too...LOL

    ReplyDelete
  41. Eileen13 January 2012 at 01:16

    wow--i just love your mini quilts--they're all just adorable!! i am thinking i'd really like making one but have to weigh that against all the ufo's i've already got in the works. thinking, thinking, thinking!! thanks for sharing and have a great day

    ReplyDelete
  42. Teje Karjalainen16 January 2012 at 13:42

    Hi! I'm happy to meet you and see your lovely blog and fantastic work! I just love that triangle quilt! Wishes from Greece! x Teje

    ReplyDelete
  43. lilys plan29 March 2012 at 02:21

    beautiful quilts! im just learning and this is very inspiring! thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Comment away peeps :-)