Envelopes for Swapping

Well, yes.  I did make the envelope that I sent your swap block in.

I like doing my own envelopes because, well, it saves some money, I can make them whatever size I need and whatever color I want too.  They're just fun!

Here's my simple method for making envelopes.

I've been using up old 12x12 scrapbook paper that I have sitting around because, well, I'm not a scrapper.  I've made these with old calendars too. Or even from fun magazine pages (obviously not as big).

For a template, I took a piece of thin cardboard and cut it to the size I wanted.  You can cut it to any size you want to use.  Mine is 5x8" which is about the size of a large greeting card.

First, on the back of your paper, place the template so it is about 1.5" from the top and about 2" from each side.  I just eyeball this.  It doesn't have to be exact.  So if you use a papersize different from mine, just make sure you place it something like the photo below.

Use a pencil and make a dot by each corner of the template.

Now, move your template to the edge of the paper. Keep it straight and between the dots.  Make a mark about a 1/2 inch in from the corner of the template.  Once again, I eyeball it.  Do this to the other corner of the template too.  You will do this on all four side of the paper.

Use your nifty template as a straight edge and connect the dots.

You should have lines drawn something like this:

Next, use some paper scissors and cut on those lines you just drew.  This is where I get a bit efficient and stack 3 or 4 papers and cut them all at the same time.

Fold in the side flaps like so:

Fold up the large flap at the bottom and the unfold it.  Smear some craft glue just where it will overlap the side flaps and fold it back up.

It should look like this now.

Fold the top flap down and there's your fantastic envelope!

Just add an address lable and a stamp and it's off!

Pretty easy, huh!

Enjoy!

Made it in March

Here we go with March's accomplishments. 

These are the last three Mosaic blocks to make a collection of twelve.  Next month I hope to put them all together into some kind of quilt top.  They are all so different it's hard to see how they might come together in harmony... or maybe chaos. 

This is the last of the Sailboats that I had to do to make up for those missed in the swap last year.  Now I have 12 of these beauties.  They will not be made into a top yet though.  I am going to use the blocks from this years BSA collection to add to it so you'll have to wait until next year to see it all together.

I did two more of the 4-Patch Ladders to add to my PQA collection too.

This is the block I made for our PQA swap.  This one is for Shannon and although it looks simple, it is going to make an amazing quilt. She laid out what she has collected so far for us at our last meeting and all the oranges and reds make some pretty neat interlocking squares.

This one I made for Linda B. from BSA.  She asked for a log cabin with blue, purple and green on one side and creams on the other.  I had some fun with it.  I hope she liked it.

This is the block that Linda B. sent me.  This is one of the new collection that will go with the sailboats. I'm excited for them.  It looks great, huh.

 For the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap, I made these for Kris Y.  She asked for dots.  I had fun getting to know her a bit.  She lives in that same town where I was born.  Kinda neat to meet people from all over the world.  Makes the world seem a bit smaller.

Unfortunately, I didn't receive any flowers from my sending-partner in March so I have don't have those to share but I did make some of my own color preference for myself.  One is already to be added to my growing garden.

 Ta Da!

Making progress a little bit at a time! 

February's Work

I know I'm quite behind but, oh, the computer has given me fits....

So here is my February accomplishments:

This one I'm calling Botany and I got ten more of those wonky diamonds done.

On the strip quilt, I've added 10 more blocks and 12 more little nine-patches.

 Four pretty flamingos join the animal collection.

 These are so fun, huh!  I just painted the legs like I did for the lions last time.

 This one I'm calling the India quilt.  So far, I'm just drawing sketches and getting some ideas together.  Stay tuned to see this elephant in color later.

 These are Mosaic blocks.  I started them in a swap about a year ago and then the swap was disbanded so I'm going ahead with them on my own.

 Here is one more sailboat to add to that collection.  This one was fun because it is my first wonky boat and I made the little yellow flag 3D so it stands out from the block.

Next, on to my swaps:

For PQA, I made for myself two of the 4-patch ladders for my own quilt to go with those that the other ladies are making for me.

 And this block I made for Nicole.  She is going to have a beautiful quilt.

For Block Swap Adventure:

I made this one for Helen K. in England.  She wanted a star in yellow and gray.

And this is the one she made and sent to me. (Crazy that we made the same block.)  This one will go with the sailboats.  I think it's great!

For the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap:

I made these for Joke R. in the Netherlands.

 And these I received from Lori J. in Tennessee.  My black-eyed-susan quilt is really growing.  I'll have to share my progress on it later.

Phew!  Is that enough?  How good it feels to really get some things done - a little on lots of different projects.

January's Blocks

I've decided to approach my quilting projects a little different in 2012.

I really enjoy the swaps that I'm in and I came to realize that the reason why I like them is because I feel like I've finished something each time.  Even if it's only a 12 inch block or hexi-flower.  It fills a need - a need to feel like I'm accomplishing something.

So, I've decided to set specific goals each month for each different project including some that have been sitting neglected for a long time.  That way, by accomplishing small steps I'll eventually get some big projects done.

So, here's the ones I checked off my to-do list in January:

 My swap commitments are first priority.  The above block I sent to Heather G. for the Block Swap Adventure (BSA).  (I still haven't seen or heard anything from her????)

 These hexi-flowers are for Paula O. for the Inchy Hexagon Flower Swap.

Those are my two swaps.  Now on to my projects.

 I made 15 of these Hole in the Barn Door blocks in January.  They got a little monotonous so I think I'll skip them in Feb. and do them again in March.  They are all blues and whites and I think they will look great when they are in a quilt together.

The block I requested from my BSA partners for 2011 were sailboat blocks.  It's been fun to see all the different ones I've received.  Well, unfortunately, some of my partners didn't follow through on the commitment so I'm making a few to fill in the gaps.  Here's the January addition:

 Isn't that a great sailboat!

And continuing the animal blocks I started last year too...

Here are the lions:

 Instead of embroidering the faces and tails, I painted them.

It was much easier for me and looks great.

For Parma Quilters Anonymous this year, we are doing a block swap similar to BSA.

This is the block I've chosen and I'm making one for myself each month so I'll have more than just 12 at the end of the year.  That will make a bigger quilt.

 I forgot to take a picture of the blocks I made for my partner in Jan.  I made two Card Trick blocks in Christmas fabrics and they turned out amazing.  I think Rula loved them.

I made a bunch of string blocks and little nine-patches to add to a long neglected quilt.

 And I made a bunch of these pieces too for another UFO.

Well, those are my accomplishments for January.  I don't have a completed quilt to show off but I feel great about making some progress on lots of projects.

Zig and Zag for Baby Girl

We welcomed a new niece to our family.... well, a few months ago.

I hear she is so cute.  I can't wait to meet her someday but she lives across the country.

I made this little quilt and sent it to her.

 All those half-square triangles were actually fun to play with.

 The back turned out cute too.

Welcome Little One!