Pretty {little} pouch Swap

Round 5 is really fun. We had to pick a "level" for this latest swap and it looks like from the comments that all the swappers were either intermediate or advanced.
My partner had a beautiful mosaic with lots of helpful information. As usual, I have to put my spin on things, so I hope she likes it.
After lots of fabric "auditions" this is what I came up with

Silver metal frame, curry linen, spaghetti strips in a stunning teal/turquoise blue, cross weave silk, shot cotton stripes, Lou louthi and some Amy Butler (exterior)

Clutch interior.  All Lou louthi with a small pocket for "valuables".

These colors, especially the blues, remind me of a particularly showy bird ……. care to guess which one????
I really like how this one turned out, hopefully you do too Partner.

Always Bee Learning- August

August with Always Bee Learning-
OK ladies- here is the low down on my block for August. After you have all mastered the single girl, this should be a piece of cake. We'll be working with improvisational curves based on a technique from the book Quilting Modern by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen. I found the directions VERY helpful and if you follow them you will have success. You'll be making pods, like these.

5 assorted pods in different shapes and sizes

They go quickly after the first one (since I recommend you read the directions for making that first one. I even read directions and you all know that I'm so NOT a direction reader).

I am sending each of you a package with fabric and some directions. The colors are mainly grey, pinks, oranges and some yellow. Please feel to add from your stash as long as you make the pods CONTRASTING. It matters not if the center is grey or the perimeter is grey. Please mix and match, both in size and color. Any grey is OK.

Please make sure you have enough border fabric (more than 1/2") so that I won't have pod tips meeting with a 1/4" seam. You do not need to trim your blocks. I am happy to do that.

The dimensions of the pods in the directions are only a suggestion. After your first one, please experiment with size.  I'm looking for variety.

I would like 4 pods per person. Please keep any left over fabric, or if you are scrap adverse, you can send them back.

I can't wait to show all of you what I'll be making with the pods……. and as always Bee Mates of the First Order, thanks!

August De-Stash Giveaway is here…..

It's August and it's time for another de-stash giveaway. The month of August is open to US entries only. I do love hearing from all my blogger fiends so PLEASE feel free to comment even if you are outside the USA.

This month it's "rainbow"…….

In order to be eligible to win this month you must tell me where you were when you saw a "picture-perfect" rainbow. That's all!!!

Details for the 2012 Monthly Giveaway:

I will post a photo of the give-away each month during the first week of the month- so check back often, so you don't miss out.

You will have until the 21st of each month to leave a comment.

Leave only one comment per person.

I will pick a winner and get your package in the mail on or about the 25th of each month (postal holidays and weekends excepted). (Make sure you don't fall in to the no-reply blogger category- if I can't get you I'll pick someone else). And don't forget to answer the monthly "question". Just saying "thanks for the giveaway" won't secure the win for you.

I know some of my followers are outside the USA. Because international postal rates abroad are much more expensive I will be doing international mailings only a few times during the year (these are big packages and costly to send). Please know- I haven't forgotten you and appreciate your following me- I really do. So, I will specifically post whether the monthly destash-give-away is open to international entries on any given month.

Thanks for all your support and good luck in 2012! Remember 5 chances remain to win this year- Go for it!!!

Picture Perfect Polaroid Block Swap

I finally sent away all my little Polaroids…….

here…….

I made 70 to swap and have about 70 at home….. I have an idea for these blocks if I can just pull it off.
What would you make with all these blocks???? I'd love to know!

July De-Stash Giveaway winner is…...

Marcia W. who said" From our garden: Various heirloom tomatoes - we like them freshly sliced and undressed. Cucumbers peeled, sliced and served in apple cider vinegar. "Varmits" have decimated our planted in the ground garden so depending on the items that are growing in earth boxes.
Purple is a wonderful color isn't it!".  

Marcia, please contact me with your snail mail address so that I may get your package to you in the mail. Here is a sample of some of the things you will be getting.

Check back on August 1st for next month's giveaway. Remember, there are still 5 more chances to win in 2012.

July…...

Well, I'm finally home from being here and there.

Guggenheim, Bilbao, Spain

Chateau Pau, Pau, France

For any of you that follow le Tour de France, this requires NO other explanation

Facade, Sangre de Familia, Barcelona, Spain

When I got home I did this……..

…… and this pillow for the Modern Quilted Pillow Swap- which I couldn't post until now, because it's a voting swap and we have to be anonymous. We were supposed to give the pillow a name, which in my jet lagged state I forgot. So, after the fact, I think it should be called "Fractured Jet-Lag".

MQPS: front: Gusseted square pillow (about 15")
Free form piecing with orange accents

Close-up of quilting(pebble and straight line with a pale blue thread)

The back, orange zipper closure

I have my block to get in the mail for the Always Learning Bee- my month is August. We're doing something along these lines……

Improv curved piecing

More on my block- Keep posted!!!

July De-stash Giveaway is here!

It's July and here in the USA we trend towards red-white-and blue, but, I'm following the rainbow, so purple it is…..

So, for July, this giveaway will be open to people living in the US only. Anyone can comment however and I do love to hear from you, so comment away.

In order to be in the running to win July's box of Purple goodies please let me know what your garden is growing right now and if it's edible, what your favorite recipe using that ingredient. You don't have to share family secrets, just a name and if it's easy and you want to share, please do.  It's summertime and it's time to round up some good recipes to share. 

Right now we have sour pie cherries in abundance. My husbands does the honors picking and pitting and then we make pies, jam and freeze the remainder for the winter. We had our first pie yesterday and it was fabulous. (Cheater sour cherry pie: 1 package of ready made pie crusts, 4 cups sour pie cherries, pitted, 1/4 cup tapioca, 1/4 cup sugar (although this is to taste), a few bits of butter. Prepare the bottom crust in a pie dish. Mix the tapioca, cherries and sugar and let sit for about 20 minutes. Ladle the mixture onto the pice crust. Dot with butter. Cut remaining crust into strips and lattice weave the pie top. Bake 350 degrees F for about 40-50 minutes. Cool and serve plain or with whipped cream or vanilla ice-cream.

Details for the 2012 Monthly Giveaway:

I will post a photo of the give-away each month during the first week of the month- so check back often, so you don't miss out.

You will have until the 21st of each month to leave a comment.

Leave only one comment per person.

I will pick a winner and get your package in the mail by the 25th of each month (postal holidays and weekends excepted). (Make sure you don't fall in to the no-reply blogger category- if I can't get you I'll pick someone else).

I know some of my followers are outside the USA. Because international postal rates abroad are much more expensive I will be doing international mailings only a few times during the year (these are big packages and costly to send). Please know- I haven't forgotten you and appreciate your following me- I really do. So, I will specifically post whether the monthly destash-give-away is open to international entries on any given month.

Thanks for all your support and good luck in 2012! Remember 6 chances remain to win this year- Go for it!!!

June De-stash Giveaway winners!

The June winner is finally here…. it's Rebeckah who said "
Rebeckah AustinJune 1, 2012 8:13 AM

I am currently reading Honeymoon by Jamer Patterson. It is so so... It is about a black widdow who has multipul "Lovers" (richmen of course), what she does to them, and the story of how someone is on to her."

Rebeckah, congratulations, I will be contacting you so check your email. 

This package will be on it's way to you as soon as I get your address.

Check back July 1st for the July giveaway! (I think it might be somewhere near purple, if I am not mistaken).