{swaps}

you could say i had a swap problem {addiction} this past spring. here are the mini's i created for my partners. i had so much fun! i think mini's are a perfect way to try out patterns or techniques i may not be willing to try out for a whole huge quilt.

first up is my lizzy house mini quilt. i used carolyn friedlander's aerial grove quilt pattern. what a great i-spy pattern. i actually surprised myself by how much i enjoyed the hand applique process for this quilt. so much so, i'm contemplating a full size aerial grove.

next up is my anna maria horner mini quilt. i took a six-minute circle technique class at our last STLMQG retreat last year and put those techniques to use in this mini orange peel quilt. it was a little time consuming, but i'm pleased with how this turned out.

 the last is my cotton and steel mini quilt. i used a paper pieced spiderweb block for this quilt. i was also inspired by AMH's spinning star pattern. i've always loved the spiderweb block and forsee another of these in full size also.

 besides the quilts, i used this tutorial for these quilt as you go pouches. they were a quick whip up and i think they turned out fun.

 the swaps were a great way to sink yourself into some social media circles and create something for someone else that might be out of your normal comfort levels. it was great and i'd do it again!

{diving in}

at the beginning of the year, the continued {resolution} was to USE the STASH! i decided to cut into the good stuff, tired of only looking at it on a shelf. in one sitting, i cut into my Anna Maria Horner stash for two small projects and a quilt {that is still in process}. here are the two smaller projects, and i couldn't be more pleased!
the first is a mini color wheel inspired by alex and purl soho's. purl soho offered a {free pattern} that i cut from single pieces of 16 fabrics. Finished it measures about 20.5". fabrics are AMH's dowry and true colors and architextures.

the second is the sew together bag from sew demented.

this one was a little tricky to put together, but well worth the effort. picking out the gorgeous fabric was definitely the fun part!

i love having these projects in rotation of daily life. it makes life much more colorful!

zig zag tote

i have seen and loved the book Zakka Style. the whole purpose of the items in this book are to have small handmade usable objects for everyday life. this yells practical, which i am all about. i've decided to join in the sew along to walk through a few of the projects in the book i find appealing for either myself or gifts.
the first week was the zig zag tote.

things i love:
1. bags
2. zigzags
3. blue-green

i've been wanting to cut into some of my loved fabric and put it into good use, ideally in a quilt. until inspiration strikes, i thought i would use a little bit of AMH's Garden Party line in this tote. i'm so glad i did! i love it.

this tote is super sturdy and a great size for lugging around tons of books, diapers, and other random objects that might need toted in style.

fabrics used: kona aqua, amh garden party, pezzy prints in teal, natural linen