Cotton + Steel 10" square swap sign-up!

All Full!
If you filled out the form, you are in (as long as you buy your fabric and pay shipping & handling). :)

It is time to sign up for the Cotton + Steel swap! 
(Note: Just filling out your form doesn't guarantee anything - I will be in contact to finalize things, and I'll close form when we're full)

This is your registration link here.

How the swap works:

1) Fill out your registration form. I will close it when slots are filled.

2) Buy your fabric from our sponsoring shop, Intrepid Thread. (you are not buying a specific print -- all prints will be covered from her. To participate in this swap, you must pre-order through Intrepid Thread)

*I will provide Julie with a shipping list; only people who are registered for the swap will receive fabric from this listing.

3) Send your shipping & handling payment.

4) US people: Get your fabric and cut it and send it back to Tracey Jacobsen (address will be provided of course).

5) Int'l people: Wait patiently and smile.

6) Receive your Cotton + Steel layer cake!


Terms of this swap:
EVERYONE:
- Pre-order 5 yards of a single Cotton + Steel quilting cotton print from our sponsoring shop Intrepid Thread. Her price (link below) includes a 10% discount and shipping in the price. She is reserving 5 yards of each print so that all of them will be covered. I will try to give you one of your top 3 picks, but it might not happen -- first come, first served!

US participants:
Cut your fabric in to 68 squares, 10" x 10". Mail them to Tracey within 2 weeks of receiving them (dates will be announced when the shipment comes in). Pay Tracey $12 shipping & handling through paypal, check, or cash. You will not receive any fabric back until shipping & handling have been paid. Shipping will be via priority flat-rate padded envelope.

Canadians:
Pre-order your fabric and it will be shipped to Tracey Jacobsen to cut. Pay Tracey $30.00 for cutting + shipping & handling back to you via Priority flat-rate padded envelope.

Other International friends:
Pre-order your fabric and have it shipped to Tracey Jacobsen to cut. Pay Tracey $33.00 to cover cutting + shipping & handling back to you via Priority flat-rate padded envelope.

Everyone promises to play nice and keep in communication with Tracey if there is a need to. You also promise not to post anything rude about traceyjay quilts or Intrepid Thread if there is an issue, but let them know and trust that we will work it out together.

Disclaimer from traceyjay: My home is smoke-free; however, I do have one dog. I will vacuum before I sort all the piles, but be aware that a stray hair may find its way to you. My plan is to have everything shipped back to you within 1-2 weeks of receiving all the fabric. In order to maintain consistency, I will not do any sorting until I have received all 68 prints, and plan to make all the piles in one sitting.

To summarize:
You must order through Intrepid Thread for this swap.

You can send the money to me through paypal via the "send money" link.

I will post here when we reach 68 people!

I hope I've covered everything! :)

- Tracey

a little swap with friends

Oy!
It has been a week (or so!)

We got hit by the tummy flu.  It was brutal.  First time the kids have had a bad tummy bug, and they got hit hard the poor sweeties. ♥

That, and a bit of a health journey I'm on (hoping to blog more about it soon!), have taken up the majority of my sewing and blogging time.  (I have pickles on my counter fermenting right now).

BUT -- I got a little done.

I have a group of dear friends who got together in Atlanta this past weekend, and though I didn't get to go, they did include me in their gift exchange...

I sewed a little bag. (Pattern is in this book: Fabric-by-Fabric One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Projects Using Cottons, Knits, Voiles, Corduroy, Fleece, Flannel, Home Dec, Oilcloth, Wool, and Beyond)
  I love this echino blue polka dot!  This went to the lovely Angela.  She loves blue, and classy styles.  And I thought the pleats were cute.



And though I screwed up the gussets on the little pouch, I hope it still works!  (I figure she can give it to Caitlyn to use) ;)  That was my prototype, but I didn't have time to make it again sadly!

Kelly sent me a package of a cute, cute bag and little pouch.  They suit me perfectly, and the little posy fat quarters are my favorite color right now.  Thank you friend! ♥



Before the next gathering, I need to sell some quilts or something... it just stinks to have bosom friends who are so geographically far away!

The ladies called me while they were opening gifts and included me in the exchange (sweet, huh?).  I can't lie -- I started tearing up partway through.  My heart still aches a little that I was so far away...

Anyway - Hi to all of you!  The kids finally had a little bit more of an appetite yesterday and today (hallelujah!), so we are close to back to normal!  I also got out of the house yesterday for the first time since last Saturday.  Grocery shopping never felt so good.

(I've also listed a few destash items - if you want to take a look).

little pink quilt finished and swapped

I have a friend who crochets hats.  Very cute hats.

And even though she knows how to make quilts, and I (used to) know how to crochet, we figured a little swap was better for both of us.

Her baby girl was turning one; I asked her what palette she liked, and she linked me to this one.

I had some charm squares from Hello Luscious by Basic Grey, and some old Blush fat quarters.  I added some Porcelain Bella solid and put together this little number.

Jen tells me that her little Miss loved it.






And Scarlet loves her little hat.


(Steiger got a hat too, but he is becoming increasingly difficult to capture on camera, but he likes to put it over the front of his face and tell me he's getting bad guys.)

If you are interested in a happy little crocheted hat (and she does other stuff too), go see her at Jenny Pancakes.  She does custom orders, and is quick too!

(and I have to thank Jen for snapping some pictures for me because I finished this after midnight the night before I mailed it -- she's a natural quilty photographer I'd say!)

(And in flickr, many of you have asked for a tutorial on this... I'll add it to the list, but it's really quite easy to do, and requires no paper piecing). ;)

and P.S. --- look at what has started happening at our house...

Linking to Sew Modern Monday 

and  Fabric Tuesday

Linking to Fresh Sewing Day!

time to visit the post office.

Pillow Talk Swap pillow -- done.



Modern Swappers bundle -- done.



For the Modern Swappers swap, the person sends a handmade item, something for the sewing room, and at least 1 1/2 yd. of fabric.

I used this tutorial by Oh Frannson's Elizabeth Hartman to make a thread catcher/pin cushion.



(yep, there's a Hera marker in there)

These are the fabrics I'm sending -- that check plaid by Momo (third down on right) is my new favorite...



And of course -- the pillow I've been working on.



Both my partners have similar taste; and I want to keep these pillows together... forever... but then I'd have more sewing to do (because I am not a flake), and I have enough to get done by December 24!

I hope they're both happy! :)

Steiger sure approves.



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P.S. If you haven't done so yet -- sign up to follow our in progress Quilt Hope In blog!
And grab one of the adorable buttons designed by Lee!

P.P.S  The next post -- a Go! giveaway!!! :)

I had to show you!

Look at the ridiculously adorable header that Lee has worked up (she might make changes, but I really love this)

In aqua

or orange...

I usually go for the aqua (shocker, huh?), but I think I might really like the orange this time...

Progress on Quilt Hope In:

Heartline is working with us now to get the funding logistics sorted (we'll have a link on the Quilt Hope in blog -- in progress), and we're trying to decide how to link the paypal funding so as to minimize charges/admin costs.  

Anyway -- I was just excited about these really cute headers and wanted to show you. 

(We also have our first fabric bundles donated from SewLoveFabrics... and I'm working on gathering some more -- for our giveaway, I hope to have fabric that y'all can win that you will then use to make quilts for the Moms and Kids in Haiti.)

Oh, P.S. -- If you knit or make a bag or something, we'll happily accept those donations too...any high quality fabric/yarn goodies will be accepted.

P.P.S.  If you have some beautiful, high quality quilting fabric you'd like to destash to our cause, email me.

P.P.P.S

Speaking of orange and aqua...

I'm working on finishing up my Modern Swappers and Pillow Talk Swap 4 projects.  

I decided to hand-quilt one of my pillow covers, originally thought to be for my Modern Swappers partner... but my PTS4 partner has similar taste.  

I've caused a bit of a stir in flickr land... oops. 

Yes, I did use my Go! cutter to make this... the Rob Peter to Pay Paul die.

60 sewing days until...

Christmas!  (not to panic you or anything)

I'm on my way, but I've got a list (and just like myself, I keep adding to it).

At least I'll have a few decorations though. :)

There was a package waiting for me when I got home from subbing on Friday (Steiger was with Daddy in the harvester)... Kendra spoiled me in the All About Christmas Swap.



She sent four stockings (she was planning ahead with me, in hopes that the fourth will be in use for next Christmas), some kid friendly ornaments (thank you!), a super cute pillow that will match my Christmas Bee quilt PERFECTLY, a book on decorating (she's been reading my blog and knows I need all the help I can get!) and some cute fabric pieces.  Thank you Kendra!  (I got to know Kendra through flickrland... I love that place). :)

 

Carol (aka mamacjt ... aka Doll Quilt Queen) was my partner.  Here's what I sent her.



I really wanted to keep this pillow for myself (especially now that it would go so well with the one Kendra sent) ;)

 


The little ornament wall hanging was a leftover from this.  I had made a couple of the blocks from jaybirds' hexagon quilt along, but knew the rest were not going to happen this year.  So I used them in this little wall hanging, and loved how it turned out.

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I mentioned at the top we have 60 sewing days until Christmas.  Here's what's on my sewing table.

Reworking my tree-skirt design for my sister-in-law (and myself)...

And my goal is to not buy any presents this year, but to just make the gifts I've purchased fabric for over the months (with specific recipients in mind)...

You might notice those above projects aren't necessarily my first choice in fabrics... 

so I've got a few to finish up for myself too (as soon as we get that new machine -- crossing fingers!)

One from a long time ago to finish:

And a couple more...

(Patterns and/or tutorials coming soon for these last two)

Last but not least -- 

I've got 5 days to finish Steiger's Halloween costume, and this little custom quilt needs to be finished and  sent on to its tiny owner!

Back to sewing for me!

I gave in.

Pillow Talk Swap Round 4.

I had to.

It's my favorite swap, and last time I got such a great pillow.

My inspiration mosaic.

I'm thinking something to go with my Chubby Stars quilt.

1. Pillow Close up, 2. Sew New To Me VQB Quilt Top Finished, 3. Nicey Jane hexies, 4. Quilting Divas Dresden, 5. Chubby stars progress, 6. Circle of geese block for Tracey, 7. Quilting Divas--Tracey, 8. bedtime story quilt, 9. munki starburst quilt, 10. Sew New to Me VQB--July, 11. Doll Quilt Swap 9, 12. Quilted Cotton Gauze baby blanket -- Blue leaves, 13. Tracey's block, 14. trenton's quilt, 15. pink tree, 16. Wild Thing- Nicey Jane

Created with fd's Flickr Toys

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(I'm waiting for the final Go! ahead from AccuQuilt to start the giveaway... soon!) :)

Doll Quilt swap 9 - Dear Partner

Here's my Inspiration mosaic!



1. Doll Quilt Swap 8, 2. the back - full shot, 3. Lila's Quilt - Front, 4. scrappy crazy quilt, 5. dqs8 received, 6. Little Bouquet Quilt Along, 7. My Doll Quilt from katiejeanbags, 8. Circular logic ~ PTS3, 9. quilt dreams for spiced coffee, 10. option 3 raw edge DQS8, 11. Scrap block for Dorrie, 12. If it's a boy quilt - front, 13. Bridie's Zig Zag Quilt, 14. ruffle quilt, 15. tick tock, 16. Marion's Puppy, 17. Summer Bling quilt, 18. picking up the pieces 1, 19. Half Square Triangle Quilt, 20. Double Wedding Ring Quilt, 21. French General Pumpkin Seed, 22. dqs8 ALSO made by Nanci, received!, 23. Finished Cushion, 24. in a world full of quilts, 25. finished and all quilted

As you can see, I like circles, and circular things.  And I also love HSTs in a diamond design.

I think I will put your quilt in my sewing room area, so fun and colorful and handmade would be wonderful!

I love value quilts, and linen mixed with solids or pretty prints.

I'm not usually wild about zig-zags or what I think of as harsh geometry, but if it has the cool value/tonal changes like the one in the middle, then I love it!

I think of myself as sort of a happy blend between modern and traditional.  So have fun!

Pillow talk swap...check.

• If you're here for the Garden Stars and Stripes Memorial Day Auction, go here.  (Closes Tuesday)
• If you're here for the Layer cake Giveaway, go here

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It's finished!

Fits a 24" pillow form.  Made using the template from this pattern, by Amber.  Being sent to its new home Tuesday (Mailbox is closed Monday).

What I love about this pillow:

- The interplay of focal prints and negative space.

- The way the coal grounds the corners

- The design shape

- The fact that it represents 7 different fabric collections, plus 3 solids (4 if you count the back)

- The fussy cutting

- That, in my opinion, taking a risk paid off

- The fact that I can't decide which is my favorite block.  

What I don't love about this pillow

- A couple of my seams didn't line up.

- In order to make it fit nicely on the 24" pillow form, I had to add extra seam allowance on the outside... which cuts off some of the medallion

That's about all I don't love about this pillow.  

Oh, that and the fact that I don't get to keep it.  (But I've started on one for my house already).

Oh, here's something else I don't love.  I am not very spatially intelligent (some might say I could get lost in my driveway...) and though I got my fussy-cutting in the right spot, and in the right direction... my envelope flap closes from the bottom... Hope my partner doesn't mind. I think the little strip of Hope Valley more than makes up for it.

What do you all think?