marytoddliz

Beautiful quilts, I do the love "Frog Pond" But I have to tell you every time I look at it I see a turtle in it not a frog! Does anyone else see the turtle? Or am I the only one who is touched?

the one twin rivers sent back to you is awesome also. Mine is going in the mail the day I get home, if it is still open, ok then maybe the next day!

My partner and I agreed to swap on the 17th, so if I get home late on Friday it will be ok to wait until Monday to Mail it.

I actually will have two ready to go by then and I am still tossing around which one to send!

Being a slight perfectionist often times has it's draw backs... especially since what I see in my minds eye is not the same as the quilt I made.

Marybeth


ps Brat, I have to talk to you funny story!

TwinRiverFarm

You know something? You are all such wonderful, talented, awesome quilt addicts, and it breaks my heart to hear you cast doubts on your abilities and efforts. This is not a contest, but a fun opportunity to give a fellow member a heartfelt gift of their very own quilt, made just for them. We know the planning, plotting and processes that each step took, we practiced our 1/4 " seams, ripped out stuff, started over, cursed, ate lots of chocolate and pushed our limits to new limits, right? And the lucky new owner will NOT be using it as a dog bed or oil cloth, forget to gush and say thank you, but will display it with pride and never, ever forget the special partner who made it. I could take closeups of all my missed points, SITD goofs, the binding spots that had to be resewn, and more, but my partner agreed to keep the galloping pony at 1/2 mile. And it would be an honor to have any one of you as a partner, whether a newbee or a not-so-newbee.
Just never ask me to do a Sunbonnet Sue, I just can't get into her!

shortmom5

Thanks TwinRiverFarm, your words were just what I needed to hear. I have loved making my partner's quilt and I'm so glad I did this swap.

leakus

Shortmom,
I so agree with you. The quilts shown here are so beautifull that I feel my quilt is like a timid teenager that wants to be.. Well, I can say that I put my best efford and skills to make it, I like the almost end product. I have a very understanding partner so I think she"ll appreciate it. This was my first Quilt for a Quilter swap, I hope ot the last one. I am defineively learning through the process and love to see the exchanges. I dont want to spoil my partner's surprise so I will post pics afer the swap.
Andrea

Vanogay

Thank you TwinRIvers - and I agree with you - this is a group for fun, not for making a quilt for a major show. Although, the 'show' when that quilt is received at it's new home is certainly 'major'. The one thing that I had kinda sorta going for me with my partner is that I was finishing one of her UFOs, but that can be not so good as well. A first for me to do for another quilter, for sure. While there were certainly problems with finishing her quilt - as there always is when picking up someone else's work, nothing was over the hill major problem. Remember, we are our own worst enemy - and critic - and can read whatever we want into the response from our partners. We know the flaws, the quilt mistakes, and oh, the binding errors, you name it. Our partners, (be positive here) will love the quilt they've gotten - from a new friend and yes, as TwinRivers says, display it with pride and cherish it.

didi

All of the quilts are beautiful....TwinRiverFarm said it best, you have to remember there is all types of patterns and quilts out there...its the idea that another quilter made you a quilt. We all start somewhere, plus pictures don't always show the mistakes and quilters make mistakes...

Be proud of your quilt, the quilter who receives it will be proud of time you put in to make it for her.

marytoddliz

Thank you for getting me back on track! I am so hard on myself sometimes! Honestly this time it is more of a style thing than my work! I really am obsessive when my corners don't match, but when it is part of the pattern for them to not match! Well it is driving me a little crazy! I am doing a crazy quilt after all!

Charleigh is up and at it already today! She wants to go to the park! I want it to be warmer first! I really love how beautiful it is here in Washington, but I do like it to be a bit warmer.

Last night after we put Charleigh to bed I told my daughter I miss my sewing machine! She asked if I wanted to do her mending... OK big mouth is now going to not mention that again!

Have a wonderful day Swappers~

QuilterMomma

Wish I could come visit MaryToddliz, it is a bit cooler than normal even here on the eastern side of the state. Over there on the west, they complain when it hits 80 degrees, over here, we welcome it as well.

I mailed my partner's off to her today. I am glad she will have it before she goes on vacation furlow. I am sure she will love it and if she doesn't she can send it back to me. I totally loved it.

I love this swap because as TwinRivers has said, it is to give a gift of love that we do not normally receive ourselves. That is the treat of it. If I was so perfect at my craft, then I would no longer be a blessing to others and no room for improvement and where would that leave me?

Elisabrat

Let me say last summer I had a stroke. I had to learn everything again and I mean everything. Like how to cut a bunch of half square triangles.. didn't have a clue. I would read instructions that said cut a 4 inch square and cut.. 3.5 all the time. Frustration central especially when you knew you knew how to do this. Jaba, Marytoddliz, themamahauser and quiltermomma all helped me get on track. It took moons. I am so far from perfect. I sweat this quilt each and every block. I was so worried it wouldn't make 12.5 then wouldn't fit around the center block and so on I then went on to mess up the last boarder by using a fabric with a bit of stretch next to one without (batik to cotton) and it waved. So I feel all of your pains and think they are all beautiful ..we know as quilters what goes into making a quilt. And I am the seam ripping queen. I even had to use a new one as my ripper got dull. So what looks great in a photo has a tale behind each and every one. I loved making it, loved the surprise factor and I am so happy I played. Relax your partner will love the time you spent on her. I give quilts I never make one for me. this was a treat big time

marytoddliz

Linda, I knw what you mean, I make quilts to give away, or in my case sell some if I am lucky, but rarely do I ever have one in my house for long. But I have two I will always keep. One I made from all my running shirts! It is a collage of all the shirts, scarfs, sweat shirts and anything else I thought would look cool! It is mine and with all the flaws, yes there are lots, I love it the best! The other quilt i have kept was the first one I ever did free motion quilting on. My Granddaughter Kayla has the second, and I think that is all I have ever FMQ'ed... But again I will try.

I am enjoying spending time with Charleigh, she is such a kick! Yesterday she came running into the room saying "Grammy, come quick, I spilled my juice" I asked her why the rush, she replied "Momma is going to be home soon!" So I asked, "Why, are you thinking she might get mad at you?

"NO she will be mad at you, you are supposed to be watching me!" I just wonder about that little mind and how it works LOL.