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Sunday, September 19, 2010

Doll Quilt Swap fun!

So another Doll Quilt Swap is done and dusted with only a few people left to receive their quilts.

It was an interesting swap this time with lots of new rules and regulations. One has to be a bit chattier apparently or your partner might think you have disappeared and won't know enough about you to make you a quilt. My partner was missing for most of the swap but for me it was about making her something special from her original preferences email and not worrying about what she was thinking every day.

The swap participant numbers have now reached around the 200 mark so I suppose it's important to make sure everyone is keeping up and communicating. Part of the fun is, after all, getting to know all of the swappers. And of course there is nothing worse than joining in on a swap and not receiving anything in the end because your secret partner has done a runner! Mind you I think most people join swaps with the best of intentions.

One of the ongoing games during the swap was to try and guess who was making you a quilt - or 'sparting'! I really found it hard to pick which one might have been mine this time. There were lots that I really liked and one that particularly jumped out at me but I wouldn't have guessed for a second that it was actually for me.

When I opened the parcel I was really quite overwhelmed. Such gorgeousness!!!

DQS9 received detail

It never ceases to amaze me that someone would go to such trouble to design and make something so lovely for me!

DQS9 received detail

Jill is so clever - she pleated linen for me!! How good is that! This quilt has so many stunning elements that I love completely.

DQS9 Received

The quilting - fabulous, the colours - perfect, the crochet doily - brilliant, the pleating - stupendous, and to top it off, beautiful grey binding! And then there's the back - wow!! It really is completely fabulous!!

DQS9 Received

To add to my joy I also found some extra special goodies included.

DQS9 Goodies Received!

I just have to make a cushion with the crochet table mat - it's just perfect for my bed!

So thank you, thank you Jill for your cleverness, style and generosity - I LOVE it!!

To make it an even better swap for me I got the best partner to make a quilt for. Here's a little of what she wrote in her preferences to give you an idea of how completely fabulous she is.

so many things that i like… linen, wool felt, gingham, children's drawings, hand embroidery, lots of little handstitching, freshly washed+dried all-puckered up quilts, fairy tales, forests, trees, birds, sweet, but not cutesy with a touch of darkness (think neko case's, fox confessor brings the flood) gatherings at the tea party table, gees bend-ish quilts, making do with what one already has (even though i adore all of the new fabrics out there) with a bit of vintage thrown in for good measure, improvisational quilts, hexagons, dresden plates done in a cool modern way, plus (cross) designs in red + white, heather ross, the unexpected, odd little creatures (anything “the black apple”-ish), aqua+paleyellow+gray, pink+green (always and forever) and colorcolorcolor (just not too fond of purples...but you never know...you may have some awesome purplish fabric that you have been dying to use!)

To say I was inspired and raring to go is an understatement. And anyone who knows my work will know that I love a picture quilt so the thought of a fairy tale was too irresistible. Out came the pencil and sketch pad and I spent ages googling images and pulling out my old children's books. Weirdly some of the images I came up with belong to Jill who sent me my quilt!

Finally I decided and it was mostly because of this guy!

DQS9 sent detail

When I posted a progress photo on the swap group it seemed most people thought he was cute! I was a little worried as I thought maybe he was not scary enough but apparently he looked hungry too so I kept going.

This bit was next.

DQS9 sent detail

Then this bit.

DQS9 sent detail

And this bit.

DQS9 sent detail

It got bigger and bigger and I stitched and stitched. And then my wrist decided to give out! So I had to put it down for a few days. But in the end I got there and this is what I sent.

Fairytale finish

It is now living with the lovely Cathy and her sweet family. Apparently I am 'made of awesome'. I can't tell you how brilliant that makes me feel!

And even better - her littlest sweetie is playing with it and talks to the wolf!! Aaaagh so adorable!!!

You can see all her lovely photos here.

So thanks to the organisers of the Doll Quilt Swap. I know it's a huge undertaking and I really appreciate how hard all the swap parents work. I think to know that you have helped create all sorts of wonderful quilty magic amongst us all must be a reward in itself.

18 comments:

Kate said...

Yoy are definitely made of awesome!! I love it!

Chookyblue...... said...

wow what a great swap...........the don't hear so much about the doll quilt swap but it sure has grown.......

Ariane said...

Wow! You received a great quilt!!! I also really love the one you made! It's one of my favorites!!!

Magia da Inês said...

♥ Olá, amiga!
Seu cantinho é agradável e criativo!...♥
Os bordados estão super lindos!
Boa semana!
Beijinhos.
♥Itabira
Brasil♥♥

Emily said...

Love to see and hear about all the people's experience with the swap. It was my first time in it (and first swap ever) - I had a blast. Well I'm still in it I guess, since I haven't received my quilt yet! :) Hopefully it's waiting at my house when I get back from this trip! :)

Thimbleanna said...

Wow Louise! What a wonderful swap. Both quilts are just beautiful, but I'm a sucker for fairy tales. And the fact that a little person is talking like the wolf would put me over the moon!

One Flew Over said...

Both quilts are beautiful!

Unknown said...

Both Quilts are Fabulous!..Great Imagination..that's what it's all about.TFS.
cheers

meli B said...

Obviously you both put your heart and soul into the giving and that's what made your swap experiences so wonderful. It was a great blog to read. Not sure I could cope with the stress of getting it right for the receiver though.

Anonymous said...

Wow! SO much loveliness in one post. The quilts are magnificent.

Tamara said...

I feel privileged to have seen this before it made it's way to it's new home...such beautiful work Louise. xxt

jenclair said...

I love this quilt! I love almost anything to do with Little Red, and you've done such a great job with this tiny quilt with all of the details!

I'd love to post a picture on my blog with full credit and link if you wouldn't mind.

cathy gaubert said...

magic, indeed!
you could not have made a better quilt for me (actually, for us, as it is meaningful to every one in our family).
i'll say it again...you are absolutely made of awesome!!!
xoxo

Christina said...

More than awesome... beauty and story wrapped in handmade creativity. I love the Little Red quilt, I have earring to match!

Anonymous said...

oh Louise the quilt you made is absolutely gorgeously cute!! I love it, The one you received is divine so beautiful

Corrie said...

oh I just love your quilt! adorable! so sweet with little red and the one you received is gorgeous too!

the quality of the quilts are just amazing!

Corrie;)

Fran said...

just discovered your wonderful blog. Both quilts are truly beautiful and amazing.

Your little red quilt is just perfect! Inspiring work.

Austysmum said...

I ADORE that little red riding hood quilt - just fabulous!