January Block Mini

I occasionally swap mini quilts in the Mini QT Swap group I'm in on Flickr.  The gals in this group always do great work so I'm never nervous about swapping!  The theme for the one I just did was "Circles & Curves".  I picked the "January Block" by Lady Harvatine.  I've had my eye on the block for quite some time and this was a great time to try it out.

 The block is originally 12 inches.  I needed it to be smaller in order to fit our measurement requirements.  So I reduced it down to a 9 inch block.  I'm pretty comfortable with curves but still this was a challenge.  Slow sewing and pins were my friend!  

I also tried my hand at some spiral quilting.  Turned out pretty good.  

I made a Boxy pouch as an extra for her. First time making one of those too.  I used this tutorial from Pink Stitches.

My partner just got everything and loves it.  Happy dance!

House Mini

I joined a mini quilt swap via Instagram called "Home Sweet Home". My partner has gotten her mini so I can show it to you now.  I made two mini houses using the 2014  Row by Row pattern from Quilted Strait.  I love these little houses!  And I had fun fussy cutting for windows.  

And then since my partner liked light houses I had to add one of those too.

Here is the finished mini:

I embroidered her house number on the purple door - her favorite color (aqua is mine!).  I machine quilted in the ditch around each house and each section.  Then I added some hand quilting.  Here's a detail picture:

We were to add one mini item as an extra in our package.  I decided mini houses needed a mini mini quilt so I made one that measured 3x4 inches.  I forgot to take a picture of it all bound and quilted but here it is before I did that:

This was my first swap via Instagram.  My partner was silent through the whole thing which was disappointing but I had fun creating for her anyway.  Creating for swaps makes me stretch and I like that!

Holiday Stitching Club

Isn't Latte Bunny the cutest?  

Wild Olive designs the most adorable embroideries.  I recently joined her Holiday Stitching Club (just started and still open if you are interested) and this bunny was our first project.  Small enough to get done!  I like that.