How could I not opt in for round three of the ever popular Schnitzel and Boo Mini Swap (#schnitzelandboominiquiltswap) on Instagram!? I realize with the Rainbow Mini Swap (#rainbowminiswap) this means I had committed myself for four swaps before finishing or receiving the first one. I guess I dove right in. I've just passed by the opportunity for the Spring Fling Mini Swap and I think I'm already regretting it. Ah well, I'm sure there will be some other great opportunities soon. (You should probably just leave me a comment with details on any open swaps you know about.) ;-) In the time I composed this message, I've joined another swap, the Alison Glass Mini Quilt Swap (#alisonglassminiquiltswap). So excited! :-)
Okay, so Schnitzel and Boo... My partner likes the designers Tula pink, Anna Maria Horner, and Alison Glass and she loves color. I took this as an excuse to purchase my first Tula Pink fabrics, which I love as well!
I've personally been drooling over these adorable paper pieced envelope blocks all over Flickr and IG (#swakswap -- though the origins or details of the swap are a mystery to me except it started at least a year ago). Anyway, I finally made my first couple blocks at the beginning of December and decided this was the way to go for the swap. (I also decided that I need to make myself lots of envelope blocks!) The pattern comes from Patchwork Please by Ayumi Takahashi.
Here's the resulting 13.5" x 13.5" mini quilt that I sent to my partner. I made some stripes on my binding which I like but were kind of a pain... so not sure how soon I'll be piecing stripes on a binding again.
Here's a peek at the backing which shows my in-the-ditch quilting.
I even ended up with my first envelope block for me (unless I go and make something for someone else out of it!) since I didn't like how dark the purple was in the lower left position.
Linking up on Needle & Thread Thursday, Finish It Up Friday, TGIFF and Fabric Frenzy Friday.
This is one of my finishes from my Q1 Finish Along Goal List. Linking up to the Q1 Finishes party at On the Windy Side.
katie yoakum
this is a great mini -- I'd love to see it come to my house
sarah
Post authorThanks, Katie!
Super Mom - No Cape!
Oh those envelope blocks are sweet! I'm sure your swap partner is going to love what you made for her.
sarah
Post authorThanks. She can totally send it back if she doesn't, cause I love it! (Gonna have to make some more of those blocks soon!) Thanks for visiting.
Shauna
Ohh that is just too cute!!! I love your fussy cutting, it is perfect.
sarah
Post authorThanks, Shauna. Now I want to fussy cut ALL THE THINGS! ;-)
Beth
Darling! I love those little envelope blocks.
sarah
Post authorThanks, Beth. They're pretty easy, too! :-)
Amanda
How fun! Such a neat fussy cut surprise in those envelopes. I wish real envelope liners were as fun.
sarah
Post authorThanks, Amanda! I agree. Real envelopes are so boring!
Kitty
Oh these are adorable!! The raccoon peeking out of the envelopes are my favorite--perfect fussy cutting (or assiduous cutting, as I call it) :) I'm sure your partner will LOVE it!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Kitty! So glad I ended up with a raccoon envelope block for myself. I'm thinking it would make a fun mug rug by itself. :-)
Lucy Wilson
those envelopes are so cute with the fussy cuts looking out! http://www.crazyforpurple.com
sarah
Post authorThanks, Lucy.
Renee
How cute! Great use for those fabrics!
sarah
Post authorThanks, Renee!
Soma
Beautiful mini and I love your perfect fussy cutting!! Lucky partner :-)
-Soma
sarah
Post authorThank you, Soma. It was supposed to arrive to her today... but it seems it may not have made it yet. I hope she loves it!
Cheryl
So cute! I love the raccoon peeking out of the envelope!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Cheryl.
Anna
Such great use of the wonderful Tula Pink fabrics. I'm so inspired. Definitely down on my To Do list now!
sarah
Post authorThank you. They are so fun and really go together so quickly. I can't wait to make more.
Jennie
Oh my gosh, that's darling! Great mini!
sarah
Post authorThank you, Jennie! I was just working on my Q2 goals and thinking about how I'd really like to make more of these blocks for myself! Alas, there are many things that are higher priorities. Your Q2 list looks great. So much awesome fabric in your plans.
Adrianne
Love the creatures peeking out of those envelopes!
sarah
Post authorI'm keeping one raccoon envelope in a box until I can find time to make more for myself. :-)
Kathy
Great post! I had this book and forgot about this pattern! Now you've inspired me to get sewing for Valentine's Day! Your son is adorable!
x
sarah
Post authorThank you, Kathy. I just love this pattern. It's on my bucket list for making a larger quilt using the pattern for myself. I finally just quilted and bound that single purple raccoon block as a mug rug for myself since I hadn't made any forward progress on making more blocks.
Rosemary
Is there a pattern for this or did you design it yourself?
sarah
Post authorHi Rosemary. The pattern comes from Patchwork Please by Ayumi Takahashi.