Quilt Block Swaps

Do you remember when you were young and your mother dressed you up so warmly that you looked like a snowman. You had your arms stuck out permanently and waddled as you walked because you couldn't manage any other way due to all the fabric around your body? Well that is what I looked like last week trying to get in the last few days of "summer" on the golf course. It was wonderful and very cold and very worth the clothing aggravation to take those last swings. Looking back on it I don't know how I managed to swing the club and not fall over. But today I awoke to find snow on the ground and the realization hit me that winter was truly on its way. Mind you, I started to hear the words to the song  "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" in my head as I looked out which made me feel better about the situation. Speaking of Christmas, let me show you what the postman dropped off this week.

As you know I belong to the International Friendship Quilters and one of the events they hold is a block swap. You send your partner a 4 1/2" centre square and she decides which colours to use in order to finish the block. This is what my new friend Lynne made with my square. Too bad the photo does not do it justice but I think she captured the essence of the centre square in this block.  Thank you Lynne. If you would like to participate in this event or view any of the other programs the IFQ has just click on the link. Membership is free.

The postman dropped of another block next day. I also belong to the Australian Christmas Block Swap group and have been waiting for this one to arrive. In this group you can specify which block pattern you would like made using  Christmas fabric. What you don't know is what it will look like until you receive it. I was tickled pink when I got my block. This is Linda's original star pattern design. What a great job she did. Thank you, Linda. Because she took a little longer than expected to get the block to me she also included a Mug mat. I don't have one of these and have always wanted one so this made me feel like it was Christmas.

Whenever I use this mat I'll be thinking of her. If you like to have Christmas all year long this swap is for you. You can specify which type of Christmas fabric you would like used or leave it to the maker to decide and again which block you would like used or leaving it to the maker to decide as well. It's a fun group and I know I'm glad I joined.