Yellow & Gray for Hexagons

Greetings!  This is the fabric that I have selected for my Hexagon Swap.  We are sending in 25 6x6 squares of gray and 25 squares of yellow.  They will be cut into hexagons and then swapped out and returned.  Who knows what I will end up making but it's exciting to think about a new shape and a new color selection. Do you have any ideas on hexagon projects?

Weekend Projects

What are you up to this weekend? I am going to be cutting fabric for not one but TWO charm swaps that I just couldn't say no to this week. One is for for black, white and grey charm squares that I have absolutely no idea what project they will be incorporated into and the other, hexagons! If you tuned in earlier this week to the Spiked Wheel post you will see my first ever attempt at a block with hexagons. Well, attempt number two is coming soon!  This second swap is where we send in yellow and gray squares (6x6) and they will be cut into hexagons and swapped with folks all over the county.  Whatever will I do with them? Well make a quilt of course! 

And just to give you sneak peak, here is just a little glimpse of a simple but modern quilt that I intend to finish the binding on this weekend.  Enjoy your weekend!!

Boxed Squares

This is the second quilt I have ever made and my favorite to date. I used a Sugar Pop layer cake designed by by Liz Scott. The pattern came from KarrieLynne on Moda Bake Shop.  This one was fun to make and it went by quickly as I made the quilt top in one weekend. The print is really busy (which I love) so I added some sashing to calm it down just a little bit.

Spiked Wheel

Whew! This was my first time working with pentagons.  Sheryl requested we make a Spiked Wheel for her this month in my Travelling Circles Bee.  I was nervous but this block was actually pretty fun.  She provided us with a tutorial, precut pentagon templates and precut squares which were quite helpful! The challenge for me was what to do after I had sewn the pentagons together and how to get the big circle lined up. She had a great little trick (folding) to make this so easy.  We selected the middle from our stash with an explanation to her why we decided on the fabric we did.  This is in the mail on the way home to Australia.  Hope you like it Sheryl!

Teal We Meet Again

This weekend I finished my blocks for the Teal We Meet Again Swap.  The requirements were 10 1/2 inch blocks using red, teal and white for the colors and the "plus sign" or "you+me" block design.  I have not yet decided what I will do with my swapped blocks but that will come later.  These blocks are fun to make and you don't have to be perfect - right up my alley!

Take a Look!

Welcome to Jolie Maxtin and for those of you who are visiting for the first time - thank you for stopping by. Although I wish the design talent was mine, it was not. The lovely person responsible for the design is Danielle Moss.  She not only does custom blogs, but provides other services as well, such as etsy banners, twitter backgrounds and much more!  Check out her services or portfolio and let me assure you, she is professional, talented and easy to work with. I highly recommend her to anyone needing a whole new look, or just a refresher.

NuBees - October

October is my third month as a member of the NuBees block swap over at Flickr and it is FUN! Each member is required to make a mosaic of inspiration so we can get a feel for the style they like and of course the colors they would like.  The twist is that we get to select which block pattern we would like to make for our bee members but in the colors they select.  I can't wait to get the spreadsheet with my hive members - oh wait!  I need to decide which block pattern I am going to make for my October bee members. I'm off to ponder, and look at quilting magazines, and look at flickr and make a decision! Check back for periodic progress.

Happy Fall!

This month is my turn in the Fall Bee I am in over at Flickr.  I am requesting a wonky log cabin block that is 12 x 12.  Here is my test block so you get sneak a peak of the fabric.  It will be exciting to see how everyone does a little something different with this and I can't wait to start getting them back.

Parker County Quilt Show 2011

Happy Saturday. This morning I attended an annual quilt show, hosted by the Quilter's Guild of Parker County, with a theme of "Celebrating Texas".  I learned a few things about myself, my new friend and my quilting style.
First up - my quilting style.  Looking at over 80 quilts (mostly traditional and in lighter intensity colors than I am used to) made me realize that I like color -  bright, vivid, strong, solid color.  I also don't like the feather looking quilting.  Don't get me wrong, it is nice and appropriate on some quilts but to me, it is dated. Next is my friend, Sally.  We have just started a friendship based on our mutual love of quilting and Nebraska.  She is direct (which I love), gracious, honest and independent.  She recently moved to Texas from my home state of Nebraska and we have a delightful time sharing observations of differences we notice between the two places. I look forward to more enjoyable outings with her. Lastly  - myself.  I am a modern quilter.  I don't like a whole lot of little pieces, don't much care for the stars, don't enjoy lots of brown in a quilt, and have a really hard time liking traditional quilts.  I am absolutely amazed at the patience and the hours it must take to make some of these quilts but they aren't my style.  I pulled out my fabric stash when I got home and it's confirmed.  I am a modern quilter!

Fabric is on the way!

This post brings me much happiness as I just completed an order for fabric.  It seems, that I have purchased so much from this particular vendor this year that I was offered 20% off of my entire order but I must redeem by today, so...I just had to utilize that perk.  The order contaings more colors of Kona solids, some Christmas fabric, more Pimatex circles, a glue pen (for my Travelling Circles Bee) a new Kona color card (because I put mine in such a super safe place that even I don't recall where it is - sigh) and some Terrain backing fabric as the decision has been made as to what I will make with my previously purchased layer cake and of course some "I will use it someday" fabric.  As you can imagine, my head is buzzing with new projects to start when the box arrives. The first project will be cutting into my Kona sunflower, grass green and orange to make strips to send out to my Fall Bee members - October is my month! Tomorrow is Friday and guess what I am doing this weekend? Quilting of course!