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!

Paper Piecing for the First Timer

Man, oh man! I joined a quilting swap to have some fun, have other folks make great blocks, learn some new techniques and step out of my comfort zone. It all started yesterday afternoon when I got the mail. Breathe and Sew (Carrie), from my Fall Bee swap sent us instructions to make a starburst with fabric scraps. Seems easy enough (I thought), I can even knock this out tonight and put it back in the mail tomorrow. Not even happening. Figuring out where to put the fabric, to pin or not, right sides together or wrong sides together (the seam ripper and I got very close with this block) and to know if I should cut the pieces of the pattern, or not. Accck! Today when I got home from work, I tackled this and won. It was a struggle but....now that I am on the other side and the block is completed - Whew! Will I paper piece again in the future? It really is too soon for me to think about an answer. The block turned out quite well, at least I think so.

Friday Fabric Sale

This morning I was greeted with an email which told me about 25% off the entire site at Z and S Fabrics. You don't even need a special code, it comes off at the bottom and is good until September 3rd. They carry many colors of Kona Cotton Solids at a regular price of $4.49/yard. This sale bring the price of a yard of this goodness to only $3.37/yard - YEAH! I happily placed my order for just a few (27) fabrics that I don't really need but will find a project for at some point, you've never done that have you? I ordered from them once before and it took a week and a half to get my order but don't mind the wait for the fantastic prices. They are in the middle of offering more sales and products so go check them out!

Fort Worth Modern Quilt Guild

Hi!
Last night I attended the first meeting of the newly formed Fort Worth Modern Quilt Guild. My favorite part was the show and tell portion. There was a woman who had participated in Oh Fransson's Tokoyo Subway Quilt Along and as a supplement she made a map of the United States out of leftover fabric from her swap partners. Another tidbit that was shared is when you are folding your quilt top, you should fold it with the wrong sides touching to reduce fraying of your edges. There were different ages of attendees but there was a lot of knowledge in the room last night and I look forward to getting to know the group. This is the initial stage of forming this group, so I expect a lot of slight bumps until a happy balance is reached and we will be on our way down the road of inspiration, friendships and most of all, modern quilts.

WIP Wednesday - NuBees Blocks

It seems that in creative blogland, Wednesday is a day to showcase the projects in process so let me present to you....my workproduct for the NuBees Block Swap. In this bee, each member decides on the block but makes it according to the recipients color palette. There are six of us in my Hive (#4) so these represent half of my blocks and I am still toying with the color arrangement for the other 3.