October in My Rearview

I know it is a cliche - but holy cow where does the time go?!  It moves faster and faster each year, and each day still seems like an exercise in futility.  I don't seem to get anything done....but I know that isn't true...must be some sort of time warp.  The more you have to do the fast time buzzes past.

So...October has come and gone....

 

 

 

My S'more Rows row-a-long quilt is finished and the patterns have begun to publish on my blog. 

There is still time to join us if you are interested....get the scoop here.

I'm working with the fine folk at Happiness is Quilting to bring my local friends a monthly demo/class on the most recent row.  The first demo was loads of fun....stop by on November 16 for the second installment.  We will be playing with paper piecing.

 

 

 

The pattern for my little quilt, Midwinter Cozy, was featured on Moda's Bake Shop on October 4 and has been well received.  It has had over 8300 hits so far!  There is still time to get in on the give away...leave a comment... the drawing is on November 4.

 

On the pattern front - I have three more approved by the Bake Shop and waiting in the wings to be built. 

 

more on those this winter.

 

 

Tops to Treasures the long arm quilting business has been crazy busy.  15 quilts this month!

   

 

 

 

Add to that more high school football games than I care to remember;

 

 

my middle son's first ever date, and home coming dance;

 

 

 

a whirlwind visit by my oldest;

 

 



 

a quick trip into Dallas to see The Lion King at Dallas Summer Musicals; and teaching an introduction to quilts to a wonderful group of ladies at a mini church retreat; and you will have my month in a very large nut shell. 

 

I do hope that your October was just as spectacular.

DSQ10?!

DSQ10 sounds so ominous, like MI5 or 007.  I imagine that there are some that would equate it with 911.  Truth is it is none of those things.

What is it

DSQ10 is the tenth round of a Doll Quilt Swap.  A game with over 200 participants and 600 members played by a group of people that extend the breadth and length of the globe.  DQS10 is hosted by Flickr and can be found among it's groups at  http://www.flickr.com/groups/dollquiltswap/ .  The point is to create a small quilt, no smaller than 12x12 and no bigger than 24x24, that will delight it's recipient.  The catch - you are not allowed to talk to or otherwise communicate with the recipient.  This swap is blind. 




The mosaic I made for my partner

 Follow the clues

Players are not totally without resources in their quest.  This flickr group is very active.  You can post questions and pictures converse with the other swappers and members of the group.  Hopefully you get to chat with your partner - you just can't let on that they're your partner.  Participants are required to be active members of the Flickr community.  That means they have to have pictures posted - pictures of their work or work they admire.   They are strongly encouraged to compile a photo mosaic of inspiration for their undisclosed partners.  Additional helps might be links to places they frequent or a blog or some other more personal outlet.  This is where it might be advantageous to have some 007 or MI5 in your background.  If you don't it's no matter.  Quilters are generous and gracious people.  Most love what you make for them because they know what it means to make and present a gift.

The pay off

Quilt made for me in DSQ9 by Mamamary



When all is said and done, when lurking and stalking are finished, designs and fabric choices made it is a joy to sit back and see what happens.  Some players spot their quilts right off.  Maybe it is love at first sight - when that silent bell rings that tells you that something special is happening and you form a connection with what was meant for you all along.  Some players love it all - I think maybe that accounts for most of us.  And some players are totally surprised by what they receive.  I know I was in DSQ9.  I had no idea that the lovely quilt I received was intended for me.  My partner struck a chord that rang deep and true, one that I had no idea existed.

The thrill of receiving the "perfect" quilt is amazing, jaw dropping, leave you speechless thrilling.  However, the joy of hitting the ball out of the park for your partner is even better.  To do that you have to step up to the plate.