Odd Man Out / Perfect Partners

Now to finally show off my HMQS challenge quilt.  This is a quilt with a story.  It represents how I feel at times, in the quilting community.  I am the Odd Man Out.  In my quilting guild I am alone, but included but at the same time excluded.

When I get home, I stand alone with my Perfect Partner.  Tanya and I stand united (most of the time, she might argue this) in all that we do.  We are here to support each other and make each other strong.

I was given 4 fabrics as part of the challenge.  I was allowed to add up to 3 to go with it.  One of those I added was the butterflies.  I wanted something to stand out and be different.

I was some what terrified that I would mess up the quilt and only quilted it a little.  I think it would have turned out much better, had I spent more time and quilted it more.  If you are not familiar with "Richard's Star" my block pattern this is a free pattern I give away on Craftsy, follow that link to download it.

I knew when I did this challenge I wanted to use a block I created and I am so happy how well it turned out.  No it was not a winner and I could have (and should have) done better.  Being terrified I was afraid to do something different and unique.  Next time I will be a little more free in  the decisions I make.

Tanya used her machine to make me the label for the quilt, I think it turned out pretty good.

HMQS Round Up

Last week was HMQS, This post is just to show off a handful of the quilts no specific quilts that I loved or hated just a few that I took pictures of.  Though I am interested to see which quilt you like the best in this group.  If you want to play along please respond with quilt number.

1)

 2)

 3)

4)

5)

6)

7)

8)

9)

10)

Tell me which of the above quilts you love and maybe if you have a "not so loved" in the list mention that too.  Note only one of the 10 is mine.  Oh and if you want to really guess tell me which 2 are my favorite in this group of 10.

It is my B-Day and you get the presents!

Oh that time of year has come again, no not tax time.  Its my B-day.  I am getting old (though some of you may argue with me about that).  Today I turn 44.  My baby Julia makes me feel young as she is only 1 year old.  But then again, I remember 17 years ago feeling young when James was only 1 year old.  So young I am not any more.  But my loss of time is your reward.  I am giving away today to celebrate my B-Day.

Last year I went to HMQS just before my B-day and I picked up a bundle of Batiks and gave them away.  This year again I went to HMQS just before my B-Day and I picked up more Batiks. (No sadly I am not giving them away this year) Oh ya and I did get the above 4 fat quarters for my B-day Giveaway.  Tanya also threw in this hand crafted bowl that her sister Tosha made, (below is same thing, but the other side)

I want to keep this simple as the giveaway last week I personally responded to every email and after 444 of them it almost killed me.  This year I simply want you to share a B-Day wish with me.  I will ship any where in the world and the giveaway is only open for 3 days, as I do not want to draw this out too much.

Last year the Batiks I got from HMQS for my B-Day I made the above quilt (OK the dark and light grays I bought some where else, but all the little pieces in the middle)

I also made the above quilt after buying a bundle of the blue and yellow batiks.  Oh such a sweet quilt.  This quilt also was hung up in a local quilt shop for over a month (it is now down and for sell at that shop and on Etsy).  Now if you win what will you make with your prize?

Just in case you think I got nothing for myself I got 4 bundles of Batiks in 4 color groups 20 total fat quarters total and the below pattern.  If you know me at all, I love lizards and I could not resist this cute pattern I found.

P.S. Tanya has a birthday this month too, so make sure to come back in two weeks for another small giveaway.

Link A Finish Friday #66

It is now time for Link A Finish Friday.  Today I would like to start with a big thank you to Fat Quarter Shop who has offered to Sponsor our Link A Finish Friday with Prizes.  This month's winner (May) will win a $15 gift certificate to spend at Fat Quarter Shop. 

Please remember to thank our sponsor by visiting their store at http://www.fatquartershop.com/ their blog http://www.fatquartershop.blogspot.com/ and Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/FatQuarterShop

Quilted Bag - prsd4tim2

Spring Bea - Sew Incredibly Crazy

Scrappy Geese - Sophie Junction

Are some of the great quilts and other projects linked up last week. Thanks for all of the great linkups.

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1) Who likes rules. Toss them out.

2) Add a link to your finish blog or where ever you show off your finishes (Not limited to quilts but I like them the most).
3) Visit a few of the finishes and comment or encourage them on.
4) Monthly random winner picked from all of the months linkups to $15 gift card from Fat Quarter Shop.

Not required but fun to do

1) Follow my blog.
2) Follow the blog of all those that link.
3) Link back to my blog.
4) No finish, go quilt and stop reading the web.

HMQS I cant wait!

HMQS starts on Thursday and while I can't wait so I was looking at some of the pictures I took last year (HMQS 2012) and wanted to share them with you.  None of these have been edited and all were taken by me. So enjoy these while I dream of quilts and wait to go view more.