Love, I feel your pain. I also did some quilt ripping. I was so impressed with my efforts to do the spiral quilting on the Debby Brown January quilt. Impressed with myself that I had taken on the challenge and won. Then I turned over the quilt and nearly fell off my chair. Tucks, tucks, tucks all over the place. Picked out lots of the spiral, re-spray based the dickens out of it and now will go at it again this week-end. I agree that if we are not happy with our work we either never finish it or we regret not taking the time to make the correction. We can just chalk it up to lessons learned and not make those mistakes again.

Pass the word to your friends on or off the board about this swap and the QB. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

Hey Ya'll, we need to tell all our friends. I will post to my FB groups.

Can we post to the main board here? There's so many rules and I can't remember them all.

Some of you might be wondering about the "Debby Brown" challenge that WMUTeach has referred to. This is a "quilt a month" project and each month there is a new design that uses 4x4 candie blocks. You do need to sign up to get an account, but everything is free. Debby has said that she encourages people to play with her designs and come up with something more unique - and that's what I've been doing. The designs themselves are not difficult, and I'm using this as a learning experience playing with colors.

Here is my January and February designs. The are not quilted yet.

Oh man, I think I would have fallen off my chair and beat on the floor for a bit... I'm so glad you are fixing it though. Yes, I've learned lots of lessons making quilts and quilting them. Lol! Hard lessons!

I will tell my quilting buddy about it and see if she wants to join. I might send out an email to my quilt guild and see if they want part of this as well. Thanks, I have to admit I'm pretty serious and enthusiastic when it comes to quilting. :)

Debby quilts
 

Macybaby, those quilts are beautiful! I'm kinda speechless at the moment. I didn't realize you could do that with different fabrics in the same color range. I feel silly now... The quilt and fabric stores get you to think that the fabrics have to be in their line or a layer cake or jelly roll. I have to start thinking outside of the box. I can learn a lot from you gals, I can already tell. :) I'm so happy! Thank you for sharing your quilts with us and telling us about the Debby Brown quilt challenge.

Thanks for mentioning us to your FB groups. As far as posting to the the main board here, give it a try. I was thinking the same thing. If it breaks the rules, then the post would be deleted I guess. I have mentioned it in several of the threads on the QB, but it seems that there is a core group the read and post frequently. They already know about the swap and have chosen to not participate this year. I would love us to tap into the silent thousands who might be lurkers or occasional readers. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

LOL - I am not normally one who goes with the designer color combo - and love using my stash with a new piece. But my stash is plain and dull. So I picked up a jelly roll with different colors and designs that I would never have put together and made it up. I was amazed at it - and it was a favorite with my "artist" teen grandaughter.
so if I see a far out combo of jelly roll I will pick it up now. But rarely will I do so with a whole line!!
Thinking outside the box is what makes us all unique.

I am always tempted to get the bundles or Jolly Roll. Something about those yummy colors all rolled up is so inviting. I finally got one and was not happy about how similar the designs are. I plan to use them as boarder for some future quilt. I am used to the scrappy looks.

I started to cut the squares, my 5yrs old is so excited for the candies. I gave her a set. She is having fun arranging them.

Hi Birthday Candie Swappers. I'm going to join you this year. I don't have much time to sew so far this year but I can cut! Thank you for the hints regarding card size and envelope issue news with mailing the candies. I think a run to the post office at once to get them ready for mailing works for me. T

his swap sounds like a lot of fun and an easy way to build a quilt with lots of different fabrics. Maybe I can finish my millennium quilt! Consider me the UFO queen of the quiltingboard. One day I might resign my position. In the meantime, I am having fun with all the fabric and half finished projects. And that's my priority right now. The simple joy of petting my fabric and looking at what can be done with it should I ever have the time.

Great to meet you all. Juana

Pleased to meet you too Juana
 

I am so happy you are joining us. I am also a lover of fabric petting and dreaming about the things I can do with them. I have a bunch of UFOs to finish as well. I'm working on getting more organized so I can find out just how many I have to finish, lol! Baby steps, right?

Probably should have said-I’ve had my posts deleted several times and have had the quilt police on my tail. I can’t post to the main group, probably from insecurity.

Mom and I were in the hospital at the same time. We broke her out today. My sister came out and is taking her home for PT. She’s 90 and can’t walk from all the laying around. I hope she doesn’t have to stay with them for long. Sis is harsh and they don’t like each other too well. Actually none of the family gets along.

I’m worried about mom. They had plans to take her to church, Mikes (nephews) and the to a party my other sis is throwing in case no one sees her again. Pretty selfish if you ask me. Poor mom sat on the cough for two hours and really needed a nap. I don’t think they understand that she’s weak, can barely walk-loads of assistance and needs to be in bed, a lot. Sis thinks moms going to get out of the car at every stop while driving back.Mom can’t handle that and hasn’t learned to say no.

Sigh. I don’t think I like this decade of my life. Mom might not come back, DDs getting married and going to live in WA, we’re in So.CA. And I’m whining. Sigh.

Wendy, there are times and seasons when life seems to challenge us at every turn. I am one who seeks peace and strength in prayer. May I include you and your mom? My mom has been gone for a long time now, but my brother and I had to walk with our father through medical and other problems before his passing. I am so very glad we could be in agreement as we cared for our father and his needs. Perhaps some folks at the gathering will be sensitive to you mom's weaknesses and encourage the family to let her rest and recover.

Take up your yarn or a quilting project and rest.

Welcome, Juana! Remember, it is said that quilting and collecting fabric are two different hobbies! That goes for candy squares too, I guess. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/wink.png

Wendy, so sorry to hear of your concerns for your mother. I hope she is granted the time to rest and regain her strength. And I pray the rest of the family will be more sensitive to her needs.

Wendy, hang i there! Until your sister gets ill she may not understand your Mom's weakness but taking her in is still an act of love for you and your mom, to give you both a chance to heal. Just keep telling your sister that your mom has many miles on those bones and needs more rest than folks think. If she goes with her to physical therapy, she can talk to the PTs about it if she thinks your mom is not getting her strength back fast enough. She needs peace and quiet and hopefully, your sister's house will give her that. Your sister needs to feel useful so even if she gets snippy at you, be sure to tell her to go gentle on your mom.

I do hope you and your mom get better soon. Eat as many fresh fruits and veggies as you can. Lots of water. Pace yourself when you do have energy. Keep loving. And keep posting in here. Not only is it good for you, it is good for us to hear how you're doing.

Wendy
 

Wendy I'm sorry things are not the brightest at the moment. They tell me this too shall pass. I hope you can get your sister to understand that your mother needs the rest, that's the way the body heals. I hope your mom is able to come back from this. Sickness is hard no matter what age you are and recovering from it is harder still. I will keep you and your mom in my prayers.

I am wondering what is a crumb basket? and crumb blocks?

Barb,

Crumb blocks are made up randomly from small scraps and strips sewn together... until you have a piece to cut whatever size square you were wanting.

I think what she meant by 'crumb basket' was a basket to toss her crumbs into, until she was ready to sew them.

You can look up Crumb Quilting online and see videos of how people use them.

February 14 Sign-up Update - UP to 18 swappers with 5 more days to go.

NZQuilter - March
AHWU - April
Sewbizgirl - April
Macybaby - May
Irish Mom - May
Gaijin - May
Kele - June
Patrick's Mom - June
Crispy Frog - June
Hav4boys - July
travelinggranma - August
WMUTeach - September
Loveofquilts - September
ibex94 - September
Cuppy - October
BarbaraKibler23 - October
WendyMcD - October
aboring - January

Yes, she is right. It's just a basket I toss tiny scraps into that won't work for any of my other scrap organization. Then I make crumb blocks when I need to let my mind do improv and relax from complicated piecing. Hope this helps.

Mom
 

Please feel free to pray for mom and me I seem to be going backwards don’t seem to be recovering. I can’t breathe so good today, 02 constantly and I still have stuff in my lungs. I am so bad that I can’t even go to my stash and pull my fabrics for the swap it’ll get done just take planning like a day when someone’s here to help me.

Unfortunately my hands hurt so bad that it’s agony to sit and stitch. I haven’t been able to knit for about three years. So I’ve been sewing and cross stitching the cross stitching has been hurting lately and the sewing takes so much energy. How do you stay in contact with my doctor and he has tests up for me. We’re an hour away from the city, need a driver, am in server pain on the drive. So I’m sort of hoping I’m going to get better and we’re going to do them on Friday.

Mom
 

they actually sent me a photo of her standing. Big step forward. Mom doesn’t want to be with my sister any longer than she has to. Plus they went home to 14 inches of snow. And mom doesn’t text and I don’t phone I lose my voice so we’re quite the pair.

Me
 

The G.I. bleed left me with some fun stuff I can’t eat too much fresh anymore. I do juice carrots and make smoothies from the loud stuff. I couldn’t take the PPI so I am healing it through what it allows.

mom‘s PT is actually at my sisters house her husband used to be a triathlon runner, biker, water guy and now he’s aids in remission with the belly and 70 years old. Somehow they were going to get her off the diaper into an hour the bike into and out of some other thing and get her walking that’s all I need for her to come home.

thanks for saying to come here to post I always feel a little hesitant. Except for the day when I rambled on forever. I’m glad you guys are here.

Ramble and vent all you need to, Wendy. I'll be happy to pray for healing for you and your mom.

Barb - these are the crumb blocks I am working on currently. Each is 6.5 inches. I'm thinking of turning them into star blocks, but need to make more. Or just sash with cornerstones. They are very relaxing as you don't follow any rules! Some people use a foundation behind the crumbs, I did not and they don't seem to move. As you can see in the green block, the pieces get very small - I counted 39 in that block alone. I haven't gotten brave enough yet to mix colors, for me this let me go wild in a controlled way - can you tell I'm an accountant?

Those crumb blocks look great, Irishmom!

Yummy crumbs. IrishMom. Good way to manage the odds and ends and turn them into something usable.

February 17 - Birthday Swapper update.............We have a new member with a June birthday! Welcome LorMarSzon.
We have 3 newbie swappers who may need our good ideas for packaging, mailing, keeping up in heavy mailing months and just how this whole swapping "thing" works. Thank you every one for joining in this year long birthday party!

NZQuilter - March
AHWU - April
Sewbizgirl - April
Macybaby - May
Irish Mom - May
Gaijin - May
Kele - June
Patrick's Mom - June
Crispy Frog - June
LorMarSzon - June
Hav4boys - July
travelinggranma - August
WMUTeach - September
Loveofquilts - September
ibex94 - September
Cuppy - October
BarbaraKibler23 - October
WendyMcD - October
aboring - January

Welcome LorMarSzon! The more the merrier to this birthday swap.

This is the way I package my candies... I find inexpensive birthday cards that are at least 5" x 7.5". Inside I place the candies in 6 stacks of 8, with two on top= 50 candies. Then I do not wrap in plastic! I simply close the card and slip it into the envelope. After a short while the candies will settle and the package becomes thinner. It needs to remain 1/4" or less to be classified as letter mail (cheaper). If it's thicker than that you have to pay package rate (significantly more $). I'm not sure what stamp I will need to use, until I bring the first one to the P.O.

To be ready to mail easily, I prepare all the envelopes at the same time. This year it looks like we will need 18 (19 on the list, minus ourselves). When I'm cutting my scraps I will make 18 piles, and add to each pile as I cut scraps. I must be careful not to duplicate any in the same pile, but the same ones can be put into all 18 piles. Once I have all 50 candies in my 18 piles, I can start loading the cards. And once all the cards are loaded, I stack them somewhere safe where I can find them as I need them. When the birthdays come out, I mail a card to each just as soon as I get the birthday addresses. That way I won't forget. So if a birthday is on the 30th, but we get the address earlier, I just mail earlier. Can't trust my memory!

Have fun, everyone! Send good candies!

Wendy - ramble and vent - it helps. It also reminds me how good I so have it!
Crumbs - like them when i see others, but I just cant be bothered!
Welcome to all the newbies. i also put tape on the side of my envelopes - there has been a few that opened from the pressure of mailing machines. And I don't use plastic either - and never you the sticky kind.

Thank you for the mailing hints Traveling Gramma and Sewbizgirl!

Those crumb blocks are lovely! I'll keep saving my bits and pieces. One day I might get to play with them like you are so successfully doing, Irish Mom.

Wendy, it will get better! Do you have anyone checking in on you to make sure that you really are drinking your smoothies? Be sure to pamper yourself as much as possible. Are you getting good at sleeping while sitting up? That was the only way I could rest when I had pneumonia. I am praying for you to get relief soon. And for your mom, too. Gentle hugs!

Thank you, sewbizgirl for the mailing tutorial. Perfect. Good reminders for all of us. I even add stamps and my return address to the envelopes ahead of time. Good activity for TV or movie down time.https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Yay, another swapper! Welcome! Last year was my first year where I was the newbie. I really appreciated the packaging of candies advice that was shared. These candies are addicting!

Wendy, I'm sorry you are going through so much right now. Saying some prayers for you and your mom.

could you post a photo of one of your crumb blocks please?

Thanks to all you ladies for the birthday candies! I love them all!
Here is the list;
1 Gaijin
2. Lonnie Parker
3Irish Mom
4Patricks Mom
5 Crispy Frog
6Tinas 3
7. djmat
8. Kibler
9. Macy Baby
10.NZQuilter
11. Janice Mc
12. LAF2019
13.Traveling Gramma
14. Mary Pearce
15. WMU Teach
16. Quilting Lawyer
17 Crazy Connie
18 Lum
19. Darren Jones
20 nurseiuanne 0308
21. aborning
22. Hav4boys
23.Wendy McD

What makes a good set of candies to receive beyond good quality cloth? Should I try to get compatible colors, or patterns, or themes in the set? Or is a random collection of whatever I have on hand a good set, too?

Ibex94, I think that a random collection of fabrics is a good set. That's what I really enjoy about the quilt I'm making with last years candies: there is so much variety, and even fabrics that aren't my taste, but all put together they make wonderful quilts!

I think the list Rosemary Attaway posted (#115) was meant for the other thread, for 2020-2021. It looks like her received list.

Rosemary, don't you want to join us for this year's swap? (2021-2022). There's still plenty of room!

Ibex, I think totally random candies cut from your scraps makes a great set! Probably most of us will use these for scrappy quilts, so anything and everything is welcome.

Sounds good. Thanks Sewbizgirl and NZquilter. How's that baby, NZ?