Baby hasn't arrived yet, I think the little one missed the memo! I've never gone past my due date before, so the wait is feeling like forever. I am hoping for tonight!

The fabric selection is entirely up to you. Some folks do color ways, others have done holiday prints, all from the same fabric line or just novelty prints. It is absolutely up to you. My rule of thumb is to not buy any new fabric and to make sure the little candies are something that I would like to receive. But again, that is your choice. Have fun with the swap and know that you can be a random as you wish as long as there are no duplicates.

Yes, baby news please, NZ.

Yes, I will post several. I had a hard time figuring out how to get them resized so I could upload them. I have 2 blocks completed and cut to size - 6.5". I'm still working on other blocks each day to make them large enough to cut my in the right size. These are the first ones I've ever done. I read a lot about them online and watched several YouTube videos to make sure I understood what I was doing. Lol... Hope you guys like them. :) I'm not sure how many blocks I need yet, I'm just making them at the moment... I'd like to make decent sized lap quilt so I'll need at least 30 or more blocks.

This is from Rosemary Attaway she posted this in the new swap.

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
[img]/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif[/img] [img]/images/buttons/report.gif[/img]

All packages are in...great job ladies!

Barb

Love quilts ...thanks for sharing . I always feel sad when I toss away the scraps, so now I will save them and see what I can make.

Barb

Love, those are some sweet little crumbs! They would make great miniatures or doll quilts.


Do we have a baby yet? I'm crossing fingers for a boy! (She has 3 girls already).

Baby hasn't arrived yet. The waiting is getting very trying as I've never gone past my due date before. I'm so hoping for today!

NZ, he or she is just sleeping in a bit before having to face the world.

I did not know this is called crumb. I have collected lots of these little crumbs from making many mistakes cutting while learning how to quilt (and still now). I could not toss them away either. I kept two crumb baskets, one I kept next to my sewing machine and I would randomly grab two pieces and saw them together to start any chain sewing and the end of chain sewing. This way I am not cutting off a long strain of thread from the end of sewing and do not have to worry about losing the top or bottom thread.. The other basket I took with me when I needed a no time commitment project that kept my hands busy. I would just hand piercing pieces together whether I am watching TV with family, waiting for something, lately is presiding over my daughter's kinder zoom classes. I have put a few of them together and trim them into rectangle shapes, thinking if I make enough of them maybe I can make a lap quilt or something. I don't usually put too much thought into them, but I like the same color crumb blocks idea, might have to look into that... more baskets!

So I am assuming that since you fold each crumb over it must be at least over 1/2 "? That I could do.
I have seen them where they put them on fusible background and are ironed and then quilted down. That is too small for me!

Do we have a birthday list? And March birthday(s)?

Yes ma'am. I usually don't keep our sew anything under an inch wide or long. Right sides together, sew, press one back, and sew that one to another one that fits those 2. Then keep the process going until you get it to whatever size you want. Then cut your square. You could sew a bunch of tiny ones to a skinny strip and then cut apart. You can even use larger scraps and cut them down to look like you started with crumbs. Remember, there are no rules. It will get a bit thick in the back with so many seams. I haven't had problems sewing over them. You may even sew over a tiny piece and it disappears. It's all part of the process. I watched Darlene Michaud on YouTube. She has a whole crumb quilt playlist. She's pretty funny too... :)

I just saw what you are talking about last night on YouTube. They use decorative stitches or invisible thread to to topstitch them down to the fusible. I'm not too wild about that way either... She used the background she made to make a tiny art quilt with a ballerina appliqued on it. It was cute, but my brain doesn't work that way yet. Lol!

TravelingGramma, Post #108 page 11 if everyone gets the same view of messages) is the last Bday list I've seen for the 2021/2022 Candy Year. NZ is our only March birthday so far.

Well, we now have our 2021/2022 Birthday Swap List. There is one additional swapper who may be joining us, but the birthday is not in March, so we are OK. Just getting some details tied up in a birthday bow. I will be sending out the first Birthday info tomorrow afternoon by PM. Get those dear little packages ready!

Our first contest will be posted March 1!
Our list is as follows:
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

Sorry to be out of contact. Not a good way to start our year but, I have been away for two days to visit a friend and to help her make two baby quilts for great grandbabies. Back to my regular routine now. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/hug.gif

I love the look of crumb quilts but I don't have the patience. Loveofquilts, you will have to keep sharing pictures of your crumb blocks throughout the year.

Still no Baby arrival. Every morning I tell Baby it can be today, but so far, no signs. I'm almost a week overdue and it's getting hard to stay positive. My mother-in-law has been coming over daily to help with my 3 girls so I can relax and rest, and I am grateful for that!

NZ - just keep being thankful for the help you are getting. And enjoy each moment. We will be sending you congratulation cards along with your birthday candy!! Or better yet congratulation candy too!!

I hope it's today, NZ. I know it's cold where you live, but taking a long walk does wonders for getting labor underway. It worked for my daughter. We went for a 3 mile walk and she went into labor that night. Maybe there is an inside place, like a mall, where you could walk?

Ready to mail my first candy package!

I just sent the PMs with our first birthday girl's information and a few hints for success. If you did not get a PM from me this afternoon, let me know ASAP. I am new newbie at this leading the group thing and mistakes might happen. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/hug.gif

I am just loving how supportive you are being already as a group! It is like we are old friends already.

Crumbs and babies, lol!
 

Not a problem on keeping you all updated on the crumb quilt. Took a day or two off of it to sew together and quilt a lovely spring wall hanging. That was a lot of fun!

My family and I will be praying for the quick arrival of the baby. I went over a week with my son and I thought I was going to lose my mind! They finally had to induce me. He didn't want to come see the world, so I completely understand.

Nice wall hanging, Loveofquilts! Thanks for sharing what you are working on.

This weekend I finished 3 baby quilts and finally got my Merry Mayhem Mystery quilt bound. Lots of progress!

First package is out there!
 

I put my first envelope in the mailbox today. They should be by tomorrow afternoon to pick up/drop off mail. NZ I hope it gets there quickly!

[QUOTE=WMUTeach;8462666]Well, we now have our 2021/2022 Birthday Swap List. There is one additional swapper who may be joining us, but the birthday is not in March, so we are OK. Just getting some details tied up in a birthday bow. I will be sending out the first Birthday info tomorrow afternoon by PM. Get those dear little packages ready!

Our first contest will be posted March 1!
Our list is as follows:
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


Did you find out if there are 19 or 20? I like to get them cut and prepped all at one time. Packed inside the envelope so I can just put a stamp on them at the appropriate time. Life really gets in the way for me. As y’all know.

Color
 

Check out the Laurel Burch pre cuts
[email protected]

Totally my kinds of colors. I really need to get them. For the last two days I’ve been trying to cut my charms. I think I got 29 done finally. At the very last one the chair slipped out from under me and I ended up on the wood floor ouch. So, yeah, need them.

Wendy, so far there are 19 in the swap.

All, we will be staying at 19 members this year. Sorry, I forgot to return to give the final total. I had my second Covid vaccination and suffered from a couple of days of fuzzy thinking, chills and generally feeling crummy. Those symptoms are sneaky. You don't realize how not well you are until you start feeling better. https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/eek.png

Thinking about NZQuilter today... and hoping she has a babe in arms by now.

Aww, I am glad you are feeling better. Yes, they say there are a lot of side effects from the vaccines. :) It is better than having full blown COVID though... So happy that you are all done with them though. :)

That isn’t necessarily true. Most people recover from covid, as any flu, unless they already have serious health problems. The shots are risky and have caused deaths and permanent disabilities. I am not getting them.

https://img.theepochtimes.com/assets...-4-700x420.jpg

It's been nice to see the sun here in snowy Michigan this week! I "escaped" yesterday to Shipshewana and found many fun bargains. My favorite fabric store had added lots to their $6.95 sale room and fat quarters were on sale for $1.50! Too bad I already had everything cut for this swap, but I guess I already have lots of fun for next year!

Even though we have had more snow (and cold) than normal this winter, it has really been pretty to keep the snow on the ground and to get that one or two inches every night to brighten it up. But having sun and the warm winds of the mid 40s is getting me ready for spring!! I hope you all are enjoying the weather in your neck of the woods!

Have a great weekend!

I plan on getting my candy packs cut and packed this weekend, I had already cut up all my 2.5" scrap strips and had enough for about 40 packs, but decided I'd keep them for myself and cut up fresh stuff to share. I'll pick out 50 fabrics and cut strips, then lay out the strips, 4 to a layer, put for layers side by side and use the stripology ruler to subcut. Then I can put two 4 stacks together for an 8 stack, 6 of them make 48 and then add two on top and wrap it up.


Today DH and I are going to the Home Show about 2 hours away. We are getting close to starting on the major remodel of the kitchen and I've got to get going on planning and design. We do the work ourselves, and this is not our first rodeo by a long shot.

Macybaby, Wow an new kitchen. A dream of mine. I have a very small kitchen in my condo with no room to change its footprint, but I am considering some replacing and upgrading of appliances and flooring at least. I always battle with myself about do it now or do it latter. Guess I am starting to fall into the do it now and enjoy it side of the fence now.

Your cutting plan sounds so organized. I have never had yardage to cut from or even 50 strips to work with. Always used good old scraps and a few small cuts (fat quarters left from another project) to work from. Your way should take much less time! I cut up a bin of scraps a couple of weeks ago and I now have 8 - 13x9 sized storage containers of 2.5's all sorted by color. Plenty for the Debby Brown Color quilt projects for 2021 and a few years of Birthday Swaps too! https://cdn.quiltingboard.com/images/smilies/wink.png

Ta-Ta from sunny Michigan. Still plenty of snow. The Canada geese are courting in my back yard, so spring must be looming over the horizon.

I have been having fun picking out my fabrics for the candies but have learned tons about my collection like, most of it is dark! Where are my medium and light tones?

No baby news from NZ yet. I hope she is busy nesting with her new little one. Stay happy and healthy everyone!

It's a Girl!!!
 

Baby Madailein Rose arrived yesterday, nine days late! She is absolutely perfect in every way and such a cutie! She has an amazing latch and took to nursing straight away. My heart is full and happy and I'm so blessed! It was a hard delivery mentality and physically, where I kept feeling like I couldn't do it, but my dear hubby and the midwives were so encouraging and supportive! Madailein was 8lbs 2oz, so my biggest baby yet. The three big girls have taken to her so well and the two oldests keep taking turns holding her. I'll share a picture of Madailein when I can.

Yay! You finally delivered that big girl! Congrats Cathy! My GD was that same weight! Her momma is just a tiny 5 feet, nuthin, so she labored long and then ended up having a C section. Glad you were able to give birth naturally. You’re such a pro!

Welcome Madailein Rose! I am thankful you are alright, NZ. That is one big baby! Congratulations!

Congratulations Cathy on baby Madailein Rose, such a beautiful name! What are the big sisters names? Glad to hear the whole family is falling in love!

Barb

Congratulations on the birth of your little girl, NZ. There is nothing as miraculous as a birth. When families are in love, a new baby is much loved too. Cherish the time you take getting to know little Madailein Rose because it will knit your hearts together.

NZ - Congratulations on your newest addition!! I'm so glad you and your family are enjoying the new time together.

Woohoo! Congrats on a healthy baby girl! So happy that she is finally here for you and your family to enjoy. :) Take care of yourself. I remember how hectic the first few months were.

Hello every one, Sunday greetings to all. Thought I would just check in with a few reminders and of course a congratulations on the new baby, Miss Madailein Rose. Mostly, I am so happy to hear all of the chatter between you, showing support for each other and your caring hearts. Kudos to you all. Good to know our Texas swappers are OK.

Please post when you have sent you packages, this is for the birthday swapper to know you have sent your package. I will be tracking arrivals too. So, Birthday girl, please post a running list of who's package has arrived. It is so helpful for the sender to know their package is not lost in a snowstorm or caught in a flood. Besides, it is always good to hear about your progress on a project of family or just a hello from your corner of the world.

Show us photos of accomplishments using your 2.5's. It will inspire us to keep trying new ways to use these little darl'ins. Thank you, SewBiz, for showing some of your past accomplishment, Post #8.. Lovely, as always. I suspect that some of us are doing the Debby Brown Color Quilt Along. I love seeing how quilters take a very basic pattern and enhance it, shift it and turn it into something new. Post here too! We like photos.

Have a wonderful quilty week. Spring is coming!