Good morning!

I hope this finds you having enjoyed the holidays, relaxing and not burried in too much snow or coldness! It was quite chilly today here in Houston, TX.

My name is Lori (aka: Sweetness) and I will be the Group 16 leader. I'm so excited, to get to know you guys and work on our quilts!

Our first assignment is to come up with a name for our group...so get your creative juices flowing!!!

Our group members are:

Christina (aka:Frogquilter) - Anyway I love stars!!!! All different blocks of them using batik fabrics

Karen (aka:Karen)- Life on the Farm...like barns, animals etc..

Kathy (aka:Kathy N) - My theme is going to be 1930's prints in Star blocks

Lori (aka:Sweetness) - "celtic dreams" - rich jewel tones (greens, orange, gold, red, purple, etc)...i'm staring off with irish blocks. love crosses, anything celtic/renaissance like).

Sylvia (aka:klarina) - My theme will be 1930's with some applique

And let the friendships begin :)

Just a quick repost of bookworm's original post so we have it easily accessible for referencing :)

Row Robin 2011

Overview:
This row robin is meant to be a fun, social and learning experience. There is no skill level requirement, only to do the best work that you can. If you have concerns about what to add at any point, feel free to ask for help from others in your group, the host of the RR, other sewing friends, or even the owner of the center. Remember…this is FUN!

Rules:
1. Fabric should be prewashed and of a type that you would be happy to receive yourself. This means 100% cotton but but does NOT need to be LQS.

Please remember that each top will circulate through many sets of hands and equipment as it travels the world. There may be a variety of techniques used as well. it's best to select fabrics that will hold up well under a variety of conditions and that can withstand repeated machine washing. Fabrics you can see through, that appear to fray easily, or that are loosely woven are not the best candidates for a shared project.

2. Use any techniques in which you feel comfortable, machine/hand piecing, machine/hand appliqué, machine/hand embroidery, paper piecing, etc. This in not particularly the time to experiment with new techniques unless you are confident that you can pull it off. You might want to experiment before attaching the row to the quilt in case you have to rework something.

3. Each row will be 12 ½” by 60 ½”

4. We will be posting pictures with each round, unless you specify that you do not want to see your quilt until it is finished. For most of us…we just can’t wait.

5. Please stay on target for the mailing dates. You will have approximately 2 months between mailings. If something happens that will cause you to be late mailing, please email the person who you will be mailing to and the leader of the group. Specific mailing dates will be sent out with the group assignments.

6. You will need to insure your packages when mailing.

7. Please, ONLY sign up if you are serious! We understand that life does and can get in the way, but if you KNOW you cannot fulfill your end, PLEASE do not sign up.

8. These rules apply to EVERYONE!

The Quilt:
The theme is a design of your choice. You need to make the first row 60 ½” by 12 ½” but you can orient it either horizontal or vertical. (Each row should be carefully measured and squared)
Each sequential row should be a continuation of the theme of the first row but can be what technique you would like.

Add a Label:
We suggest that you add some type of label to circulate with your top so that all the members of your group can sign it. Please use a Black Pigma pen or some type of black permanent fabric marker. You might want to leave enough room for everyone to list their name along with their board name, their city, state, country, and the date.
If you don't want to do a label for people to sign because you haven't figured out what you want the label to look like, that is fine too...just add a piece of paper that people can sign.

Graciously accept your finished quilt

Sometimes the final quilt owner will want to add more embellishments or add an additional border, but everyone who worked on your quilt used their best abilities. After the Row Robin has closed, of course it is your quilt to do whatever you choose. We will all look forward to seeing the quilted final product! Please do not post pictures that show alterations or changes in someone else’s work though. Please be conscious of other feelings. If this isn’t acceptable to you, please DO NOT play.

Tips and Lessons Learned:

1. Print off the rules, mailing dates and your group mailing list.
You will be referring back to it.

2 Don’t panic…hang the top for a few days and let it speak to you. They tend to “tell you what they need next”.

3. If you are trying something new….do it on the separate row, do NOT sew it to the quilt until you are sure it worked.

4. Make sure you understand how to fill out the customs forms BEFORE you send an International package

5. Please DO NOT let tops pile up on you. If you need help, ask…there are others who can and will step in to help you through a time crunch bind. We can work it out.

6. Please handle the quilts carefully. We all drag them around to show them off to friends, guild members, LQS, etc. but when doing so, we can stretch the rows so the finished quilt doesn’t lie flat. Please make sure it does lie flat prior to mailing it on to the next person.

7. Feel free to add information to accompany your quilt such as colors you would prefer or something you definitely don't want, that it may be a gift, etc. Please don’t add fabric to your package as it does cost more to mail it along. You can add a little swatch card with what fabrics you used, the manufacturer’s name, etc. as someone may want to match something. If you do have extra fabric, you might want to let others know, they may ask for some to be mailed to them directly to work on a specific round if they can‘t purchase it.

8. If for ANY reason, you feel the need to resign from doing this at ANY point in the "game", PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know! It's not fair to the others for someone to just pull out, not tell anyone and keep what is not theirs.

Mailing Dates:
You have two months to get each round done.

1st Row – mail by February 15th
________________________________________________

Row 2 – April 15th
________________________________________________

Row 3 – June 15th
________________________________________________

Row 4 – August 15th
________________________________________________

Row 5 – October 15th

http://www.quiltingboard.com/group_a...jsp?gracnum=87

Sew excited to get started! I have my drawings finished and have to get started on my blocks really soon.

I'm not to good at names...they all seems so silly...
rowsewers, see what I mean! LOL!

Hope everyone had a GREAT Christmas.

You've got me beat. I've picked all my patterns. I'm paper piecing the first row. However, I still have to pick my fabrics.

LOL...I'm not the best with names either. The only thing I could come up with is "The Sweet Sixteeners" (ie: again silly sounding) hopefully Kathy, Sylvia and Christina will chime in soon and save us!

Christmas was awesome I'll have to post pics of the cutting table my bf designed for me. I'm 6'1" no more aching back! Of course I've been cleaning everything today because he bought me a Shark Steam Pocket Mop...I think the cats are scared they're next :)

Can you believe 2010 is almost over *sheesh*

Hello ladies:

This is my first Row Robin Swap. Nice to *meet* you guys.

My theme will be 1930's with some applique.

I like the Sweet Sixteeners name.

Sylvia (klarina).

*waves* Hi Sylvia!!!

It's my first row robin (or any type robin) swap too :)

Ladies, Welcome. Row and round robins are a lot of fun if you don't stress any of it. If you get stuck on something, there are a lot of us to help.
I am part of the "Early Bird Threads" group 1

I like the Sweet Sixteeners too! This is also my first RR,
so it is very exciting! Do we need to do a journal to send with the quilt? I don't want to cost any extra for anyone else.

At this point the only one I am worried about is the Celtic. SOOOO I went and looked up patterns and plan on practicing before I get the top!

Sweetness, I have to agree about the year passing to FAST! They seem to past faster the older I get.

Hi I'm in Houston also, well just south, down 288

Karen,

I don't know about the journal...my guess is that could be a group decision (or if one person wanted it, we could do it for them)? I'd like to know more about your idea of it though as I've never kept a journal.

Agreed...time drags as a kid and then all of a sudden after 30 it's like OMG...I'm almost 40!!!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't be afraid of my quilt. I'm good with whatever, as long as it stays in the color values (no pastels, etc). LOL...I must admit though I'm leary of the rests stars all those points!!!

I'm hope our other rowmates drop in soon!

Hey Boopers!!! Oh so, you're one of THOSE over achievers :p Thanks for the support, I know I'll be looking :)

Short & Sweet - Hey there :) I'm at 610/Beechnut and dang it's COLD this morning *brrrr*

I had read on another thread about sending something for each person to write in. A little something about each person that works on the top, it would be a keepsake that would go with the quilt. I thought it would be a nice memory. Maybe add pictures of the quilt in the making. I can keep pictures from here on my computer and then print them out, I think most people can do that. The thing is going to be finding a small enough notebook, not to add much weight to the package.
maybe use notecards, then put them in a small picture album.

The stars aren't bad to make, that is what I learned to piece on.
I have been told that paperpiecing make your points easier. I believe there is a tut on here about stars.

I am worried that I won't be able to get the Celtic done right, it is a thing in my head! Although I do have top notch help around here to help if I get hung up. Charlotte Bull, my teacher, is excellent at hand applique...I have not found anything quilty she hasn't done!

Another question ..are we staying with the 60 day turn around? I hope so. Also will we mail in the order you have listed us?
Would I get Christinas first? mine would go to Kathy? Kathys to Lori? Loris to Sylva? Sylvias to Christina? Just want to make sure I don't mess up right off the get go.

Can't wait to see pictures!!

That's a cool idea Karen. Maybe we could even do a virtual one and email it to our person when we mail off the quilt to the next person? It could include pics and stuff. Then the owner can print off an journal/scrapbook however they want it? That wouldn't add any extra postage.

I'm definately planning to send a label with mine.

Anyway...great ideas, we just need everyone here and we can decide. If you want a written book (which I don't think would add much postage cost wise) & it's okay with everyone...WOOT!

I just sent private messages to Frogquilter & Kathy N., to let them know we're all here, I figure they maybe busy with holidays :)

Yes ma'am. I personally need the 60 days to get mine ready! But yes, I hope that everyone will stick to the schedule barring "life" issues because we do get a lot of time to work on them. If someone has a problem I just ask that they let us know so we can work with it.

In regarding to how we'll exchange...you're right again. I set them up in alphabetical order just so it would be easy from the get-go!

I was just waiting until we got the rest of the group here and got our name situated before I moved on to that...didn't want swamp the others. But I see you're like "me" (hehehe) and like the details and organization, so I'll post the months list in a minute.

So glad it's slow at work...I should be doing something else, but I'm too excited by this swap & the other one (Boomerang 4.0) that I'm doing. I'm printing out all the rules and setting up calendars. I'm soooooo OCD!

Mail By Dates

TUESDAY - 02/15/11
FRIDAY - 04/15/11 (note PO might be busy taxes due)
WEDNESDAY - 06/15/11
MONDAY - 08/15/11
SATURDAY - 10/15/11

Mailing Order

Frogquilter to Karen
Karen to Kathy N
Kathy N to Sweetness
Sweetness to klarina
klarina to Frogquilter

Sweetness thank you for the quick response. I have to finish one quilt, then I can do my blocks. Then post pics!
have a great day everyone!

Hello Team,

I agree with the virtual journal and I took note of the mailing calendar and order.

Regarding the label, I found a tutorial to make small labels for our quilts.

http://www.psiquilt.com/2010/01/sigg...-tutorial.html

We could make 5 each and mail one with each of our rows. This way the fabric on our labels would match our rows.

Tell me what do you think.

klarina that is a great idea, Little labels to match the rows. I checked out the tut, it is the one we used for the siggie swap that Norbana hosted. I was thinking of using the same fabric from the row and making a mini block with an area for our information. I know that is probably to much huh? You'll find I get carried away with projects!!

I don't quite understand the virtual journal. How is that done? Or I guess the question would be where would we do that? Would it be a private area just for our group to use? or open for the board to use also?

Sorry ladies...I actually did some work this afternoon (at work...gee how unique, lol) and then had a horrible sinus headache so took some time away from the computer.

klarina - that's a great idea. i think in regards to an actual label we can leave that up to each individual. some may want one, some may not, everyone might have a different idea. As long as each person conveys what they want, I think we should able to meet those needs in this rather small group. What do you guys think?

karen - basically i was thinking for instance we could make notes (on the computer - much like you would in a written journal) and attach any pictures to it, then email it on to the owner when we mailed their quilt to the next person, etc. just a thought on the journal spin you brought up.

hope you ya'll have a wonderful evening. i've got my electric blanket warming the bed and i'm heading there soon!

BTW...I don't know how well any of our group knows each other or not. But I don't know any of you (I only tend to spend time online/quilting in the winter months it seems). So I thought I'd start off with a little about me and hope that each of you would do the same :)

My name is Lori, I live in Houston, TX. I was born & raised in upstate NY and have lived in Houston for 9 years (TX - almost 14). I am 39 (in May I'll be 40 eeeekkk!). I'm a contract manager for The State of Texas. I have lived with my boyfriend for 9 years, we're both previously divorced and not sure we want to wander that path again. Kind of it it's not broke why fix it? We don't have any children, but furbabies (kitties inside & dogs outside). However, none allowed in my sewing room (I know I'm a mean mommy!). I started quilting in 1995 however with work & life I don't do it as often as I would like. I'm really more of a piecer as I still send my stuff out for quilting. My favorite colors are purple & green...I'm definately not a pastel person. I'm really excited about this swap, but extremely nervous too!

I probably left stuff out...if you want to know anything else, just ask :) I just started to feel like I'm babbling!

Lori I gabber alot also! In little spurts. I don't know anyone in this group either.

I am Karen, I am 52, by BD is in March. I am not so happily married to a truck driver. I started hand-piecing 2 years ago and LOVE quilting. I have 4 dogs and a cat that live in my tiny house. They are always under foot! Sorry to say there is no way to keep them away from my sewing area, because it is also the living room-dining room combo. I do smoke and will do my very best to keep it outside, until I completely quit.
I do not work outside the home. I collect vintage sewing machines. In November one of my quilts was selected to go in a book. I am still waiting for it to come back home from getting pictures taken.

Way to quiet here....hmmmmm, is everyone asleep?!

lol...last night I actually was! I think I'm fighting a cold or the flu or something nasty like that. The silly weather here freezing one day, 70's the next...just trying to keep from getting totally pulled under. At least there's no more work for this year :) Going to try finishing the cleaning I started on my sewing room & get a little time behind the machine these next few days!

I understand the cold thing...the flu is aweful. I have been fighting it for 2 weeks now. We are having the strange weather also. it is supposed to be 60 here tomorrow and then
and drop down in the 30s. Stinky. Enjoy cleaning and playing in the sewing room! Hope you get to felling better soon. Take care of you.

I am so excited!!! My featherweight will be here next week!! I am going to wait to start my row until she is here!

Ladies Hello.... Sweet Sixteeners is a great name. Sorry i didn't chime in sooner but with the holidays and grandkids time got away from me.

I love stars but I haven't decided my fabric yet either but I'm leaning towards marbles or batiks and scrappy. This is a first for me and I think I was put into a GREAT group. I can't wait to visit more with you all.

Talk to you soon. Christina AKA Frogquilter

About myself.....

I'm 42 and live in Kansas. I was a military spouse for years and sewed curtains and such until i met Marian. She is my quilting mentor. I have become very involved in our local quilt guild and have served on the board for the last 4 years. :)

I have 3 children and 2 grandkids and 4 dogs, my furry children. We just moved in Oct to a new house and my sewing room is finally upstairs and not in the basement. Yeah!!! I find that I am getting so much more done now.

I work for a bank and sit at a desk all day on the computer which is why I am bad about getting on it at home. :( I will work on that.

bye for now...

Hello ladies,
I was out of town. But I'm back. Here is about me.
I'm 63 years old. Mother of five, grandmother of 7. I'm married to my second husband, the father of my youngest child. I was born and raised in Mexico, the great grand daughter of an anglo-saxon Californian sailor who emigrated to the southwest part of Mexico and married my great grandmother.
I live in So. California and work as a graphic designer with my husband. We have a small book printing company.
I have been sewing for 30 or more years, but started quilting just one year ago.
I have been to several block swaps in another forum, but this is my first Row Robin swap and also my first swap in this forum.
I'm very excited with this project. Some nights I stay awake because my mind is wandering on different possibilities for my blocks and I find myself wishing it was morning so I could start sewing. lol.
Happy New Year to you guys.

So glad to meet you both!

klarina...graphic design, that must very exciting! Have you published any of your books?

Such a quite group...maybe since the Holidays are over it will be easier to play!

Happy New Year ladies!!! I hope that each of you are doing well, enjoying the holiday & ready for a GREAT 2011!

Since the majority of us have agreed on a name, I went ahead and reported us & listed us as "Sweet Sixteeners" thus we've gone from "Group 16" to our new name updated in the subject line. Figured we had to get some movement before everyone sweeps past us :)

So far we're just missing one more person to report in and I'm sure Karen N will be doing that as soon as the holidays settle down.

On a personal note, I'm sorry I haven't been around much the last few days. Still feeling a little *bleah* but I "think" I'm heading toward recovery now since I was quite ill (funny enough at 11:59pm CST)...don't know if that's good or bad karma ;)

Heheheh...how many more days??? I'm waiting on pics!

I wonder if any quilters don't love animals :) Mine want to come in my sewing room, but the problem with that is that they won't leave me alone & I can't get anything done. My "babies" don't behave very well...I guess they're quite spoiled since they have the run of EVERYTHING else!

Sorry about the hubby. I went through that, it's tough and my brother is a truck driver so I know how the profession can add to it too. I hope that 2011 will allow for happiness in all of your life!

OOOohhh antique machines...so you can show us lots of pics :)

FROGquilter!!!! Welcome :) Sorry I LOVE your nick!!

I love moda marbles too ;)

UGH...I understand the sit at a desk all day...hard to drag yourself to another computer screen once you get home illness! We'll try to make it worth your while!!!

Ohhh....I'm jealous of the basement actually. Being born/raised in upstate NY I loved having a basement...it was weird for me when I moved to Houston being oh, I don't know just a stones throw ABOVE sea level!

Oooh military wife, thank you for both of your service! I come from a military family (brothers, cousins, dad - retired before I was born, uncles, etc). My brother retired with his 25 a few years ago...YES, I was an accident (my mom thought she had the flu) I had older parents before it was today's norm.

Wow...grandbabies, that's exciting do you get to see them often?

Yeah!!! Welcome back :)

WOW...Southern CA. I've always said that if all else fails & I have to be homeless I'm packing my sewing machine, stash, dog & truck so I can move to Venice Beach selling quilts by day & sleep on the beach at night! I'll have to dig up a pic I have of an AMAZING drum circle & sunset out there about 5-6 years ago.

Graphic design & 30 years sewing...I must say that I'm intimidated! Excited that I'm sure I'll get wonderful blocks, but afraid mine won't be anywhere near your expertise!

I agree with karen, have you ever published yourself?

And...because I'm getting OLD quick, I knew I forgot something when I was writing to you above Karen.

You're being published!!! Holy cow, maybe I should just coordinate the group...because ya'lls talent is scaring me!!! ;)

Can we see pics of it...or do we have to wait (don't know the legalities of all that)

TAG....you're it!!!

Ya'll are so sweet for sharing about yourselves. How about we do it again (and ya'll are MORE than welcome to come up with some of these & post!)

NAME YOUR TOP 3 FAVORITE COLORS

Here's mine:

1) Purple - any hue just LOVE it!
2) Green - bright/deep Irish greens
3) Blue - again, almost any hue, just find it relaxing and it's the color of my eyes!