This is the discussion thread for the redwork swap with a twist. The sign ups are closed. Please check in once a week to let me know how you are doing.

The blocks are to be black Kona cotton and are to measure 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" unfinished. Each stitcher has picked a color and their blocks are to be stitched in any variation of that color they pick. You do not have to do the same design on each block but each block needs to be more than just the outline of a heart. Here are the groups:

Group 1

White - cr8tve1 - received
Yellow - bjeannes - received
Red - tisme - received
Blue - bluesnail - received
Green - Handie Ann - received
Pink - Ely/Syssy - received
Purple - Quilter Jen - received
Gray - headielamar - received
Orange - Quiltaholic - received

Group 2

White - Shawkl - received
Yellow - Chesapeake Jane - received
Red - alexammarose - received
Blue - headielamar - received
Green - Ambher - received
Purple - kmouse - received
Gray - gemsq - received
Orange - bluesnail - received

So how are you doing? I have my designs picked out and have my blocks cut out. I have cut them out at 10" x 10" and will trim them down after I am done stitching. I still need to trace my design. I have two cross country flights next week so I will get this ready to be my travel project.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: headielamar,

Thank you so much for organizing this fun swap! I have my design ready but that is it so far.

Happy stitching everyone!

Thanks for organizing this! I am doing the Planet Patchwork mystery, but hope to trace and cut this week so I can work on them @ night

Thanks for organizing! I am about to head upstairs with a full tummy of chicken and dumplings and see what I can get in to. have my Kona black fabric so will get my blocks cut out.. Then to choose my design..

I'm nearly done with block #5 in the blue category.

I started with 9 1/2" squares drawn on my black Kona...will cut them out and to size when I have all 9 finished. Plan to do the same thing with the orange ones too. It's just easier for me that way and hopefully I won't lose one!

I just got my Kona in the mail.
Hopefully I will be cutting tonight .

Got my Kona yesterday, and today enlarged the pattern. Moving along, hope it works.

Sounds like you ladies are making great progress.

I marked out my blocks tonight, but had to finish a RR for CQI first. That is done, so will start drawing out my design now.

I have four blocks traced. Should be enough for my trip this week.

This was back on page three.

I bought my orange thread yesterday.. Have my Kona.. Now to decide on the design...

I drew 9 different designs on graph paper last night, traced one on Kona, and embroidered about 1/2 that one. Today is lesson planning, watching soccer, and bowling so probably won't get back to it until next weekend.

I have my fabric got my thread, think I have my design. Now to get more thread because the DCat got into the thread and I had to through it out. Will do that today.

Glad to see you ladies are making progress. I didn't take mine on my trip with me last week so I need to get working!

I got one finished, decided to try something different with #2, so new design. I have it 1/2 done, and like it too! I will probably repeat some designs, but wanted to try out several different ones first!
Tammy

Have about 1/2 of a block done. Slow progress, but at least some progress

TTT

I have almost 3 finished and have to say, they look pretty darn good.

Question for everyone in this swap: since I'm in both groups, it will apply to all.

I have my blocks cut at 9 1/2" square. Is it OK for me to send these oversized squares so you can cut them down to whatever size you need...or do you want me to cut them to 8 1/2" squares?

I don't care if you leave them at the 9.5 inch. I have a way to cut them smaller.

At least one other person is leaving theirs a little larger - fine with me if you want to do so.

Finished stitching 2, have the 3rd drawn out and started the stitching

I also am on my third block. I like them all so far!

Glad to see you ladies are working away. I don't even have one done yet.

I think I kind of agree with the idea of sending the oversized blocks home to the owners to square up. They can then decide for themselves what the exact plan will be.

I have my fabric, my threads, my design but not started yet! Hope to this week.

I will leave mine oversized as well

I will leave mine oversized.
I feel like such a slacker !
Mine are all cut, all designs traced but two but I haven't started stitching yet... hoping to start tonight. Are we allowed to show pics or are we leaving it to be surprised ??

I would prefer it be a surprise. I am in the same boat as you, not one stitched yet. I really need to get started. I am blaming it on a book I am reading because my embroidery time is during my hour commute to and from work each day but I have gotten into this book that I really need to finish!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: headielamar,

ohhhhh
What book ?? I am always in search of good reads !

It is 'The Merry Misogynist' by Colin Cotterill. It is the 6th book in a series of 8 about a coroner in post war Lao who fancies himself a detective. (um...how many words in that sentence will keep this from being posted? LOL) I started with the 8th book - I didn't know it was a series - then went back and started from the begining. Once my hearts are done I will get the 7th book.

WooHoo! Finally got my patterns all traced on black fabric blocks. Will begin stitching tonight!

I have got nothing done since the weekend, but maybe tonight. Work will be really busy until the STAR testing in May, so I crash every evening

Headielamar- I am jealous you can read/sew on your commute-- there is no public transit where I live, so I have drive 45 min each way to work.

One block done! Yea! I am excited to have them all swapped and let them all play together!

Spoiler Alert!

If you are on my team (B) and want to be surprised...then don't check out my blog of late...cause I've been posting my hearts there. Just saying...

Hugs to all this morning!

oooh...thanks Kathy! I will have to go right over and take a look!

What a very fun and interesting heart you have embroidered! Love it! Definately different from mine!

I finished my book - the bad guy got caught and the good guy survived but it was touch and go for a few pages LOL. I started stitching this morning on my way to work. I have the outline of one heart almost done!! Wohoo.

Quilter Jen - The public transportation here is so good I don't even own a car. I use public transit to get around and have my groceries delivered. Much easier on the pocket book.

Shawkl - thanks for the warning!

...three hearts finished...yea! I must say, I do get kinda bored with them and end up putting them down alot! Good thing we have a deadline!

Its been awhile since we have heard from the following players:

cr8tve1
Ely/Syssy
Quiltaholic
Chesapeake Jane
kmouse
gemsq

I know Ely is traveling, but what about the rest of you? How are you doing on your hearts?

Haven't worked on mine in a week, but plan to during this coming week. Almost done with #3, traced #4 this morning.

Well, I got one done! Now I gotta keep moving along. They'll make a great set when all put together.

Lisa, remember Ely told us she would be away for like 6 weeks, she went to another country, but would be working on her blocks while away.

Just checking in. For group A (mine are the blue blocks) All done! For group B (mine are the orange ones) Only 2 more to go.

Kathy, thanks so much for posting yours - I won't be copying any of them for the swap, but I will be using them for a different project. Thanks for allowing them to be copied.

I have three done, doing the same pattern for each one.

I am here doing taxes.... wanna come help me. lol

Thanks for checking in ladies. Yes I am aware Ely is traveling and I don't expect to hear from her while she is gone. I hope she is having a great time.

Bluesnail - congrats for being so far along.

Q - I am not looking forward to my own taxes so I will pass on helping you. LOL

My green blocks are coming along, finishing up the 5th one. I'm using all the same design on mine.

headie...please refresh my memory...are we to send you all of our completed blocks or hold out the one to keep for ourselves?

Please send all of them to me. It makes it so much easier for swapping out.