four way swap ~ part one

19.25" x 17.5"
free pieced
machine pieced and quilted

Four Way Swap is a doll quilt swap between laurajay, lucyellen06, calamity kim and myself. It first started early this year with a swap between laurajay and I. Then after that swap, lucyellen06 joined in our next swap. After that swap, calamity kim joined the mix. I am honored to be included in a group of such talented quilters. These swaps have challenged me creatively, and I feel that my quilting has improved because of these swaps. And above all, I have met some dear friends.



I mailed off my packages for four way swap last week. Lucyellen06 received hers, but is torturing me by not opening it yet. (open it lu!) Laurajay recieved hers, and was a kind friend and opened hers this morning.



Each round of our swap has had "rules". We each contributed a rule. The rules for this round were:

1. include birds
2. include neutrals
3. include recipient's color of choice (red and/or aqua for laurajay)
4. include liberated piecing



I was a little stumped as to what to make laurajay for this swap. During Doll Quilt Swap 4, Millie Quilts made this cute quilt. Laurajay's son loves alphabets, and I thought that an alphabet quilt would be just the thing. After a quick chat with Millie Quilts, I got started. I used Tonya's letter tutorial to make the letters. Lucyellen06 had sent some beige fabric with letters on it last round - perfect for the binding. And I used some number fabric for the backing. And being the lazy person I am, I used a micron pen on the backing for the label and heat set it with a dry iron.



now if lu would only open her package....



On a sad note, Marguerite's rat died last night. We will miss her. She was very sweet and gentle.