This months blog hop is hosted by Carol at justletmequilt.com. and it is all about Halloween!
October is one of my favorite months of the year. I love it more for the cooler weather, PUMPKINS, and the changing leaves vs the scary and spooky side of it. Although, I do love the cutesy side of Halloween.
When deciding what to do for this hop I thought it would be fun to share about a quilt block swap I participated in.
Back in August, Amy Friend of www.duringquiettime.com posted on Instagram about a fun Halloween/fall quilt block swap. She has actually been doing this particular swap (different themes) for quite some time but this was my first time getting to participate.
The swap is called “Tell Me a Story Block Swap.”
“The idea of the Tell Me A Story block is that you are telling stories with your fabric selections. It’s silly fun. Basically, come up with a fussy cut fabric and a border fabric that together tell a story.” -Amy Friend.
To participate, you needed to have or purchase her book “Intentional Piecing” and sign up for what swap theme you wanted to do. Once signed up you were paired with 9 other quilters. You would sew 20 blocks and send two to each person in your group and keep 2 for yourself. You had to option to make them all different, or use a single fussy cut/fabric combo for half the blocks and another combo for the other half. You just wanted to make sure that you sent two unique blocks to each person (in other words, not two identical blocks). You can read all the details here.
Being a stay at home mom, I am always trying to find ways to connect with people–these blog hops help too–and this swap sounded like a fun way to do that.
I chose to sign up for both the Halloween and fall swap. I made a total of 42 blocks for this swap (My fall team had an extra person in it).
Once they were all made they were sent in the mail to each person. It was so much fun to go to the mailbox and see all the HAPPY MAIL!
For this hop I am sharing my finished “Tell Me a Story” quilt.
I combined both my fall and Halloween blocks to create this quilt. I added some extra blocks with some of the extra fussy cuts that swappers sent as well as added some of my own extra blocks.
A HUGE praying mantis surprised me while I was taking photos!
I have also recently signed up for a winter and Christmas “Tell Me a Story” block swap. I chose traditional Christmas and winter theme. I cannot wait to start receiving happy mail and make 2 small mini quilts to tell stories with my girls. A new seasonal/holiday tradition!
I am sharing my day with these AMAZING bloggers!
Happy sewing!
Starting to bloom by choosing JOY ~ Julia
That is such a sweet quilt! I was just thinking that it would be a wonderful I spy quilt, and then I read your note! Oh, and I do love your pumpkin flower pots. Have fun with your Christmas quilt.
-Soma
Your Halloween quilt is darling. So full of life with all of those happy fall colors. Thanks for sharing.
Love the Halloween quilt! And your praying mantis is amazing too. Thanks for sharing.
I love the quilt (and the cute little one sitting on it)! The swap is a great idea, and with each block having a different center, there is lots to talk about and/or tell stories about. Fun!
Your quilt is awesome! It’s not only interactive, but it’s beautiful too.
That’s such a cutie sitting on your sweet quilt. I love this idea of telling stories in different holiday blocks. I definitely need to add this idea to my quilt list. That Praying Mantis is so huge! Thank you for inspiring us with this spooky cute quilt!
That is a really cute quilt, but not as cute as your sweetie sitting on it! And wow, that praying mantis is one of the largest I’ve ever seen!! I like the idea of the swap. It’s always interesting to see what ideas other people come up with and their fabric choices!
Oh my goodness, that is seriously cute and your little princess looks like she is loving it too. I loved swaps when I did them, I met such great people that way and make some fun quilts!
Your quilt is like an I Spy quilt. So cute and fun.
A very wonderful quilt that your daughter enjoys! Love the pictures of your daughter and the praying mantis!
Adorable quilt and your daughter posing on it! Love it, thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Julia! What a fun idea and a fabulous finished quilt. Your daughter is so darn cute!! Playing I Spy is so much fun with littles at that age. Your Fall mums are gorgeous and look so festive in the pumpkin planters. Nice job! Thank you so much for sharing your pretty quilt (and daughter). {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
So cute, the quilt is too.
What a great idea and new family tradition!
The quilt is so cute, but it can’t beat the little doll on it.
That sounds like a fun way to see new fabrics! and what a fun quilt.
you know its even better with that little cutie sitting on it! I bet that is fun to play I spy with!!!
The quilt is absolutely delightful!
What a fun swap! It is fun to connect with others from all over and to end up with a fantastic quilt is bonus! Can’t wait to see your Christmas version!
Looks like a fun swap and what a neat quilt. Such fun blocks too!
This is such a great swap block and you’ve made an absolutely fab quilt with your blocks. It’s a beautiful story telling tradition that you’ve got with your family. Something they’ll always remember xx
Great quilt and a great swap theme!
Oh, Julia, this is so cool. I miss doing swaps and this one looks like such fun. Your quilt is such a fun one with all the different fabrics. Your little I spy partner is adorable and such great memories can be made with that quilt.
Great way to combine that Block Swap with this Blog Hop, Julia!! Little Miss looks adorable posing for a photo. :o))
What a wonderful collection of Halloween and fall blocks that go together so well for a seasonal quilt. Must be wonderful creating stories with your kids.
Very pretty quilt and pattern.
Great idea to showcase all of those Halloween and fall fabrics. Can’t wait to see the Christmas version.