Dolls, Bees and Owls

I seem to have lots of different projects on the go at the moment. Some I have already started, and some I am still waiting to start, or rather I am at the design stage still. Like the Doll Quilt Swap.

You may remember, I mentioned a few weeks back that I had got in to the 10th round of the Doll Quilt Swap and how excited and pleased I was. I really enjoyed the last round, although it is quite time consuming. Not the making of the Doll Quilt itself, but the social side of the swap. It is a very busy and chatty group and you really need to devote quite a bit of time each week to staying involved in the discussions and commenting on all the new photos being constantly added to the pool.

My partner this round likes quite a modern, abstract style, and I am finding it more of a challenge to produce something she will like, although I am enjoying this as it is making me expand my horizons.
I designed the spiky, circley quilt above (this is just a watercolour sketch) and got quite a good reaction to it on the group pool. Most people preferred the spiky border. It is not set in stone though, and may evolve as I am working. But I have chosen all the fabrics, above. I am going with all solids and have bought some Moda Bella (because I sent my walking foot back and had to exchange it for something else and the online store also sold Moda Bella, I usually use Kona but this seems very nice too) and found the rest in my stash. Years ago (in my 'first age of quilting') I ONLY used solids, I think I am going to really enjoy using them again.

I thought we should have a catch-up on the Tag Square Bee that started back in October. We had a break for December but here are the blocks that have been coming and going for November and January.

Here is the block I made for Lysmask76  in November. Anna asked for aquas, browns and whites. This was a block from a Japanese book I have.

Here is January for BellsBellsJo who's idea it was to start this Bee. Jo wanted pinks and whites. This was my attempt at Wonky Crosses, but they are not very wonky!

I am planning to make a version of 'The Burbs' quilt from Material Obsession 1, so I have asked for houses, people and trees in aquas, reds and pinks. This lovely house came form FlohStiche in Germany.

 

And this adorable girl came from Jen Johnston in Canada. I am collecting some great stamps from all these packages!

Last, but not least, an owl. There has to be an owl in every post, right? 

After my crocheted owl tutorial last week, I asked for suggestions to name the little owl. Thanks so much for all your ideas but I have decided on 'Oggle'. So, Sarah R, you will be receiving this little owl soon!

I have to admit that the name Oggle has been used for the little owl before but I had forgotten all about it! I made the original crocheted owl as a present for Henry, Sarah's little boy, and Henry's Auntie Irene named him Oggle. It is a great name but I had forgotten all about it till Sarah suggested it in a comment. This also means that Sarah's new little girl, Rebecca, can have an owl of her own too! (It's not a fix, honest!!).

Right, next up is my attempt at the ORBC ticker tape quilt along! More on that next time...