Mailbox Goodies!

Every weekday I check my mailbox and gather up the usual suspects; the local advertising paper, sales flyers, bills, mail for people who no longer live at this address, and insurance and credit card applications. Sometimes, however, the trip to the box at the end of the driveway ends in excitement as I tear open an envelope that I just know is filled with something good and quilty. I have to admit though that I've been remiss in posting about all the fantastic things that have come my way. 

The first fun quilt mail that I received was from the fantastic Lori Landenburger who blogs over at SewPsyched. Way way back in April she hosted a fun little give away featuring a gift of April Showers by Bonnie and Camille in both a set of fat 1/8th and a mini charm pack. I, myself, was new to blogging and just getting to know the wonderful community that abounds, and nominated Lorna McMahon at Sew Fresh Quilts to play along with me. I was selected as a winner and soon there was a chilly little package from Lori's frozen Alaska in my steamy Florida mail box. I split the goods and sent half of it to my new friend Lorna in a pay it forward fashion. (I do hope it made it to you Lorna. I never know about the crossing of borders business!) I almost forgot, I'm linking up with Lorna and her Let's Bee Social Linky Party too!

I have a little left after sending some to Lorna. I still have to make something sweet with this charming little gift!

The second surprise came from the fabulous folks at GenerationQ Magazine. I played in a little activity that they feature called "Block Builder." I had been contacted to provide some more information about the block that I designed. (I wrote about it here and here with regards to my art class.) I was so excited to even be in communique with someone from this magazine, I might have even been ecstatic just to talk to a subscription representative, why not!? Anyway, I was blown away that one of my designs was going to be published! Then I forgot about it, the end of a school year, the start of summer. . .until one day that magic mailbox spit out a giant envelope.

A copy of the magazine with me in it! (Can I say I'm published?), and a signed copy of Stitch 'n Swap!

Here I am on page 13! Directly following a stellar article about Libs Elliott! Someday I may design great things like her!

I've had to think about getting a bigger mailbox! Just last week I entered a swell giveaway hosted by Alison Glass on Instagram and won again!!! She sent over four of her newest quilt patterns, which are gorgeous and will be have been added to the quilty bucket list. In fact, I was so infatuated by the Timber pattern that I went right out and purchased some fabrics get it started. (And I had a stash problem!?) 

I can't wait to make them all!

I already had the beautiful mossy striped batik fabric, a complementary muted batik, and the wrinkly grey picked out and put together for an unforeseen project in my future. I added some more neutrals and fun pops of color.

These are a mix of New Aged Muslin by Marcus and Peppered Cottons from Studio E.

I am in love with the texture of the New Aged Muslins. They feel as if they have already been starched heavily but have a lovely wrinkly texture. I think it will create a great visual contrast with the smooth nature of the other fabrics. The Peppered Cottons are also very beautiful. They are yarn dyed shot cottons. So the warp threads and the weft threads are different colors. This makes them almost seem to shine and from different angles you see different colors. These will help pick up the many color variations of the stripe batik fabric that I already had in my stash.

I supplemented the neutrals I already had on hand with a few more of the New Aged Muslin colors!

I am looking forward to cutting the pattern and getting started on the piecing this weekend when I have a bit more time. Eeek! Thanks for reading along. I am linking to Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story. I hope you are having fun with fabric and that perhaps we may exchange some fun quilty mail soon. :-)

-Jan-Michael