Monday, September 12, 2011

not fit for the farm life

You may remember that I joined the Farmer's Wife Quilt-A-Long earlier this summer.


The group is now 15 weeks in, and sure enough, I dropped out after 3. At the time, I wasn't sure exactly why I stopped. Maybe because the group got too big? Or was it the fact that I started to wish I had taken a different course with my blocks, using more prints like Kerry and Monica?

Well, the other day I figured it out. The reality is that I don't care for sampler quilts. I thought I liked them, but they're not for me. However, I still have a huge desire to learn how to make traditional blocks, plus I spent a lot of time on the ones I've already done. So I'm going to keep going in my own way, just using the individual blocks for things other than one big quilt.

To start, my first six blocks have been sewn into some pouches that I decided to list in my etsy shop.  


I'll admit that I have a favorite:


And I just can't resist a good stack of zippers.


This week I'm offering blog readers 10% off any item in my shop with coupon code SSBLOGFRIEND10. It's never too early to stock up on holiday gifts!
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23 comments:

  1. randi--i have to saySeptember 12, 2011 at 5:01 AM

    what a great idea for using your blocks! i would be a shame not to put them to use!

    very cute little pouches. :)

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  2. {Leila}Where the Orchids GrowSeptember 12, 2011 at 5:27 AM

    What a great idea! I'm not fit for the farm life either. I was thinking of turning my blocks into a pillow.

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  3. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeSeptember 12, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    What a wonderful idea! Love the colored zippers!!!

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  4. ferneSeptember 12, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    Where do you by all those zippers? Certainly not at JoAnn's.

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  5. AnnaSeptember 12, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    beautiful job with making them into something useful. I got the book, but probably won't make a single block from it! ha

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  6. tiffanySeptember 12, 2011 at 6:08 AM

    my goodness - they're gorgeous!

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  7. UnknownSeptember 12, 2011 at 6:11 AM

    I have a few of my blocks that I'm not thrilled with, and it made me lose all enthusiasm for the project. I dropped out about the same time you did. I love that you turned these into zipper pouches!

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  8. DebbieSeptember 12, 2011 at 7:45 AM

    how clever! lovely.

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  9. LeslieSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    i just ordered one!!! what a great way to use these blocks up

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  10. Amy FriendSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:15 AM

    I think that was a fabulous solution and you make the nicest pouches too!

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  11. MariQuiltsSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    These look fantastic...I'm a city slicker myself.

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  12. PamelaSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:28 AM

    So cute! What a clever idea and a great use for the blocks!

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  13. AnonymousSeptember 12, 2011 at 8:43 AM

    Totally perfect!

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  14. Lynne (Lily's Quilts)September 12, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Oooh those pouches are wonderful

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  15. jmdaySeptember 12, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    I'm with you. I don't care for sampler quilts. I LOVE how you used the blocks instead of wasting them.... gorgeous!

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  16. Rachel at Stitched in ColorSeptember 12, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    Awesome, Krista! Your zip pouches came out great and what a clever way to revamp this project. I love how leaving something to sit can give way to the perfect idea.

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  17. PoppyprintSeptember 12, 2011 at 12:15 PM

    Excellent plan - they look very beautiful set in that denim-look/linen(?).

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  18. Angela NashSeptember 12, 2011 at 5:27 PM

    I realized I'm not a sampler fan either, so I didn't even start the quilt along. But that's why I am not thrilled with block swaps, although I seem to join them every so often just for the community fun of it. Love how you've found a non-quilt use for your blocks, I'll have to see what I could do with mine.

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  19. carrie (believemagic)September 12, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    Great use for the blocks!

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  20. UnknownSeptember 13, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    I kind of feel the same and I realised that I won't make it to the end... (I've done about 30 blocks and I'm thinking of deviating completely from the brief... will keep you posted)

    Love those pouches.

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  21. teaginnySeptember 15, 2011 at 10:54 AM

    I'm not a fan of sampler quilters either, but I am attracted to making lots of different types of blocks - this is a genius idea for using them!

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  22. dianaSeptember 15, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    I loove the pouches 1000 times more I could have loved a quilt made with them. Great ideea, fabulous result!

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  23. verykerryberrySeptember 16, 2011 at 5:02 AM

    Oh wow! They make great pouches! Always great to take an idea and go somewhere new with it.

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