December Friendship X and + Swap

I hope everyone is having a lovely holiday season. Here in Central California, it has certainly been warm. Unseasonably warm. And I think we are nearing a record for no precipitation, certainly not a record that we had hoped to achieve.

Today is the Friendship X and + Swap reveal, the last Friday of each month. Each month we make two identical sets of four X and + blocks, keep one set, and send the other to our swap partner. My partner is the lovely Carla. I know--I'm really lucky to have her for a partner!

Here are my four blocks for December.

This is what is on my design wall right now. The top three rows are my blocks and the bottom two rows were made by Carla. I love how they all play together.

Just to refresh your memory, we are basing our fabric choices on this color palette.

I'm ready to get started on the blocks for January.

I didn't do anything in the way of sewing gifts for Christmas this year. But on Tuesday, I did whip out these four pillows. It was a simple sewing design, and yet I managed to make a bunch of math errors design decisions.

And I even did exposed-zipper backs! Now I need to stock upon some longer zippers at Zip-It, my favorite zipper supplier

Corey was my inspiration with the pillows she made from the "chalkboard" fabric she designed. She hasn't made it available for sale yet, but I found this panel on Spoonflower. I just love Corey's panel so I hope she makes it available for next Christmas because these pillows were great fun to make!

Do you ever watch The Quilt Show? Every year, Alex and  Ricky choose a Living Legend. Since the show started, Mark has made the plaque that they present to the recipient. He makes it out of fused glass, using the logo from The Quilt Show, but choosing colors based on the recipient, so no two have ever been the same. Past recipients who now own a piece of Mark's artistry include Jinny Beyer, Eleanor Burns, Yvonne Porcella, Libby Lehman, and of course Alex owns a few of his pieces too. This year's choice was Michael James. It's always fun to find out the name of the recipient ahead of time and help Mark choose just the right glass. This year he went with something understated and elegant, a really hard to glass to photograph, but kind of an iridescent black.

I hope Mr. James likes it. I'm always so proud that Mark makes these really beautiful pieces of art that in turn live in the homes or studios of quilters.

I'm linking up here today. Because it isn't very often that I have something to show on Fridays. :)

Whatever your plans for the weekend, hope it is a happy one.

WIP Wednesday: X and + blocks

Let's flash back and pretend that it is the last Friday in November. Why, you ask? Because that is when you should have seen these blocks.

I'm part of the friendship x and + block exchange. I have a very patient swap exchange partner (thanks, Carla). She is always on time. I am nearly always sometimes a little bit tardy.

We chose this color palette:

Each month, Carla and I make a double set of four blocks, one set to keep and an identical set to share. These are my blocks for November. You can see Carla's post here.

And here are our blocks enjoying each other's company (mine are the top two rows, Carla's are the bottom two rows).

Want to hear something shocking? December's blocks are already finished! So look for a totally on-time block reveal on Friday, December 27th. I know. I can hardly believe it myself...

Linking up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced. That is something that hasn't happened for a long time either...

And it's not too late to enter the SMS giveaway for some patterns and a charm pack. I'm having such a good time reading about everyone's holiday traditions!

Patterns and Charm Pack--It's SMS Giveaway Day!

The giveaway is now closed. Thanks to everyone who stopped by!

Welcome to Live a Colorful Life. It's Sew Mama Sew's Giveaway Day and I'm so happy you stopped by.

Included in the giveaway are two patterns designed by me, the latest issue of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks (which includes one of my blocks), and a charm pack of California Girl by Joanna Figueroa for Fig Tree and Co. (because I'm a girl from California).

One of my favorite holiday traditions is "soup and cookie" day where our son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren come over for homemade soup. Then while Aaron and Christa are off shopping, or just having some quiet time at Starbucks, the grandchildren and I make homemade cookies. This year we made these:

For a chance to win the giveaway, leave a comment letting me know if you have a special holiday tradition. If you are follower, leave another comment for a second chance. All readers are welcome. The giveaway ends on Friday, December 13, at 5 p.m. PST.

Be sure to check out all the other fabulous giveaways (supplies) here (handmade items).

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will stop by again.