Fun Fabrics from Far Away!

This is Mary, The Curious Quilter. My challenge swap partner is Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches, and she mailed her fabrics from her home in Latvia. I really like them, and am foraging through my stash for other fabrics to help tie them dark/light ying/yang contrast together.

I sent her a FAR worse set! Sorry, Fiona! I hope they arrive soon, so you can share them with others here. I will keep updates going on my blog, drop by any time.

I got my "ugly" fabric!  Alright I got it a couple of weeks ago....I am just slow posting.

 My wonderful swap partner, Sue, sent me this....

I pulled this from my stash...

 Pulled out this fabulous new book, love this pattern and started cutting and piecing.

Love it so far!  Might take me awhile.....I have several projects going right now, but I will keep working on it every week until I get what I want.

Have a great day,

Martha

Not Square!

Omg!  I picked my pattern, cut all my fabric from Genie & added some other uglies from my stash...then I sewed it all together thinking I had everything just right...NOPE!  I had the worst shaped quilt ever.  I couldnt figure out for days what had happened...finally I went home after work and said tonight is the night that I figure out what is wrong with this quilt! So, after ripping the entire quilt 3 times, finally...it is square....just have to say that this quilt definately was a challenge...I almost dropped out...glad I figured it out...hope everyone else is having a good time with their fabrics!

Got Fabric!

Received this awesome fabric from my generous swap partner!  It's not ugly to me but really, I love all fabric!  I haven't found too many uglies!  I just got home from vacation so I'm a little behind but will start planning what to do with these lovelies!  Have fun everyone!  Linda

I am liking my idea again!

Here is what I did this week with my fabrics.  I think that the camera needs to be found, for more than just this.  The block on the left was from stash.  The center block is a yellow.  The block on the right was made from the red plaid, floral and just a touch of the green.  I am liking my bigger picture again, but I am sure that is subject to change.  I can't wait to see what you are all up to.  Have a great Memorial Day Weekend.  Stacy

Here are my other posts from this blog!

http://inthebaguglyfabricquiltchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-to-do-with-deer-fabric.html

http://inthebaguglyfabricquiltchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/05/fabrics-to-work-with.html

Saturday I received my package of "ugly" fabric.  I must say that when we were told this was a challenge I didn't realize how much it would be.  However this little bundle is sitting in the studio waiting for me to rise to the challenge.  I did see a pattern online on Friday and it came to mind immediatly when I opened the package.  I haven't looked for fabric to use with these, yet, but in the next couple of weeks I will be putting something together.....I hope.

Second Draft

I rethought my earlier idea and have taken a new direction.  I call these my second draft fabrics to go with my uglies.  It took a long time today delving deep into my stash to find just the right fabrics to play along with the quilt I plan to make.  As you can see, the scrapier the better!  More info at my blog.
Happy sewing everyone!

The Journey Begins......

Today I started to sew a quilt, using my ugly fabrics. I was a bit nervous, was I sure about the pattern I chosed, was I sure about the other fabrics I put in........ Well, I have to start some time or else I want be finished till October and I have two quilts to sew!!!!!!

So the sewing journey has begun. I´m cutting and sewing, cutting and sewing and hopefully the result will be nice!
Gun, Sweden

Well, heres a portion of what Genie sent me plus some others I threw into the mix, the red, the blue, the ugly neon chinese lanterns and the white that looks like a bed sheet...most of it is all sewn together but if I showed you all, you'd know my pattern right away. It kinda looks like the rainbow threw up in my sewing room! Ha!  One thing for sure, this is going to be one colorful quilt...who knows, maybe theres a pot of gold waiting at the end of this rainbow!  One can hope!

I've actually found a fabric that goes quite nicely with three of these fabrics. It's the green/pink Thistleberry fabric that is giving me trouble. I've got over 90% of my pink/blue/tan fabric cut and now for sewing it.

Here are the four fabrics that Bev sent to me.  Individually they are great....hmm, how to put them all together in a quilt?  This is going to be a fun challenge! I've got some ideas..you can see that I've already cut the blue fabric. I think the hardest one to use will be the neutral color fabric, it is almost like desert camoflage, but we'll see how it turns out.

What to do with deer fabric....

I finally have some quilt blocks finished to show.  I wasn't sure what to do with the deer fabric.  Correction.  I have deer fabric in my stash.  I have made a couple of quilts for nephews using it.  They like the outdoors and let me tell you this fabric would have been perfect for those quilts.  My challenge was putting it together with the other fabrics I received.  So I made baby owl blocks.  I did a rough applique around the outside of the owl.  I like them.  I'm just not sure about my big picture quilt yet.  I am so wishy washy and sometimes I do not like my quilts until awhile after they are finished.  So here is a sample of my first blocks.  Have a nice evening!  Stacy

The before pictures:

The finished block:

I like how the animals are peeking around the owls.  Sorry about the picture.  The almost terrible two person at our house has done something with the camera..... 

Sneak Peak at my Progress so far!!

I have been working on my quilt top with the fabrics BJ sent me. Click HERE to see my set of "uglies"....but like I said, that is debatable!

I thought I'd give you a sneak peak....and I know it is not much, but I don't want to reveal too much just yet! Here is one block. Do you recognize that ahem...challenging fish fabric??? No too bad now!!

I have almost the whole quilt top spread out on my design wall. This is just a small part of what is planned for this quilt. I am really amazed at how this is coming together. I still need to decide on a couple of borders, and figure out how to work the really (challenging), challenge fabric into the borders, but it has really come to life. It has me working outside my comfort zone and that is when I seem to love the results the best!!

I also swapped fabrics with Gun, from Sweden. They came this past week and I will photograph them and post in a few days. I need to focus on one project at a time....or I might get myself off track!! I do however love the fabrics Gun sent too....funny, I have yet to see some really truly ugly fabrics....with the exception of what I shamefully sent!!

Have a great weekend.....Sew Something Fantastic!!!!

Finally.....

Finally they arrived. I´ve been waiting so long. One package from the UK and one from the USA. And the fabrics are LOVELY!!!!! What happened to the ugly fabrics???
Now I just have to figure out what to sew and that´s gonna be fun!

Thank you Diane and Suzanne!
Gun, Sweden

Sneak peek of my fuglies playing together

Here's a sneak peek of my fuglies playing together.  My husband thinks these colors are awesome.  I like the brown and cream that I put with them.  Here's a little peek.  I don't want to spoil everything for you.



Here are the fabrics I started out with...



I added these and just a couple of mauves/maroons to it...



Actually, the floral on the right is a fugly I received from someone else's blog as something I WON!
Now all I need is time.  School will be out in a little over a week and I'll have very little sewing time.  I'm determined to get it done by October!  Happy quilting, everybody!

I Like the Uglies

These are the fabrics I received.

I love butterflies and blue and all the possibilities for those circles.  The colors look much better together than in the picture.  The corals coordinate perfectly.

This is what's left of what I sent.

There was also a darkish blue with black streaks.  They are actually a lot darker than here -- the photo editor made them brighter.

I'll be having lots of fun with this!

Bev

Evolving.......

I love the fabric that Chatty Cathy sent me! The plan is evolving.....I will post pics soon. Pam in WA

Step 2 complete

Step 2 is complete.  I used the green as a background and added 2 pink fabrics from my stash and the black fabric to make a raw edge applique flower.  It is so easy to do.  I just freehand cut 3 sizes flowers.  Slapped them down on the background and sewed around them 1/4" from the edge.  When it is washed the edges will fray and be so cute!!!  This little quilt just might turn out not so bad!  Hope everyone is having fun with the challenge.  I sure am.  Can't wait to see all the completed projects!

Testing Blog Posting

I just went back and found that May 1 invitation -- didn't understand what it was.  I've never posted to a blog, so if this comes out I guess I don't need a tutorial.

I'll be back later with pictures.

Bev

My challenge...

These are the "uglies" I have to work with

and these are going to be a quilt...I will be a surprised as everybody else!  What fun!

I think it will be fantastic if I can pull it off!

My Ugly Fabric arrived today!

My Ugly Fabric arrived today!

My Ugly Fabric arrived today from Doreen, The Bayside Quilter in Canada and I don't think it's that ugly...well maybe the shoe fabric!  Will have to put on my creativity thinking cap to see how I can put these fabric together. 

I forgot to take a picture of the fabric I sent Doreen but I think it is a lot UGLIER than what she sent me. 

Quick Reminder About Posting On This Blog

I have had a few emails with questions on how to post to this blog. I sent out invitations to join this blog, and I am still showing close to 20 that did not respond to the invitation. If you can not figure out how to post to this blog, you need to go and accept the invitation I sent at the first of May.

Once you do that, the blog will show up on your dashboard just like your regular blog does. From there, you can post just like you would on your own blog.

If you don't have a blog...don't worry...I can walk you through the process. It is not hard. I will do a short tutorial for you if you need me to do that.

I'd love for everyone to join and post about their progress!! It is a lot of fun seeing what all the creative minds out there are doing with their fabrics!!!

Thanks to all who have posted already....I love it!!! It is amazing what some find ugly and what others find they love!!

***** also, if there is anyone who would like to play along twice, I have had a few emails with folks who missed the deadlines and would like to join. Remember you have six months to complete the project so if you'd like to do two challenges, I can pair you with another person if you like. Just email me!! P.S. I myself am doing two!!! So who is up for that?!

~ Suzanne

My ugly (not to me) fabric

I have received by fabric.  It is 8 FQ's from Connecting Threads that is beautiful.  I feel sorry for my partner as she stated the fabric I sent was challenging.  I say - ugly.  I will see if I can post a picture.  This is the first time on this site.

Betty from Utah

Ann Marie has her thinking cap on.

Ok here are my Ugly's that Roslyn sent me.

We have a multi blue with planets and gold glitter, then a black/blue with silver glitter, a brighter blue with sun stars and moons and silver glitter, black and gray skyline print w/touch of blue and more silver glitter, then a black/brown/gray print, navy blue with red very busy design, and then a multi purple fabric. Ok where is my rainbow..............this bunch needs some COLOR. They look VERY dark in person, but look pretty bright in this picture.

But I am NOT afraid of glitter, in fact there is a lot in my collection that has glitter on it, blue is what I do have the most of too. Hmmmmm the thinking gears are churning. I will come up with something out there I am sure. How many days do I have left to finish??????  Please tell me it is after the end of June and I am good.

Genie’s Ready To Get the Show on the Road

Julie Keeler sent me some challenging fabrics this go around. I have a few ideas, but am glad I have a while to plan it all out.

 I went out and bought 2 yards of this yellow cotton flannel since that was the one color the three fabrics from Julie had in common. Because of arthritis in my thumbs, I can no longer make full sized quilts. Instead I have switched to a little larger than usual lap quilts.  Embroidery and appliqué are favorite techniques, though they can give my hands a fit, too. I just have to pace myself. So there you have it. I am beginning to make some sketches trying to decide exactly what I am going to do. Thanks, Julie. I will keep you posted on my progress.

Getting Started

I decided I will work from my stash for my Ugly Fabric Challenge!  I spent a good part of Sunday morning pulling fabrics to go with my uglies and found quite a bit.  I don't know if they all will make it into the quilt.  I'm still undecided on the actual project---all I know is it will be a quilt.

Step 1 complete...

Well...what's a girl to do with 1980's ugly black calico and pepto-bismol pink?!

Why pinwheels of course!  I used by favorite product for making half square triangles.  It is called Ta-Da triangles, which is a pre-printed fusible interfacing.  It's so easy, just press, sew and cut.
Then Ta-Da!  you get 60 half square triangles.  From those I made 15 pinwheel blocks.

I like so far.  The high contrast of the black and pink works great.  Now off to figure out how to add that green.  And I don't even want to think of that aweful plaid.

Good Luck to everyone!  Mandy

Andee in AZ' Uglies from Robyn in TX

I just got my ugly fabrics from Robyn in Texas.  I really like two of the fabrics she sent and can deal with three others but yep she found some ugly.  Smile.  Can't wait til she gets hers from me, it is on its way.  No idea whatsoever what to do with it but I will come up with something!
Andee in AZ

Here's what I sent my swap partner, Terrie, for the In The Bag challenge. Remember, part of the challenge was that you were supposed to send your partner UGLY fabrics -- a total of two yards of it! Oh dear, poor, poor, Terrie!

Good luck, Terrie!

This is what Terrie sent me. Aren't these fabrics great? I LOVE them! I think I already have a pattern in mind and need to pull a few things from my stash. Can't wait to get started!

Started my projects

These are the fabrics I received two weeks ago.  Today I started working on my projects and am happy to say I am thrilled to have one project completed and another cut out.  Once I finished the second project I will post pictures.

Debi

Fabrics to work with.....

Mandy is my swap partner.  What a delight she is!!!  She is very on efficient and I had my fabric two days after the information was sent out.  How great is that.

I'm not 100% sure what I am going to make with them, but I've had sick kiddos and the brain cells are firing a little slower than usual.  Have a great weekend all and thanks for the challenge Mandy. 

:) Stacy

In the Bag...

My fabrics have arrived!

All the way from Texas!

With 2 great magazines...and guess what!

I think I found a pattern in one of them!

Can't wait to dig into my stash & have some fun!

*A note for my partner:
Thank you so much for being kinder than me.  I wasn't thinking about things "playing nice" when I picked the fabrics! :0)

The mailman came today with lots of color in a parcel

Today, was a fun day with the mail delivery by my mailman, Andy. My swap fabrics arrived from BJ in Arizona. I have to admit, when these came I was thinking...What am I going to do with these? BJ said she felt bad as she liked the fabrics I sent to her...did you catch that....she liked them......I was so ashamed of what I was sending to her, I did not take a photo. I always say...beauty is in the eye of the beholder! At least I hope BJ may have liked at least one of the fabrics and was not too upset!!

I had one lady who wanted to do this challenge twice, and because of the number of participants, I decided to be her partner as well. So I will be doing two challenges this go around. My fabrics have not arrived from my other partner yet, but they are traveling a long way.....she got a piece in her package like BJ did...can't not wait to see what they do with their "Uglies"

Now, don't despair too much over this stack of fabrics...notice the bottom left is orange and pink....FISH.....I know exactly what I am going to do with these, and I can hardly wait to start. Seriously...I am super excited. Tomorrow, I am going to cut these up and search my stash for some added color and neutrals and get ready to sew something wonderful!

My husband asked me tonight just how many more projects do I think I need to start......I said...well at least two more!!!! One with these fabrics and one with the fabrics that are now flying over large bodies of water to get Texas. Optimistic?? Well...maybe...but I am really looking forward to it!!

Oh boy...They're here!!

Ok!  Came home and found that my package had arrived!  Heres what I got from my swap partner Genie in Virginia...She even included a cute little handmade bookmark and an adorable paper pad, Thanks Genie!! I'm ready to make some magic happen!

the ugly fabric arrives...the challenge begins

My swap partner is Stacy from Arizona. I received her fabric this week, which included pepto-bismol pink solid, 80's black calico with roses, a dark tone on tone green and a terrible brown plaid. I can't complain though because I sent Stacy some pretty bad fabric! Sorry Stacy.  Well, I'm off to the drawing board to design something marvelous!!!

Look What Was Waiting for Me

I just got back yesterday from picking up my daughter and all her stuff from college and my uglies were waiting for me!  I probably would not have bought any of it except maybe those big vegetables on the front right.  Those I love!  And the little gardening fabric to the left isn't bad either.  Visit me at my blog if you get a chance.  Good luck everyone!
Marianne~

THE POST MAN CALLED....

...and this is the bag he brought...

Inside is the fabric that has flown all the way from Sweden.....

OK! Some of it is DIRE!!...

SOME of it is not so bad!!.....

NOW all I have to do is put the thinking cap on and MAKE something with them!! WATCH this space lol xx

Diane xx

I Got My Fabrics!--the Journey Begins

 I just wanted to share with you my "ugly fabrics" that came last week.  Click on this link for my blog post to see what my buddy Pam in Washington state sent me.  Hope I'm posting properly to this blog site, but if not, I'm sure somebody will tell me. 

Have a great day,  Kathy

Let's make butterflies!

Everyone is like a butterfly, they start out ugly and awkward and then morph into beautiful graceful butterflies that everyone loves.
Drew Barrymore

So looking forward to this challenge!

Have a great day

Martha