taking charge of 2016

HAPP NEW YEAR 2016, everyone! Did you have a good holiday? We did! : ) The month of December flew right by. The kids had three weeks off from school and my husband a bit more due to a job change. Needless to say, I didn't get as much done as I wanted to, but that is going to change starting today. : ) I refuse to look back and recap 2015 in terms of sewing, because I just want to keep going forward. If I missed something from last year, then it will be made up sometime in the future. : )

First up, you can find my blog posts now listed on the quilterblogs.com. Thank you so much for listing me, Aleah. I hope to bring some enthusiasm and good sewing practices to the quilting community.

You can find some really great deals and coupons on their site, too. And they have a really awesome search engine to find the fabric you are looking for quicker and easier. I don't know how many times I wished I had known this sooner!? And you?

If you are reading this post from the quitlerblogs, thank you AND welcome. May I introduce myself...my name is Karen Ackva. I am an American living my dreams in Germany with my bi-national family. I love to design and make patchwork (as it is called here in Germany.) You can find plenty of free patterns and tutorials on my site as well as on Craftsy. I have designed blocks for the Quiltermaker's 100 Blocks Vol. 11 & 12 and a quilt coming out in Spring 2016. I have also designed a few quilts for the Moda Bake Shop using their pre-cut layer cakes, charm packs and jelly rolls. I am commited to bringing out well written patterns at a reasonable price. So, check all of them out. : ) When I am not designing, I like to organize and participate in patchwork swaps on Flickr (Pillow Swap Four Seasons) and various swaps on Instagram.

I don't want to overload you with all of the goodness I have to offer you on my first post, so I will pace myself with my other tidbits and future makes for 2016! Stay tuned! : ) Thanks for dropping by! Have a great year!

pillow swap four seasons - 2016

Hi Everyone! Thanks for dropping by! If you don't already know, I am co-founder and co-swap-mama to Pillow Swap Four Seasons. (Sandra, the hohenbrunnerquilter, the other half, keeps me in line and on top of things! She is so damned organized!) We had so much fun organizing our seasonal pillow swap, we decided to keep the fun going into 2016!

What kind of group are we and what do we do? 

Well, we are an international group of quilters/patchworkers/sewers who love to celebrate the seasons by designing pillows for others within our group. It takes place four times a year. When you sign up, you are required to design a mosaic of inspiration as well as stating your interests on the registration form. This will help your new partner to "get to know you." After the registration period is over, you will receive a new, secret partner and aren't allowed to tell anyone who it is. Then we post pictures of our fabric and/or design choices. It gets really exciting when we start this phase; sometimes you can guess who your partner is and sometimes not. It really is loads of fun. We are open to new participants - novice to expert. You will be grouped together with your years of experience in the hobby/field.

Let me share with you some of the awesome pillows I have received this year (2015).

I received this beautiful pillow and big package from Tammy just this last week! Isn't it beautiful? I totally love cardinals, red and black. She incorporated all of that into the pillow. And she made me the cutest sewing kit, filled to the brim with sewing notions!

Received from Tammy - Winter PS4S

Yes, I have been wanting to make one of these beauties, but I was more secretly wishing for one! Tammy read my mind too! She also send additional fabrics, her favorite tea, a card game from the Penn. Dutch and so many little goodies like the key chain and Clover clips hidden in the sewing kit.

I totally loved the package I received from Carolin for our autumn swap too. I love a bit of whimsy in my pillows and Carolin made this cute Halloween pillow with a spider and a web. Look carefully, because Ms. Spider is made from a large black button. She also made that cute pumpkin pin cushion and mug rugs with foxes!! Soo cute! And of course, a Charlie Brown coffee mug!

Received from Carolin @faedchenspiel - Autumn PS4S

Right before summer I received this adorable pillow from Karin with the sun just peeking over the horizon! Just adorable and whimsical as well! She also sent along a few extra gifts of the cute bunny and heart. I have no idea how anyone can make such beauties?! And the postcard, just perfect!

Received from Karin @karinpaosater - Summer PS4S

My very first secret swap partner was Karri. She made me this wonky star pillow using fresh, jelly bean fabric colors! Just beautiful! She also sent a lot of little extras (which are not pictured here.)

Received from Karri @karriofberries - Spring PS4S

I have to say, all of my partners (the women sewing for me) were so incredibly awesome! They are so unbelievably talented, creative, and wonderful gift givers, too. Thank you ladies, Tammy, Karin, Carolin and Karri! You are fabulous!

Are you interested in becoming a part of a real group?  If you are, maybe you would like to join us? Everyone is welcome as long as you really want to participate and give it your all! : )
Click on the page above for more information.

Click here if you would like to register. Please have a mosaic of interests ready before you sign up.

Sign-ups close on Friday, Dec. 11, 2015. Partners will be assigned on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015. We look forward to seeing you there.

Have a wonderful day!

little bits mug rug swap

Welcome to a pretty little mug rug swap that lets you go wild with sewing curves!

I found this adorable and free mug rug from Green Bee Designs and Patterns (Alexia Abegg) and absolutely had to try it. It is so cute and so much fun to make; I had to share my excitement with everyone and organize a swap just for the Little Bits Mug Rug pattern. So let's pay homage together, shall we?

Little Bits Mug Rug Example

GUIDELINES:
You will be required to use the free pattern from Alexia Abegg but are allowed to make slight alternations to it such as enlarging or shrinking the overall size, adding to it (embellishments, embroidery, or applique, etc.) changing up the border, whatever you like. But we should all still be able to identify the original pattern designed by Cotton & Steel founder Alexia Abegg. This cute and stylish mug rug should measure approximately 6 x 8 1/2 inches when finished.

You can find the pattern on Alexia's website: http://alexiaabegg.squarespace.com/free-patterns/

After you have registered, I will contact you to make sure your data is correct and verify that you are actively participating.

"Flakers" will not be tolerated. What is a flaker? Someone who signs up for a swap and decides somewhere along the time span they have no interest in fulfilling their side of the swap. Bad, bad, bad. Yes, they do exist. Sadly!

Everyone will be assigned a partner. This is an open swap and not secret; you will know who is sewing for you. You are allowed to contact them, and they are allowed to contact you. However, please keep their information (mailing address) confidential.

No mosaics are needed for this swap. You will be sew according to your partner's interests, social media feeds, and direction along the way. We really want you to guide your partner on the right path.  If you have trouble making contact your partner, please get in touch with me.

Post pictures of your progress on Instagram: #littlebitsmugrugswap

Check-in Date is January 15, 2016. Please email me at karen@easypatchwork.de with a small pixel progress photo and this in the header: "Little Bits Mug Rug Swap." You may post a picture on Instagram of your progress as well with the hashtag #littlebitsmugrugswapcheckin. From all of the emails I receive and in the order I receive them, I will draw a number and that person will receive a very special gift.

DATES AND DEADLINES:
Registration: now until Dec. 16, 2015
Partner assigned: Dec. 18, 2016
Check-In: Jan. 15, 2016 per email
Shipping: before Jan. 31, 2016

Please send the completed mug rug to your partner with a little note or postcard. You may send other items as well, but please don't over do it.

Are you ready for a little mug rug swapping fun? Then go ahead and register. Open to 40 participants.

I look forward to seeing familiar and not so familiar faces on this quick little swap! Thanks for dropping by!

REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.