Bloglovin', Adios Google Reader!

I'm sure you've heard the {sad} news, as Google Reader is being retired as of 7/1/13.  Please do not fret, as Made With Love has joined Bloglovin', which should make following my blog an easy transition.  If you do not already have a Bloglovin' account, make sure to hop on over to the website and sign-up for free.  Bloglovin' will give you the option of tranfering all of your Google Reader subscriptions over, with the click of one button - easy peasy!

If you're already on Bloglovin' click the button below to follow my blog!  :)

Pillow Talk Swap #10

In addition to the Pretty Little Pouch Swap #7, I also signed up for the Pillow Talk Swap #10 on Flickr.  I really had a wonderful time participating in this swap.  Just like the Pretty Little Pouch Swap #7, the swap was kicked off with each participant posting an inspiration mosaic, so that their secret partner can pull colors and ideas for their own creation.  This was my mosaic...bright geometric patterns (stars, triangles, chevrons, pluses).

1. Pillow Talk Swap 7 - Finished 2. Not available 3. Not available 4. Not available 5. Not available 6. Not available 7. PTS5 Done! 8. Scrappy Applique Pillow - 2 9. PTS7 all finished! 10. PST4 11. Finished Pillow Talk Swap Round 9 Pillow 12. Cathedral Windows

I can't show you my partner's mosaic, however this is what I created for her!  I used the Quilter's Cache template to create a 9 block paper pieced Tallahassee pillow!  This is the first time I ever paper pieced, and although there was a bit of a learning curve, I am SO glad I challenged myself, as I love how the pillow turned out.

I used a happy mixture of  Rilley Blake fabrics (Sugar and Spice, Delighted, and Apple of My Eye), as well as some Simply Style, and Architextures for the background.  Here is a close up of the quilting.  I opted to only quilt the squares of the background and flower centers, that way I wouldn't take away from the colorful flower petals.

The back is just as happy as the front!  I used a blue and gray chevron stripe print from Paula Prass, and opted for the polka dots from the center flower to hide the zipper.  The pillow is binded with the Gray Eyelets from Flea Market Fancy.  I had a really hard time letting this pillow go, but hope that it will bring my partner joy!

This is the sweet zippered pouch and goodies I received from my partner in the Pretty Little Pouch Swap #7!  :)