Hi Red,
Well, I've spend this evening doing my blocks...but this is what I have....once I've finished the blocks and cleaned them up - I am left with 7" x 7 1/4" blocks - not 7 1/2"..is this going to be ok for the swap? Secondly, as you'll see by the photo, when I finished and cleaned them up some of the roof tops do not have the pointed bottoms....not sure why I encounted this when all of the photos show it otheriwse..but anyways, this is where I am...so, they are all done...now I just wanted to ask if they are ok for the swap...because if so, I'm ready to mail - otherwise, you may want to remove me from the list.
Please let me know what you think...
Thanks a million,
Bill

Here is a link that might be useful:

That's very interesting. Mine have all come out at 8".
Are you making 1/4" seams?

They are cute!

Thanks for the compliment.......I think I'm using 1/4" seams....I have to recheck now that you mentioned it because I was having so many problems with my machine on and off today I may have moved the needle - which should be why....anyways, I do like them - but I wanted to recheck to see if they are going to be ok for the swap.....
Have a great evening!
Bill

Bill- Your houses are very cute! Nice job! Like I said in a previous post, I haven't even printed out the directions yet! :0) I'm on vacation in April, so I will get started then. This is going to be a fun swap, and a cute quilt. Have a great week- JudyLee

They are fine Bill you did a nice job send them!
Red

Here are my house prototypes. Mine came out 8" which makes sense because the one strip that goes all the way across is exactly 8".

I am not too worried about the size I get for other swappers because I plan to put the "hill" sashing on all of mine. I am REALLY into these Happy Scrappy Houses and am making extras for a bigger quilt for me -- now all I'm worried about is that mine are too bright in comparison to all the others! (They will definitely stand out...) I did pick the yellow/blue fabric 'cause I thought it looked a little masculine and we have a guy in the swap. (Plus it's one of my favorite fabrics right now.)

Here are my two "model homes":

They are both adorable! There're not too bright for me!
I'll not worried about the size either. I can always adjust. I'm not sure whether I will make them tilted or use them in a scene but either way size won't matter that much!

Thansk Red and Judylee......
laurainsdca - love the blocks.....
This was a fun project....
I spent most of yesterday doing blocks...it was a day when I could get away to my sewing room and do things for myself...
I completed all of my 12 flower blocks for that swap, did one for the NKOTB birthday block swap - and did all of my scrappy houses...so I'm very excited...I love being creative with my fabrics...and the scrappy houses were a joy because it's so much fun to open up your scrap container (which is a big snowman cookie jar actually - sitting on the corner of my worktable...)...and see what kind of goodies I had stored in there....it's great to be able to used some of them up...
Have a great day everying....
Hugs,
Bill

laurainsdca - mine will also be bright. nothing subtle in my stash. working on them tonight. too much going on over the weekend so tonight i will start

Laura they look great!
Red

My Scrappy houses are done I am so excited about this swap!
After my batteries charge I will post a pic!
Red

Bill said:
"...the scrappy houses were a joy because it's so much fun to open up your scrap container (which is a big snowman cookie jar actually - sitting on the corner of my worktable...)...and see what kind of goodies I had stored in there...."

I say:
WHAT???? Your scraps fit into ONE snowman cookie jar? NO. NO. NO! This simply will not do! I don't care HOW big that jar is, you have not "arrived" until head won't fit on and scraps are spilling over onto the floor....

As you can see, I am new to quilting.... ..what a laugh I got out of that one - but note that the FQ's, 1/2 yards, yardage...the cotton fabrics and quilting notions are everywhere.....

Well ok then, you had me worried for a minute there! LOL.

Way to go Red!
Can't wait to see the pictures. I've got 8 (16) done!
I have gone thru my stash again and pulled out some brighter colors to use. Might as well have a mixture of both brights and plains!

This has been a lot of fun...just wanted to add that my blocks were sent out in Monday's mail....
Have a great evening everyone.
Bill

Here they are all done!
I'll get Red's address and get them in the mail by the end of the week.

I can't wait to see what the rest of you have come up with!

That stripped one may have to go! It looks a little better in person than in the picture but I may replace it.

Okay Bill I will post when received Susie I sent you my address I got your email I love your houses!
Red

Susie, they look AWESOME -- you have been busy!

It's funny, I was so worried about the deadline but got so excited they are already done -- seems like I'm not the only one!

I did decide to replace the stripped one so I haven't mailed mine yet.
Are we supposed to put our name on our individual blocks?
How do you recommend we do this?

Just add a piece of paper pinned to your blocks if you want don't sign them!
Red

I didn't even think about putting my names on the blocks.....
SORRY!!!!
Bill

I have taken to writing my name in marker on masking tape and putting it on the back of my blocks. I think it stays on fine and I don't have to deal with pins.

Susie, I was just looking at your houses again and I like the striped one.

They are on the way! I didn't have any pins other than straight so I just sewed with one stitch a piece of paper. The pieces of paper should come off easily but not to easily I hope.

Laura: I sent that block as an extra and told red to keep it but if she doesn't think she will use it she can send it to you! Masking tape if it doesn't leave a residue would be perfect for next time.

Y'know, I've never noticed masking tape leaving a residue, but on TV I've heard people say they use "painter's tape" for making lines on quilts because it does NOT leave residue. (Imply masking tape does?). But then I've not really compared masking tape to painter's -- I know painters use masking tape...

I made some more just for fun because I got so into it. Figured I'd show them to you guys.

I laid all the houses out and had my DH tell me which he liked the least. My idea was to weed them out to see if the two I am sending to the swap would be his favorites. Well he did not have the patience for my stupid game, but regardless the first on he picked as his LEAST favorite was the green one I am sending in! LOL. Sorry guys!!!! BUT he did like the Yellow/blue as his second favorite. What bummed me most was that his #1 favorite was the fabric I originally wanted to do my swap ones in but I thought others might not like it. :-(

ANYHOW -- little stories aside, here are my latest ones and there are more going under the needle even now.

I am claiming the striped one 2nd row 1st block LOL I love that block and I love susies striped block too it will have a twin LOL. I just love these little houses!
They all look great Laura!
Red

Hey, that striped block is YOURS Red!

With the exception of the blue top center I only have, oh, 4 or 5 yards of most of these prints... LOL. If anyone sees another fabric they really like, feel free to mention it. I'll put your name on it but then it's up to Red to see if she can keep 'em straight.

I like all of those blocks so any you send will be fine with me!

I can see that my stripped house would have been much better with a contrasting color for the door and window instead of the yellow!

Here are the ones I did a little somelthing extra.

That's a little flower window box in the top one.
The bottom left is a quilt hanging out the window to air.
I think I would do a regular 9 patch if I did it again.
Or since it's red I could have done a flag instead of one of the chimneys for a little red school!
The last one is the cat in the window. It looks just like my calico I inheritated! (no one else would take her)!

If you like to embroider you could do a lot of things with these houses. (I don't if I can avoid it).

Red: you should move your house pictures here so they are all in the same place!

It sounds like half of the houses are done! Way to go, folks!

Susie,

I love the cat and little quilt!!!!

I have learned a lot about contrast as I go with quilting. Sometimes I want to put two fabrics/colors I love together so much, but once they come together it's just all wrong. If you don't have the contrast you can't "see" the picture -- and other times, too much contrast distorts things in another way. Sometimes the resulting effect of two fabrics together is nothing like I earlier imagined.

Also, I have learned that where I love to look at, stroke, rub against, etc... pretty prints, a lot of times those do not work as well in a quilt because there is too much contrast w/in the print itself and it then distorts the "shape" I'm trying to create with the blocks. OR maybe one print like that and then the rest need to read solid or it's all a blur...

Your striped house seemed to have enough contrast though -- I knew that was a window!!! I have taken care to try to make sure my doors, roofs, and windows contrast enough to be distinguishable.

[IMG]http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b380/bghulsey/100_50612.jpg[/IMG] Here's mine (hopefully)! I need to be sure I have the address to send them to. Would you please send it to me? Thanks, ~Abbigail~

abbigail,you got mail!
sent you my address great blocks! Cute blocks susie!
Red

Great job! I like them all but especially the red brick ones with the brown chimneys.

Abbigail, those are fantastic! I can't wait!!!! Red - my houses are in the mail to you. I went a little nuts making extras, and combine those with the swap blocks I'll be getting back I think I've got over 40 houses. Once I make them "on hills" and then use some sashing, it will be a nice sized quilt for when I sit on the couch and watch TV!

Okay Laura I will post when I receive them. I also have around 40 houses now.....I just love these little houses!
Red

These houses are so cute! What a fun swap; they'll make great quilts.

Red, I have sent my houses to you today. You should receive them about Thursday.

Okay Lynn I will post when I get them!
Red

WOW! I'm way behind. I never got more than my twelve plus one extra to send and my 13 for me!

Now Laura and Red both have over 40! I'll have to catch up.
I got involved with taxes and some remodeling and then joined another house swap on another board that is way more involved than these cute houses. I'll get back to my happy scrappy houses soon! Unless I am making a wall hanging, which I don't intend to do at this time, my 25 blocks won't be enough.

I can't wait to see what you all have come up with!
I guess now that Lynn's are in the mail that leaves only judylee59 to hear from!
Way to go folks!

WOW!! you guys are fast!! I'm on vacation this week :0), so my houses will be on their way. I made 9 of them today and will make more tomorrow. Some of mine are kinda "wild" , so I'll try to tone them down a little. I'm using all scraps, and I had quite a few 2 inch strips already cut which made things easier. This has been a fun block. JudyLee

Judy,
As far as I'm concerned, "wild" is a good thing. (up to a point...!) They are "happy scrappy" not "sad mad" houses, after all! I've made even more and the more I make, the wilder they get.

Have a wonderful vacation!

Great news, Judy!

I think we all will get the record for the quickest turn around time in a swap since these houses are not even due until June 15th!
It would be tough waiting until then!

Judy did you mail your houses?
Red

Hi Red- I have not mailed them yet, but they are ready to go. I do need your address. I thought I had it from a previous swap, but I guess I misplaced it. I should be able to get to the post office tomorrow or Thursday. Thanks- Judy

Judy I emailed you my address.
Red

Thanks Red! Got your e-mail My little houes will be in the mail tomorrow. Judy

Did Judy's houses arrive?
I'm looking forward to receiving these before I go on vacation just so I know they are safe.

No not yet!
Red