Friday, February 12, 2010

A barter?

About a year ago I got an email from Mary at Quilt Hollow with a rather mysterious subject line. “Barter” was all it said. I had no idea what to expect when I opened the email but was really intrigued after I read it. She wanted to know if I’d like to do a “trade”. She’d quilt one of my quilts if I would make her a set of the Tisket a Tasket blocks in wool. After thinking it over, I thought it was a great idea!

So, each month as I posted my finished block we would “wink” at each other.

005-2

(I created a cute collage of these blocks but can’t get it to load to my blog. Hmmm, bummer!)

I had a medium sized quilt ready to go and she told me to send it to her right away so we could talk about how I wanted it quilted. We have such similar tastes that I knew it was in good hands. Little did I know that I sent her into a tailspin because she usually just did “all over” designs and she knew that this was going to have to be a custom job.

I felt really bad that she was so stressed about it so I told her to send it back and I’d send her another one. She refused and took it to her long arm gatherings for advice. I hadn’t heard from her in awhile (lots going on with my Mom) and then all of a sudden a couple of weeks ago, there it was on her blog. OMG…I thought I was going to hyperventilate! It was so gorgeous. Funny thing was…I had just finished putting the borders on Tisket and was getting ready to ship it off to her. Great minds….right Mary? 022

When mine arrived here, I quickly made and attached the binding so I could stitch it down in the car on another trip to Calif last week. Finished it by the time we got home and Wa-La, here it is.

Jo Morton quilt 051

Check out the quilting…Jo Morton quilt 049

Jo Morton quilt 054

Jo Morton quilt 057

Isn’t it wonderful? (Somehow I think I got the better end of this barter…LOL)

Have you ever thought of offering up your talents to someone who does something you can’t or don’t want to do or don’t even have time to do? If you haven’t, it’s something you might want to consider. After all, isn’t that the way business used to be done in the “olden” days?

I’m so grateful to Mary for suggesting this trade and in my opinion, it was a win win for both of us.

Thanks Mary. I love it!

(My quilt is a pattern by Jo Morton called “Jo’s Whig Rose” and is in her book “Traditions”.)

62 comments:

Karen said...

Your right, you both came out winners. Your applique work is beautiful and I so enjoy keeping up with your blog to see what your latest creation is. And Mary did a fabulous job on the quilt. I love the fabrics you chose and the border is beautiful. It all stands out so nice because of the way it was quilted.

Taylorsoutback said...

Love your quilts! The Whig Rose is wonderful. Agree with you totally about the barter system. A friend was overwhelmed with quilt tops needing borders or blocks needing to be assembled....she offered a fabulous twig loveseat which no longer worked in her house & I finished up a number of her projects. Win-win on both sides!
Will add you to my favorites - we share similar tastes!
Pop over for a visit.
Thanks so much for sharing.

Gayle said...

Looks like you're both happy with whan you ended up with. I'm working out the details of swapping one of my hooked rugs for hand quilting on a top I made years ago.

Carol said...

Beautiful, absolutely beautiful! Both quilts are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful :) This is a great win win situation. Trading was a real good idea. I am also bartering for some time already and I can recommend the Website www.barterquest.com
It is a cashless trading site, where you barter goods, services and real estate. I think it could be of interest for you.

Cindy said...

I think you and Mary BOTH benefited. Both are such talents.

While we lived in Egypt, you bartered for EVERYTHING, no matter what it was. I think our daugher got better at it than I ever did..LOL

Jocelyn said...

One of my quilting buddies asked me to make yo-yo's for a quilt she was working on. In exchange she made an applique border for a quilt I was working on. I still think I got the better part of that deal :-)

Kimberly said...

fab.u.lous.

Stina Blomgren said...

What a wonderful trade.. Lovely blocks made...and the quilting on your gorgeous quilt.. :o)Lovely idea!! :o)

Yvette said...

What a great trade! I'm not sure who got the better end of the barter. Both are stunning!

Loris said...

What an awesome trade. I definitely think you both won well. The wool blocks are wonderful and Mary's quilting added a beautiful finish to your quilt. You are both smart cookies!

Kaaren said...

All I can say is, "Yikes!" Make that double, "Yikes!"...one for you Anne and the other for Mary.

Now that's what I call a successful barter...both simply gorgeous!

paulette said...

I agree with Kaaren!! Absolutely gorgeous, times 2!! Well done, ladies!!
Paulette

Linda said...

Absolutely Ggorgeous!!!

Linda said...

Absolutely Ggorgeous!!!

Linda said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Karen said...

I think that was a good deal for both of you!

Janet said...

I just love your Whig Rose quilt! What a good trade. The basket blocks are set so nicely too. 2 lovely quilts!

Suburban Stitcher said...

Excellent barter! I think that you're both winners ;)

Jayne Honnold said...

This is a gorgeous quilt! I have always been a fan of bartering, but I've only done it once. My sister-in-law worked in a pottery shop as a painter. I was able to get a complete set of dinnerware from her in exchange for a quilt. It was a good deal for me, and I like to think she had a good deal, too.

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Anne:
It looks like you and Mary had a perfect deal. Both projects are beautiful.
Happy Valentine's Day!
xoxo
Donna
(There's still time to enter my two drawings ending at midnight on the 13th if you haven't stopped by yet!)

Kim said...

Whig Rose is absolutely stunning! I would say that you and Mary did each other a huge favor with this exchange of talents. Just wonderful!

antique quilter said...

Bartering is a great thing! The quilt is just beautiful
I started that quilt now I may have to finish it!
Mary did a great job quilting it, can't wait to see it hanging in your home.
great story
Kathie

loulee said...

Fantastic trade. Love your quilt, very pretty.

Crispy said...

I do believe this was a very even-steven barter. You both ended up with beautiful projects.

Crispy

Lori said...

I thinik you both won!
The whig rose is beautiful and the quilting makes it even more special!
I have made a few tops for my quilter and she quilts one of my quilts in exchange. It's always a good deal.

Gene Black said...

Wow both of you got a great deal. I love the barter system.

I need to try that with some other quilter/crafters.

Karen said...

Funny thing that "wink". I had noticed it but never put two and two together!! LOL! Wow! To barter seems a great thing to bring back into vogue! You and Mary have given the word a great start and perhaps encouraged others to give it a try. I think what you did is beautiful. Both the quilts and the bartering!! :0)

Wendy said...

You guys did wonderful with the trade. Why not, it's a win win for both. The baskets are gorgeous and every time I see Mary's quilting I'm so envious.

Candace said...

Isn't blog world wonderful, Anne? To think you two could combine your wonderful talents across the miles and both come out winners for sure!
Glad you're home!
Cheers!

Sharon said...

Gorgeous quilts! And what a great idea to barter! You both do beautiful work.

Carrie P. said...

That is so cool that you did that for each other. The quilt turned out great and she did a fabulous job.

Behind My Picket Fence said...

Your applique quilt is absolutely gorgeous!! So is the quilting!!

PamKittyMorning said...

Wow both are so wonderful what a great trade! xo

Pots and Pins said...

It's amazing and so are your blocks - I'd say it was a match made in quilting Heaven! Way to go - to both of you! xo, Nan

Kim said...

I love when both parties feel like they won.....I wish I could say I have had similar results.......

Happy sewing

Simple Home said...

What beautiful quilts. You're both very talented. Thanks for sharing these beauties.
Blessings,
Marcia

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

Both the quilts are beautiful - what a great barter!

Kim D. said...

Beautiful Anne, you both made out. Love your little quilt. My friend a Long Arm quilter and I talked about a similar trade. Although now she's gone back to work full time, so not much time to quilt.

Jeanne said...

YUP, Barter is a great thing and you two sure proved it works. Beautiful blocks and a wonderful quilt and an awesome quilting job. everyone wins. :) thanks for sharing.

Janet said...

Wow, great barter and great quilts. The job Mary did is wonderful and the quilt looks gorgeous. My Dh barters as he is in a trade and trades with other tradesmen sometimes. Like you say win, win.

Donna S. said...

Both are awsome!!!!!!!1

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lindy W said...

I keep waiting for more updates but know you've been busy. Hope all is well - love you - Lindy

LONA said...

I miss your blog- are you okay?

Sandra said...

Miss your posts. Hope all is well.
Sandra

Carrie P. said...

Been missing you Anne, hope all is well.

Kady said...

I just love looking at your beautiful creations. They're all lovely.

Yvette said...

Please check in, we miss you!

Cristina said...

Ciao dove sei??? tutto bene???
a presto
cri

Pat from Florida said...

I LOVE this Tisket a Tasket. When you do wool applique on a large quilt, what do you use for background? Are all the appliques wool, or are there some homespuns in there? It is wonderful! Yes, both winners, indeed.

Anonymous said...

I have missed reading your postings ~ hope all is well with you. from Jenny McH

Sharon from PA said...

Yes, I second that, I too miss your posts, updates, pictures, and all the things you make.
Hope all is well with you and family.
We miss you.

Sipiweske Quilts said...

Hope all is well with you Anne. I get so much traffic coming over from your site - not sure if you know how many people stop in to check on you? Looking forward to seeing what you've been up to . . . even if it's just tan lines on your feet! - Marlene

MiSala said...

Precioso, todo muy bonito ¡Felicidades!
Love your quilt, the Whing Rose is wonderful. Bye!

Perry said...

Love this quilt! You did a beautiful job!

Carole said...

Both quilts are stunning! Thanks for sharing!

Lisa said...

I have missed reading your postings on your blog. You have such great style and I love your work and your blog. I hope you are well, just wanted to let you know you are missed.
Lisa

JulieF1962 said...

Ditto on what Lisa said!

Stitched With Prayer said...

Okay, We have strict orders from Anne of Bunny Hill to tell you "It's time to post again"...LOL. After checking out your blog...I have to agree, *wink*. Hugs...

bobbie said...

I LOVE both quilts, both are winners. The fabrics you chose on Tiskets is fabulous. I enjoy reading your blog.

Anonymous said...

Had I known you were who you are when I stopped at the Bunny Hill booth at Market I would have said something about your blog. I've always enjoyed it and have been checking back for months--but am glad you are ok!