Cotton + Steel Mini Quilt Swap

This Spring I signed up for my first Instagram mini quilt swap! When I saw that the Cotton + Steel Mini Quilt Swap opened up, I couldn't resist joining. I was paired with the fabulous Colleen, aka @busybean. After factoring in her preferences for pinks and blues, low volume, and things that are traditional with a modern twist, I decided to make another NY Beauty circle of geese.  

Last fall I bought a fat eighth bundle of Cotton + Steele's first collection, so I had a good base of fabric scraps to choose from. I supplemented with a few pink and blue selections from the Spring collection. 

I added my own twist to the pattern by taking the scraps from paper piecing and making itty bitty flying geese for each corner of the quilt. 

I also had fun making labels for the quilt with Melody Miller's Wordfind fabric. I made one that spelled out COLLEEN, and another that spelled out BUSYBEAN.

I let loose and completely improvised the back, which was SO MUCH FUN.

I also put together a fun box to send off the mini with a pack of rainbow tissue paper and my 1 inch circle punch. 

In the middle of the swap process, the swap organizer announced that the finished minis would be entered into a contest, and Cotton + Steel had generously agreed to donate fabric to the winners! I was beyond honored to be included as semifinalist.  

There were so many lovely mini quilts created for this swap. I was lucky enough to receive an absolutely gorgeous mini from Kelly of @islandgirl_4. I just love it and it looks so pretty on my wall.

I'm up to my ears in secret sewing, so I haven't been able to sign up for another swap yet...but it's only a matter of time.