Thursday, April 28, 2011

I Spy Collection

Over the last few years I have made several I Spy themed quilts (here, here and here, and here)...all of them for my grand children and in different patterns. I've found that three years old is the perfect age to begin playing this game with kids. Younger children can certainly enjoy looking at all the hidden pictures in an I Spy but at three they finally have the attention span to really get involved. 


Because Lula is turning three in July, it's time to get busy on her fun quilt. Jane will enjoy it too, I'm sure!
Yesterday, I was pumped to get started....here's what I have so far..... If you are unfamiliar with an I Spy quilt, just imagine looking at all the pictures on the quilt with a toddler and taking turns saying "I spy with my little eye....." and then giving a hint, like an orange owl, or a pink bird, etc. Sometimes we use a little car or trinket to put on the picture when it is found.
 I'm really liking the pattern I'm using this time, even though it takes some thinking to keep it straight. My seam ripper came out at least once last evening!
I'm going to need 100 different squares for this quilt. Would anyone want to do a swap if I organized it? We would need at least 20 participants to make it work, I think. Let me know if you would be interested. I'm planning to do a tutorial on the pattern also. Meanwhile, I'll keep searching my collection for more possibilities!

22 comments:

  1. i JUST last night finished piecing an i-spy! i've had the swap fabrics for a year now!

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  2. I don't 'do' swaps, but would be happy to send some of my novelty stash if you would like to email your address.

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  3. I love the idea of I SPY quilts but don't always love the execution. Yours, I love! I will be very interested in this tutorial. Thanks in advance!

    I don't know if I'd be interested in a large swap, but I personally have quite a few fabrics that I would be happy to send you swatches of in exchange for some from you, so we could each expand our I SPY fabric blocks. I have cowboys, hula girls, cats, dogs, sneakers, etc. I could send you a photo of the fabrics I mean if that would help. Let me know if it's something you are interested in. :)

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  4. I forgot to ask, what size are your center squares?

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  5. I'm not necessarily interested in a swap, but I'll send you some squares if you let me know what size you want. I do have to admit that clown fabric in the 2nd photo is freakin' me out a little, lol!

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  6. I'd be interested in participating in a swap! I love your Eye Spy quilts! I've made one, but have lots and lots and . . . novelty fabrics that I collected in anticipation of making more than one. The rest just haven't happened yet!

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  7. yay!! I'm so excited that Lula will be getting an eye spy quilt!! Can't wait to see it!

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  8. YES, I would love to do a swap! I've been watch for one I need to make one for a gift this summer.

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  9. I'd like to do a eye spy swap too.

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  10. I would definitely be interested in a swap. I was thinking lately that my son will soon be ready for an I Spy quilt, so I've been slowly collecting novelty fabrics. Sounds fun!

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  11. So cute!! Most of my I Spy fabrics are already cut in 4 1/2" squares. What size were you thinking? I've never done a swap, but there's always a first time :).

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  12. I would definitely be in for a swap. This pattern is so cute! Takes away some of the busy-ness of other I spy quilts I've seen.

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  13. I might, Carla. 4 inches or 5? Pre-washed or not?

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  14. I would *very much* like to participate in a fabric swap for this kind of quilt! It would be my first fabric swap, and I promise I could find some fun fabrics for this!

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  15. i would LOVE to do a swap for an EYE SPY ... we started collecting fabric for an 'eye spy' several years ago. Would love to swap focus fabrics - Looking fw to the tutorial too~!
    lmk!
    this is going to be a fun swap ...

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  16. ... oh, ps. do you make your 'E.S' with pairs to find the matches? ... that's what i was planning - so, i'd like to swap in pairs - if possible!

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  17. Carla, these blocks are so fun and pretty. I can imagine how fun it will be to share good times with your granddaughter exploring the quilt.
    I would love to be in on the swap, if that would work out....
    ; )

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  18. Count me in on your swap. I really, really like your design, but more importantly, I appreciate knowing that the "right" age is three! Whew. That gives me a year-plus before I need to get started. Thanks!

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  19. Count me in. It is time for me to make on too! August will get here faster than I think! So fun!

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  20. Sounds like fun, Carla. I'd love to join your swap!

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  21. Can't wait for the tutorial--I love this!!!
    and I am always game for a swap!
    Carin
    margaretshopechest@yahoo.com

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