Three Bee Blocks

There is nothing like a basic nine patch.  These were made for the Comfort Quilt Bee.  I was trying to grow my blue stash, but I discovered I am still very short on selection.  I need to work on that.

This block is for Stash Bee Hive 1.  I have not used wonky triangles before.  It was harder for me to do than I expected.  Sometimes, I still have trouble letting go of the "rules."  There is also a geometry problem of making sure the triangles are big enough to make sure they cover the corner.  I got lucky for the first few until I figured out how to make it work better for me.  Then, I got to make a wonky star.

I can't believe this is the first one of these I have made.  Fear had stopped me.  Now, I feel very comfortable with the process, and I like the look.  This is for Stash Bee Hive 2.  You would think with a name like Stash Bee, people would be encouraged to use from their stash.  Not so, for me.  This months leader requested "modern" fabrics in bright colors.  I don't usually purchase this genre of fabric, so I had to go in search of.  I found a charm pack of Sassy by Sandy Gervais to purchase.  Now, I have most of it left.  I think I may make a bunch of these stars up using the rest.  First, I have to decide on a background.  The Kona Charcoal is dramatic, but too cool a neutral for me.  I agree with Freddy Moran who says that red is a neutral.  I am going to go more in that direction.

Now that my bee blocks are done, I am going to work on the Improvirobin piece that has arrived, and the International Robin piece.  There are also several other things I want to get started on before the week is over.  It is going to be a smokin' time in the studio this week.

Joyful quilting, everyone.

Friday in the studio

Blue painters tape is my friend.  I have debated several different ways to quilt this little doll quilt, and finally decided on cross hatching.  I am not the queen of straight lines, so I dug out my trustee painter's tape and created a grid.  I could have used a fabric marking system, but have not had success finding something that I like.  I thought the magic blue pen that goes away with water that is all the rage would be the thing, but I get so frustrated trying to get it to really go away.  Usually, it takes three times with water before it stays gone.  Anyway, the tape works great for straight lines.  I used the fantastic, fabulous, wonderful walking foot that my fantastic, fabulous, wonderful sister gave me for my birthday, and the quilting was done in no time flat.  Just quilt one way, remove the tape, lay the tape in the other direction, then finish the quilting.  I have the binding on and ready to sew down this evening.  This little fun piece will head for parts east this weekend.

This is the other thing I finished today.  It is for the Stash Bee.  It is supposed to have perspective, but my husband thinks the rows of pink flowers going off into the distance are just confusing.  I had great fun creating this windmill house.  The blocks are all different kinds of houses.  I think this will be a fun quilt.

I have two more things I have to get in the mail by Monday.  One is done, and the other is almost done.  Then I can work on my April challenge from Modern 8 Create, this weeks Peach color challenge at 15 Minutes Play, and the piece for the International Robin.  Of course, there are May bee blocks, the May doll quilt, and my H2H quilt to finish by the end of next month.  I am also taking three days of workshops with Gwen Marston in the middle of May.  Another fun month to look forward to.  As long as I keep working on these small pieces, I don't add to my growing pile of quilts that need quilting.  I really need to get that stack done.  I also need to clean the studio!  So much to do, and so little time.  What's a quilter to do?

Joyful quilting, everyone.

Finally, I am back

It took almost a full week, mostly in bed, but I am finally back and feeling well enough to get into the studio.  Thank you so much for all your warm get well wishes.  I am sorry I didn't answer each one personally.

Today, I made some bee blocks, but I am only going to share one of them here.

This is the March block for Hive 2 over at Stash Bee.  I love looking through my batiks for tree fabric.  This one is a deep blue ginkgo leaf pattern over the browns and tans.  When I drew the tree, I wanted to capture the gnarls and some darks and lights to make it more alive.  Then, I found some fern like patterns on another green/gray batik and used that as leaves.  The nest is yet another batik with heavy thread play.

I used a machine buttonhole stitch for the tree and leaves.  The background is Kona Azure.  The block is 12.5" x 12.5".  I have really enjoyed making the two trees I have made for Stash Bee Hives.

I have been trying to keep up with what is going on in the blog world.  One important thing to take note of is the upcoming sign-up for 2012 Hands 2 Help charity quilting event.  Sign-ups begin tomorrow over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  There are two charities to select from, or you can make one for each.  You can even ask for a partner to select a palette for you from Design Seeds if you like a challenge.  I would love to see all of you sign up for this great event.  There are loads of prizes.  I am even a sponsor this year, with a great prize from Intrepid Thread.

Speaking of Intrepid Thread.  If you have not shopped there, you should.  Julie has a new shop up online now, and she has some great sales.  I haven't been able to beat her prices anywhere on her regular priced fabric.  I also love the different lines she carries.  No, she is not a sponsor of mine.  No, she has not bribed me to say this.  In fact, I doubt she will even know I have been talking about her.  Her service is just that great, and so is her shop.

I guess that is all for now.  It is great to be back.  Joyful quilting, everyone.



Stash Bee Blocks

I think I mentioned that I am the queen bee for Hive #2 over at Stash Bee.  I decided I want to create a rainbow quilt with string blocks.  I am so excited about the blocks that have been coming my way.  I just got a squishy from the UK today.  There are 20 members in this hive, and I have asked for one or two 8.5" blocks from everyone.  I said they didn't have to be trimmed.  It is so much fun to see all the fabrics.  The siggy blocks are great because they list the names and the places of origin.  For now, I will just keep adding the blocks to the design wall as I get them.

I have been doing other things, but I can't show them for now.  One, I will post tomorrow, but it is a surprise for now.

I will be with Bella for the next three days.  Until Friday, joyful quilting, everyone.