Bee Block Catch Up

Once school ended, I finally had the time to catch up on bee blocks.  It's been non-stop measuring, cutting, re-measuring, sewing, seam-ripping and re-sewing for many days.  Just so you know, I wasn't really as behind as it appears.   I offered to make missing blocks for everyone in Stash Bee 4.  I enjoyed making the blocks the first time around and knew once the school year ended that I would have extra sewing time. 

For Sara - Stash Bee 4 - January

Celine - Stash Bee 4 - February

Samantha - Stash Bee 4 - March

Sally - Stash Bee 4 - April

Chelsea - Stash Bee 4 - May

Ruth - Global Scrap Bee - May

Stephanie H - Scrap-bee-licous - May

Barb - Global Scrap Bee - June

Linking with:

Let's Bee Social!

Whatever Happened to ....

Yes, I've been missing for longer than I realized.  Time sure flies when you aren't paying attention.  May was a blur.  Closing out my work year and getting ready for summer.  Did I sew in that time?  Of course!

I spent of my sewing time making gifts for all my fabulous classroom volunteers and grade level co-workers.  I used the Open Wide Zippered Pouch tutorial found on Noodlehead.  Once I got started, it was easy to keep going.

I made 27 pouches in several sizes: 9", 12" and 14".  

I used different fabric combinations for all the bags, no two are alike.  This is a great way to use leftover fabric or even fabric that you thought was great or fun when you bought it and now can't figure out what to do with it.

I tried several different interfacings.  I used Pellon 809 Decor Bond, Pellon 808 Craft Fuse and when I ran out of those I used Pellon 911FF.  I found the first two really helped give shape to the bags.

I rushed to get these photos, I was packaging the gifts - oops, forgot to pick off the stray thread!

  

 Inside, I sewed my label.

And now......... I need to make one for me!

Black, White & Yellow

Here's the story:  My husband wants a quilt.  Okay.  A quilt he shall get.  It took forever for him to choose colors.  Finally, he chose - black, white and yellow.  So I started shopping.

My first attempt at choosing fabrics for him.  Fairly successful but not in love with this group.  No matter what, I was using the taxi fabric!  Then I shopped some more and purchased other black, white and yellow fabrics.  Did I have a plan?  Of course not!

Looking for inspiration, I browsed several magazines and saw this block by Amy Smart, All Roads Lead Home, in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks,  Vol 8.

Not sure how this would look, I took out the graph paper & colored it in.  Hubby said he liked it.

I started cutting and making a plan.....

48 blocks later......and lots of trimming

Start the layout on the design wall....

And keep going.....

Here's half the quilt on the wall. I have a bit more trimming and then I'll begin sewing the blocks.  With any luck, I'll get the top pieced by Sunday.  

Check back in a few weeks (it'll take me at least that) an see the finished quilt!

Linking up with Let's Bee Social and WIP Wednesday!

It's Been A Busy Week

Spring Break has come and gone and not a finish in sight. I started last week with a long list, which never shrank and only grew.  So what did I cross off the list?

1.  With the help of my sister, installed an 8' x 7' design wall. (Yahoo!)

2.  I pieced all 48 blocks for my husband's quilt (More details to follow).

3.  I quilted a pinwheel quilt for a friend's daughter, hand sewing the binding on the back (photos to come).

4.  I pieced a charity quilt from leftover blocks - ready to back & quilt.

5.  Started quilting my scrappy peel quilt.

6.  Started a triangle quilt (Thanks to Paula of The Sassy Quilter).

7.  Practiced paper piecing.

8.  Backed and basted a baby quilt (perhaps for charity)

9.  Cut & organized pieces for a Stash Bee Block

Check back for more details!

Thank you for stopping by!

TLP Progress

I am really glad that I committed to the The Library Project.  Although it's slow going, I am sticking with my plan to complete the 6 choices previously mentioned here.  I see the light at the end of the tunnel for this quilt.  Is it a finish if the top is completely pieced?

Curves All Sewn

Flower Blocks

Completed Top Waiting for a Backing!

On to the next project!

Linking to Show Off Saturday @ SewCanShe

Thanks for stopping by!

Can You Believe - Queen Bee Twice in One Month

It's true!  It's also my month in the Scrap-Bee-Licious group.  This is the first Bee I ever joined.  I have learned a great deal from all of them whether because of their blocks, blogs or email conversations.  Such a terrific group!

Last month we used lots of little HSTs, and although I looked for something without them, I just couldn't find something that spoke to me.  My choice is My Stars Align from Stitching and Bacon.  I think this will be a great group project!  My bee mates produce such wonderful work and I always love their fabric choices.

On to the block!  Each block uses 3 fabric selections plus white for trim.  I would love to have one color be any grey - solid or print.  As for the other two fabrics - I'd like one to be stronger than it's coordinating "lower" volume companion.  Here's a look at some of my pairings.

It takes 4 (4x4) squares which trim down to 3 1/2" squares.  It also takes 4 (2.5 squares) for the corner pieces.  This should be the same gray as in the star.  I prefer the trim be white - solid or white on white. The block finishes at 13.5" square.  

Here's a sample of blocks showing my color ideas.  

 Happy Sewing!

Global Scrap Bee - April is My Month!

I have been eyeing the Colorado Beauty Block for months.  I saw the most delicious pillow on Material Girl Quilts and ever since, knew that I wanted to make (have) this block.  It's super easy to make.  It's HSTs, my favorite, and goes together quickly.  I would like the block to focus on one color (of your choice) with white as the background color.

This weekend I whipped up a sample.

Cut 8 (4 x4) white squares.  Cut 2 (4 x4) of each print or solid.  Match each print/solid to a white square.  Sew HSTs in pairs, then rows and then stitch the rows together and it's done!

To reduce bulk, I press the HST seam to one side and then press all other seams open.  

Don't fret if the pinwheel spins the other way!  That block is called Lucky Pieces and I love that one just the same.

Links to help you:

Fresh Lemon Quilts

Block Central

Thank you in advance and as always, thank you for taking the time to stop by!