January Bee Blocks

January is done! Did you blink and miss it like I feel I did? January was a busy month: new year’s, shipping my Schnitzel & Boo Mini, stalking the mailbox to see if mine has arrived (ps. it hasn’t), and turning 33. January also included some colorful, complicated feathers!

Janet from the Philly MQG selected feathers for her bee blocks. I was so nervous to cut into my pieced strips that I played with some paper first.

Cutting the paper first was a huge stress relief! I went on to successfully piece two feathers, a blue and an aqua one.

Janet provided us with the background and quill fabric with directions to make scrappy, monochromatic feathers. I dipped into my scrap bin and stash to make these two beauties.

I think these blocks were more stressful than my string circle block last summer!

What are you up to, any complicated bee blocks in your life?

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IG Mini Swap

It is official, I am now a swap addict! In November and December I participated in my first mini swap, the IG Mini Swap hosted by Sandy (@curly_boy1) and I have since joined in with the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap and the Rainbow Mini Swap hosted by Kate (@katebasti).

For the IG Mini Swap I was was paired up with @tracie_bailey and details that she likes teal, turquoise, orchid, and plum. By checking out her IG feed, I could tell that she liked Tula Pink so I headed out to find some.

I chose Round-n-Round by Canoe Ridge Creations for the pattern and selected two prints of Tula Pink’s Foxfield line and some coordinating solids from my stash to create this mini. I did some simple wavy quilting to finish it up.

I had some fun with the back with some tiny improv piecing and the salvage edge from the main print.

In return I received an absolutely gorgeous mini from Erin (@ermire); one that I had been admiring as she was working on it (and secretly hoping that it was heading my way)! I was thrilled to see it arrive on my doorstep.

Circular flying geese and rainbows! Trust me it is more stunning in person. The hand quilting is beautiful and adds a wonderful, personal element to the quilt.

While it was stressful creating a mini for a stranger, I loved the process of creating it, shipping it off, and waiting for it to be delivered. The waiting (mine was shipped to Australia)!! It was a great time and I am already looking forward to creating the mini for my Schnitzel & Boo partner – I have a plan!

 

Quilt Details

Pattern: Round-n-Round by Canoe Ridge Creations
Front: Leaf Zig Zag in Dusk (Fox Field) by Tula Pink, purple solids by American Made Brand and teal Modern Solids II
Back: Improv pieced with pieces from the front and a purple polka dot from my stash
Binding: Chevy Lace in Dusk (Fox Field) by Tula Pink
Quilting: Aurifil 50WT #2605 (a medium gray)
Finished size: approx. 24×24″

 

 

 

 

 

November’s Bee Blocks!

As we round into the Thanksgiving holiday I am reminded how thankful I am for my quilting friends who constantly make me think about color and push the limits of my comfort zone. Joining the Modern InstaBee was one of the best decisions I made this year, I have sewn curves, played with color, and generally paid closer attention to my sewing and I am now quicker to rip out a seam and try again. I am looking forward to seeing what the Philly MQG members throw my way!

November brings the ending of one bee and a beginning of another, the Modern InstaBee wraps up in December with my blocks (I cannot wait!) and I’m in the second month of the Philly MQG bee. Once again, I am ahead of the game and the blocks are already in their new homes.

Cordelia’s Garden was the November block in for the Modern InstaBee. Miki, who happens to be a Philly MQG member, chose aqua, red, gray and white. She preferred solids, but prints were ok so I chose prints with subtle patterns for some dimension. I love the brightness and simplicity of the color palette, it lends itself beautifully for this block. You can see all of my InstaBee blocks here.

Wild churn dash blocks were up for the Philly Modern Quilt Guild bee for Nancy. She requested orange, yellow, or red with a black and white. These blocks were so much fun and quick to make. As you can see, I went a bit “wild” with my fabric choices and went with a play on grids for the blocks.

Have you participated in a quilting bee before? Do you have one lined up for 2015? I am looking for another year long project to keep my creativity flowing and my sewing machine running.