Happy May!!

The spring round of the 4 x 5 modern bee is over!  I chose the Arkansas Traveler block using a tutorial and templates by Freshly Pieced for my hive.  It was my first experience with paper piecing and worked out fairly well.  It was fairly time consuming and messy which was not good for my OCD tendencies, but I pushed through and I love these blocks.

For Allison - black, gray, white, pop of aqua

For Emily - yellow orange, turquoise, & gray

For Allison - pink, purple, & aqua

For Lisa - aqua & tangerine

For Ellie - red, navy, & yellow

And unfortunately I was a day late sending 4 of my blocks....I procrastinated until the day before the mailing deadline {because I was a scaredy-cat wimp about paper piecing} and then finally got my cookies together.  Yes, I said cookies....that's the toddler talk coming through!  Made 4 in one night after work...exhausting but worth it.  

Next up:  Blocks received from the spring 4x5 modern quilt bee....

Bee Wrap Up

The Simply Modern bee ends in April. I've done 2 rounds of a Garden Fence block bee and have enough aqua and red blocks for a quilt now!   I ended up with almost an even number of blocks with red borders and aqua borders --which is fantastic.

I completed both my March and April blocks this week and got them out the door.  I'm so glad to have these off of my plate!

March Simply Modern Bee Block for QuiltyGirl2

March Simply Modern Bee Block for fushigi88

April Simply Modern Bee Block for Quilty McQuilterton

April Simply Modern Bee Block for Quilting&Cussing

Fabric used in the blocks are a variety of Lizzy House Pearl Bracelets, Joel Dewberry Modern Meadow, Momo It's a Hoot and Oh Deer, and Violet Craft Madrona Road --all from stash

February Bee Blocks

This month I had fun playing with purple!

Rachel requested shades of purple for her block. {She also has the cutest little daughter, go check out her blog!}

Nanette requested purple & green. It seemed like the perfect chance to use some of my new Lizzy House pearl bracelets prints as I recently purchased this yummy 1/2 yard bundle on Etsy. {My favorite prints are the blues!}

Awful iphone pic!

March's blocks should be fun - raspberry & lime and blues & greens (like sea glass).

Simply Modern Bee

The simply modern bee on Flickr is over halfway through! It seems like everyone is keeping up {YAY!} and I've seen some great blocks in the pool. For the bee, we are working from stash and are using the Garden Fence Tutorial. Each month the queen bee(s) get blocks sent to them in their colors.

November - Orange & Aqua for Micchia

November - Purple & green for sewneatbycaryn

December - Blues for vbobro

December - Yellow & Gray for fresh raspberry quilts

January - Red & aqua for me

January - Red & aqua for k9toywear

I've received almost all of my blocks from January and should have an update with how my red & aqua Garden Fence quilt is coming together soon.

4x5 Modern Quilt Bee - Winter

I was so excited to participate in the winter round of the 4x5 modern quilt bee on Flickr that I even set a calendar reminder for the sign ups....yep, I'm a nerd!  But seriously, it was worth it!

This time I picked my block right away, got my fabric pulled, and then stalled out.  I picked a block from In Color Orders HST Block of the Month {who, by the way, has the CUTEST fabric line currently in stores} but the block just didn't feel right so I started the process over.  I ended up with a simple Broken Wheel pattern.  I was worried the size wouldn't come out right so I made the test block in my colors {purple & gray}.  The block came out a little small....for the rest of the blocks I used a scant 1/4" seam and a little creative pressing.  Most of the blocks came out exactly 12.5" unfinished with a few just slightly under that.

Test block 

4x5 block for marci (our hive's caretaker)

4x5 block for AmieJDesigns

4x5 block for drkornea2010

4x5 block for Oh, Fransson!

4x5 block for Momma Thomps.

Sign ups for the next round are supposed to begin very soon so if you're interested in joining keep your eye on the 4x5 Modern Quilt Bee flickr group!

Bee Mistaken

I was so happy to have finished all of my blocks for the Simple Bee....and then I saw it.

I was addressing the label on the envelope and saw purple, aqua, & maroon as Mermaid Sews's color choice.  This is certainly not purple, aqua, & maroon.

I remember thinking to myself while making this block, who requests purple & red?!?  I did my best to choose  purple & red fabric that went together {is that possible?} and was OK with the result.  After I realized my mistake, I was never so happy to take apart a block.  Yes, I could have just made another block, but the purple & red block just felt wrong.  Now that they are separate....I'll use the red center for my aqua & red blocks, and re-use the purple to make the correct color block!

At least my other block for August was right!

Simple Bee Block for SewtoBed

I made my test block for the 4x5 modern quilt bee.  I made it in my colors (purple & gray) using this tutorial, although I wish I would have went a little heavier on the purple.  The block is very easy to construct.  The fabric selection & cutting are the most time intensive.  The block is perfect for scraps as well.  I've started pulling fabric for my hive and can't wait to get sewing!

New Bee(s)

I don't know if I'm crazy but I joined a new (to me) bee and started another one - Simply Modern Bee.  Simply Modern is a continuation of the Simple Bee which uses the Garden Fence Tutorial.  Sandy, the Simple Bee Mama, was not running another round of Simple Bee & said I was free to run my own.  Yay!
(There are still a few spots left if you are interested.)

Here are my July blocks for the Simple Bee:

July Simple Bee Block for craftycamel - red & gray

July Simple Bee Block for kritta22 - pink & red

The other bee that I joined is the 4 x 5 Modern Quilt Bee --thanks for the heads up Becky!  I'm really excited about this one!  I need to make 5 blocks (+1 for me) total, one in each member's color scheme using my stash.  I've already picked my block for the group and plan on making a test block this weekend.  The bee runs until November so I better get busy making my 5 blocks!  For my blocks I chose shades of purple, gray, and white for my background.

The Catch Up Game

The Simple Bee was over in August but I'm still playing catch up.  Blocks for May & June were mailed back in June.  July & August's blocks are waiting to be sewn together.....I have no idea how I got this far behind!

Simple Bee Block for  Sandy (May)

Simple Bee Block for Tiffany (May)

Mary took both spots in the bee for June.  She requested combinations of gray, orange, and yellow.  I really like how these blocks came out and I hope they fit well in Mary's quilt.

Simple Bee Block for Mary (June)

Simple Bee Block for Mary (June)

Bee Blocks 2.0

It’s been a long time since I’ve visited this bloggy space.  I always think I’m going to have more time than I actually do.  Making big plans to clean, sew, or visit with friends…which always ends up never happening for one reason.  

She sure is cute though!

I’ve managed to keep up with my bee blocks for the Simple Bee though.  It’s been easy since I’m using my own scraps and the blocks are easy.  See for yourself!

March Bee Block for Alisha

April Bee Block for Anna

April Bee Block for Heather Rae

We’re using the Garden Fence Block tutorial from Hyacinth Quilt Designs.  My month was March and I requested red and aqua.  I’ve received most of my blocks already and can’t wait to put them together.

Scrap Bee Complete

So my first and only bee is wrapping up.  I have to say it worked out perfectly.  We’re finishing up 2 months early as we had 2 participants drop out…who just happened to have the months of November and December.  Perfect for me since who knows how much time I’ll have to sew with a newborn…who’s arrival is late!

For August. our bee mama asked for a block to make Mona W’s European Stories Quilt.  A very easy block to make…I was really hoping to send Corley an appliqued block but nothing came out quite right so I fussy cut a MoMo print.  I dove into the scrap basket for the border and love the scrappy outcome. 

I was slightly confused about September’s block…Christine requested a Scrappy Depression Block, basically sewing a bunch of half square triangles together any way we wanted.  I might have taken it a bit too literally, because my block looks nothing like anyone else’s….

Pam requested a monochromatic, crazy, scrappy block using Aneela Hoey's tutorial.  We each picked a different color to send and although my pink scraps/stash far out weigh any other color I chose red to challenge myself.  I like how it came out but I don’t think I could make more than 2 of these blocks ever.  It’s good to try new things though.

I’m currently on maternity leave from work…baby girl is a little late arriving….5 days past so far!  Here’s my 34 week belly at my last Phil’s game of the season!

Here’s hoping she comes soon!!

More Bee Blocks

I’ve had more energy lately….and I think I might be starting to nest. lol!  I’ve been obsessed with cleaning, knitting little baby hats, and sewing for baby.  Cooking and food shopping have not been high on my list of priorities but one’s husband can only starve for too long before going to the market, right?!

Since I’m not up for basting large quilts on the floor quite right now, I decided to get a jump on July’s bee block.  This block is for Susan in the Scrap Bee.  Susan requested a “square in a square” block using aqua, orange, and green.   

Fabric for Susan’s block came from the scrap basket, except the orange.  I picked some up recently because I have very little orange in the stash.  Using orange scares me….I love the orange tulip print above, but when it comes to using orange I hesitate to put it into a quilt. 

Am I the only one with an orange (or other color) phobia?

My block for the Scrap Bee was May.  My plan was to make a few extra blocks for my quilt so it would be a little larger for the baby.

I’ve made two blocks so far using scraps from other projects.

My favorite print is that zebra one.  Isn’t it fantastic!  It came in a scrap pack I bought online so I only have a small piece.

The first block seemed really time consuming to make….these blocks go really smoothly if you have your scraps cut into strips and pressed.  The second block went a lot quicker once I organized my scraps.  Not sure how many more I’ll end up making, but if your scrap bin is overflowing I highly recommend these blocks using this tutorial.

June Bee Block

Happy Summer Solstice!!!

I can’t believe it’s officially summer…we’ve had hot & humid weather for the past few weeks.  I’m sure it’s a sign of what we’re in for the rest of the summer.

June is Jenniffier’s month for the Scrap Bee on Flickr.  She requested blocks using this modified bento box tutorial in aqua and tangerine.  I used my Central Park scraps (the only orange in my stash!) & a little Bliss fabric.  Block size ~ 16 inches.

I can’t wait to see Jenniffier’s quilt all put together.  It’s the perfect summer quilt!

Also, I’ve received the majority of my spiderweb blocks for May in the Scrap Bee.  Sneak peek of the progress on that coming soon!

Playing Catch-Up

So I guess it’s not surprising my bee block for March was late too…after the whole Doll Quilt swap debacle.  I really have done zero sewing over the past few months…up until recently that is.

For March, Kristy asked for wonky stars.  I have such a tough time with all things wonky, but I gave it my best shot.  I used Just Wing It by Momo and I think I like it. 

Sarah’s bee block for the Scrap Bee for April.  Sarah asked for string blocks….pretty easy, except I made the wrong size.  Thankfully bigger so I trimmed it down and off it went. I dug into my scrap basket for this one (some Momo, Amy Butler, and Tula Pink among others).

I’ve really enjoyed the bee so far.  I’ve made 4 blocks that I’ve never made before….I definitely like making string blocks and am going to add a string quilt to my to do list.

May is my month in the bee!  I’m pretty sure I’m going to ask for spiderweb blocks.  Can’t wait!

February Bee Blocks

It’s been a little quiet over here, huh?  Don’t worry!  I’ve been so busy…working on secret projects (which will be revealed very soon).  I haven’t even been able to keep up with my Sunday stash reports because I’m having trouble keeping track of my fabric out.  Crazy, I know!

Last night I managed to whip out this bee block for the Scrap Bee on Flickr.  It’s Jennifer’s month and she requested a square in a square block.  I had a slight math error at the end…but managed to work it out and come up with a 12.5x12.5” square.

Tonight’s goal….mug rug for the Philly Modern Quilt guild swap.

New Year, New Bee & A Blog makeover

I really need a blog makeover but I haven’t figured out how to do it yet.  I used to be pretty tech savvy in college (oh the things I used to do)…but I haven’t had the time to devote to teaching myself anything new lately.  If you have any tips, let me know.  For now, I’ll keep using the blogger templates.

My first bee ever started this month -  Scrap-bee Blocks {on flickr of course}.  It’s a stash busting bee – because each month we make a block using our own fabric and send it to the Queen/King  Bee.  It’s Dustin’s month and he requested donkey blocks.  At first, I was a little scared of the tiny 1” finished blocks, but once I started putting it together it wasn’t soo bad.  I consolidated some of the blocks so there would be less piecing.  I’m really happy with how it came out.  I wish I would have made it a little more fun, like some of the others in the group but oh well.  It’s done now! 

**Oh and BIG NEWS**

I’m so excited!  I got into Doll Quilt Swap 10!!!  SO EXCITED!  Participants were drawn by lottery so I was waiting and crossing my fingers, followed by more waiting, and received an email this weekend telling me I was in.  I can’t wait to get started!