Last Quilt of 2012

It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of Julie Herman's patterns and when I saw a sample of her Wonton pattern hanging in The Village Quilter, it was love at first sight!  

My mom had requested a quilt for a friend of friend's daughter who was having a baby.  The baby (a little girl) is a miracle baby.  The couple had tried for years to conceive and were unsuccessful.  They decided to give fertility treatment a try without telling their family as to not disappoint anyone if it failed.  It worked and their beautiful baby girl was born in December.

I started this quilt at the Philly Modern Quilt Guild retreat back in November and had the quilt top cut and pieced in an afternoon.  The pieces were cut using Jaybirdquilt's Hex N More ruler.  For the backing, I picked up a soft cuddle fabric in red and quilted with an allover stipple pattern.  The cuddle fabric was surprisingly easy to quilt with and was very forgiving in terms of tension issues.  I think it will be my go to backing for baby quilts because it's so soft and comfy!

Wonton Baby Quilt

Backed with soft, comfy, snuggle fabric :)

Quilt Stats: 

Pattern:  Wonton by Jaybirdquilts

Pieced & Quilted by Me.

Started on November 10, 2012.  Completed on December 18, 2012.

Fabric: ??  Some pulled from stash, Riley Blake, and Bungle Jungle by Tim and Beck for Moda.

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!

4x5 Modern Quilt Bee - Fall

The block I chose for the fall 4x5 modern quilt bee was from the Fresh Lemon Quilts Solstice Star Series. It was a fun, scrappy block to make.  I loved choosing fabric for these blocks and it was so fun to see them come together.  I think my least favorite of the bunch was mine!  I had a great time participating in the 4x5 bee and even signed up for the winter round.  

Photos of the blocks sent to my hive members {blocks are so wrinkled because they were almost sent out without taking photos of them first!}

4x5 block for mochawildchild

4x5 block for creativesun

4x5 block for jenniffer

4x5 block for sewswithcharlie

4x5 block for don'tcallmebetsy

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.

Announcing….

the South Jersey Modern Quilt Guild!!!

Our first meeting is Tuesday April 24th at 7pm.

Details can be found here.

P.S. Tell all your friends!!