Queen Bee!

This month it is my turn to be the Queen Bee in our Twilters swap, and I had such a hard time picking a block design. Every time I saw someone else's choice, I was like Rachel in Friends when she hears Monica's baby name.

Then I started down the path that always leads me to ruin - planning some elaborate original design. (I have a stack of UFOs to explain how that ends if you haven't seen this episode before.)

Finally, I've settled on a block that won't be too difficult for any of my hive, that won't send them digging for some super specific fabric in their stash, and will get me moving toward a quilt I've always wanted.

I'm asking for 16 Patch blocks made of 2" finished squares. My only other request is that you don't repeat any fabrics. I'm sure I will end up with some duplicates in the final project, but this will help reduce them and keep the quilt totally scrappy.

Just in case anyone needs instructions:

Cut a 2 1/2" square out of 16 different fabrics. 

Sew them together in pairs,

and then into four patches. Press in opposite directions so the seams nest.

Sew the four patches together into pairs,

and then into the finished 16 patch block. Voila!

This makes a great leaders and enders project while you are sewing something else. If you are having fun and would like to clean out a few more scraps, feel free to make more than one. Send it to me or start a postage stamp quilt of your own.

Thanks for swapping!

WiP Wednesday - Where Was I?

It's WiP Wednesday, and I'm back to The Pit Boss's Turning Fifty quilt. I've been distracted for awhile. First I had to finish the String Spider Web quilt for the East Cobb Show.  Then I've been quilting a lot for the #machinequiltingbloghop. Plus the monthly blocks for the Twilters bee swap.

This week has been the usual Independence Day celebration with the cousins and more food than should be legal, but I've been sneaking some time in the mornings before everyone else is awake to do a little bit of sewing. I've managed to make two more blocks, so I'm halfway done. 

I have to go back to work tomorrow. One of the team service projects is to pack lunches for kids in need. The team decided that we should decorate the lunch bags to make it a little more fun, and they handed out plain white bags so we could all pitch in. I decided that this was as good a chance as any to practice free motion quilting designs! 

What are you working on? 

WiP Wednesday - String Blocks for the Queen

It's WiP Wednesday and this week I'm recovering from vacation by catching up with my Twilters bee blocks for June. Nothing like the last minute, right?

This month is Carmit's turn to be queen, and she requested these cute string blocks and even wrote up a tutorial for how to make them. These are perfect for using up strings and strips leftover from binding or when you square up a quilt. 

I started pulling all of the different colors together to see what I had. This is when Bonnie Hunter's Scrap User's System really comes in handy. It felt great to get this 1 1/2" strip bin cleaned out.

I had fun making these, but it's got me thinking. My turn to be queen is in October, and I have no idea what block to request. Any suggestions for a good scrappy swap block? So many of my favorite ideas have been taken. There's no rule that I can't pick an "encore," but I'd like to do something different.

My design wall is a little stagnant. Once the Machine Quilting Blog Hop is done next week I can get back to The Pit Boss's Turning Fifty quilt. Speaking of the hop, have you entered the drawing to win a copy of The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting? The Rafflecopter widget is in the post right before this one. Be sure to visit Kristin, Vicki, and HollyAnne for more chances to win.

What are you working on this week?

WiP Wednesday - Bee-hind!

It's WiP Wednesday and I'm a little behind on my #Twilters bee blocks. I hadn't made April's blocks, and now May's are posted!

Don't you love these cute bow tie blocks that Kelly requested? They are so quick and easy to make. I started with two, but they make perfect leader/ender blocks, so I'll make a few more while I finish the May block.

Would you like to make some? Here's the tutorial by the fabulous Jenny Doan.




Next I needed to make the Pins and Paws block that Sharon chose. Once again, Jenny Doan gave us this adorable free pattern. 

Honestly, isn't she just the best? So generous with her ideas, talent, and smile!




What are you working on?

WiP Wednesday - All the Pinwheels!

It's WiP Wednesday, and there's a lot going on this week in my studio. First, I finished my March block for the Twilters bee. Janet requested Cheerio blocks based on this tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Company. I love it! Even though applique is not my strength, I managed to get this circle cut out and fused before using a decorative stitch to sew it down. (Hint: I used my smallest rotary cutter around the edge of a glass pie plate.)

Then I declared Sunday a Sew Day and finished all of the pinwheel blocks for The Pit Boss's Turning Fifty Quilt. I love the colors!

Unfortunately, I pushed myself a little too far and managed to cut not one but TWO of the blocks wrong. It was time to put down the rotary cutter and find something to work on with less challenging math.

The spider web quilt top has been haunting me, so I started piecing the back. I had this gorgeous stripe that had the perfect green and was the exact right length but not quite wide enough. Those piano key borders that I made and then rejected were just what I needed.

I broke out the big roll of batting for the first time!

...and basted the quilt. Now I'm slowly but surely stitching in the ditch and contemplating the rest of the quilt design. I'm sure I could find a few ideas in this book. (more on this coming soon!)

I love checking stuff off my list!

What are you working on?

WiP Wednesday - Packing for QuiltCon!

It's WiP Wednesday and I'm packing for QuiltCon!

It's a balancing act. I mean, where's the line between comfortable and willing to have my picture taken? Seeing as much of the show as possible and still spending time with people I literally never get to see? Sticking to a healthy diet and enjoying the long weekend?

See what I mean?

As for actual quilting this week, I made a block for a swap I'm in...and get to hand deliver it in Savannah!

I also started cutting out The Pit Boss's quilt and made the first block. This isn't the block, but I'm so beside myself about how great my points came out I had to share this picture again.

The white board is helping to keep me honest. Last weekend we were visiting Deuce in Tuscaloosa (and meeting his girlfriend's parents! How am I old enough to have a kid old enough to have a girlfriend???). Grace added to the list.

I'm so excited to meet some of you in person and catch up with some quilty friends. Hope to see you there...or follow all the action on Instagram and Twitter!

WIP Wednesday - Birds in the Air

My Birds in the Air blocks are here!

Recently one of the Twilters suggested a block swap to celebrate the launch of Frances's book, Birds in the Air. For once in my life I didn't wait to start working on my blocks at the last minute. For once I beat the deadline with time to spare. The waiting was excruciating!

But they're here! The blocks are here and I love them. It is such fun to look through and see the familiar names mixed with the new. My Middle Child and I were choosing our favorites last night - how can you pick just one? - and he couldn't believe the ones from so far away. (Whoops! I must have forgotten the pick of OzzyPip's block from Australia!)

I'm working on a layout now, and think I have one I like. I'm keeping it a little bit of a surprise until the top is together. I keep going back to my studio to look and swap blocks around and then leave it for awhile so I can look at it with fresh eyes, but I think I might have landed on my favorite.

I am so grateful to Tina for organizing and to everyone who participated!

What are you working on today?

WIP Wednesday - Remembering How to Sew

Today's WIP Wednesday is fabulously full of fail.

It's like I forgot how to sew.

Last night The Pit Boss had to work late, so I decided to get back to my machine. I'll start with something simple, I thought, just to get back in the groove. Maybe I'll make a block for an upcoming swap, I thought.

So I chose pretty fabrics and pressed and cut out all the pieces. I marked my diagonal lines and started sewing.

At some point I realized that I didn't need a 8 7/8" half square triangle block. so I took them apart. (Yes, I made two before I figured this out. It's so much more efficient when you can make your mistakes assembly line style!) And we know how awesome it is when you have to rip out stitches on a biased edge!

Then I started stitching the pieced half of the blocks. This isn't it either. ~sigh~

Finally I finished both blocks, and they are the right size and the diagonal lines are at 45 degrees! I had a little moment of panic when I couldn't remember if I had reversed the color placement, but a quick check of the pattern shows that this is right after all.

It feels good to be sewing again, but also a little scary at how out of practice I am. I'll just have to spend lots of time getting my groove back in the weeks to come!

What are you working on?



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Making Connections - Fitness Friday with OzzyPip! Plus #LDSI and a Postcard Swap

One of my favorite things about being a quilter is how social it is. From the quilt bees of long ago to the virtual sew-ins on Twitter or Instagram, quilters like to work together and see what other quilters are working on.

My #twilter friend OzzyPip, who has been great about reminding me to post the Throwback Thursday links, has started her own linkup for Fitness Friday. This is where we are supposed to post our progress and cheer on other quilters in search of better health.

My Fitness Friday update is pretty short. The Pit Boss has been working hard to help cook healthy meals and push invite me out the door after dinner for a walk with the dogs. After a completely off schedule summer and two weeks of back-to-school insanity, I think we might be settling back into a routine after this weekend. I'm looking forward to having my FitBit recognize 5 digit numbers once again and get the scale moving in the right direction.

Of course, when we have a long weekend, it's time for a sew-in on Twitter. I'm hoping to actually get some sewing done this weekend. Come join us using #LDSI!

Last, Sandi over at Quilt Cabana Patterns has announced a fall postcard swap. Sign up to send and receive a fall/Halloween themed postcard. These are such fun, quick projects that allow us to own a piece of art that one of our online friends has made.

What are you up to this Labor Day weekend?



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Fabric Postcards, Fourth of July, and Family!

I am whoop whooping it up because my boy is coming home and my brother's family is in town for our first visit with Batman. The only thing that makes me happier than all my kids under one roof is when my whole extended family is together.

This makes my heart so happy! #thirdchild

 There's been swimming, tons of good food, and so much laughter. There are little kids, big kids, KanJam, and Cornhole, not to mention hamburgers, hot dogs, ice cream, and s'mores. It might be my favorite week of the whole year!

I haven't been sewing much lately, so no finishes except my fabric postcard for the Summer Swap that Sandi over at Quilt Cabana Patterns organized.  I realized that I showed you the one Pip sent to me, but I wanted to wait until it arrived in Australia before I showed you the one I made for her.

After seeing how Pam used her daughter's art to inspire a quilt, I decided I would make my summer postcard in the style of one of my favorite paintings that Grace has done. She painted this at an art camp when she was about seven or eight, and I love it.

You can see all of the summer postcards in the Flickr group.

I'm linking up today with Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?  Sarah is hosting a quilt giveaway, so check it out!




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FAL Q1 Wrap Up - Not So Much

It's time to link up with Katy of The Littlest Thistle for Finish Along 2014!

Sadly, there's not much to report. My first item of business was to make a quilt for Another Little Quilt Swap 8. While I did get this finished, it doesn't actually count because I didn't use the leftover block like I intended. I started from scratch, so it wasn't a UFO.

My president's quilt and the 4" block swap? Never even pulled them out. Whoops.

I have made some good progress on the WannaBees Round Robin quilts. I have had two passed to me and finished one. The other is in the works, so I'm not holding up the line. I cannot wait to show these to you! It will probably be quite awhile, but everyone is pulling out the big guns on these. We are allowed to show them to the bee members who aren't the owner in between rounds, and I've already been warned that I'm going to cry when I see mine.

So I'm getting some stuff done, but not much on the FAL. Oh well...any day sewing is a good day!

Hope you're doing better on your list!



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Another Little Quilt Swap 8 - Mail Time!

 

Guess what was in my mailbox yesterday! My quilt from ALQS8!

I was the lucky recipient of Marei's quilt (she's blogless, so I'm linking to the post about her quilt on the Another Little Quilt Swap blog.

I absolutely love it, especially since it's not a technique or style I've ever tried. I hope you can see some of the gorgeous texture created by her weaving, stitching and interesting fabrics.

This ladybug peeking out makes me smile.

Marei also included this great stitched card. I'm not sure if there are little seed beads or gems embedded in the fabric on top of the leaf or if she bedazzled it. Either way, it shimmers like dew drops on new spring foliage.

What a clever idea for when I want to include an extra special touch to a gift or occasion.

Thanks, Marei! I love it!




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