Choose Your Own BlockAlong 10/27/14

I am up to twenty Dear Jane blocks!  This block-along is keeping me on task.

Progress

Block J-4 directions are from a class I took years ago at a LQS.  I saved what block instructions were given, but sadly the class was canceled mid-session.  Fabrics used are Paint by Such Designs and Cotton+Steel basics.

Block J-4

I followed directions from That Quilt for Block J-6.   The polka dots are Kaffe Fassett and the background is Carolyn Friedlander Botanics.

Block J-6

Wonder how many blocks Michelle and Cindy made this week?  I know they've been busy as there has been quite a bit of activity on Instagram!  

If you're playing along, don't forget to link up over on Cindy's blog.

Thanks for stopping by,

Blogger's Quilt Festival: Fall 2014

It's time again for the Blogger's Quilt Festival hosted by Amy's Creative Side.  This deadline motivated me to finish my MCM Bee quilt....and the fact that my turn to be Queen Bee again is right around the corner!

"Intersections" spiderweb quilt

I asked my bee mates to make a spiderweb block with low value/volume background fabrics and bright scraps following the tutorial by House of A La Mode for piecing spiderweb blocks but requested they leave the wedges unassembled as I wanted to combine the wedges from my bee friends into making the spiderweb block from Jacquie's tutorial.  

spiderweb wedges made using House of A La Mode tutorial

Spiderweb block A

I then designed a layout with alternating spiderweb blocks and "filler" blocks.  These filler blocks only have strings on the outer sections of the wedge.  I love how this layout opens up the quilt giving your eye a place to rest in between the lovely-scrappy-craziness of the webs and actually makes the webs stand out. 

Filler Block B

closeup

This is my first time participating in an online quilting bee, and it's been the best experience!  I love these ladies who encourage and inspire.  I found myself getting quite emotional as each block was quilted, reminding me of this special group.   

blocks coming together

Even though I merged the wedges I received from my friends, I took photos of their block parts as they arrived so I could remember who made what.  I loved recognizing the fabrics and blocks.  Quite a few of these blocks were assembled at my summer quilting retreat, so some scraps were provided from my retreat friends which makes this quilt even more special.

Valori Wells Karavan on the back

The blocks made by me, the backing and binding all came from my stash.  My Valori Wells Karavan yardage is the perfect backing!  I pieced this cool elephant print with the signature blocks and a section of Valori Wells Nest.  The binding is from Connecting Threads. 

quilted with walking foot

The quilting idea was totally stolen from Crazy Mom Quilts!  However, she gave me the Aurifil #2600 in 50wt which was used for the piecing and the quilting.   Aurifil #1148 was used to hand stitch the binding.  That cute little purse came from Stitch Supply Co.

binding supplies

I named this quilt Intersections for a variety of reasons.  Scrap quilts are special because of the history behind those fabric pieces; whether given by friends, leftover from favorite quilt projects, cut from child's clothing or pulled from that prized stash fabric that you finally cut into, each strip of fabric tells a story.  This treasured quilt is a collaboration between friends who share a common passion and whose lives have intersected because of that common bond.  Thank you Anne, Carla, Carla, Cindy, Debbie, Deborah, Elizabeth, Linda, Mary, Mary,  and Susan!  I couldn't be happier with my quilt!!!

Intersections

Spiderweb Bee Quilt

Quilt Stats:  Each block measure 16"; Quilt finishes at 64" by 80" and it's all mine!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!  I would be thrilled if you leave me a comment letting me know you dropped in.  Don't forget to see more of the festival here.

Choose Your Own BlockAlong 10/20/14

Today's blocks are brought to you by Liberty of London.  My accumulation of fat quarters looks pretty sitting on the shelves, but it's nice to cut into them every once in a while, don't you think?

Dear Jane dressed in Liberty of London

First up is Block I-1.  I followed the cutting instructions from That Quilt for both blocks.  These pieces are relatively large, the smallest strip being 1.25" wide and the largest square measuring at 2.75" unfinished.  The background fabric is Cotton+Steel.

Block I-1

The second block is C-3.  This block has quite a few strips and squares, but I'm finding that 1.25" widths seem "normal" now and .75"  are on the smallish side ;-))   I used scraps from our guild's Festival of Trees project for the background; it's 25th and Pine from Moda.

I am enjoying the process.  It's a relief and a joy when the resulting block is squared to five inches!

Block C-3

 The individual block photos aren't true to color as the battery in my flash was low.  The print fabrics are really so pretty, and I love how they look in these tiny blocks.

Thank you for the continued support and encouragement each week!  I read and delight in every comment and hope to catch up on my emails soon.

Heading now to see Michelle and Cindy's progress.  

Thanks for stopping by,

Friday Finish: Scrappy Blocks

I mailed five squishy packages this week to bring me up to date with my bee block duties.  It's a relief to catch up on September  blocks, finish October blocks and I'm counting these as a Friday finish.

Union Jack for Mary

September's Mid-Century Modern bee block for Mary using the tutorial from Molli Sparkles.  Let me just say it was difficult to part with this block.

Siggy block for Anne

I'm not at liberty to show October's bee block for Anne, but here's my siggy block which gives you an idea of the color scheme.

Scrappy 16.5 inch block

Erica created this tutorial for September's Wish Circle block for do.Good stitches.  Can you see those little pops of Cotton+Steel?  The other two strips of color are Hope Valley by Denyse Schmidt and A Stitch in Color by Malka Dubrawsky.

4-Penny Patch blocks

Four patchwork blocks for Kristen's November Wish Circle request in pinks, blues and mustard.  The 4-Penny Patch block tutorial can be found on Rachel's blog.  I really like these scrappy patchwork blocks.

Star block for Susan

This last block is a "do over".  Remember this bee block for Susan?  Well, the envelope arrived in Australia, but the block did not.  I made a replacement block (different block and fabrics) and used an abundance of tape on the package this time around.

Whew!  Good to be caught up again.  

Linking up with Amanda's finish it up Friday.

Thanks for stopping by,

Choose Your Own BlockAlong 10/13/14

Sixteen Dear Jane blocks as of today!  Can you spot the latest two additions?

Up to sixteen blocks now!

Block D-7 is rotary cut and pieced with bright Alison Glass yellow prints and  text prints for the background.

Block D-7

I used scraps of my red scissor print fabric and Kona solid for the background in making Block C-1.

Block C-1

Can't wait to see the blocks Michelle and Cindy made this week.  Others playing along are linking up here so check those out and add yours!

Thanks for stopping by,

Choose Your Own BlockAlong 10/6/14

Happy Monday!  Can you believe it's October already?!  

I'm keeping up with the Choose Your Own BlockAlong and my Dear Jane blocks.

Block E-3

I continue to choose blocks that can be rotary cut and pieced, putting off those blocks requiring appliqué and paper piecing.  I know I will have to face those soon enough.

These blocks are really test my piecing skills.  Those corner HSTs are 1 3/8" (unfinished), so forgive me if I don't stress over my not so perfect points ;-)

Block E-9

When the directions call for cutting 3/4" strips, I need to remind myself these blocks finish at 4 1/2".  

After working on these blocks, a 2 1/2" square seems huge!

I am now up to 14 Dear Jane blocks, and I appreciate the continued accountability of these weekly posts with Michelle and Cindy.  

Are you playing along?  Link up here so we can support one another.

Thanks for stopping by,