Catching Up - Part One

Here's the Weekender bag Kristy made for me at the airport waiting for our flight.

I'm baaaaa-ack!

It seems that my vacation turned into a marathon.  Sorry for the very long hiatus.  I really enjoyed being away, but I'm very glad to be home.  I actually thought I would have a chance to blog a bit while I was away, but there never seemed to be a moment to spare.  So, I have some things to share from before I left, and a couple of things from while I was away - maybe tomorrow, since I don't want this post to turn into a marathon.

Did you catch my guest -blogger post/tutorial on Leona's blog?  This tote has 11-pockets, so it's a super way to keep organized.  We all know how I love totes!

Sometime in June, Susi contacted me and wanted to know if I wanted to do a private swap.  I wasn't sure I could get it done before I left, but I did - barely.  This Weekender is super scrappy, with the addition of some bits of Briar Rose a friend gave me a few weeks ago.  The Frog Picnic is my favorite!

I had a lot of fun doling out the Briar Rose bits in creating the bag.

Susi said she really liked it, so I think it was a success.  I asked her to hold my bag until I got home, so I am excited to receive it.  Hope it gets here soon!

I also managed to finish my blocks for the 3x6 bee.  In this bee you make the same block for 6 people, changing up the colors to their request.  Since I was in 2 hives (no, I don't know what possessed me to do that!) I had to make 12 blocks.  Someone on Flickr commented that it would make a beautiful quilt all by itself.  I think so too.  I really love all those colors.

The blocks were super easy.  I found the pattern on my daily quilting calendar and adapted it for the bee.  My first blocks were by-the-book, but by the time I created the last one ("rainbow - in order" was the request) I was feeling like this was a pretty versatile block.

I belong to a group called "Sewing with Friends" and every couple of months the mamas assign us a new partner to make a little something for.  Up to now, we've been making mug rugs, but after a year, we felt a bit of a need for change.  In any event, June/July was our last mug rug month, and my partner was Sunny.  I figured with a name like that, and given that we're talking about mid-summer here, her mug rug ought to be something bright and cheerful.  I had these bonus HSTs left over from something-or-other (I really love bonus HSTs - it's really worth the extra time they take to be able to create something cute in a hurry) so I used 8 of them to make this fun little pinwheel flower mug rug.  I am always amazed at how versatile HSTs are.  A little hand-quilting, some yo-yos left over from Abby's octopus, and it was a wrap....  well, a mug rug, anyway.

So that's my "before-the-trip" story.  Stay tuned - I'll be back tomorrow.

3x6 Times Two

For some unremembered reason, this quarter I participated in TWO hives in the 3x6 bee.  I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time, but frankly, making 12 blocks was a little bit daunting.

I was the caretaker of a pinwheel hive, and I was also playing along in a star hive.  When I found this block on Rachel's blog I knew I had found the perfect block to make this quarter.

It's funny how some color combinations are more challenging than others.  This person wanted avocado and navy in her block - both colors I didn't have in my stash.

This one wanted all red.  I wasn't sure what I was going to do until I did it, but it actually turned out well, I think (better in person than in the photo, perhaps.)

And two people wanted this color combination - lime and aqua.  I like it.

Here's a combination I would never have tried without the motivation of the bee, but I really like this one too.

Royal blue and aqua (with a little lime) was kind of fun.

I wouldn't have tried this one either, but it made a pretty dramatic block.

Too many dots?  I hope not.

I'm not sure I like this one at all, really.  It's a little busy.  This person didn't want any background.  It might have been better with a different lime, but this was all I had.

I really like the black and gold/yellow.  Very bold and dramatic.

All in all, I like them.  I sure hope the other ladies do too.

But remind me to do this bee one hive at a time in the future, OK?

Making Progress...

It's funny how when life gets in the way it takes you awhile to get caught up!  A few weeks ago, I had planned a whole weekend of sewing to do a couple of swaps and even some bee blocks.  I even thought I could maybe get to  THE LIST.  Then we looked at the weather report, and there, rounding the tip of Florida was Tropical Storm Issac.  And The Weather Channel said it was heading straight for us.  WH went into total preparedness panic mode and my whole weekend was shot.  Thankfully, it didn't really come here - we had a little wind and rain, but nothing really significant - and my prayers go out to those who did get inundated by the rains and damaging winds from Hurricane Issac when it came ashore in Louisiana and Mississippi.

And somehow the next couple of weekends just weren't any more productive.

But this past weekend, I actually sat down at the sewing machine and got a few things done.  But not before I missed the deadline for a swap.  I really hate it when I do that.

I participated in the Scrappy Mug Rug Swap and the theme was "summer".  I had decided on a beach theme because my partner said she liked it.  I had an idea for a paper-pieced beach scene, but my attempts were not successful, so I finally decided to do an applique project instead.  I've been doing applique since my teens and I spent a lot of time doing applique and embroidery for my kids' taekwondo school when I was a SAHM.  This beachy effort was much more successful.

Then I decided to get a head start on my mug rug that's due on the 15th in the Rugs with Friends Swap.  I've used this little pumpkin before, although this time I drew my own rendition of it because my silly printer wouldn't work.  I thought it looked a little blah, so I added some hand quilting at the last minute.

I liked it better then.

I even remembered to add labels.  But not to take pictures of them.

Then I started getting caught up on bee blocks.

 First I made the August block for Dena.  I've made this one before, so it was familiar.  Except for the green.  Dena said to use whatever color we wanted for the background and I thought the green was kinda fun.  I mis-read the tute and my block ended up at 11-1/2" so I had to take it apart and do it right.  And then I heard that she wanted them 11-1/2", but I figure it's easier to cut off 1/2" all the way around than add it.  Right?

Then I made Heather's string blocks.  I like to make string blocks.  And I have a ton of fabric "strings" so no cutting - just digging through the sack of strings I culled from the scrap basket.  I even had the white cut already.  Easy peasy.

And finally I sat down and did Hilary's paper-pieced kaleidoscope block that she designed herself.  I've decided I don't like paper piecing much, but I do like the results.  It is very precise if you do it right.  I was glad to get this one together.  It is currently winging its way to Australia.

So, that was my weekend.  I did make progress, and I'm pretty much caught up on swappy stuff, at least for now.  It feels great!

Another Block Party

This weekend I completed several small projects, a couple of which I can't show yet.  The others are bee blocks, actually finished in the month they were due, which hasn't happened for a couple of months.  I actually think I am caught up now.

This is a Bottled Rainbows block for Amber in the Sew Fun Bee.  She sent the block, already constructed, and a selection of fabrics and asked that we add the coordinating fabrics in ticker tape style.  I have to say, the more I do this ticker tape method, the easier I find it.  I nearly went crazy with the first one I did.  Not so bad now.  I added a couple of fabrics from my stash to give it some "local flavor".  This block is huge - I think it measures 18" x 24", but it gives a nice large palette for the ticker tape fabrics.  I'm fairly pleased with how this turned out.  I really started without a plan at all, and just fit in the fabrics where they seemed to go together.  I started in one corner this time.  If I were to do it again, I might start in the center.

This block is for Henny in the Sew and Bee Happy Bee.  The block is the maybe block from 99 Modern Blocks.  Henny gave us free rein to choose a word and colors.  It was a fun and easy block to create. 

So, if I don't get drenched by TS Debby, I may try to get these to the Post Office today, along with my other weekend finishes. Thankfully, we're not getting the worst of it this time - just occasional heavy showers and gusty winds here.  Pray for those folks in Central Florida who are getting far too much rain from this naughty girl.

Waaaay Behind

Since I've spent 3 of the last 4 weekends traveling, I'm getting way behind on my sewing and crafting.  My New Year's Resolution to only do one swap at a time is his*tor*y and I have lots to accomplish.  The good news is that WH is with BD#1 helping take care of the grands and so I have no distractions... the downside is that since I've done so much traveling, I'm exhausted.

I planned to at least do bee blocks tonight, but no.  Not tonight.  Maybe tomorrow.

For now, I will content myself with creating "THE LIST" of the quilty things I plan to accomplish this weekend.

1.  Bento Blocks - how many?  Hopefully 10 - that will give me 40 quarters.  I made these awhile back, though, and it took me forever.  Maybe they'll go more smoothly this time.

2.  Bow Tie Blocks - these babies are pretty small.  I swapped 30 last time and would like to do 50 this time - that would be enough for my quilt, I think.

3.  Anything Goes bee blocks for Stacey

4.  Card Trick bee blocks for Leona

5.  Potholders for PP11

6.  Fabric Napkins for private swap with Peggy

7.  DS Quilts Doll Quilt Swap

8.  Pinnie for FLiPs Pin Cushion Swap

9.  Mini QT Ticker Tape Swap

10.  Mini Scrap Basket Block Swap blocks

11.  And more Granny Squares for the GS QAL

12.  I really want to do the AMH Prism QAL

13.  And I have my Fairy Tale Friends

14.  Andy my Jelly Roll Race quilts to sandwich, quilt, and bind

15.  And I have both March and April's blocks to do in the Craftsy QAL.

 And several more quilts in my mind just itching to become a reality...

I'd better git crackin'.


But for now, I'm exhausted just reading this list.  It must be bedtime.

So - What Have You Been Doing Lately?

So, what have you been doing lately?  I've been getting caught up on bee blocks.  This was an easy-peasy one for Becky in the Sew Fun Bee.

And these Halloween Blocks are for Mary in the Fall Bee.  Making these blocks with 2" squares was a ton easier than making similar blocks with 1" squares.  Guess I'm just not a postage stamp quilt kind of girl.

And then I've been working on a mini quilt for the Mini QT swap.  The theme this time is movies, and I'm really having fun with this one.  Can't show the whole project yet, because in this swap you know who your partner is, so this is just a hint.  Any guesses?  This little guy is going all the way to Sweden!

 

And if you've been reading this little blog since the first of the year, you know that one of my goals is to make every quilt in this book.  So far, I have made 3 Sugar Rush quilts and 2 Little Man quilts.  

Well, when I was at Sewing Summit last fall, I picked up a Fairy Tale Friends charm pack from  my daughter's little etsy shop, Westwood Acres.   The pattern I had in mind for this called for a charm pack and a honey bun.  Well, it seems that honey buns are scarce as hen's teeth around here lately, but I finally found a Fairy Tale Friends honey bun online, so I've been working on those blocks. I'm ready for the sashing and borders.

Wish JoAnn's carried Kona Snow. 

And I got the borders on my jelly roll race quilt, so I could quilt that and get it out of the WIP pile.  That would be a good feeling.

Finally, I traded some Flora charm packs for a whole passel of 2-1/2 inch squares, so I laid out a couple of granny squares for the Granny Square QAL, if I'd ever cut the white setting squares.

And I really should get something done for my sister for her birthday, which is Tuesday, and she lives in California...  Oops, late again!

So, I have a jam packed weekend planned.

And I really should clean my house.

What about you?  What are you working on?  I'd love to hear about it, and if you have a blog, stash a link in the comments.  I'd love to come visit.

Blockin' Around

I finished the blocks for the 3x6 Bee - a month early, if you can believe it.  Well, OK, I have to confess that the only reason it was a month early is because I thought the deadline was March 15.  Still, it's not a bad thing to have them done early, especially since grandbaby #2 is due on April 5, so I know I'll be heading out to help his momma and take care of sweet little Abby.

This block is called "Blockade" - for obvious reasons, I suppose.  I picked it because I just really liked it, and had made the first block before I realized it was a 3-color block and I had 3 members of the bee that asked for rainbow blocks - 2 with black background and 1 with white.  So, I played around with the design a little and came up with something that works with the rainbow theme.  Here's the rainbow block with the white background.

I really like it.  It's fresh and bright.  And I'm a sucker for bright fabrics with white.  I really am.

One of the cool things about this bee is that you make the same block in different color schemes so you get to see how the colors play together.  I really like the blue and lime.

And the orange, yellow and lime is awesome too.  But truth be told, I really like these 4 colors together.  Wouldn't this make an awesome quilt?

I like the way the lime in the middle ties the whole thing together.

And finally, someone is working on a 4th of July quilt.  Or this would be cool for a quilts for the Quilts of Valor project. 

These were totally fun blocks to make, and I hope my Hive-mates like them.

And I'm really glad they're done.  Early.

Building Blocks

This weekend I managed to finish up a few things that were on the "to do" list.  First, I made this block for Kat, who is this month's queen in the Sew and Bee Happy.  She is doing a reverse rainbow quilt and asked everyone to do a different color block.  I had aqua/teal, and I thought this color scheme would be easy given that I just finished up my Teal We Meet Again quilt.  I was right, but not in the way I imagined.  Most of the scraps in my scrap basket were too small, so I ended up raiding the stash and cutting 4" squares.  I really was surprised at how much aqua and teal fabric I had - I think I could have made 2 blocks and never repeated a fabric.  This was a simple wonky star block with a fun twist, and I enjoyed making it.

I have now received all of my blocks for the 3x6 bee, which I started before the Teal We Meet Again block swap.  I've been thinking that 2 teal and red quilts might be too much, so for this round I tweaked my block request by adding yellow.

I really like the aqua and yellow combination.  I hope it will look great with the aqua and red and brighten up the quilt a little.

And finally, January was my month in the Fall Bee and I asked that everyone help me with my GMFG quilt I started in the First Time Bee.  I think I have figured out that I need 80 hexi flowers to make this quilt, and so far, I think I have 20, so I need all the help I can get.  This is the perfect project for a virtual bee, because I really want a scrappy quilt, and so the more folks who contribute from their stash, the better.  Hexis are so fun to make while you are watching TV or just need a few minutes to relax.  It's also a very portable project, so you can take it with  you if you have a few minutes.  Wish I had known about hexis when I was spending endless hours sitting in karate studios and waiting for piano lessons to finish.  Oh well.

Anyway, I received my first 3 blocks from my bee friends and I finished 3, so I'm making progress.  I finished another during the Super Bowl this evening and  have 3 more started, with 10 more expected from my bee friends, so I'm closing on 35.  I am participating in 2 more bees this year, so if I decided to do GMFG blocks, maybe I'll collect enough by the end of the year to make my quilt.  I'm really excited about these blocks.  Aren't they fun?  I'm actually getting enough blocks that I'm beginning to wonder what color to use for the filler rows.  Suggestions gladly accepted - the only colors I don't want to use are white, black and gray.  I'm actually thinking about yellow, maybe a cute yellow polka dot.  Would that be too busy?

Meanwhile, it's back to work tomorrow, so I'd best run along.  Have a great week.