Hugs & Kisses

This month in Bee Blessed we are making a block called The Great Big Kiss!

It is bringing a smile to my face receiving lots of 'Kisses' in the post - thank you!

I've never actually tried this block myself so I thought I best have a go!

 

This was a satisfyingly easy block to make!  You can find the tutorial here.

And the block on the left is my 'hug' block,  originally designed by Don't Call Me Betsy and called the Patchwork Wheel (you can find the tutorial for it here).

A rather clever bloggy friend of mine came up with the idea of doing 0's as well as the X's, which means the finished quilts will have hugs as well as kisses! Genius!  Thanks T!

If you would like to make a contribution to Bee Blessed, there is still time to donate a block or two.  Either (or both) of these blocks will be received with thanks and a smile!

And one final block to show you!

 

The Mod Mosaic block (designed by Elizabeth Hartman), made for Emma in Sew Bee Happy. 

 

This is the last month of this scrappy bee, hosted by Kat.  It has been lovely getting to know some new folks from all around the world. Thank you ladies for your blocks and the opportunity to make some blocks I haven't tried before.

 

Have a great Thursday!

 

 

October - Yikes!

I can't quite believe that September is almost over?  Anyone else with me on this one?

I usually really like this autumnal month, but it just seems to have whizzed past me without me realising!

I had an interesting month bee-wise, being queen bee in 2 of them, and having a hst-fest in the other 2!

The left-hand blocks above are for Brit Bee and Modern Irish Bee respectively. On the right we have the wonky friendship braid I set for the cool Hipbees to make, and they didn't disappoint!  (They are nearly all in & I can't wait to show you them!)  Bottom right is the block I set for Sew Bee Happy, which will be donated to Bee Blessed, who are also making these crazy colour blocks this month.

And as if that wasn't enough bee blocks for one month, the ever-efficient Jan sent us her fabric last week for her month of October in Hipbees!  Her theme was 'stars in Denyse Schmidt' so I made her this from the Modern Blocks book:

'Three Wishes' pg 186

Also, I already know what I'm to make from my stash for October in Sew Bee Happy - a Granny Squares block, set by Wendi.

But before the last few days of September slip completely through my fingers, I think I'll take a break from bee blocks until we're into October proper!

Wishing you all a fun-filled end to September 2012!

Twice Queenie!

I'm thoroughly enjoying my role as Queen of the Bees, giving out orders to my minions!

Not content to order 11 Hipbees around to my creative bidding, I'm also September Queen bee in Sew Bee Happy!

This is a bee where we use out of our own stash and scraps, so I've asked the super talented SBH ladies to each make me one of these:

The ladies will keep to a colourway they were previously allocated, so I should end up with 11 more rainbow crazy patchwork blocks.

I've decided to donate these blocks to Bee Blessed, and to make this the Bee Blessed September block of the month also.

So, for all of our amazing Bee Blessed supporters out there, here is Aneela's fab tutorial on how to make a crazy patchwork block.

All I ask is that you stick to one colourway, make the centre section 10.5" unfinished, and then add plain white borders to bring the block up to 12.5" (please no white on white, or kona snow).  A good tip is to cut your border strips 2" wide (i.e. wider than you need) which makes it easier to then trim the block down to 12.5".

This is a great scrap buster block (my fav!) and I know the Bee Blessed ladies will have fun with this one too when we meet up on 15th.

Looking forward to seeing all your fabulous blocks!

Sew Bee Relieved!

This month in Sew Bee Happy, queen bee Hilary asked us to make a foundation pieced kaleidoscope block in blues and greys.

I downloaded the templates as per Hilary's instructions, but the block finished at 12" instead of 12.5"!  Oh no!  I don't have a good history with downloading accurate templates!

Thankfully Hilary didn't mind, and will be sashing the blocks anyway, so this block is now on it's way to Australia. Phew!

My Brit Bee blocks for this month didn't go too smoothly either!

Despite the pre-cut pieces and brilliant instructions from queen bee Katy, I still managed to mess up the trimming! 

Not having made this block before, I was more worried about sewing the curves, but using Leanne's tute they came together like a dream!

Thankfully I realised my trimming mistake early on and Katy was able to send me a couple of extra pieces to get back on track.

So these retro flowers are now on their way to bonny Scotland!

And if you love Art Gallery fabrics as much as I do, check out a fab giveaway here!

July Bee Blocks

I go away on holiday next week, so I wanted to make sure I was on top of my July bee blocks!

First up - Sew Bee Happy.

Nicky is making an inspirational wallhanging for her sewing room and asked us to make improv word blocks from a list of words she had chosen. 

I've done improv blocks before, but not lettering.  I thought it was going to take longer than it did, but this one was done in half an hour!!

I can't wait to see Nicky's finished wallhanging!

Next up - Brit Bee:

Fiona sent us out the most amazing wee pack of fabrics. She is making a low volume quilt with some of her most special fabrics. For example, some hand made lace, her Grandmother's table cloth, vintage sheets - and more wee bits and pieces that hold particular memories for her.

But within each low volume block, Fiona wanted mini hits of high volume traditional blocks, made with more modern, loud fabrics.

I went for churn dash and trusty log cabin.  It was a joy and a privilege Fi to work with your most special fabrics.  Thank you!

And finally, Modern Irish Bee:

This is the first month of MIB, and Sarah asked us to make one of my favourite modern blocks.

Mod Mosaic Block

The requirements were, 1 small block in low volume fabrics, 1 larger block in high volume fabrics.

I love the improv style piecing of this design by Elizabeth Haartman, and it's a great way to use up scraps.  I may even get my Brit bee ladies to do this for me when it's my turn to be queen bee!

So that's me up-to-date with my bee commitments.

Tomorrow I have an Adult/Child workshop, which is my last work-day before holidays!

We are all heading over to England next week for a family wedding, which I am still not kitted out for!  There have been several rounds of sickness through the house the past 2 weeks, which means I've got a little behind. Better get my skates on or at this rate I'll be going dressed like Sandy Shaw!

Happy Friday!

Carry on Regardless!

It has been a real struggle trying to get my head back into 'work' mode after the exhilaration and over-stimulation of the FQR.

Here in N.I. it isn't half term, and after having an extra day off for the Jubilee weekend, the little darlings were back at school on Wednesday.  So there was no excuse for me not to get my head down and get some work done!

But somehow, my hands were magically drawn to 'other' projects!

Like my Brit Bee block for Trudi, who is kicking off our 2nd year with 'Flying Geese'.

Approx. 16.5" x 20.5"

Our lovely Trudi gave us the choice of 2 x 12.5" blocks or a larger block.

As per usual, I started off with one idea, and ended up doing something completely different!  But I love flying geese, love the end result of this large block, and LOVE the Valorie Wells Karavan fabrics I got to play with!  Thanks T!

And as if that wasn't distraction enough, I then carried onto my next bee block, for Henny in Sew Bee Happy.

'Maybe' from 99 Modern Blocks pg 110 

Henny wanted graduated colour, with an inspiring word that was meaningful to us.

Now I must have taken 20 photographs of this block in just as many locations, and still failed to capture the true colours here.  The middle green is actually a chartreuse shade of green - all of them are darker here than in real life.

But it went into the post to Indonesia regardless!  I think Henny will be happier with the actual block than this poor representation.

Well that was my fill of being distracted from work.  Having a little playtime was lovely - now back to the real world!

Cards Anyone?

I'm in 2 online bees at the moment (trying v.hard to resist a third!).

This month in Sew Bee Happy, we were asked to make a card trick block in red and aqua.  And here it is:

This is now winging its way to Leona in America.

Thank you for all your well wishes for my daughter.  Her ankle is still too sore to walk on, but the swelling is going down, and she is adjusting to a more sedate way of life (sometimes!). 

My hair is still intact (just!) because I have a date with these 4 to look forward to tonight!

Oh yeah baby!

Somewhere Over The Rainbow!

This is one of my favourite songs, especially the Eva Cassidy version.

But why am I talking about rainbows?  Apart from being one of the most beautiful spectacles to behold in the sky they are also very popular in blogland at the minute (the patchwork version that is!).

For March in Sew Bee Happy, Kara has set us to work on a rainbow hexie block, based on this tute.

I don't consider myself v.good at achieving the 'right' rainbow balance, made even harder with prints rather than solids in my opinion.  

But here is my attempt at a rainbow hexie block.

I'm hoping Kara will accept this rainbow, without the pot of gold!!

My other antics yesterday were making up a birthday present for my sister.  She has already requested a replica of my Welcome Wallhanging, which hangs in my hallway.  She even wants it done in the same colours!

So here it is:

The figure in the hanger is meant to be an angel - looks more like a planking Pilgrim Father to me!

I've also made her a ring out of a crocheted flower (she loves chunky rings!) 

and no birthday package is complete with out a silicone spatula!  (you don't want to know!).

Enjoy your Sunday!

A Day of Finishes!

Yesterday was a productive day!

Firstly I got Kat's block done for the Sew Bee Happy monthly bee group:

Kat is putting together a rainbow reverse star picnic quilt, and we all got to choose a colour to do our own block in.  I went with the pale aqua/duck egg blue category and pulled together all the scraps I could find.  

These blocks are 17.5" unfinished, but really quick and easy to make.  So this will be winging its way to Oz next week.

Secondly, I got my Mouthy Stitches Swap Pouch finished!

You may remember I started with this design:

which quickly turned into this heap of fail!

And the moral of the story is - don't try stepping out of your comfort zone late at night when you're tired!

So back to the drawing board.  I can't explain too much behind the whys and wherefores of this design because it would completely give the game away as to who this pouch is for.

My photography skills aren't improving any!!!

Daughter no.1 made the cute owl zipper pull, and the bright, floral print is some original 1960's vintage fabric.

I have one more wee surprise to make, to go along with the pouch, and that will be me finished and ready to post to *&%$£!+* (you didn't actually think I would tell did you?).

Hope you've have a productive weekend!

A Little Retail Therapy!

No.1 daughter needed more acrylic paint for her GCSE Art project, so off we trundled to our local Craft Shop!

I purposely don't go there very often because with the wonderful choice of buttons, ribbons, threads, yarn, art supplies and sooooooooooo much more, I inevitably spend money!

Well today was no different!

Shannon got her much need paint and I got these:

Some items are much more needed than others!

I thought I'd have a crack at making eyelets in purses and bags, but I'm darned if I can get that wee hole puncher thingy to punch a hole in the fabric.  I mean, just hard do you need to hit it with the hammer?  Any advice from experienced eyelet punchers?

I have a particular project in mind for the crochet trim, and one or two other bits, but the rest was pure indulgence I'm afraid!  Believe me, this is a restrained purchase lot!  I could have kept going all morning!

Anyway, this afternoon I want to get Kat's Sew Bee Happy Block done, and I might get a bit more done on my Mouthy Stitches Swap Pouch (first one didn't go so well - more on that another day!).

It's so dark and wet here, but I'm glad we didn't get the snow!  I hope you guys over on the East coast of the UK are faring ok with all the white stuff!  

Take care!

 

Sew Bee Happy!

The lovely Cindy (Fluffy Sheep Quilting) recently invited me to join another online bee, called Sew Bee Happy!

I said yes straightaway, as this bee is all about scraps!!!  Yippee!

I understand the group has been running for over a year, & January sees a new year of makes, with a new Mama (Cindy) and some new bee members.

Cindy is kicking off the year with her block choice (taken from the fabulous Modern Blocks book) & some Kona White to get us started:

The Stargazing Block from page 178

This wee section is only 3.5"!

The yellows are much more vibrant than you see here! It's my rubbish photography skills again!

These were fun to make, and I hope Cindy enjoys them too!

And check out Leanne's amazing take on this pattern over on her blog.

Have a wonderful start to the new week!