So sorry!

So I got behind, really far behind actually on my bee committments and I'm truly sorry. I finally dug out my fabric, sewing machine, cutting mat etc last weekend and finally found time to work on my blocks today. Thankfully my month was October (I love all the blocks I've gotten so far!) so I didn't have to worry about it but September was still looming over my head.

But not anymore!!!!



The task was stars and I immediately knew I wanted to make a wonky one because I love wonky stars :). From there the red, white and blue color scheme seemed best fit in a flag block.

I don't normally use batik fabrics but I really like them in this block.

Since I was on a roll I also knocked out my blocks for November. My goal, is of course, to avoid ever getting behind again!

Gretchen asked for squares in squares and I have to say these blocks were quite addictive!

With apologies for lateness...

Yesterday, I finally completed September's Snip.Sew.Send. block. Sufficit to say, I'm late. I have already sent some profuse apologies to the ever-gracious Lisa, and I should have her block in the mail to her on the morrow. Yay!

Lisa sent a variety of fabrics: red, blue, and green batiks, red and white prints, and some solid white. She loves scrappy quilts, and her fabrics really reflected an eclectic and fun style. Her block requirements: include each of the different fabrics in the 10.5" block, and include at least one star.

Sounds simple, right? Sigh... not for me. I felt overwhelmed by the array of fabrics and I just couldn't envision anything that seemed "right." But then one day, I ran across a post in Kathy Mack's Pink Chalk Studio blog that inspired me. She had recently made a wonky, free-form star block called "Maverick Star" AND she included some links to tutorials on how to do it. Perfect!

I used the Quiltville tutorial for "Maverick Stars!!!" and followed it pretty much to the letter, except that I used 2" squares instead of 2.5" (because I wanted smaller stars). It worked great. But then I kind of got stuck. I didn't have enough of the blue or green fabrics to make more stars, nor did I have enough of them to fill-in the surrounding areas (though that is what I had hoped to do). But I did have lots of red. So, I put red four-patches in the corners.


I think the result is kind of festive-looking in a crazy, scrappy kind of way. And I like the vibrancy of the red four-patches. I also like that I was able to push myself out of my comfort zone to make this. It is maybe not aesthetically perfect (at least, not to my mind), but I think it has a certain charm to it. Hopefully, Lisa will think so too.

Scrappy Star for Lisa

After brainstorming different blocks, I settled on a version of the Galaxy block in the book(let) Miss Jump's Favorites by Linda Brannock. None of the pieces were intended to meet up exactly or be perfectly symmetrical which really plays to my strengths.

The outer squares and quarter circles were stitched together by machine. The star and inner two circles were stitched by reverse applique. Then the two sections were stitched to each other with reverse applique again.

The block is a little wonky, a little scrappy and a lot hand-stitched. I hope it looks quirky and fun rather than sloppy. I really liked using all the different fabrics and found this to be a really creative and fun challenge. Thanks, Lisa! =]

P.S. Lisa, please, please do me a favor. Don't put my block next to Zonnah's. Even though we used similar techniques my stitching doesn't even compare to hers! Thanks, you're a doll! ;]

Stars for Lisa

Here's my block for Lisa at Blue Dress. I love scrappy quilts and wonky stars so I went with something with lots of pieces. I hope you like it!

Stars In My Eyes

This month Lisa from Chemistry Couture sent out some fabric with the requests of scrappy, stars, and 10.5 by 10.5 blocks. I have never done scrappy and when I completed my block I am not sure if it classifies as scrappy. I am actually quite nervous that it might not blend into the rest of the quilt. Lisa, if it does not let me know and I will gladly make another. Besides the scrappy part, I am in love with this block and how it turned out. All of the stars are reverse applique and was pretty easy to assemble. Hope you like it? Oh and is this a Fourth of July quilt? :)

Welcome! Welcome!

Yea! We are finally ready to get going and I can't be more excited.

I just sent an e-mail to all the members, so if you didn't get it, check the spam folder then let me know if you still don't see it.

Following is the block schedule and a little intro for everyone. I feel like this is a "new to the area" mixer and I should give a little conversation starter during intros:

June ~ Adrienne This is me, hey. I am in the midst of a zigzag play quilt and a whirlygiggle something.

July ~ Chen is working on a mess of 9 patches and whipping up some great pillows using Mendocino fabrics, which I love.

August ~ Zonnah is working on the Dear Jane quilt. Her hand applique blocks look fabulous. I love that she includes pictures of the backs.

September ~ Lisa just submitted a killer dress to the American Sewing Guild competition. So original. She also has great money saving tips while still stocking up on necessary sewing stuff.

October ~ Nichole posts great photo tutorials and other must-have info on her blog. So helpful in so many ways.

November ~ Gretchen just made a new dog bed for Stuart. I think he likes it, too.

January ~ Robin is working on four quilts including a Dear Jane, Playtime, Mod-Quilt Sampler and a coin quilt.

February ~ Kris recently returned from her sister's wedding and has been challenged to cut up but preserve her sister's (and mother's) wedding gown. She's looking for ideas, if you have any. Kris also created the banner and button for this blog. Thanks, Kris!

March ~ Tina has donated super cute owl themed bedding for her daughter's art program fund raiser.

April ~ Heather is finishing three, count them three, graduation quilts for loved ones. Her spring magic quilt has recently been completed and makes me want to take it on a picnic.

May ~ Rebecca has a vintage giveaway in progress right now. She's slimming down her fabrics and notions while increasing a lucky winner's.

June 2010 ~ Anne recently created a laptop cozy for her daughter complete with a funky elephant applique. I'm jealous.

One little request. When posting anything please try to use the labels I've started. They are pretty simple: first name-month. I think they should come up when you type in the first few letters of the first name. If we can keep the labeling concise I think it will be easier later. Thanks!

Please feel free to tell more about yourself in a post. Let me know if you have any questions. I will be sending out fabric and instructions in a few weeks. Yea!

=]