9 bee blocks, 1 day.

that's the kind of intense sewing situation you find yourself in when you slack.on.bee.blocks. guilty as charged. i like to blame it on sewing summit, but in reality - - it's my crazy life that's gotten in the way. enough with excuses tho, here's what went down yesterday. side note: please excuse the pictures. i was more concerned with takin' care of business than photography. :)
 

[bee block #1] September {Sew} Beautiful. 
yep, September. need i go further? ok, ok. AnneMarie asked for this simple Dutch Pinwheel pattern (tutorial here!) using Ruby and Bliss charm squares. charm squares + HSTs = easy peasy. i love the way this block turned out -- simple and traditional-ish. :)
 

[bee block #2, #3,and #4]September do. Good Stitches.
another September. for the Bliss circle of do. Good Stitches, we were asked to make 3 blocks of varying sizes following a string pieced log cabin pattern. our quilter for the month requested we use solid fabric in the cool color-way -- greens, blues, and purples -- with a contrasting print for the center. again, easy peasy. and i actually enjoyed this method of improv sewing. gasp!
 

[bee block #5, #6, #7, #8, and #9]November do. Good Stitches.
yep, jumping ahead a month.  can you blame me? these blocks are super fun and modern. love them! Linda Beth asked for blocks using an orange or blue solid accented with orange, blue, and black & white printed fabrics. i am super happy with the way these five turned out!
 

so there you have it, 9 bee blocks, 1 day. moral of the story. i am a total procrastinator. :)
 
now, with only 3 bee blocks left to make (with an October deadline) i am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. and i will be knocking those 3 out tonight. no ifs, ands, or buts!

xo, Megan

{Sew} Modern Monday #27

It's that time again!

{Sew} Modern Monday!

June was my month to serve as Quilter for the BLISS circle of do.Good Stitches {a charity bee}.  I asked the talented ladies to make two bow tie blocks using my tutorial using fresh, summery fabrics paired with white. As the blocks came rolling in, I really started to get more and more excited to put this quilt together.  I just love the idea of so many people, living in all parts of the US, coming together to make one special quilt for charity.  It is seriously something special.

Once all the blocks were in, I sewed the top together and waited.  Waited for some quilty inspiration/motivation to FMQ and finish it up.  Surprising that inspiration came this past weekend in a little Google chat with Elizabeth from Don't Call Me Betsy.  On a whim, I asked her how she bastes her quilts and she guided me to this tute from Kristie from OCD: obsessive crafting disorder.  spray basting + dumbbells = brilliant!

Not only did she share the tute, but she also gave me the courage to just do it!  When it comes to quilting and especially basting a quilt, I tend to stress to the max.  The OCD kicks into overdrive and it really makes for a bummer of a sewing experience.  But, taking her words in stride, I just went with it.  And in less than 2 hours I had this quilt basted and quilted!  Spray basting rocks my world!  (thanks Elizabeth!)

I finished it up with a bit of bright blue Kona cotton (sorry, the name is escaping my memory at the moment). I love it!  Now all I have to do is ship it off to our charity, Wrap Them In Love.

Quilt Stats

Size: 50" x 50"

Pieced by: myself, Don't Call Me Betsy, sasikirana, 

My Fabric Obsession, i like orange, too!, linda beth,

Orangebird242, weezie lou, chloeandme,

and WendyLouP.

Quilted by: Me

Now it's your turn.  What have you been sewing on this past week?  psst...rules are over here.

busy as a bee.

Phew, it's hard to believe it's already the middle of July.  Where the heck does the time go?!?!  One minute we are in a snow storm and the next we are trying to stay cool in the summer heat (alright, maybe not that drastic. but you get the picture).  There have been lots of fun and exciting things going on over here--sewing and not sewing related--that my actual "sewing time" seems to be dwindling. Boo!  But, I did manage to squeeze some bee block sewing in this past week...


{Sew} Beautiful [June]
Alright, I was actually behind (it was due in June!) with this block but thankfully Cara granted me a bee extension (thanks Cara!). For Cara's month, she asked us each to make a creative pieced house block using some fun scraps from her stash.  Gah, talk about nerve wrecking! I seriously spent a lot of hours thinking about this block before I actually had enough courage to get down to the sewing part.  I think it was the combination of having free reign and wanting produce a rocking block.  Anyway, it had me a little out of sorts until I finally reached a breaking point, and just went with it.
 

And wouldn't you know when it's all said and done, I seriously loved making this block.  Especially when it all came together in the end. :)  phew.  Talk about pushing outside the comfort zone.


Cara is putting our blocks together and then donating them to a NICU family (see where the "home" theme fits in?).  How awesome is that!


do.Good Stitches [July]

Becky from My Fabric Obsession, this month's quilter from our do.Good Stitches BLISS circle, asked each of use to make 3 blocks using this Jaybird Quilts' tutorial.  She asked for us to use grays and yellows (an emerging trend according to Sew, Mama, Sew!).  Again, way outside my comfort zone!

But in the end--it really was easy peasy!  I think I might be using this technique for a little pouch in the near future.  It's a great way to use up scraps--or any jelly rolls you may have stashed away. :)

And there you have it--a month of bee blocks.  This month definitely pushed me outside my comfort zone and stretched my quilty horizons.  Yay for learning something new!

xo, Megan

bow tie block [a tutorial]

June is my month for the BLISS circle of do. Good Stitches and I am really excited to say our theme will be a Rainbow of Bow Ties.  I have put together a little tutorial for the block with the measurements I am asking the Bliss girls to use, but I am so happy to share it with you all as well!

NOTE: The inspiration for this quilt came from Angela's Pink Lemonade quilt, which I absolutely adore!


For each block, you will need:

• 8 -- 3.5" x 3.5" squares (in this example, I am using Kona White)
• 2 -- 3.5" x 3.5" squares and 2 -- 2" x 2" squares of each of your four prints

1. The bow tie block is made up of four units.  Concentrating on one unit at a time, place your cut pieces as shown in the picture below.

2.  Making sure right sides are together, sew from corner to corner on the two "partial snowball blocks," either by marking your fabric or by using the center guides on your sewing machine.  Trim middle piece of print fabric to 1/4 " to help eliminate bulk in your block.

3.  Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the four 3.5" x 3.5" squares together as pictured below.  Pressing all seams open.

4.  Repeat Steps 1 - 3 for the remaining three units.  See below.

5.  Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the four units together as pictured below.  Press seams open.  Your finished block should measure 12.5" x 12.5".

Happy Sewing and thanks Bliss ladies!

Also if you like this overall design, Lee from Freshly Pieced has a great tutorial for some yummy placemats.

xo, Megan

May Bee Blocks.

If you are looking for the giveaway, it is over

*here*.

As of last night, this month's bee blocks are done, done, and done.  Even with a few days to spare!  Cha-ching!

First up, my block for Angela of My Three Sons (banquopack on flickr) in our {Sew} Modern Bee.  Angela sent the most amazing little fabric packages--the colors were yummy!--and asked each of us to make a block of our choice.  Here is the block I sent her way.

I decided to go with a simple bow tie block--which I had so much fun making. Oh and since next month is my "Quilters" month for the do. Good Stitches Bliss circle, I think I will be asking the other members to make this bow tie block in some fun summer colors.  Stay tuned for a tutorial.

Speaking of do. Good Stitches, here are my blocks for May.

WendyLouP asked each of us in the Bliss circle to make two blocks in medium blues and greens using this tutorial from Hyacinth Quilt Designs.  I highly recommend bookmarking this tutorial, it is wonderful!  I am hoping to use this pattern on one of my next quilts.

We have a busy weekend coming up around here.  My little sister, Lindsey, graduates from High School.  Eek!  Sewing time will be limited, as the Boyfriend and I will be spending most of the next few days helping my parents get ready for the weekend's festivities.  

I hope you all are having a wonderful week--especially with all those Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaways going on!  I will be back sometime tomorrow to announce the winner of the Denyse Schmidt Singe Girl pattern.

xo, Megan

under the wire [April Bee Blocks]

True to form, I finished up April's Bee blocks just in time last night.  There is nothing like waiting until the last minute to finish these kinds of things. :)

 

do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee}

Sasikirana (on flickr) chose a fun block based off of this beautiful rug she received in the UHG swap.  She requested bright fabrics paired with a crisp Kona White, which just pops!  I can't wait to see everyone's blocks all together because I think this will be one stunning quilt.

 

{Sew} Beautiful Bee

Brooke from Pitter Putter Stitch chose the Circle of Geese block for her bee block this month.  I absolutely love the fabrics she choose!  I have to admit I was pretty intimidated by this block (which is why I put it off for so long), but it turned out better than expected!

 

Thanks for all the positive feedback on Flashback Fridays!  If you missed it, you can find the info here.  I will get the details together this weekend, but I am planning on May 13 (two weeks from today) being the first Flashback Friday. Look for more information next week!

xo, Megan

WiP Wednesday {12}

It's that time again!

NEW and FINISHED PROJECTS

do. Good Stitches {a Charity Bee} blocks 
Completely out of character, I finished my do. Good Stitches blocks for February already.  Wahoo!  Now I just have to wait for the snow drifts to be plowed so I can make my way into town to send them off.

It's a Hoot Quilt
Blogged here. 
 
NEW PROJECTS
{Sew} Beautiful Bee
I received Emily's, from Mommy's Nap Time, fabric in the mail a couple of days ago.  She sure picked out some great fabric!  It is so yummy!
 
MMM Swap
As of last night, I finalized what I will be making my secret partner.  Very excited about this project!
 
IN THE WORKS

Postage Stamp Quilt Along
I am over half way done piecing the quilt top.  I really love it so far, but man is it scary to think that I sewed all those little seams!  Eeek, thankfully it look's more involved than it actually was.  The drawing is tomorrow, so I need to finish this quilt up this afternoon.  Wish me luck!

Sliced Coins Quilt Along
All my coins are cut and ready to go, but I am holding off on this quilt along until I get the postage stamp quilt finished.

SUTK Swap
I have finalized on an apron design.  So excited! 

NO PROGRESS

Dresden Quilt
Freebird Stained Glass

QUILTS BEING QUILTED

Spiderweb Quilt
Brick City Baby Quilt
 
QUILTS AWAITING QUILTING

It's a Hoot Quilt
Red, White, and Blue Quilt
Crazy {9} Baby Quilt
Urban Windows Quilt
Crazy {9} Wall Hanging

WiP Stats
Last week's total: 10
New Projects: 4
Completed Projects: 2
This week's total: 12 (eeek!)

Hop on over to Freshly Pieced to see more great WiPs!

And don't forget about my giveaway!

do.Good Stitches {a charity bee}. Bliss circle.

Remember my Kona White dilemma over the weekend?  Well the situation has been resolved!  Monday morning I took the ten minute drive to my LQS, through heavy snow and not so wonderful roads, to get that darn Kona White. I guess that's the crazy quilter in me.  Some of you suggested a quick run to Joann's since they are open late.  Unfortunately I live in the middle of nowhere and the closest Joann's is a good hour and a half a way.  That was definitely a no go. Oh how I envy those of you who have a short drive to get your Kona fix. :) Anyway I am getting off track, the moral of the story is that I was able to get my hands on some Kona White yesterday.

Which is good because, starting this month I am part of the newest do. Good Stitches {a charity bee} circle called BLISS and am very excited to work with this great group of ladies.  Michelle from I like orange, too! chose the roman shades block and asked us to use limes, teals, blues, lavenders, violets, and greens.  Here's a look at my blocks.

I can't wait see everyone's blocks all together.  If you want to make your own, Michelle has put together this great tutorial. Go check it out!  Oh, and all of her patterns are on sale this week!

xo, Megan

Kona White. love{hate}.

Don't you hate it when you jump head first into a project,

with more enthusiasm than normal, 

only to realize you are missing a key fabric?  

And it's 11:00 pm on a Saturday night.  

Which means your LQS won't be open until Monday morning.  

Grrrr.

I am part of a new circle for the do. Good Stitches {a charity bee} called Bliss. February is our first month, and I have been chomping at the bit ever since I found out I was assigned to a circle.  So yesterday when I saw Michelle from I Like Orange, too! posted our first block's instructions I practically dropped everything to start sorting through my scraps.  She has chosen the Roman's Strip block and has requested we use limes, greens, teals, aquas, blues, lavenders, and violets.  Right up my alley!  I had no trouble finding some great fabrics.   I starched, pressed, and cut my strips.  Don't they look yummy?

Then I moved onto the next part, cutting the Kona White squares.  Wait, what?  Kona White?   It turns out I had used all my Kona White stash on my postage stamp quilt along and had forgotten to pick more up.  Insert curse word. *%#@#^.

So, Monday morning I will be camped out front waiting for my LQS to open. For some Kona White.  I just hope my enthusiasm doesn't fizzle before then! 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!


Don't forget to enter in my giveaway.

xo, Megan