Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #6 - The Seasons

It is already week #6 of the Sewcial Bee Sampler Sew-Along, sponsored by Sharon Holland or Maureen Cracknell. I am enjoying this sew-along more than any other in which I have participated and look forward each Wednesday to seeing the pattern for the new block. The blocks have been simple to sew, and I usually spend more time choosing fabric than sewing.

I am getting a real work-out in HSTs (half-square triangles) and even with careful cutting and sewing there are still a few mis-matched points. I am trying to have a more relaxed attitude about that, but if it bothers me too much, I will take out stitches and redo until I get it right.

I still haven't decided on a fabric for framing each block, and I keep going back to this Kona. There are going to be a lot of bright colors in this quilt, and the gray might be a nice neutral contrast. I would like to make a final decision soon so I don't have to "catch up" on framing each block. The sashing will be a light cream.

Download instructions for this block as well as for all the blocks is here. If you are on Instagram, search for #sewcialbeesampler for an amazing display of all the blocks.

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #5 - July Fourth

Week #5 of the Sewcial Bee Sampler is titled July Fourth. Although it looks complicated, it was a fun block to sew and a new-to-me way to make four Flying Geese units with no waste.

Again I used fabrics from Maureen Cracknell's gorgeous Garden Dreamer line - Twinklestar Berry and Bumble Beez. I pulled the sage-y gray fabric from my stash and don't remember what it is, but I wish I did because I want more of it.

You can find more information on the blogs of Sharon Holland or Maureen Cracknell, download instructions for this block here, and for all the blocks here. If you are on Instagram, search for #sewcialbeesampler to see how many variations there are for these blocks!

I am almost done with Hello, Bear quilt for my great-niece's little boy. The quilting is done, and today I am finishing it with a scrappy binding.

BUT I'm not sure Jack wants to give it up!

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #4 - Crow's Nest

The Sewcial Bee Sampler SAL is flying along. Lots of Instagram photos and so much fun to see how everyone else has done their blocks. I have to say, this is the most fun I've had doing a sew-along - maybe because Instagram is so "instant"! For this block I used a Kona solid (I think it's Tangerine!) and Bird Dot in cream by Windham.

Block #4 is Crow's Nest, a variation of one of my favorite classic blocks, the Churn Dash. The first time I made a Churn Dash was for a sampler block in my beginning quilting class at OK Quiltworks in Oklahoma City, where we lived at the time. Although my teacher was a "points policewoman", I will be forever grateful to her for teaching me the basics of quilting.

I redid my first three blocks. I wasn't loving my fabric choices, but now I am happy with the way the sampler is headed. I haven't added frames to any of my blocks, but I am considering the gray I have the block displayed on in the first photo.

It's never to late to join in the fun! Head to the blogs of Sharon Holland or Maureen Cracknell to download instruction for the blocks. Sharon and Maureen are designer for Art Gallery fabrics, and although I should have pulled from my stash for this sampler quilt, I have fallen in love with Maureen's Garden Dreamer line and will be incorporating some of those fabrics in my quilt.

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #3 - Flock

UPDATE: I have changed the original block, and the photo reflects the changes!

It is week #3 of the Sewcial Bee Sampler Sew-Along hosted by Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell, who happen to be designers for my favorite fabric line - Art Gallery Fabrics! Although I am not a huge fan of HSTs, this sew-along is forcing me to perfect my skills, and I have a new appreciation for how pretty they are in a block.

I still haven't decided on a frame for the blocks, but I'm hoping to find inspiration as I go.

This is the original block, and the final block is the first photo.

You can find downloads for all the blocks here and here. There are also giveaways as the sew-along progresses, so don't miss out on the fun!

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #2 - A Dandy

The Sewcial Bee Sampler Sew-Along is enjoying great success on Instagram and beautiful blocks with hashtag #sewcialbeesampler are posted almost daily. It is fun to see the variations! The sew-along is hosted by Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell, who happen to be designers for my favorite fabric line - Art Gallery Fabrics.

This week's block is assembled with HSTs and quick corner triangle units. Sharon has an excellent tutorial and beautiful results for these on her blog. I used Bird Dot in cream (Windham) and two Garden Dreamer fabrics (Art Gallery).

I ordered some fabrics from my friend Bernie's Etsy shop, including a fat quarter bundle of Maureen's "Garden Dreamer" fabrics. Bernie blogs at Needle and Foot. If you haven't visited Bernie's shop, you must! She recently started carrying an extensive line of fabrics along with vintage patterns and many custom goodies such as Chemex covers, key fobs, and pet place mats.

I love the Garden Dreamer line so much that I also ordered another bundle from Lady Belle Fabrics (becasue I don't expect to win it!) and plan to incorporate many of these patterns in the sampler. I posted about Block #1 last week, and already I have plans to redo part of that block. I tend to choose a few fabrics to start and then change them as I go. I simply don't have the eye for color or forethought to pull all my fabrics at the beginning of a project!

You may find downloads for the blocks here.

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #1 - Patience Corners

UPDATE: I have changed the photo on this one to show the changes I made to the original block!

The other day I happened to see a post about a new sew-along starting Feb 1 hosted by Art Gallery designers Sharon Holland and Maureen Cracknell. I normally don't give sew-alongs more than an interested passing glance, but this one really appealed to me so here I am on block one!

The first block is Patience Corners and is composed of HSTs (half square triangles). It has been awhile since I made HSTs, and boy did it show. I cut and sewed a total of 3 times before I got it right. There is a reason for instructions, and I obviously did not read and comprehend. I won't detail the errors, but let's just say I was amused the first time and disgusted the second time until I did it right the third time.

I spent part of the day choosing fabrics. I already had a color scheme in mind based on a a palette of Kona colors in bright tangerine, orchid, buttercup, turquoise, gray, and cream, and the "dot" part of Carrie Bloomston's Bird Dot in cream (Windham) will be the sashing. The tentative backing is Flight Patterns by Tamara Kate (Michael Miller). It is pretty busy, but it has the colors and might be a nice contrast to the solids on the front.

This is the original block - I have updated the block as you can see in the first picture

You will find the downloads for the blocks here.

Farm Girl Friday SAL - Week 17

It's Farm Girl Friday, and here are two more blocks to add to the collection! This week's blocks are Pinwheels and Postage Stamp. They were both easy to assemble and sew. Each block is 6 inches.

I'm not big on pinwheels, but I have to admit these are pretty cute.

Postage Stamp is a great stash buster! Individual blocks are 1-1/2 inch squares.

I almost have enough for a small quilt. I love the look of the blocks grouped together.

Be sure and visit Lori's blog for neat variations of how to use the blocks! Also view other participants' blocks and variations on Instagram #farmgirlfridays. You can access the schedule by clicking the Farm Girl Vintage icon in the sidebar.

"In other news" I am in the process of quilting the Little Joys quilt. I made a scrappy binding for it, so I'm excited to see how it all comes together. A little late to the party on the Little Joys Quilt-Along, but hey, I'm still ahead of the game on Christmas projects!

And yes, I was still distracted this week. This gorgeous quilt by Kelly at My Quilt Infatuation and this book, Modern Rainbow by Rebecca Bryan are my latest obsessions. Sigh.

Have a fun weekend!

Oh Scrap! Scrappy Little Joys Quilt blocks

Trim the Tree blocks complete

Oh Scrap! is a linky party hosted by Cynthia Brunz, who blogs at Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. The last time I joined in was when I made these offset rainbow blocks, and more of those fun blocks are next on my list.

Welcome Home blocks started

Today I'm working on the Little Joys Quilt-Along blocks. Although the project finished last week, I am still catching up on my quilt-alongs. And since I made this project scrappy by not buying the kit, it qualifies for Oh Scrap!

The blocks are Trim the Tree (Christmas tree), Welcome Home (wreath), and Season of Giving (present). Since the pattern was written for three blocks of each design and using the same fabrics, my only difficulty has been making sure I adjust the quantities of fabrics needed for each block - and I have messed up a few times. Oh well, that just makes more scraps for my jar.

Linking with Oh Scrap!

Farm Girl Friday SAL - Week 14 - Back on Track!

After many interruptions, I finally caught up with the Farm Girl Vintage Sew-Along schedule - yay! This sew-along unites quilters making the blocks from Lori Holt's Farm Girl Vintage book. The patterns aren't complicated, but they are detailed; fortunately the instructions are clear and well illustrated. It takes me longer to choose fabric than to make the blocks. My only problem so far is not reading the instructions thoroughly!

I think my favorite block is the Kettle's On! teapot. My daughter collected small teapots many years ago and her collection was ruined when some of her boxes got crushed in a move. I would love to make her a teapot quilt!

This week's blocks are Old Glory and Old Red Barn, pictured in the groups below. My blocks are 6-1/2 inches and made almost entirely with scraps. It is really fun to begin to see how these blocks will look in a quilt!

Mama Hen, Feed and Seed, Haystack, Grandma's Quilt

Furrows, Kettle's On!, Milking Day, Fresh Pears

Old Glory, Kitchen Window, Gingham, Old Red Barn

You can check out other participants' blocks and variations on Instagram #farmgirlfridays.

Oh Scrap! - Offset Scrappy Log Cabin Blocks

These blocks are so much fun! I blogged here about finding the tutorial for them on the blog of Cynthia Brunz Designs. This woman produces the most amazing blocks and quilts from scraps, and what's even better is that she shares her methods!

I added these three blocks to the teal block from last week

Cynthia made 24 blocks in several color groups and featured several ways to lay out the blocks here. I love them laid out as wheels of color. I haven't decided if I want to add more color groups or stick with these. Cynthia also added some low volume wheels to her layout, and it looks wonderful.

I guess you know you're having fun when you wake up in the morning and can't wait to start working on a project - that's how I feel about this one! I was interrupted with celebrating hubby's birthday, but he was worth it.

I am linking to Cynthia's Oh Scrap linky party

Farm Girl Friday SAL - Week 8

The blocks for week 8 of Farm Girl Vintage Sew-Along are Farm Fresh Flower and Farmhouse. I started them last week but got interrupted by errands, family visits, yard work, and housework. OK, and yes I received an Etsy gift card as well as two Amazon gift cards for my birthday, so a lot of time was wasted gleefully spent trying to make my choices. This morning I finally found some time to finish these two cute blocks.

Farm Fresh Flower Block

Farmhouse Block

Honestly I can see myself making full quilts from either block - I really enjoyed the process and love the final results. Be sure to go here to Instagram to see many color variations of blocks made by the #farmgirlfridays group and here to see the blog of the author of Farm Girl Vintage, Lori Holt.

Farm Girl Friday SAL - Canning Season Block

I pulled a random brown gingham to lay the block on for the photo - I like the combo!

I still have seven blocks to finish before I catch up to the current week's block on Farm Girl Vintage Sew-along, but that's OK with me - it's fun! The only "problem" I have is that it takes me forever to choose fabrics

I had planned to make the remainder of the blocks in 6-inch size, but the 3/4 inch squares specified in the cutting instructions made me laugh out loud, so I'm back to the 12-inch block!

My version is modified from the original pattern. I wanted to add space between the canning jars, so I adjusted the measurements. I had to do so much adjusting that I probably won't do that again.

My husband guessed "milk cans" when I asked if he could tell what they were, but I am still pleased with the way the block finished.

I finished piecing the quilt for my niece and am impatiently waiting for the backing to arrive - next week!

I would love to order more of this "kitschy" fabric used in some of the blocks, but I've lost the name from the selvedge.

Hope all of you have a great weekend!

UPDATE: I found my order, and the fabric is from the Yuwa collection: English Cottage Kitchen listed at Delta Patchwork.