Stash Bee 2016 Blocks

Friends, I had the honor of hive mama-ing for Stash Bee Hive 5 this year. This was my third year being a hive mama, and while I won't be doing it next year due to increasing home school commitments and the fact that I will have a very new baby, it has been a lovely experience. I'm a big fan of Stash Bee.

Sign-ups for the 2017 year opened up yesterday, and if you've been considering joining, I thought you might like to take a look at some examples of blocks you might be asked to make. I asked for the Five Crosses block in the center of the collage, and I received a lovely batch of blocks that I turned into a quilt for my friend K.

One of my favorite parts of the bee is that it allows me to make blocks I wouldn't normally make, often using color palettes that are outside of my 'usual'. I had a super fun year with a super fun hive, but I'm pretty sure the collage gives that away!  

FF: Stash Bee 2016 Quilt, Woo!

I have another finish in the books, and none too soon. This quilt has been sitting around, basted, taunting me. Demanding attention. And I would have loved to give in to its demands, but I couldn't as I had NO IDEA how to quilt this bad boy. PS-Thanks to EVERYONE on IG who chimed in with ideas. It's part of what makes IG grand, and I am so thankful for a helpful, constructive community. (But we already know that quilters are the best sort of people.)

Brief introduction: this is a quilt using blocks from Stash Bee Hive 5. I'm not gonna lie, this is an impressive set of individuals. (I am totally not biased, even if I am the hive mama.) The block is called the Five Crosses, and if you're interested in making it, I wrote up a Five Crosses block tutorial because I couldn't find one anywhere!

Last week, I pulled my quilt sandwich down and spread it out in my kitchen. (It seemed like the perfect time--I had actually mopped my floors!) I marked it up with my hera marker. I considered FMQ. I added magenta painter's tape. I went through five or six ideas before rejecting them all. And what I kept coming back to was straight lines, two inches apart.

But it seemed boring. Not necessarily that it would look boring, but really boring to quilt up. So I opted to shake things up and did the straight lines in quarters, rotating the lines every time I moved on to a new quarter. (I used a combination of my hera marker and the guide on my walking foot.) I'm not sure you can see very well from the above photo of the quilt's center, but half of the lines are horizontal, and the other half are vertical.

After I quilted it, the quilt looked kinda crummy. Not gonna lie. It rippled a bit, which was distressing to say the least. And the back...well, you can kinda see what happened in the pic below.

The backing fabric misbehaved in the extreme. Although, my husband mentioned that he actually thinks the waviness of the back is super cool--I dunno, but whatevs. I will say that once I washed the quilt, it decided to get with the program, and now it lays flat, thank goodness. The washing machine seems to have kicked the ripple out of its ornery system. The back is what it is, but I can live with it.

The blocks I received were a mishmash of serious fun, and I sashed it up using a green Grunge fabric. The outer border is also Grunge--not sure which blue. And I bound it up using leftovers of the green Grunge and a bit of green and white stripe I had leftover from my recent Night Sky finish. I thought this would be a good option for machine binding, plus I used my zigzag stitch to finish it, which is always super fun.

I've been trying to take my quilts out and about and photograph them in fun places, but with the heat index hitting 105 and 109 degrees F, well, I haven't been much interested in leaving my house, especially not third-trimester preggo with three littles in tow. So I thought I would take some photos of this one around my house, leaving things much as they are. It is not uncommon to find trucks and duplos and random shoes strewn about the place. It's also not uncommon to find toddler feet on quilts as my two-year-old likes to dance all over them the moment they are laid on the ground.

I am super thankful to Hive 5 for helping me make such a fun quilt for my friend. I hope to mail it this week. She doesn't know it's coming! So it will be a total surprise, which will be fun. And I'm thankful to everyone that pitched in with suggestions and encouragement as I saw this one to the finish--including, but not limited to, my fabulous quilting sensei, K. Because everyone should have a quilting sensei. But you can't have mine. Because she's mine, and poor thing already has to deal with ME!

This is finish #6 from my Q3 FAL list. My pace has slowed a bit, but I'm still making progress, which is practically a miracle. Now, I really need to get tackling some of those other projects--like some sewing for my daughter who will be here lickety-split!

Improv-y August Bee Block

For this month's Stash Bee block, I was assigned an improv-y/modern block for a sampler quilt in beachy colors. The color palette was interesting and something I hadn't seen before. It was also composed of a bunch of colors I don't regularly use! I searched through my stash and scrap bags, and culled this mountain of scraps.

Our queen bee had recommended 42 Quilts' Modern Monday series for inspiration, and inspired I was! It was actually difficult to nail down a design. At first, I leaned toward a wonky string block, but I didn't have long enough strings to work with, so I opted to go with block 61, though my interpretation is...a bit loose.

In my hunt for fabric, I discovered this square-in-a-square block. It included the infamous touch of rust, which had me stumped. (100 points to me for finding a way to sneak it in?? Oh, I think so.)

Remember that mountain of scraps from the first photo? Yeah, this is ALL that's left. Not even kidding. It makes me giddy to see all of that fabric being used. Hooray! I am always so nervous with improv requests, but then I get started, and it all comes together. It's even gotten to the point where I'm not stressed out when piecing them. (Thank goodness.) Of course, it helps that this is only a 15" finished block and not an entire quilt, but still! I'm happy to be stretched in my quilting hobby.

Happy Wednesday, Friends! My Wednesday is NOT super happy, but only because I thought I had enough border fabric, and I *actually* started attaching borders and got three on before I realized I need one more 3.5" strip, so it looks like I'll be ordering fabric. I SUPPOSE I'll have to add a few more things to my cart to justify shipping costs...like maybe some more knits and fun prints for Vanilla clothes? If I must. Oh, the sacrifices I make for you, quilting hobby!

A Bee Block

Abigail was the June queen bee for my Stash Bee hive, and she picked a super fun block! This was my first time making this one, and while it took a bit of time to cut fabric, I really enjoyed the final product.

And maybe, just maybe, I started cutting 2.5" squares for a postage stamp quilt. I mean, I was already cutting a whole bunch...why not???

With the exception of the low volume squares, all of the colored squares were from scraps. I hauled out my bags of scraps and dumped them out, grabbing pieces that spoke to me--that didn't have brown--and were the right size.

And here's the finished product! I'm not gonna lie, some of those points are sharp. I think Abigail is going to have an amazing quilt when all is said and done!

April, So Far.

My family is moving in less than a month. I had known for over a year that we would be moving sometime this summer, I had just thought it would be more on the July side of the summer. But nope. May. Because May is waaaaay more fun than July.

Of course, it's beautiful and finally warm outside, and we've been soaking in some Vitamin D like no one's business. I truly love the neighborhood I live in--walking distance to a small grocery store, a stellar park, our amazing library, and several of our friends' homes--and I've been trying to soak all of that in too. When we moved to the midwest, I didn't expect I would ever like it here. And while I am more than happy to say goodbye to tornadoes and massive amounts of snow--oh wait, that's coming with me--I am sad to consider all of the wonderful things we are leaving behind.

This girl, Audrey? She's nostalgic. Gets attached. Can get a wee bit, well, weepy.

I've been self-medicating with cookies and tea. And trying to read every last book in the library because I have this fear we're going to move somewhere with a really crummy library.

And with my dearest Stella out for a week or so, I'm reduced to handstitching, knitting, and finally trimming these blocks. Seriously, I've been meaning to trim them for ages. So it's good to finally get that done, make a plan for setting and do the math. I've done math for a few other projects too, calculating fabric requirements and looking at my timeline.

Oh, but before Stella went bye-bye, I managed to wip up this bee block for Stash Bee. I'm pretty stoked that I finally managed to get all of my stuff to line up directionally on the first shot. It really does make for a classy looking block.

What are y'all up to? I know a ton of other quilters who are moving too, so apparently it's the season for moving.

March Stuff.

Friends, my time at the sewing machine has been extremely limited of late. Combine that with a secret sewing project I've been working on behind the scenes (full pics next week!), I have little to show for March.

Pixie basket from hoarded Lizzie House scraps.

March Stash Bee Block for Jane. I felt almost like I was playing with paper dolls as I was picking out my cowboy's outfit. (As you can see, he has NOT been wearing sunscreen.)

First knits ever project. It was stressful, but this is now the most comfortable shirt I own. The top collar is a little wonky, but the fabric felt tissue paper thin, and I'm just happy I turned out something wearable. Next time, use a thicker knit, Audrey!

I'll be back next week with my fun reveal. Until then, I hope y'all are well!

FF: My Daddy's Quilt.

I finished binding this lovely during the Superbowl, and I'm thrilled to finally have it done. The blocks were made by Stash Bee Hive 8 (2015) and yours truly. The block is a modified version of the Glorious Autumn Star by Faith of Fresh Lemons Quilts.

This quilt is toddler and Spidey approved. It's also My Daddy approved. (Poor guy. He's been waiting a loooong time for this one.)

I did some FMQ on this bad boy, which measures at about 56" x 68". I wasn't thinking much about how the quilting would translate onto the back when I first started quilting the blocks, so I was thrilled when I turned the quilt over and found this cool design on the back. I then did some straight line quilting in the white sashing.

The binding I pulled from stash, almost using up two different navy prints.

I wish this quilt was a solid finish with no tragedy, but apparently, I can't deliver on that front. One of the blocks experienced some pretty hardcore bleeding, and there are blue stains and smears all over the white on that block. (Boo.)

My dad doesn't care, but I do. I told him in January 2015 I was making a quilt for him, and now it's over a year later, and I'm looking at a blotchy quilt. When I pulled it out of the dryer, I did a quick check before I threw it in the dryer, but as I've never had a problem with this before, I wasn't looking too closely. It's gone through the washer a second time, and I have it in now for a third round. The color catchers from the second wash showed more dye present, and I'd hate for my dad to wash it and have more spotting, so while these dye spots might not change, the hope is that no new ones will form.

Michelle at From Bolt to Beauty just posted about her own adventures trying to get bleed marks out of a quilt, and her post is extremely timely! I'm hoping I have similar success!

But it's a finish, and I'm glad to have it off my sewing table. This is finish #2 from my Q1 2016 FAL list, woo woo!

February Bee Block

This weekend, I had the privilege of starting and finishing my February Stash Bee block. The block was wild and fun, and I had a lot of fun sewing it together. (So much fun, that I might have started a rainbow log cabin project. Because of course I did.)

I also had the privilege of sewing the last few inches of binding down on my father's quilt, and today I hope to finish burying threads and sew a label to the back. I've stepped out of character and sent him a few progress shots as I've worked on it, and it seems as though he likes it a lot! Hopefully I'll have some photos up this week.

It snowed yesterday, and it's snowing outside right now, and I'm trying not to grumble. Hope y'all are well!

Q1 FAL List 2016

Can I add about twelve exclamation points to this post's title! O to the M to the G, I am so excited to be starting off 2016 with another delicious FAL list into which to sink my teeth. Can you feel my excitement? Better yet, do you share it?

1. Frozen Watermelon Quilt
Top done, needs to be basted, quilted, bound
DONE

2. Dad's Star Quilt
DONE
Top done, needs to be basted, quilted, bound

3. Negroni shirt for husband
THIS IS SHAMEFUL. I have done NOTHING. (Mostly because I'm terrified.)

4. Hot Pink Socks
One sock is knitted; need to start and complete the second

5. Midnight Mystery Quilt

Blocks are done; need to finish assembling top, baste, quilt, bind

6. 241 Tote for Kim

Pieces are cut
DONE

7. 241 Tote for Me
Planning to use some C+S and other prints; materials gathered

8. Dress for Me
By Hand London's Anna pattern; delicious yummy voile from Fancy Tiger Crafts

I'm linking up! Are you? 

Five Crosses Block Tutorial

THIS IS BLOCK AMAZINGNESS, aka, a Five Crosses block. I saw this block randomly on instagram, and I loved it so. I figured, it'll be easy to find a tutorial, right? WRONG. (That being said, if you know of one/find one, please don't tell me! I think I would cry!)

This was my demonstration fabric pull. When I first thought about making this quilt, I knew I wanted a blue/green bit of awesome, which is what I got!

You'll need: 

FABRIC A (blue in my pictures)

(8) 2.5" squares

(12) 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles

FABRIC B (green in my pictures)

(6) 2.5" squares

(5) 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles

1. You might be able to figure out how the block is pieced just from the photo, but in case you'd like some instruction, here's where to start: piece the center cross first, using (4) fabric A 2.5" squares plus (2) fabric B 2.5" squares and (1) fabric B 2.5" x 6.5" rectangle.

2. After that is completed, attach a 2.5" x 6.5" fabric B rectangle to the top and bottom of the cross. You'll need to piece the left and right sides, which are each composed of (2) fabric A 2.5" squares and (1) fabric B 2.5" x 6.5" rectangles. Once all four sides are attached to the center cross from step 1, set piece aside.

3. There are four corner units, which are each sewn up using (3) fabric A 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles and (1) fabric B 2.5" square. Two fabric A rectangles attach to the left and right side of the fabric B square. A third fabric A rectangle should be centered and attached to the top of the pieced rectangle.

4. Grab your center piece and lay out the block. The four corner units will need to be positioned around the center bit, then attached. One way of centering the corner units properly is to fold both the center square and the corner units in half. (You'll see I folded one right sides together and one wrong sides together so that they will nestle.) Pin and sew.

5. Your finished product before trimming will look like this. I trimmed my blocks to 12".

I hope y'all enjoyed this tutorial. Let me know if you wind up making a five crosses block!

November is done.

And by November is done, I certainly don't mean the month is done. Just my block commitments. No, no. That bad boy seems to just be getting started! (Is anyone else having a superbly crummy month? UGH. I pretty much hate this November. But maybe this means all of the junk of the month is finished and the rest will be a breeze? Fingers crossed.)

These are my November offerings for the Midnight Mystery Quilt. I am really excited about the way these are turning out, even if I'm not entirely in love with the way my scrappy greens are behaving. I know it's still early, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to love this quilt when it's finished.

And...my November blocks for Stash Bee. Jacqueline pretty much gave us free reign to use whatever fabrics we wanted, and I obviously took her up on it, which made these blocks so much fun! My favorite is the one on the bottom. I'm done with Stash Bee blocks for 2015! (As a Hive Mama, I have a *few* more responsibilities to tackle, but honestly, my hive this year was full of super awesome wonderful ladies who made my job extremely easy.)

And now, I'm off to take care of my clients, and by clients, I mean my three kiddos. Happy Wednesday, y'all!