Nearly done....

 I've spent some time attempting to get this quilt nearly finished.  One more block to go and that one will be coming in the mail.    I'm trying to completely finish a project before starting another one but that isn't too easy.  One more block was made since this picture was taken.

 My niece could probably use a twin size bed quilt mostly likely using Lynnebobsquarepants.  Ever since making the Project Linus quilt using Pat Bravo's scraps, I've been wanting to incorporate more Art Gallery fabrics in my quilts.  This stack is mostly Poetica with some Oval and Nature Elements thrown in.  Pretty good for someone who likes blue, purple and pink.  Unless I make a baby quilt to donate first, I think this is my next project.

And April's bee block for Lisa.  I tried to be very careful about matching points especially because I know I am better when I can trim things down to size.  There wasn't that luxury this time with the directions.  It looks pretty good in the picture.  Yay!

A final project that also has yet to be started.  Every year there is a call for staff art to be displayed at the main office.  Traci and I decided it might be kind of cool to get together a group of us and each make one block to contribute to a quilt to be displayed.  We have about 6 months to accomplish this and it is the fun part, fabric shopping.

More squares

So far this week I've added 3 more squares to my Daisy Chain quilt, all in the 4 sets of 6.5" squares.

 In a random layout, here is what it looks like now with 31 blocks completed.  I need to add more of the intricate blocks instead of the 4 square or 1 square per 12.5" block versions.  And probably I need to add some more solid dominated blocks as a resting point for the eyes.

 Last weekend, I attempted to release the parking brake from the car while it was in the driveway only to hear a funny noise and find that even though the handle was released, the parking brake was still engaged and the car would not move.  While waiting at home for the tow truck driver to come to take it in to get fixed, I started on a Mod Mosaic mini-quilt/mug rug as a thank you.  I've never sent a quilty thank you before and it is one that is probably unexpected.  But, I wanted to return the favor when someone did something that made me smile.     I now think I need to make some other mod mosaic style blocks as I like them quite a bit.  I'm glad it is Friday tomorrow.

A block for Alisa

I haven't done much sewing this week and failed to take pictures of the drawstring bags before they were given as wrappings for birthday presents.  But, I did manage to make the 25 patch block for this month of Sew.Bee.Create (and a second 16 patch that I did not take a picture of before I packed it up).  I did try to go slow and match up as many points as possible, but I wasn't perfect.  Argh.  Alisa wanted us to include at least one square from our own stash to make each block unique and ours.  Can you guess which one it is?




Besides drawstring bags, the other project since the last post was selecting and cutting fabrics for Kati's Monster Charm Swap.  I got my favorite color, managed to purchase some that ended up being red-purple in person instead of purple, and had to try again.  These were the final five selected.  Most are from Art Gallery (as were the red-purples) and the first is a Timeless Treasures Bubbles in Purple.  The fabric is now cut and sorted, and is waiting to get packed up and sent off after I buy some labels.

Next project to complete before a Saturday swim lesson is a drawstring backpack with laminated cotton on the inside to put in someone's swim stuff.  Hopefully that will be a successful story for the next time, and I'll be better about taking pictures.

And then there were 21

5 new ones since the last picture but I need to fix one of them since one is hard to see next to its neighboring large square.

More Bee Blocks

Sue's arrived, my mom made a block, and I finished three to bring the grand total to 16.  I decided to change the final ring around Kris' block so it was all the same (she ran out with less than 4 inches to go).  Her blocks were so neat, I felt a bit guilty.  But I decided to go with uniformity.  The two partial blocks need one more ring and then 11 of the little 2.5 inch blocks each.  Those are coming out a little wonky no matter how hard I try to sew them straight.  Perhaps I shouldn't try to get three layers in a 2.5 inch block.  Before today, the blocks seemed pretty blue but I think they're a bit more balanced now with the blues and greens.   Besides making the little ones, I think I need to add a few darker rings tomorrow.

Bee blocks so far

Here is a random arrangement of bee blocks that have made it back here so far.  It is pretty busy up close but I like it very much looking at it from across the room.  I'm curious how the other blocks will fit in and if I'll feel the need to add more solids in the additional blocks I plan to make to give the eyes places to rest.  After the zig zag quilt with lots of negative space, this is quite the contrast.  And it is just a bit outside my comfort zone since I tend to choose patterns with negative space.  Now back to cleaning up my sewing space so I might be able to use it this weekend.

A Valentine

While reading stories this evening, I looked at the HST on the pinwheel quilt and figured I could make a heart shape reasonably well.  Since my attempt to make a red scarf failed miserably, I made a different valentine gift.  Not sure if it will become a placemat, a doll blanket or something else.  Hopefully she'll like it.  I guess I could have done a better job of lining up ovals and paying attention to their direction.  I can start planning next year's project now.  It's quilted with little hearts on a vine.