Blocks for Erica

Thanks Erica for making me try these blocks, not sure if I would have otherwise. I really do like the idea of quilting as you go, although I would've had more fun making these blocks if my sewing machine would've been behaving. I hope you like them! I really loved looking at all your neat fabric, very cool stuff.

Especially this one. What is it? Is it from some sort of feedbag or something? Those cherries are just too cool!

Natalie's blocks.

Despite my inability to send these blocks out in a timely fashion, I did finish them early in July and had a great time doing so :) I'm sure by now you've all heard that I have spent the last month moving and settling into a new home. It's been crazy and fun all at the same time. I still have studio boxes to unpack and shelving to erect, but it is feeling like home.

Natalie, you chose awesome fabrics to work with... I've made about 500 or so Hope Valley hexies, so this line feels like home...thanks :)

I can't wait to see all of your progress on your August blocks. Are you all mad at me for choosing a quilted block for the hottest month of the year? If ya are, I apologize!

Take your time girls....there is no rush :)

Have a great Monday.

Quilt it!

Another month.

Another technique.

Before you know it, your month has come and gone, 

and it's time to work with Erica's fabric, Erica's project - - what fun!

I am nothing if not resilient.

No matter how many needles I break.

(I'm up to three snapped needles, and I've only finished two blocks)

And of course the fabric - - most of it vintage

is nothing to experiment with.

I have stacks of feed sacks I have never been able to cut up...

But that's the great thing about being in an online bee.

Stretching your limits.

Learning new techniques.

And finding those quilting muscles you never knew you had.

Thanks, Erica.

natalie.

(it's off to put in another needle and finish the last block)

pieced & quilted with 

Weeks Dye Works hand over dyed Quilting Collection

size 40 - 100% cotton thread 

Isn't it still July?

Seriously, I don't know where the month went. Oh well...a little late, but they're done now, and so pretty, just love these fabrics. They will be mailed tomorrow Natalie :)

August block directions.

To say that the last few weeks were hectic would be an understatement. I just moved to a new house about a mile up the road from where I was, which makes for many trips back and forth. I am not quite settled yet and most of my studio is still in boxes. Anyone wanna come help me unpack? It could be fun...

So if you haven't already received your supplies for this block, you should expect it today or Monday. Each of you were sent a 15" square of warm and white batting, I have marked a 6.5" chalk square in the "middle" of each of the blocks. Because I love lists so well, I will list the directions...

1. Begin with the little baggie of scraps, this determines if your block has a light center or a dark center. The block shown here has a dark center :)

2. Choose one for the center and work your way out, trimming your center fabrics to just within the chalked square.

3. Please use an off white thread. (If you only have white that's fine too!)

4. Feel free to use your own fabrics too, I would love some more text fabrics :)

5.Don't bother trimming the threads on the back of the block, I can do that later (if I do it at all)


6. Don't think too much, it's supposed to be scrappy and haphazard!

7. Penny has an awesome tutorial that I suggest you refer to before making this block. make sure you get to part II of the tutorial that explains sewing the block.

8. Just trim the fabric around the edges of the finished block, I am not yet sure if I'll be trimming them further at a later time.

9. Use only RED, YELLOW, GREEN, BLUE, BROWN, WHITE, BLACK, GREY fabrics if you wish to use your own. (please no candy colors like pink, purple, lime)

10. SIGNATURE: You've all gotten a piece or two of the "lined paper" fabric, I'd love it if you sign or stamp or embroider that fabric and work it into your block. You can see mine above, I've given you extra "lined paper" fabric, so you have a little wiggle room for mess-ups.

11. Have fun and take your sweet time getting them back to me.


12.Do what you want with leftover fabric...keep it or send it back


I can't wait to see your blocks!

Thanks again,
erica

Not Little Miss Muffet

I really enjoyed making these Spiderweb blocks. They were much more enjoyable to make than the Spiderweb blocks I made last summer for a Halloween block swap. I did not get frightened away like Little Miss Muffet, and would love to make my own Spiderweb quilt some day. I mailed these out at the end of July. Thank you Natalie for the inspiration.

quilting bee beautiful friends

quilting bee

bee beautiful

beautiful friends

I recently purchased a small farmhouse table

from a friend's shop in LA

I recently had friends come and stay

at the house - they brought me sunflowers

I recently found on sale

two great big deep transferware plates

I recently found two packages

in my mailbox

And so I created a still life

full of friends

thank you

natalie.