Gridster Bee: October

This month Leisa Plocher provided the Gridster Bee members with African fabrics her mother had collected to create the Africa Queen pattern by Anne Batiste. I enjoyed fussy cutting the fabrics to make three royal ladies.

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Gridster Bee Blocks: June & July

For June, Mary Schubert of Needled Mom requested a Confetti Star block designed by Amy Friend of During Quiet Time with four differently-colored stars and a low-volume or neutral solid background. You can see some of the other blocks on Mary's Instagram or the bee hashtag. 

Carol Gillen went with a patriotic theme for July, and chose a Patriotic Stars block by Sara Noda.

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Gridster Blocks: May

Rachel of The Life of Riley, on Instagram as @rachel_thelifeofriley, was queen of the Gridster Bee this month. She chose literal bee blocks using the Piece by Number Honey Bee Pattern resized to make a 10" block.

You can view Rachel's instructions at her instructional blog post. She requested realistic colors for the bees and a contrasting purple or blue background. My first block, shown below, was a bit too close in value for the brown and orchid background, so I made the block shown above in case it didn't pass quality inspection. I'm sending both blocks, and leaving it up to Rachel.

Thanks for visiting!

Gridster Bee: February, March & April

Fortunately, I've been keeping up with making my Gridster Bee blocks much better than posting about them.

In February, Sherri of A Quilting Life requested scrappy pineapple blocks, which aren't the traditional kind that may come to mind. Coincidentally, you can find Sherri demonstrating the more common variation for Fat Quarter Shop's Bella Skill Builder on YouTube. If you're looking for a more realistic interpretation, use these Pineapple Block instructions. You can also check out Sherri's Mini that inspired her block request. Below is my creation. Sherri has already pieced her quilt top; she shows the progression on her blog here, here, and here.

Elizabeth of Occasional/Piece--Quilt! requested a pair of pigs in March, which she was kind enough to photograph for me since I packaged them without remembering. Elizabeth provided detailed instructions on her blog. Like Sherri, she's composed a top already. 

This month, Nancy of Patchwork Breeze designed a star block using EQ7.

I'm curious what next month will bring, but I wager I can find a few UFOs to keep me busy until then.

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Quilt Con: do. Good Stitches Exhibit

A special selection of quilts from the do. Good Stitches bee were featured in a special exhibit at Quilt Con. I'm sharing just a few of my favorites today. The level of continuity attained in these quilts created by many different quilters that have likely never met in person and the level of effort put into something that will be donated is a tribute to the wonderful online community of quilters.

Ascent by the Do. Good Stitches Bee

I am proud to have been part of the creation of this quilt, along with my Hope Circle bee mates. Check out my original post for the block specifics.

Eclipse by the Hope Circle of the Do. Good Stitches Bee

I love the eclectic rainbow shining from these blocks of various sizes. This looks like a great solution for scraps of all colors.

Watercolors by the Do. Good Stitches Bee

Odds & Ends

My menagerie has a new addition, Mr. Hippo. (Clever and original name, right?) He was designed by Juliet at The Tartankiwi, and will be released shortly.

Why did I need a hippo? If you remember Mr.Elephant, you might realize that he's been a little lonely pinned up to the wall, all by his lonesome, ever since October. I hope that if he has a friend, others might join him, and someday there may be a whole zoo of animals pieced together into a quilt.

I used the same batiks to bring some continuity to the two. Yes, I realize batiks aren't viewed as the most modern material, but they are pretty, and I got a little bit carried away at an inventory reduction sale so it's time to consume.

Unrelated to my growing animal population, I've sent away one Super-Sized Scrappy Tiles Block. At 24" square, it's a big one! Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs asked for a scrappy, monochromatic look in her favorite color, blue.

I've received my quilt top back from the Modern Quilting Facebook Group Round Robin. I love all the fun details everyone added.

I'll be back soon with some insights from Quilt Con, so don't be a stranger!

I'm linking up with:

Bee Blocks - January

Kerrie Porter of Pretty Lady Baby requested straight-forward 9-Patch blocks for this month. For the Hope Circle of do. Good Stitches, she wanted monochromatic blocks in purple, pink, yellow, or green.

To create blocks that will finish at 12", I cut nine 4 1/2" squares for each block. These came together delightfully quickly. It actually took more time to decide on fabrics than to do the sewing.

Christina Biro was up this month for the New Quilt Blogger Bee. She has a full-fledged tutorial for her requested block on her Wips & Tuts blog. Just make sure you make the bottom row of geese go to the left instead of the right.

Instead of doing half square triangles, I opted to create flying geese units using the no waste flying geese method. While not difficult to sew, this block does require some generous cutting time.

They are pretty though, and it's going to be a lovely quilt.

2014 Recap

Let's look back on 2014, shall we? I joined a Round Robin through the Modern Quilting Facebook group, which was a first for me. I've enjoyed the experience, which has been a nice challenge and full of fun surprises.

Online bees have been another fun way to learn new skills without building upon my UFO collection. I participated in the Stash Bee, New Quilt Blogger Bee and the Hope Circle of  do. Good Stitches.

Also, I finished some things! Hooray for that. It's easy to forget my completions given the shameful amount of incomplete projects lurking around my sewing room.

I'm looking forward to what I hope will be another year of plentiful quilting opportunities.

Bee Blocks - December

This month's Impov Wonky X blocks for the Hope Circle of do. Good Stitches were familiar territory after my addition to Paula's Round Robin quilt. Ellen McKee requested orchid and teal similar to the colors in the Art Gallery Indelible line.

This month's Impov Wonky X blocks for the Hope Circle of do. Good Stitches were familiar territory after my addition to Paula's Round Robin quilt. Ellen McKee requested orchid and teal similar to the colors in the Art Gallery Indelible line.

Stephanie Palmer of Late Night Quilter instructed the New Quilt Blogger Bee to create Anna Maria Horner feathers in jewel tones. She asked us to include some white strips and a charcoal shaft. The background has been omitted since she plans to hand appliqué them to her quilt top.

Pam Wilde of Sewing Wilde offered an alternative tutorial. Meredith of Olivia Jane Handcrafted also has a tutorial to lessen fabric waste. If paper-piecing is more your style, Alyce of Blossom Heart Quilts has taken the pattern that direction.

Personally, I cut the pattern pieces out of freezer paper, which I used as a foundation, as in paper-piecing. I cut the finished pieces 1/4" from the edge of the templates so I could turn the edge under using starch and my iron.

Have you made, or are you considering making, either of these blocks?