Friday, November 30, 2012

Hive #2 - November Portrait Blocks

Hi everyone! I'm excited to be a new member of the bee!

I'm glad I'm not the only one who was a bit nervous about this block, but in the end, it was a lot of fun to be so far outside of my comfort zone.

I ended up doing a silhouette for my portrait block:

I'm afraid that, although I love animals, I'm not much of a pet person. So I did a block of my favorite animal:


Laura, you said feel free to embellish the blocks so I took you at your word, and used a ribbon for the flamingo's body. I'll get these dropped off to the post office tomorrow!

Hive # 1 November Block

Here is my November block for Colby...

I hope you like it!!

Hive #1 - December

I did this a few weeks ago and thought I'd posted on here - but not convinced I did!

I have to admit not being inspired when I first saw this block - it looked a lot of work to sort the fabrics and to do...

BUT I loved it and think it looks great!  Can't wait to see the quilt.




Hope you like too!

Hive #2 - November Blocks for Laura

Here you go, Laura!  The blocks have been dropped in the mail as of today -- hope you have fun with these.  To see the real Pumpkin dog, go here!

Pumpkin Self Portrait

Hive #2 November

I am struggling with all the preparations for Christmas but I finally did the two blocks.
Sorry, but that is me! Asking lots of people making a picture of me failed so I took the one at the hairdresser after he cut my long hair ...


We don't have any pets but if we could have one I am sure my kids would love to have something exotic like a penguin ...


Actually I wanted to make my monsters (I have three of them). So you are lucky cause in all the hurry (I was in the school library today and the lady after me did not show up so I stayed much longer than I wanted to and all the plans don't work out now) I dropped the iron and now it looks like this ...


So no more applique for today until I cleaned this one and the monster stays here. If you can wait an other week I will put it to the other blocks.
I am so sorry for being terrible late and will post them as soon as possible!

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Hive #1 December Block: Rectangle Cubed

Hello, dear Hive #1! It is holiday season, folks are getting busy...so this block is one that involves squares, rectangles and nice straight lines. It is a cheerful scrappy block, which here will have quite a modern twist.

 You will need:
- scraps of a variety of greys and yellows, at least big enough to get 3.5" squares out (more precise dimensions below)
- about half a fat quarter, or a few inches-wide selvage-to-selvage strip, of Kona Iron.

 The block is a set of squares and rectangles arranged together in any one of a variety of layouts to fill a grid.
Colours:
- the Kona Iron for the strips between
- Greys and yellows for the squares and rectangles. A guide to what I'm thinking of in terms of greys and yellows:
  all ready to turn into blocksrectangles & squares call to be blocks
The main trick in putting together the fabric choices for this block is to pick a range of values: light to dark greys, light to dark yellows. Using solids is all good, as is using prints that have a lot of white in them, like the ones in these fabrics I pulled.

Golden yellow is great, but please no actual oranges or almost-green yellows. For those with wide-ranging stashes, the greys are 'cool' greys rather than 'warm' greys. If you have those that is great, if not I will not be worried!

 I will ask that there should be no more than three squares/rectangles that are yellow in a block - the grey is to dominate, so that the yellow makes happy bright splashes ;)

DIMENSIONS:
Squares 3.5" X 3.5" (3" finished)
Rectangles 3.5" X 7.5" (3" X 7" finished)
Kona Iron strips 1.5" wide (1" finished)

 Here are three example blocks that I made: Example blocks of {yellow:grey}

The Kona Iron strips will end up in lengths of 3.5", 7.5", and one 11.5" per block. The number of 3.5" long and 7.5" long will depend on the layout you choose (see the example layouts). Standard quarter-inch seam allowance.

 Tips and tricks:
- Sew together the bits adjacent to the shortest sides first, ie. first the ones that have a 3.5" long strip between, then the ones that have a 7.5" long strip, finally the 11.5" long strip.
- In the final assembly down the 11.5" long strip, keep an eye on any sashing that lines up visually across the block to check it stays in line. I've found the block to be pretty forgiving, but it can catch one out.

 I would like two blocks, please. They will end up as a finished size of 11.5" X 11.5" each. No sig block needed.

 This is the kind of effect that will happen when all the Hive #1 blocks are together (creation post on my blog): turquoise delights: orbits quilting

Please note that I will be moving across the world (from Australia to Canada!) in February - so mailing before then would be much appreciated ;)

 Thank you all so much!

Hive #2 December Block for Jackie

Ok Jackie, thank you for telling me my very loved Viking does not really do 1/4 seems... anyway 3 blocks later I got you at lease two blocks that are actually 12.5" squares.  I finish them this weekend actually I just did not have time to post until now.

I hope you like them, I will put them in the mail today or tommrow. I will even sent the small one too you might use it for a pillow or something. :) Have fun...

Nataki

Another star for Colby

This one turned out perfect!  Hope you like it…in the mail today.
1-003

Hive #4 - November Blocks for Jess

LOVED making these blocks!!  I definitely see one of these quilts in my future :)

Stash Bee Nov Block #2 Hive #4


Stash Bee Nov Block #1 Hive #4

Mailing them out today!

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Hive #4

its going out in the morning! Was great fun!
Christy @seamsewcountry

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Nov block for Colby Hive 1



Here is your block Colby!
This is my absolute fave block so far!
  I hope you like it!
I LUV these blocks

Monday, November 26, 2012

November block for Colby

hope you like it Colby....it has helped highlight what colours are seriously lacking in my stash!



it will be in the post tomorrow.
p.s - this is the first time ive done a blog post from my phone, hope it worked ok!

Hive 1--November Block for Colby


I've had this sitting on my desk waiting for me to post for about a week now :)  I guess I'm having a hard time letting this one go.  As I was ironing it, I was thinking that my oldest would like it as a pillow on her bed.  Moments later she walks in and tries to claim it ...  I guess I'll have to work on another one sometime soon.  I'll head to the post office later this morning.

November Hive 4 block

I just realized I arranged the block the wrong way when taking the picture...luckily it wasn't sewn together so they're easily re-arranged.  Hope you like them Jessica!  :)

Cecillia

Sunday, November 25, 2012

For Hive #2 Laura

Thanks for letting me play along with hive #2 this month. The blocks were fun to make.

That's me -- Carol from hive #4. I always have a pair of funky drug store "granny" glasses on my head. Sometimes I even rock a pair of "granny" glasses and my sunglasses on my head. Sometimes I can't find my glasses anywhere and they are on my head. LOL.

This is Moka. She can only put one ear up because she is only half German Shephard. I kid you not. We think the other half is Rottweiler.


Hive #2 November

Here is my block for Laura. I am sorry it is so simple but my sewing machine is on the fritz with and kind of zig-zagging (i.e. satin stich for applique). I hope it works and you like it!
DSCN9858
Rebeckah~

Hive 3 block from Debbie

Hive 3 block from Debbie Gay

November Blocks for Amber and Debbie Hive 4

Blocks from Amber and Debbie Gay

Debbie's Hive 4 Block


November & December hive 3 blocks


Here are 2 blocks for Carolyn--the photo's a little overexposed.  The blocks were mailed last Monday, so maybe they've already arrived!
  And two blocks for Tara... my dog was surprisingly accommodating as a model (see her feet there), but the ones that show her didn't show the blocks very well.  Modeling is not my older dog's forte; she got a treat for her cooperation. 
I made a blue block and an orange one, but I didn't like the orange one very well, so I made a purple one that I'm happier with.  I'll mail them soon! 

Saturday, November 24, 2012

December Hive 2 Blocks

I got Jackie's December Hive 2 blocks made this weekend.  They were fun blocks to make.  I will mail them out next week.


Bri

Hive 3 for Tara

Tara looks like we all have similar tastes in blue!  I will stitch up a grey block to balanace out of the blues :)  These will be mailed on Monday.

Hive 3 for Carolyn

Carolyn's Hour Glass blocks...  Check out the all the blocks on flickr!  It will be a gorgeous quilt!

Hive #3 ~ December block for Tara ~

Greetings!
I hope these log cabin blocks are what you were looking for Tara!  They were fun to make so I made four - green, blue-green, blue and purple.  I'll get them mailed to you next week sometime.

Stash Bee Hive 3 December
(Sorry, I messed up on the blue one a bit)

Take care,
Nancy D. :0)

Hive 3, Blocks for Tara (December)

Hi Tara!  I am so glad you posted your block choice early.  I needed to have something to do today to distract me from the many things I should be doing. :)

I made two blocks for you.  I hope you like them!


November Hive 4 for Jess

Hello Hive 4!

I'm Alison and I just joined Hive 4 and these are my blocks for Jess this month:


Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 23, 2012

Hive #2 December blocks..

Hi Jackie,

 Great way to use up fabric from the scrap pile! These were quick and easy to make, hope you like! I made an extra one.
Lynn


Hive 2

 I hope these blocks will help with your plans for a December quilt!
They were fun to make, but it was really difficult, deciding which scraps to try to put into them! I wanted to keep it light and bright, and dark colours kept creeping into the mix!

These will find their way into the post next week.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Hive #1, November Block For Colby


Here you go Colby. This was very easy to make and has maximum effect. Just the kind of block I like.

I hope you enjoy it. 



Hive #3 December Block

Hi girls! I hope it’s okay to post this a few days early in case anyone wants to get a head start since the holidays are quickly approaching!

The block I’d like to request for my month is the same one used in the Scrappy Stash QAL. It’s pretty much a log cabin cabin block made from different fabrics of one color. I’d prefer that it NOT be wonky, and please no batiks. A mix of bright and soft colors would be great! The size of the block I need is 9.5x9.5, but if you make it bigger and don’t feel like trimming it I have no problem doing that part for you! One block is fine, but of course if you’re having too much fun to stop at one I won’t complain :) My stash is seriously lacking in purples and blues so any blocks in those colors would be appreciated, but I’m okay with any colors! I’ll add a picture of a pink block I’ve already made for reference. Let me know if I’ve forgotten anything!

(Scrappy Stash log cabin tutorial)

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Hive #2 December Block

Stephanie emailed me last week and asked if I wouldn't mind posting my December block early.  We have all been sick and now on the mend :)  So here is my questionaire first and then my block to follow.
Name, ect. :
I'm Jackie and I live in Oregon with my "other half" and 2 boys ages 8 and 11.
Hardest quilt ever made:
I haven't come across anything yet.  I don't usually challenge myself though.  I like to keep things semi-simple.  Maybe the hardest thing is just finishing the quilts.  I have a pile of tops waiting to be basted :)
Favorite dessert:
Anything!!  I like it all!! Except nuts.  Especially walnuts--gross.
Last time I really laughed hard:
Well, we always laugh. The kids have a good sense of humor and are always saying/doing something funny.  Latley, I've been in the humor catagory on Pintrest.  If you are having a bad day--go there!!  It will definatly make you laugh :)
My job:
I am a stay-at-home mom for right now taking care of everyone which also includes our dogs, a cat, 4 horses and the boys' newest addition--a ferret. Inbetween all of that I find time to sew and maybe even blog about it once in awhile.  www.nwpatchwork.blogspot.com
When did I learn to sew/ 1st thing I made:
I started when I was in grade school.  I taught myself on my mom's machine making Barbie doll clothes.  I remember the 1st outfit was a tube top and matching skirt :) Then some sewing in 4H and then Home Ec in Junior High and High School.
Life philosophy:
Treat others the way you would like to be treated and if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. 
So that is me in a nutshell.  Now onto my block.


Akansas Crossroads
For one, 12.5" block you will need:
12 assorted 3.5" printed squares
2  6.5" white squares  (Please use Kona white)


Choose 8 of the 3.5" squares and make 2 four-patch units like these:
            
                                     

Then take the remaining 3.5" squares and mark a diagonal line on the back.  



Sew these to the white 6.5" squres in opposite corners , trim and press like this:

(upper left and bottom right corners)



Sew these units together like this:



And there is one 12.5" Arkansas Crossroads block.  Please make 2 if possible and the scrappier the better.  As in no duplicates.  Kona white for the solid.  Here are the 2 blocks that I made:



Thanks so much for making these for me!! Let me know if you have any questions.  Happy sewing :)