June Block Round-up

At last, almost two months after posting these blocks, my crows for Velda at GrannycanQuilt, who was Bee Inspired queen back in April, have arrived! We’ve had our mystery line-up to guess the maker (a lot of fun!) and I can show them to you. Ta-da! Velda gave us a tutorial which she has since had to remove from her blog to keep the peace (long unpleasant story) and requested that part of the crows be either black with white or white with black with the rest of the crow being bright colours on a low volume background.

Staying on the black and white critter theme, June’s Bee Inspired block for Karen at Tu-na Quilts and Eats is a poodle block. This was a nightmare of tutorial errors and a confusing number of pieces. If you feel you want to take this on the tutorial is here. Karen gave us corrections but wasn’t specific as to what pieces they were in the pattern. (The underbelly should have a flip triangle of 2.75” for the hind leg and the ear piece should be cut at 4.25” long). I was overwhelmed by the written instructions and decided to follow the photographic steps instead where the error was different on the ear piece, but instead of being longer as in the written instructions (I’m told) came up too short. I was ready to throw it in the corner and there were some choice words thrown about at this point but I persevered and the block is done! Would I do another one? Not on your life!

EDIT: I am reliably informed that the tutorial has now been corrected. If you want to make one now it should be a lot easier.

The tutorial suggests that we name our poodles and I was going to name him after the poodle we had when we were growing up, Marcel, but Kate has picked that name for hers. I could always call him Marcel2 but I think I’ll go for Ricky Doodle the poodle (anyone seen Ricky Tims’ Grand Finale video? You’ll understand the reference if you have.).

Finally, for Stash Bee Alanna (@the_handmade_tail) chose nice simple flying geese. She’s making a quilt for her best friend’s upcoming wedding and her friend is very much into nature and the environment, with a husband-to-be who’s a scientist with music as a hobby. Colours chosen were green and grey with prints that reflected the couple’s interests. I’ve had the Laurel Burch leaf print for a long time and now seemed like the perfect time to break it out and use it. The greys are new from my local fabric purveyor. They were 50% off and who can resist a bargain!

Till next time au revoir!

Linking up to Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts, Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, and Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Garden Snails Mini Quilts

Remember all the Garden Snail Quilt blocks I was making at the beginning of the year? This is what became of them.

I turned them into mini quilts and then I turned these two into a cover for the fan in my sewing room. It gets very very dusty here in summer and I’m not that keen on cleaning in hot weather so a cover is a necessity. I took the photos before they were sewn together (and so no binding) because I wasn’t sure how the project would turn out. Just as well. It’s functional but not highly photogenic.

The quilting for these was done in a diagonal cross hatch that I really liked.

Along with those I made these two minis for my international Pay it Forward Craft recipients. I quilted these in an experimental random criss cross way that I regretted pretty much immediately. You win some, you lose some *sigh*.

I enjoyed making these blocks… Or wait, did I? I remember complaining about them at the time but I think, looking back, with some other more time consuming blocks under my belt since, that they weren’t too bad. I had a few deadlines at the time and that didn’t help my attitude. I think I would possibly even make them again.

They certainly give great opportunities to pick a favourite fabric or two to showcase and the block pattern has an option to paper piece the shell using different fabrics. Now that sounds like a great scrap buster but could be a tad time consuming for a working girl.

The pattern is by Pen and Paper patterns and is available here.

Linking up to Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts, Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, and Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

May Block Round-up

Last month’s Bee Inspired block was for Irene at Patchwork and Pastry. She asked for a 9 patch in a 9 patch in a 9 patch in soft grey. You can only see two? The smallest one is part of the centre block, second down on the left. The squares for that one finished up at a very small ½” each!

For Stash Bee, May’s queen Julia (@sparkymonster) chose the X and plus block and gave us the option of using purple, orange, hot pink and blue-green on a low volume background. I enjoyed making this block and it has set in concrete my plans to make a whole quilt using it. I have a dedicated Pinterest board to this design already and the variations are endless.

My last Inside Addition block from my Bee Inspired mate Emily at The Darling Dogwood finally arrived after more than 2 months of travelling. I’d given up on it arriving and Emily had plans to start a replacement for me when it arrived. This gives me hope since the crows I made for Velda for April have still not arrived after about 5 weeks.

I’ve been spending the last week or so making another 18 to go along with the ones I received, or so I thought. When I went to lay it out on the weekend I found I was one short *sigh*. There may have been a short outburst of bad language. It should be exciting when the top starts coming together.

Happy sewing and stay safe!

Linking up to Lorna at Sew Fresh Quilts, Needleand Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation, and Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter