Goodies

Since I don't have over 1100 different fabrics in my stash to use to make the hexagon charm quilt, I have been participating in some charm pack swaps.  My packages have been slowly trickling in.  Even some surprise squares from my mother-in-law!  Yay!  When we went to visit my Shawn's parents over Memorial Day, my mother-in-law started her own hexagon quilt as well. 

I also started piecing together some of my hexagons.  I want to be able to mix piecing the hexagons and making them so I don't become burnt out by one or the other. 

Now that I'm seeing how the one color looks, I'm second guessing my choice.  This photo doesn't really make them look very attractive in general though.  Note to self:  find a better way to photograph pieced hexagons.

Instead of doing the color wave approach, maybe I do want a more random layout more like this.  Or maybe this.  I don't know.  What do you think?  I think I may go back to making hexagons and revisit this issue later.

Scrappy Bee: June

For June in the scrap busting bee, Jennifer sent us some great fabrics and asked for scrappy flying geese.  I'm a big fan of flying geese (as you can tell from this work in progress), so I was happy to oblige. I'm really happy with how they turned out!

The first block I made was simply half square triangles strategically laid out. 

The second block I made using this tutorial.  It is actually the same method I am using to make the flying geese for my Christmas quilt. 

Now, since July is my month in both of my bees, I need to figure out what I'd like everyone to make.  Decisions, decisions. 

Scrappy Bee: May

In my quest to be caught up in my quilting bees, last night I finished May's block for my scrap busting bee.  Tammie sent us a bunch of great scraps to make a wall hanging for a child's bedroom.  She posted this block for inspiration and left it pretty open ended.  The only requirement was that it had to include some of the fabric with the people. 

Here's the first block I made.  Pretty simple.  I wanted to make the block like beads and letting the kids be the main focus.

The second one I decided to go for showcasing more of the scraps.  I am very happy with how this one turned out.  A block with so many scraps can tend to look really busy, but I like how the solid pieces break it up and tame it a bit.

Now, tonight I'm setting out to finish up the June scrappy blocks for Jennifer.  I love being this productive! 

Funniest Wedding Card

Just thought I'd share.  :) 

Quilter Bees: Time to Catch Up

This weekend has been dedicated to catching up on quilting bee blocks.  Up first, the Quilter Bees.

In April, Angie asked us for two blocks with circles.  I opted for the machine appliqued variety ala this tutorial. 

Prior to this, I had never done any applique or circles.  I suspect that they would have turned out a bit better had I been a seasoned veteran.  Although, isn't that the case with most things?

Next up, for May Dorrie sent along a fabulous collection of little scraps for us to make an equally fabulous block. 

I have to say, I'm a bit sad to send this block back.  I love it!  There are 88 1-inch squares in that 12.5" block.  Needless to say, it was incredibly time consuming.  It is so beautiful though!  It is definitely one of those blocks where the extra labor was worthwhile. 

And finally, for June Sorrel sent us a collection of purple and gold fabrics so we can make a LA Lakers inspired quilt for her cousin.  She asked for slightly wonky log cabins.  I think mine turned out "slightly" wonky enough. 

Up next, two months worth of scrappy bee blocks.  Maybe I'll be able to be all caught up before the end of the weekend?  We shall see!

193

193 hexagons look like a lot more when they are in this box:

as opposed to this box:

It looks a bit sparse.  It gives me room to grow, right?

It's a good thing because I'm liking what I see!

Good News, Good Day

Today is a good day.  The sun is shining is a cloudless blue sky.  I had a good day back at work from a long weekend.  And I received this in my email this afternoon.

I passed my licensing exam!  No more studying!! :D