Using Bees for Inspiration

You may have read in earlier Blog entries that I joined my first two Virtual Quilting Bees this year.  Not because I don't have enough to do (you know with all that free time I have, right?) but more to challenge myself to quilt outside of my little Leah-Box.

My goal, was to not only create every block assigned to me, but to commit to:

1. Using the newly learned block in some form to create a mini-quilt
2. Only using fabric from my stash & scraps, and...
3. Quilting the mini-quilt MYSELF and not sending it off to a long arm quilter

So here goes...

My first block was for my Sew.Bee.Create buddy Mennikelly.  She sent us lovely Amy Butler fabric and requested that we create blocks inspired by the Kaffe Fassett's Jewel Box pattern.

To complete my mini quilt, I grabbed some Sophie fabric from my stash and just started sewing.  The end result is three small jewel boxes nestled atop a larger jewel box and partially surrounded by complimentary Sophie squares.  The quilt, "Oh My Darlin'" came together super fast and will make a great snuggle-bankie for a little girl!  (pardon the windy day!)

No time to quilt it just yet though, because it was time to move on to my Wonky Bee buddy Georgia's Block!

Georgie loved the Wonky Triangles quilt from the awesome book "Block Party".  Now for some reason, this block was incredibly difficult for me.  Partially because this was probably the quilt I liked least from this book- auto mental block!  But we join bees to get us out of our box, so out of the box I crawled.

All I can say is Georgie must be one of my NEW FAVORITE people, because she inspired me to design this quilt.  And I LOVE this quilt design more than I can describe!!  I am calling this design "the Moon of Origin".
Thank you Georgia for my inspiration!!!  And I sew can't wait to get started!!

Tomorrow I will show you another block for Wonky Bee member, Jodi.  Jodi opted to have us bee'ers create a simple wonky strip block.  This block was oooooober simple and took about 10 minutes to create!  (but the sun has gone down today- so I will show it tomorrow!)

The quilt Jodi's block inspired was "Wonky Pinwheel Cubed" using either Impressions or Domestic Bliss, both with Bella Solids. I am leaning toward Impressions because I just love the color orange!

So Quilting Bees are super exciting to me, and I am so glad I joined!  Have you been inspired by your bee to create something new and awesome?  I'd love to see the Bee blocks and the inspiration that followed!

A Little Inspiration

I mentioned yesterday that I love love love a Stitch in Color!  And I have finally decided what I will do with my charm packs!

Surely you've run across my good buddy Melissa over at Happy Quilting Melissa by now, and you may remember about a year ago she had her first Quilt Along.  It was cute, she had just gotten her EQ and was struggling a bit.  When she sent her EQ file to me, it said I needed about 20 yards of fabric!   Hmmm....strange things were afoot at the Circle K! (OK- that probably showed my age).

Anywho, I've kept coming back to that quilt along for a year now and finally realized I have JUST the perfect fabric sitting right here in my stash!

Isn't it PERFECT?  I love how the white squares contrast so greatly with the bright colors of Malka's fantabulous designs.

If you want the EQ file to audition your fabric,  click here.  (It's in EQ 7, so unless you have that it won't work). The EQ fabric requirements are off if you plan to follow Melissa's design, as she teaches you a quick and easy way to make the quilt using 5" charms.

I can't wait to get started, and I seem to have more time to sew these days.  After an injury during my latest hospital project I have an almost completely detached labrum, two other hip tendon tears, on crutches, limited driving and NO TRAVEL allowed!    Not sure if surgery or physical therapy is my near future, one of them is- but my Ortho has now referred me to his partner who specializes in hips.

I guess my days of pretty high heels are out for a while!

And head on over to Sew Red For Women's blog to see another bit of inspiration for this Free Tutorial!

DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE GIVEAWAY HERE!!

Color Your World!

If there is just one thing I can say about Malka Dubrawsky, it's that she is a genius!  What I would give to take a dye class from her!!!  I love her book, and I could not wait for her collection to arrive! A Stitch in Color is one of my favorite collections this year!

Make your world a brighter place and save money too!  A Stitch in Color is now an additional 15% off our already amazingly low prices. 

Shop now!

And would you like to win her AMAZING book?  Blog, Twitter or Facebook about this sale for a chance to win her book "Fresh Quilting".  Please leave a separate comment for each activity for more chances to win.  A winner will be selected by random drawing on Wednesday, February 29th.   Please note: the winning entry will be verified, so please indicate the name of your Blog, Twitter or Facebook account. 

Good Luck!

Sale cannot be applied to previous purchases or used in conjunction with a promotion code for further reductions.  Sale ends Wednesday, February 29th at midnight CST.  Purchase must be complete by that time to receive promotional pricing.

 

Web Shopper Appreciation Sale!

Don't miss unbelievable savings during the final day of the Fab Shop Web Shoppers Appreciation Day sale!

Shop now!

Web Shopper Appreciation Sale cannot be combined with a promotion code for further discounts, cannot be applied to previous purchases.  Applies only to items contained with in the Web Shopper Appreciation Sale Category only.

President's Day Sale

President's Day honors the legacies of all U.S. Presidents, both former and current.  Originally established in 1800 to honor the birthdays of both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, it soon became a day to honor the accomplishments all U.S. Presidents.

In celebration, save 10% at Burgundy Buttons using promotion code PDS12.  Please see exclusions.

Shop Burgundy Buttons now!

NOT VALID ON PREVIOUS PURCHASES!  Must be used during check out to receive discount.  Cannot be applied later.  Not valid on certain items as described in their item description.  Promotion code should be added on sign in page of check out or address page of guest check out.  Sale ends Monday, midnight CST.

Valentine's Day Sale at Burgundy Buttons!

Burgundy Buttons loves our customers, readers, friends and family!  To celebrate our love, we're having a sale!  Use promotion code "heart2012" to save 10% from now until February 15.

Shop Burgundy Buttons now!


Not valid on previous purchases or certain items as described in their item description.  Not valid in combination with a second promotion code as only one promotion code can be used per purchase.  Must enter promotion code during purchase to receive discount.  Discounted price will be reflected as the new price rather than in the discount section of check out. Sale ends at midnight CST.

Sew Red for Women Block 1 is Here!

Welcome to Sew Red for Women's Block 1! Sew Red for Women was created to raise awareness of Heart Disease among women by way of creativity and camaraderie within the modern sewing community.

From February 3rd, 2012 to January 3rd 2013 Sew Red for Women will feature an original quilt block designed especially for you by some of today's most inspiring designers & bloggers. A special link is provided to hop on over to the blogger's site for details and instructions for completing the featured block.

And this month's mine! And you've found me!  And since today, February 3rd; is National Wear Red Day, hopefully you are reading this in your favorite rose-colored gear!

My Block: My Chevron Heart

My block embodies the classic look of chevrons positioned to represent the diverse heart of a woman. And the heart of women is why we are here! 

You can find the tutorial for making this block here.  I hope you enjoy this tutorial as much as I enjoyed making it!

Love the block? Want to make it using Chemistry?  Get the Fabric Pack at Burgundy Buttons!  Our check out our RED fabric section for other fabric ideas!

Head back to Sew Red For Women next month for Block Two featured by Fat Quarterly's Tacha Bruecher of Hanies Quilts.

The next block will be presented on March 3.  Until then, have a heart healthy day!