Fab Bee Blocks

thank goodness for long weekends and bursts of inspiration!  Here are my latest fab bee blocks that have been sent out in the mail.  These are LATE, but nevertheless I am happy with the results.  I was definitely working out of my comfort zone for both and yet I just trusted my instincts and hope that their recipients will be happy with them.

 This block is traveling to Vancouver to a member of the Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild; I have entitled this work "Vancouver Rain".  No mystery why.  It has been the wettest May & June that I can recall.

This block is going home to a fabulous fibre artist; this one was a bit intimidating, let me tell you! I was using the inspiration (as requested) of Nancy Crow & Agnes Martin (OMG!!) But I did catch a vibe while envisioning this work and have entitled it "My favourite sweater", as I seem to remember a Shetland wool sweater from the 70's with these colored stripes!  So thanks for the 'stretch' Barb!

Snap

I am in love with Prairie points, and it is because of Jodi Nelson at Pleasant Home that I do! 

Praire points are a sweet way to use up little scraps of fabric.

This was what I worked on Sunday; and yes I should have been gardening but it rained pretty hard all afternoon - typical spring weather here.  So this is what I worked on instead. 

 I like having a bowl of vegies on the counter - rather than apples lately, I think it is because of the colors, Great, aren't they?  These fabrics are bits n' bobs from my sewing room; a nice blue piece of Moda Sanae and some colorful Anna Marie Horner for the prairie points!   

and they all go nicely with the IKEA snaps (or whatchma'callits) that we use to close up the potato chip bags.

HAPPY SEWING ALL !

Quilty week

 Oh it has been a quilty week.  Yes, it has.  Purchased lots of lovely retro vibe yardage online this week; also found some sophisticated black & white fabrics for a future quilt for my daughter Miss Freshface.  Great quilt meeting and trunk show happened as well.  The trunk show was a great showing of the work of Modern Quilt guru Paul Krampitz of the Vancouver Modern quilt guild.  He is a marvel, and an inspiration!

 

Also, a workshop tomorrow - quilting of course!  And there is no snowstorms in the forecast to keep me away!

These are the fabrics selected for the "Scrappy Diamonds" quilt workshop, hosted by Ridge Meadows Quilt Guild.  Happy sewing all.

 

February quilt retreat

 Sunday night... so tired, but I spent the weekend at our modern quilt guild retreat.  and yes, I need to put my laundry load into the dryer; unpack my sewing machine and my sewing supplies. But as I am stretched out on our sofa, laptop on hand... I am posting a few pictures. So enjoyable and now sorry that it is over.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Inspiring.

Potholder Swap with VMQG - part two

oooh, my squishy parcel arrived by post yesterday! Thanks Paula! LOVE LOVE these potholders - LOVE the vintage vibe 'Cherries Jubilee' Moda fabrics, the colors, everything about them. They will look great alongside my milk-glass collection.

Love this Fat Quarter of fabric.  So thoughtful.

 

 

Potholder Swap with VMQG

This lovely Potholder swap that our Fraser Valley Modern Quilt guild is having with the Vancouver Modern guild has really added to the season's excitement.  I mailed out my potholders early this week and now I await my potholders by mail.

Good old fashioned parcels in the mail!  How sweet is that?

These are my potholders!  I finished them on the Remembrance Day long weekend - I let them sit on my table for weeks!

This was my inspiration!  This is a 4 inch double hourglass block....I have made so many of these blocks, all sizes.  I love them and plan to make a large vintage-vibe quilt.

I love the Michael Miller 'fifties kitchen" fabric on the back!

 Ooh, this is the last day of November but my Christmas spirit is in full swing.  I usually start to feel it's full effects when I need it most, like the week before December 25th. That is when I need that extra inspiration to get me through all my Christmas preparations.  It works for me every year.
But my Christmas spirit arrived the last week of November this year. I am glad.  I really want to savour this time - from the Christmas cards, the baking, the vintage craft markets, the get-togethers; and those wonderful long letters from dear friends.

Modern quilt block sampler

Ok this is the 3rd (third!)  set of fabric choices for our Fraser Valley Quilt Guild challenge. 

The challenge.... to re-create the Modern Quilt Sampler designed by Elizabeth Hartman of "Oh Fransson" . This is a great sampler. It is beautiful, elegant, simple; lending itself to many different fabric combos.... hence my dilemma. 
Don't think I don't recognize 'my dilemma' as a thinly disguised procrastination.  I am a terrible procrastinator!  My motto for all quilting or sewing projects should be "just sew the da** thing!".
And the first two selections for this Mod Sampler quilt?  They were beautiful - the first was a lovely selection of bright oranges (Meadow Sweet a la Sandi Henderson) with white and grey solids; the 2nd was a fabulous range of Bliss fabrics with lots of pinks, reds & aquas.
The great part of this project being a Guild challenge is that I must have this top completed by next meeting - so first week of November!  Stay tuned.

August and my WIP ... so far

The Jane Austen tee-towel was given to me by a friend. She recently came back from a trip to Europe. "Jane" is my new sewing companion.

Here is my quilt top, without borders added. This top is approx 80 inches in length but is 50inches wide. It will need another row of pinwheel blocks added - no problem as I have lots of pinwheels!

Unfortunately, I have run out of Heather Bailey paisley and am waiting for more fabric to arrive -  but it should be here any day - I like how this is coming together.

August and my WIP ...work in progress...

Summer months always bring out a relaxed creativity... not sure why, but I see more possibilities during these months... Maybe it's the flip flops, the magazines carelessly left on loungers, the windows opened 24/7.  Everything is alot more easy-going....

 

This is a quilt I started last year for my mom, a pinwheel pattern that I saw on Pleasant Home! I was so inspired. I made lots of blocks, and prepared lots more HST (half square triangles) but I just 'lost' the 'thread' so to speak.  I just didn't want to sew all the blocks together... didn't like all the white (not sure what that is about) and so all my blocks just sat around my sewing room. 

Then one day I was sorting through fabrics and.....

I had laid out some bright, beautiful Heather Bailey fabrics, and..........

'Ta Da'!  Hello Inspiration!

I loved the brights with the pinwheel blocks.  I was no longer 'stalled', and started laying out fabric and blocks all over the kitchen table.

Now my previously stalled project, is now an active WIP again!

I should have this top completed before Tuesday night!  I am so excited.  Yay, Heather Bailey to the rescue!

Sweet Retreat - what will you be working on ?

Our Fraser Valley Modern Quilt Guild  will be hosting its' first annual Quilting Retreat from March 18th 'til 20th.  An entire weekend (Friday evening until Sunday afternoon) dedicated to quilting, sewing,  as well as a creative idea exchange. Of course all types of creative endeavors are welcome - scrap-booking, knitting, hand-sewing, but I plan to finish an entire quilt top!  Now yes, it would also be a good idea to bring along a 'WIP" (work in progress) and get it finished... yes it would..... Nah, I really want to work on something fresh and challenging!  How often will I have a full weekend without any meals to prepare, laundry to do or errands to run? So here's to drinking lots of coffee/tea; sewing in my PJs; hanging out with a fabulous group of creative women and getting very familiar with my sewing machine. 

I am still deciding which project to bring as it would be a good idea to have all fabrics ready (cut), bobbins filled and supplies packed!  Here are a few inspirations & links to look at...What will you be working on?

I just love this scrappy beauty! 1930's fabrics !!

Spotted on the blog Diary of a Quilter Click on the link for more pictures, pattern and tutorial.

Here is another fresh one - from Any Butler's website. Lots of free patterns available.

Can't remember where I first saw this, but I love this pattern. Anyone know its' name?

Vintagey & modern - Heather Mulder Peterson.