Block #2 for Jaime

For Jaime, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

This one has orange shot cotton along with some more Lizzy House fabric. Love these. They look paper pieced, but they're much easier than paper piecing. Improvish. Merry Christmas, everyone!

Next up will be Andrea. See you in January!

Block #1 for Jaime

For Jaime, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

So today I went to Bernina and worked on these fun improvish Christmas trees for Jaime. She gave us the green & I used some of my Lizzy House fabric along with some shot cotton (next photo).

A little advice: For the tinsel, 1 inch strips were a good size. Anything much bigger seems too big. Also, when you start chopping to put the tinsel in, just do one string of tinsel at a time. Otherwise, you'll have a hard time figuring out how to put it back together. Jaime says we can leave these untrimmed. Mine wasn't quite 12 inches, but she said it was no big deal.

I love these so much. I decided to make myself a quilt of these, too. Will be a project I can do with my scraps. I can't wait to get started.

Thanks for the fun blocks, Jaime!

November BEE BLOCKS FOR NANCY: FORREST & FIELDS

I really had fun with these ... Made me wish i really had more time to sew! 

I did one kind of with a 'moonlight' feel ... 

trees in the foreground ...

... the next one, is 'snowy' with birch trees ... snowy furrowed fields up front, 

Pine trees covered in snow ... 

with some raw edges for TEXTURE! ... 

******

Snowy day: Detail

Sew much fabric, So little time! 

I look forward to working on Jamie's Tinsel Trees next! ....
Merry Christmas to All, and to all a good-night!

PS. 2011/12 bee-mates block months:

• June, 2011: Nikki ~ done
• July, 2011: Caitlin ~ done
• August, 2011: Paula ~ done
• September, 2011: Toni ~ done
• October, 2011: Steph ~ done
• November, 2011: Nancy ~ done
• December, 2011: Jaime ~ next
• January, 2012: Andrea
• February, 2012: Mary Anne
• March, 2012: Beth
• April, 2012: Denise
• May, 2012: Dora

Nancy's Block

Hello!
I found Nancy's block to be a very inspiring challenge. It is a great design exercise, so after making one block I tackled an other one. Hope you will like them,
Dora

Block #1 for nancy

Here's a field & forest block for nancy...


Closeup of a soaring bird




I have one more I'm trying to finish up. These are fun!

Nikki



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Nancy's November block: Winter Woods and Fields

In participating in the bee thus far, I’ve come to realize that the true opportunity in a bee lies not in the distribution of the construction effort but is instead in the distribution of the creative effort. I have an overarching inspiration and idea—winter woods and fields—and have chosen an earthy, neutral color palette to go with that idea. And yet, this quilt won’t really be mine at all; my bee-mates are going to take their packets of fabric and make blocks that I can’t predict, blocks of which I might never have conceived. The prospect of this absolutely thrills me.

“Enough with the philosophizing. What are we making?!” This month, we’re going improvisational. Before I get into the rules, though, I think it’s helpful to explain where this is all going.

For about a year now, I’ve been finding myself returning to mixed neutrals again and again in my clothing, decorating, etc. (Don't get me wrong—I love love love color—but I feel that the beauty of neutrals is often underrated.) As I agonized over what to do for my bee month, it finally occurred to me that I should try playing with neutrals, so here we are.

In addition to neutrals, I’m also a complete hooker for textures. I can’t ever get enough of texture (and the illusion of texture), and it shows in my inclusion of osnaburg, batiks, and shot cottons. There is some possibility that I may also add a bit of embroidery here and there to add some texture and surprise as well; this depends on what the blocks say (see below).

I also plan to use this as a chance to play with negative space. Once I get the blocks back, I’m going to arrange and rearrange them on a design wall until they tell me they’re right. (In my copious amounts of free time—HA! right—I also take lessons in ikebana [Japanese flower arrangement] and my sensei always teaches us to “listen to the materials so that they can tell us how they want to be arranged.” I think this is a great philosophy for quilting, too!) Right now, I’m not sure whether the whole negative space “background” will be a single shade of white or whether I will mix them (it’ll definitely be some form of white/cream). We’ll see what the blocks say.

The Rules:

1. Please feel free to supplement with your own solid, neutral fabrics, excluding black.

2. You may or may not choose to use all of the fabrics I've included. Don't feel compelled to use all of them! I'm including several so that you've got choices. Please return unused fabrics and scraps, though. Also, I have LOTS more of the fabrics (I bought one of the Kona fat quarter bundles in Earth, and I've got more of the batiks, shot cottons, and osnaburg, too), so if you want/need more of something, let me know, and I'll be happy to get it to you.

3. Completed blocks can be square or rectangular... it's up to you! I'm thinking that the shortest side should be at least 7", and the longest side shouldn't be larger than 12". However, if someone wanted to do something outside of this side range (e.g., a long, skinny block or something like that), then that's cool.

4. Curves are fine, but I think I'd prefer no out-and-out circles.

I'm super stoked about this, and I can't wait to see what you all design!

(And hey, I just realized... this is my very first blog post. Not just for the KC Scrappy Bee, either; I mean this is my first blog post ever. Cool!)

Cheers,

Nancy

P.S. FWIW, I cannot get this stupid text editor to play nice and make all of the type appear in a single font. I apologize for the random changes in fonts!

Whoops!

So I goofed up & deleted the list on the sidebar of who's turn it is each month.  Whoops.  When I changed the template, it deleted the html I added.

So... I've created a second page within our page entitled, "Schedule".  I need help filling in the blanks.  Here's what I remember... Let me know where to fill in the blanks.  Thanks!  Hope to see you guys this week at guild!

Our Schedule

June: Nikki- Quake Quilt
July: Caitlin- Spider Web Blocks
August: Paula- Broken Dishes
September: Toni
October: Steph
November: Nancy
December:
January:
February:
March:
April:
May:

Help me remember which people have Dec-May???  I accidentally deleted it on our new version of the blog.  Oops!

Dora
Denise
Jaime
Mary Anne
Andrea
Beth

Hibiscus' for Stephanie!

I really enjoy machine applique...it forces me to slow down and focus.  I find it very calming.  Here are the two blocks that I made for Stephanie's month...hope you like 'em!

original block

optional block

I'm Feeling Tropical

I've seen some of these fabulous blooms on the Caribbean islands I have visited.  They are bright and glorious.

Now for the stitching!

A start for steph

I haven't stitched yet, but here's what I've got so far for Steph. Depending on how well I am able to do on the stitches tomorrow on my
Mother-in-law's pfaff & if I'm able to make it to the store to get some more heat & bond, I may make the optional block, too. We shall see.

Now I need to get very serious on finishing my habitat project.

I'm getting excited about next month's block. Nancy is using some pretty kona earth tones. Not my normal color scheme, so it will make things even more interesting for me. :)


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Hibiscus block for Steph!

Check out my block for Steph! It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, and turned out super cute :) I can't wait to see how the final quilt comes together!

A New Look

I gave our blog a new look... What do you guys think?

Here's a picture of what we've been doing that's been keeping me out of the sewing room...  Camping!

Toni's KC Scrappy Bee Blocks!

October is Toni's KC Scrappy Bee month...last night I sewed up her blocks.  Super easy and super fun...that free form circle thing kinda went against my precise nature, but after the first few I relaxed and realized it was OK to not be uptight! Thanks, Toni for these blocks they were so much fun!

These are the first blocks that I have sewn with my new/old toy...I love the sound of her whirring away. She used to have some tension issues, but she got over it and is nice and relaxed too!

Looking forward to seeing all you ladies on Thursday night!  Yippee!

Batiks.....anybody need some?

Batiks here...

Batiks here......

                                                                                   and here...





So, I have a few Batiks, a rather nice selection of Batiks as a matter of fact.  If you are in need of a fat quarter or two let me know and I will bring a selection to the next meeting.

I know not everyone has the love of batiks that I have.  I love them.  They are unusual and one of a kind cuts.  They smell a little and seem a little stiff until you wash them but they are just fabulous.  They are crisp when you press and don't have the stretch that normal cottons do.  So have no fear.  This Batik adventure Steph is sending us on for the next block is going to be wonderful.   Machine applique, no problem.  Easy peasy!

OCTOBER BLOCK - HAWAIIAN HIBISCUS INFUSION

Hi everybody!!  Today is my month and I'm feeling alittle Hawaiian inspired!!  So what I'm giving you all for this month's challenge is my Hawaiian Hibiscus Infusion applique block. The above picture is what I did.  The left is the completed block and the right will be your template.

What you will receive is a 11 inch batik block, the hibiscus template (for the "just incase you mess up" purposes), a piece of Heat & Bond that I have already traced the pattern on, and a smaller hibiscus block template IF you want to make another block for me.
RULES:
1) I would like for you to use a contrasting color for your block.  I would like it BRIGHT and BATIK or HAND DYED (NO EXCEPTIONS) because that's what Hawaii is all about, in my eyes.
2) I am assuming everybody has done applique before..If not I've provided all of you with a traced piece of Heat & Bond.  Place it on the back of the piece of fabric you are using for the flower but with Batiks I don't think there is a right side or wrong side and iron it on.  So after that wait a few minutes for it to cool and cut out the pattern.  Then peel off the Heat & Bond, CENTER the Hibiscus flower onto the block & iron on.  I always wait awhile before I sew because that allows the adhesive to take to the fabric.
3) I would love for everyone to attempt to match the thread with the hibiscus flower.  If not whatever comes close.  I'm very anal with my applique but that's just me!!
4) When sewing down the Hibiscus flower I am asking everyone to use the BLANKET STITCH.   Please set your machine to WIDTH at 2.5mm and LENGTH at 1.4mm.  YOU MAY HAVE TO ADJUST YOUR WIDTH FOR THE STYBUS THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOWER.  I would do that last.
5) Do not trim the block.  I will do that when they get returned to me.
6) If you are up to making another block...I'm asking for a 8.5 inch batik block and a contasting batik color for the Hibiscus flower and the stitch should be the same.
7) HAVE FUN!!!  I know some of you are attempting to get mentally challenged for this but really, it's super duper fun!!  Sometimes straight lines get really boring!!

I'm hoping that I've given you all the instructions there is to do my block.  Any questions let me know.  I will be giving you all the blocks either by mail or guild....

Lava and Broken Dishes!!!

First let me thank all of you for my Boken Dishes Neptune Style blocks.  I also belong to the BEE Neptune Bee and had them make the same block for me.  I plan to put it all together first chance I get.  I know this block was no challenge at for all of you but simple is sometimes nice.  This is going to be a great quilt!

Here are Toni's Lava blocks.  Hope they are not too wonkyfied for you!  I didn't try to make them uniform at all so how they came out was just as they were when I cut them.  I had to put some purple lava in there.  Lava is sometimes purple, right?  Anyway I hope you like them Toni.  Your quilt should be fabulous.

Toni's Bullseye Block for September

I'm glad I joined the group this year.  This has really taught me to think outside STEPH'S BOXY NOGGIN!!!! All the blocks so far I've never done before and this Bullseye block was fun.  I like the whimsiness & simplicity of this block!!!  Can't wait to see the final outcome of the quilt...should be way cool!!!

E N J O Y !!!!

Bulls Eyes for Butterflies!

For September you guys were given a 'box of inspiration' ... 

I will be making a "Butter Fly Garden" Quilt with my Round I blocks .... 

Round I were fantastic Wonky Butterflies ... 

Round II i am asking for the BULL EYE Blocks ~

I finally got a 'tutorial' up on my Blog & links ... hop on over and take a peek -

If you have questions .. let me know,

But Butterflies are Free ...and so it is with the BULLS EYE BLOCKS

I'm giving you guys the freedom to CREATE & have fun...

Advice on Toni's blocks

Here's a pic of the back of a block. Be sure to trim away to 1/4 inch of the underside of the circle after you sew each new circle on. This keeps you from having 4 layers of fabric, which would make quilting more difficult.


Understand?



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For Toni in the kc scrappy bee

For Toni in the kc scrappy bee, originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes.

I don't know about you guys, but I can never sleep after a KCMQG meeting. Last night, I decided to whip out Toni's blocks before going to bed. I made a daybed quilt out of these years ago with some of my 30's reproduction fabric. These are one of my favorite things to make. So forgiving, so liberated. With the black background, they're really cosmic. I love em. A lot.

Enjoy, Toni! Thanks for a fun assignment this month!

Playing Catch up!

Oy vey! ... where does the time go?! We did get to enjoy our family a wee bit ... But now that  Youngest 2 kiddo's back to school, and i'm not gonna lie, we survived the worst summer EVER! -- i want to thank you all for your patience and kindness while my 'old man' was recouping ~ Over the last few weeks i have finally been able to carve out some time for sewing therapy ... and have FINALLY gotten the pictures downloaded & uploaded ... etc.

Just wanted to share with you what happily keeps me up at night!

Parthena's Wonky House!

Beth's Flying Geese

Quake Quilt for Nikki

 Concluding Round I 

& Beginning Round II

... & bringing US current thru August! 

I really have enjoyed playing with the different Ideas! 

Thanx Ladies!

Spiderweb Quilt for Caitlin

Paula's Broken Dishes

PS. ~ ladies:
PLEASE post updated photos of your  Block "collections"!
I wanna SEE! 
SEPTEMBER: BULLS EYE BLOCKS ... (stand by for NEWS!)

My Spiderweb Block for Caitlin

Caitlin's spiderweb block was a lot of fun.  I'm thinking that I'll need to use this technique again...soon!  I set up a little pressing station next to my sewing machine to help press each fabric strip open.  I worked two blocks at a time, alternating sewing and pressing. Once I figured out the logistics it was a piece of cake!

Pressing Station

In addition to the scraps Caitlin provided, I pulled all of my fabric from my scrap bins.  I even included two of my first ever AB prints...Coriander (pink) and French Wallpaper (duck egg) from Amy's first line of quilting weight fabric called 'Belle'.  I hope you like the blocks, Caitlin!

Spider Web Block

I just finished Caitlin's block.  I must admit I like these spider web blocks.  Lots of work for a block...like you have to make 4 to make a block and pressing every fabric before sewing the next but worth the effort because they make a great block.  I am working on some of these for a different project.

As always I love digging through my stash and finding those colorful treasures however putting it away after cutting one strip, not my favorite!  I trimmed them but not all the way.  The color strips are cut bigger than the black so Caitlin they will need a little trim.

By the way, would you like some scraps for more blocks?  I have a few.....

You are welcome to them.

Block for Caitlin

Here's your block Caitlin! Dug through my stash and came up with some fun teals and raspberries. Hope you like!

Kc scrappy bee block for caitlin

I enjoyed this one! Caitlin got lucky because Jacquie let us go thru her scraps last weekend. I got some nice raspberry and teal scraps to supplement what I had. Thanks for a fun assignment, Caitlin!





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KCMQG Social at Jacquie's House

Several of us made the trek out to Jacquie's house today for a casual visit.  Here are a few highlights for those of you that couldn't make it...