June: Quake block for Nikki

This was really fun! A method I've never done before. I really look forward to learning new techniques in this bee.

Hope you like it Nikki!!

My Block For Beth

This was my block for Beth.   I call it "Nested Goose" . Ha,ha.  Hope this worked for you. Loved the colors you picked out.

June - Quake Block for Nikki

Got Nikki's block done today!!:

This was really easy to put together! I was able to use everything Nikki provided in the kit, plus a few scraps of my own. I left the block in three pieces because I felt like that might make it a little easier to layout and rearrange them. I can't wait to see what her quilt looks like when she gets it all together!!

For Beth, From Jessica

I love flying geese.  One of the most fun blocks I did in this bee was this block for Nikki where I did the geese flying in a circle and then put it in the center of a six-minute circle.

I really, really love the flying geese in a circle block, but since Carla had already beat me to making it for this round, I thought I'd try something different.  I poked around on flickr and came up with something a little bit different than what I thought everyone else would come up with.
 

Hope it works for you, Beth.

Beth's Geese

I made this block as a "test" block for Beth.
I pulled some fabric from stash in Beth's color preferences.  Not being confident about my somewhat rusty paper piecing skills I didn't want to use Beth's fabric.

I could always use Beth's fabric in another geese block if this block went wrong!

It didn't turn out too bad and I only forgot to trim one seam and had one seam that was a little skimpy.  When finished I saw a secondary design that I wanted to show so I made Beth's real block with her fabric choices.

I like how it turned out!  I hope Beth does too.

Today is catch up day so I had better get busy...next my block for BEE Neptune and then Nikki's strip block!

Round 2 Guidelines and Suggestions

Hello, Round 2 Folks!

Since we have 6 new members, I thought it'd be a great idea to share some wisdom with everyone about things we've learned during round 1 that might make round 2 run more smoothly.  I'd LOVE it if we had some discussion/feedback/dialogue about this, so PLEASE comment on this thread and put in your two cents worth!

Here are some thoughts I've had after completing last year's bee and being involved in a vintage sheet bee online:

1.  Do your best work.  By this, I mean, be extra careful when you're making a block for someone else.  Trim extra threads.  Press seams carefully.  Use good construction techniques.  Don't get sloppy because you're in a hurry.  You're in this group because we admire your work and because we have confidence in you!

2.  Be on Time.  Yes, life often gets in the way, I know.  We've been pretty good as a whole in the past about getting blocks done in a timely fashion.  If you know you're not going to be at the meeting to turn in your blocks, let us know.  Maybe we can meet up to drop your block off with someone who is going to guild.  If not, mail it to the recipient.  If you get a block in the mail, be sure to touch base with the person who sent it to let them know it arrived.

3.  Communicate.  Be clear in your directions and expectations when it's your month.  Write up a tutorial with lots of pictures if you'd like.  If you want to use a pattern, provide everyone with a copy or a link on the blog.  Post pictures on the blog when you finish a block!  Comment when other people do!  Use our Flickr group!  Befriend each other on Facebook!  The more we interact, the more fun this will be for us all!

4.  Test Out Your Block Before Asking Us to Make It.  I cannot stress this enough.  In another bee I'm in, this was an issue.  Make sure you've worked out what potential problems might occur and give us a heads-up about them.

5.  Nikki Can Help.  I'm our fearless leader and I want you to tell me if any issues arise.  I'd be happy to help handle potentially uncomfortable situations.  If life happens and someone has to quit the bee, let me know and we will work something out.  In my other bee, one person's husband died.  Another was put on bedrest during the last half of her pregnancy.  Someone else had some chronic health issues.  Life happens.  Talk to me about it if you have concerns of any kind.  Ok?  Ok.

6.  Have FUN and don't stress!  Let's remember that this is going to be a great opportunity for us to get to know new people, to step out of our comfort zone from time to time and learn new skills.  Be brave, ask questions and if you need help, by all means, ASK!

7.  Be Generous When You Can.  If someone asks for a flying geese block and you LOVE flying geese blocks, you might want to make two blocks for them instead of just one.  Especially if you have some extra time on your hands.  I often find that it's not much more trouble to cut and sew two blocks than one.  Maybe you have some scraps that will fit in the color scheme of someone's quilt that you're willing to share.  If you are generous with someone, they will remember it and will often return your efforts when your month rolls around.


What are your reflections and ideas?  What are your questions???  Talk to me, people!  And talk amongst yourselves!

For Those Members From Round 1.....

Half of the members from round 1 are returning for round 2...

But half of the members have decided to move on to other ventures...

I'd LOVE it if we kept in touch.  Round 1 members, please post pictures on our blog and Flickr group of the projects you're making from our bee blocks.

You'll still have rights to post on our blog and will still be members of our Flickr group.  And who knows? Maybe you'll all be fighting over who gets to join round 3 next year!

:) Seriously, keep in touch!

Nikki's blocks for June: Quake Quilt

I got this fabulous idea from my friend Ali in the Lovely Linen Bee.  For her month, we used a tutorial she whipped up to make a Quake Quilt!  It's pretty clearly written, but let me know if you have any questions.  I see no reason to re-invent the wheel, so I'd like for you guys to use her directions...

Here is a link to her tutorial...

I have a couple modifications:

1. Instead of linen, I'll be supplying you with some white flannel to be the background.

2. I'd like for you to use strips from your stash of scraps that read as the following colors:  blue, green, purple, gray, and black.  Can be prints or solids.  Batiks are fine, too, as long as they're pre-washed. It's cool if there are other colors in the print, as long as the fabric reads one of the above colors.  I'm including some prints cut into strips from my stash.  Feel free to use these along with yours.  I'm going to make more blocks than we'll get out of this bee, so I'd like it if you'd return what you don't use.

3. When cutting these strips, remember that using a variety in widths and lengths will add interest.  Also, I don't mind selvages showing here and there if they look nice.
*** Edited to add the following****
 4.  Nancy pointed out that I only gave you three strips of white flannel (two short strips and one taller one) and in the tutorial I've linked to, she gave us 2 short strips of background fabric and 2 taller ones).  I know I'm already asking a lot by thinking outside the box with this one, so I didn't want to get too greedy.  3 white strips background flannel went to everyone.  Hopefully, this won't be too time consuming.  Again, you don't have to use all of the white unless you're feeling really generous and sweet. ;)

I'm planning on making a quilt that's about 86 inches wide.  Instead of asking you for a particular sized block, I'm asking that you make a row that is between 40" and 86" wide.  I think you will find that this to be a relatively simple tutorial that lends itself to chain piecing.  Typically in this bee, we have asked for one 12 inch block, so this request is a little different...  I hope you guys don't mind me thinking outside the box.

Here's a LINK to a mock-up that Ali made when preparing for her bee month.  Check out the cool way she arranged the rows.

I am bringing a baby quilt that I made with the same materials I'm giving you guys.  I'll bring it to KCMQG to show and tell tonight.  Here is a picture:

Thanks, everyone!  I'm excited!!!
***Edited to add:  ****PS  I'm not the kind of girl that presses seams open.  Please press seams to the side if you haven't started yet.  Thanks!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Hannah's Blocks for Parthena and Beth

I'm a little late with my wonky house, but Parthena sent a lovely "don't worry if you're not done until June" note when she sent me the fabric, so I didn't stress too much when I knew it wouldn't happen in May.  It was a lot of fun working with the bright colors, and I think it should fit in pretty well with all the other adorable houses she received.

 

I was on a roll today, so I tackled the flying geese block for Beth.  This was my first time sewing flying geese, and I really enjoyed the precision of trying to make sure everything lined up and none of the points were cut off.  I think this is going to be a seriously classy quilt.

I miss all you guys and hope the next round of the bee is just as great.  Thanks for a great year!

Flying Geese for Beth

Fun assignment for Beth in the KC Scrappy Bee today. Flying Geese!

I immediately thought of this block (one of my very favorites). Here's a WIP I have going making this block:





But it's just a little smaller than the block Beth requested so I made one in her color scheme, added a border and trimmed it. What do you think?




I hope the stripes aren't too wild. I couldn't resist adding them. They really help to draw your eye around the block. :)

Thanks for a fun assignment, Beth! This quilt will be spectacular.
Enjoy!

Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Circle of Geese for Beth

I loved working with your colors and fabrics, Beth. Geese blocks are one of my favs, so I had a hard time deciding what to do...so many great choices. I ended up making this paper-pieced circle of geese. It is my second time to make this block. I have to admit that I may or may not have used a cuss word while sewing it. This block is sort of like child birth, you love the outcome so much, that you forget the pain after a bit!
Smile!!

This block marks the last for me in this Bee. It's been a fun way to meet you nice gals....Have fun over the next year. I'm mixing it up a bit and have joined another on line Bee, so am dropping out for now.
Thanks for my beautiful blocks. I'll post a picture when I get them together!