Sewcial Bee Sampler Finish

I rarely make quilts from an entire collection of fabrics or by a specific designer.  But when I saw that Maureen Cracknell and Sharon Holland were going to host a Quilt Along last spring, I thought it would be fitting to break out my treasured Maureen Cracknell fabrics.

A new block was released each week.  I didn't always do a great job of keeping up but it never took me too long to catch back up again.  Some of the blocks have frames and some are without.  My goal from the beginning was to use a different fabric for all of the frames.  

I used Kona Snow for the sashing, which I cut at 1.5".  I wanted something simple that would allow each individual block to shine.

 I was able to capture a photo of the finished quilt just before the sun went down.  I am really happy with how it turned out.  It is probably one I will be keeping for myself.  It is nice to have fabrics from the first three Maureen Cracknell collections all in one quilt.

I used this navy fabric that was in my stash.  With the front of the quilt being so light, I wanted a nice dark fabric for the backing.

In a cream thread, I free motion quilted some feathers and various swirls across the quilt.  I am really happy with how it turned out.  My initial plan was to quilt each block differently but I am glad I went with something simpler after I loaded it up on my machine.

Happy Friday...Have a wonderful weekend!

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Sewcial Bee Sampler Blocks

For those of you who don't follow me on Instagram, sadly the printed circuit boards crashed on my longarm so I am currently on a forced vacation!

The good news is I now have time to get caught up on a few things!

 Here is block 21 of my Sewcial Bee Sampler.  I have been trying to use a different fabric for all of the outside frames.  I am almost running out of options!

 This is block 22.  The geese are made using the no waste technique.  I don't know what I do wrong but I can never get these to turn out perfectly.  I prefer just to do flip corners.  Everything matches up but this one does not lay very flat!

And after completing this block #23, I am all caught up.

 Here are all of my blocks all together.  There will be a total of 25 blocks set in a 5 x 5 layout.  I think I will add a thin sashing to give them a bit of definition.

Only two more block designs to be released over the next couple weeks.

This one might actually get finished!

This quilt along was hosted by Maureen Cracknell and Sharon Holland.  You can find free downloads for all of the block patterns on their websites.

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More Sewcial Bee Sampler Blocks

As I watch others working on their 4" - 6" quilt along blocks - I am so glad I chose the nice big 12.5" blocks in the Sewcial Bee Sampler (hosted by Maureen Cracknell and Sharon Holland).

I am always tempted to start something smaller but I really do enjoy a slightly larger scale!

There are 25 blocks in the series and this one is block #19.  It was a lot of HSTs but when it was finished, it quickly became one of my favorite blocks.

I also finished block #20.  It was a hard one to capture the real colors in this one.  When I go to set the blocks, I may change the outer frame to something darker so I don't lose it in the sashing.

Here is another photo to show that the darks in the chain block are actually two different fabric. 

Only five more weeks and I get to start sewing this one together!

I have also been playing with my #junequiltqal and making some final decisions on my background fabric and cornerstones.  I hope to share my plans soon!

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SewcialBeeSampler Catch Up

Yesterday, I was able to spend some of the day sewing with a friend so I used it as an opportunity to get caught up on my Sewcial Bee Sampler blocks.  I was a total of 5 weeks (blocks) behind!

While I chatted away with my friend, I chose and cut all of the pieces for my blocks.  It was nice to have some input on my fabric selections.  Then I came home and started sewing them into blocks.

I don't often use fabrics with animals, but these little bunnies were begging to be fussy cut in this block.

I also used this wide frame on this block to fussy cut some owls.  Not sure the bright orange works well in the block but it will make more sense when it is among its friends in the quilt . 

(Or at least I hope it will!)

It is always nice to have a block design that is just simple squares and rectangles. 

They go together so quickly!

This was the block that stalled out my progress over a month ago.  I never seem to have good luck making geese with the "no waste" method.  They are always just a tiny bit big so I knew the tolerances would add up.  But I was able to just get it done!

Definitely not perfect!

I was even able to finish the block that was released today so I am official all caught up.  Woo Hoo!

I think this is one of my favorite blocks - in both design and in fabrics.

Here are the six 12" blocks that I made over the last two days.

And here they are added to all the blocks finished to date.  Eighteen out of a total of twenty five are finished.  Only seven more weeks to go!

You can find patterns to all of the blocks here on Maureen Cracknell's or Sharon Holland's blogs.  They are hosting the Quilt Along.

Now back out to my gardens....

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Sewcial Bee Blocks

I thought I would pop in and share a few more Sewcial Bee Sampler blocks.  Block #11 was released today and I am already finished.  I can't believe I am up to date on a QAL!

Here are the two blocks I finished last week.  I love, love, love the blue and gold one. 

Unfortunately I got a couple of the orange "butterflies" in the top block turned.  But I am not sure about the fabrics I picked for the block so no need to fix it now until I decide if I am going to use the block.

Here is Block #11 that was just released today.  It went together really quickly...no tiny HSTs!

I have been putting the blocks up on my studio wall as I complete them.  The QAL is hosted by Maureen Cracknell and Sharon Holland.  Downloads of all the blocks are still available if you want to catch up.  I have been using my stash of Maureen's Nightfall and Garden Dreamer collections.
So pretty!

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Needle & Foot Blog Hop Celebration

Happy Spring!   And....

Welcome to my stop on the Needle & Foot Blog Hop Celebration!

I have known Bernie through her blog Needle and Foot for more than a year now. 

So when she asked if I would help to announce her exciting new venture into selling fabrics on Etsy -

Oh course I was on board!

She generously let me choose some gorgeous Maureen Cracknell Garden Dreamer fat quarters from her shop to play with.  I am such a huge fan!

I decided to use these beauties to quilt along with Maureen and Sharon in the Sewcial Bee Sampler Sew Along.  We are already up to block 7.  Aren't they pretty all together?

Here is one of my favorite blocks.  The bee fabric is such a great one to fussy cut.

This is the last block design to get released.  I love this block too.  It really displays these beautiful fabrics so much.

Bernie has done a great job putting together fabric choices that will appeal to a lot of quilters.  I have to admit I love these soft color weave bundles she has listed.  So very perfect for Easter.

I hope you go take a look at her shop.  If you see something there you like, here is a discount code to use through Sunday 3/26.  It will give you 15% off any order of $5.00 or more.

Just use: 

NANDFREADERS15

And what is a blog hop celebration without a fun giveaway.  Bernie is graciously offering one of my readers a choice of either 6 fat quarters or 3 half-yard cuts. Woo Hoo!

And just how do you enter? 

Entry #1 - Head to Bernie's etsy site and come back and tell me something you liked.  There is a whole lot to choose from!

Entry #2 - Follow Needle and Foot either through her Blog, Etsy or Instagram.  Just leave a comment letting me know how you follow along.

I will choose a winner using a random number generator.  The giveaway will be closed at Midnight on Sunday March 26th.  If you live outside the US, you can still win but you need to be willing to pay half of the shipping costs.  And please be sure I can contact you - if you are not sure if you are a no-reply, be sure and leave your email in at least one of your comments.  Good luck Everyone!

Sorry - This giveaway is closed!

Psst....The blog hop is going on all week.  So feel free to visit other bloggers to see what they made and maybe enter their giveaways.  Here is the list.

Monday March 20th         Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs

Tuesday March 21st         The party is here!

Wednesday March 22nd   Jayne at Twiggy and Opal and Kitty at Night Quilter

Thursday March 23rd       Mari at The Academic Quilter

Friday March 24th            Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl

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