April Spotlight is Shari

Hi Everyone! It feel awkward to spotlight myself in this round, and I’ve waited to do it.

I am the youngest of four children. You all know my older sister Tam and we have two brothers in between us, Brad and Greg. I grew up in a small town called, Preston, ID. You may know it from the movie Napoltian Dynamite. My dad owned a lumber store called, “Preston Lumber Company.”

I learned to play the piano at a young age, I also was involved in competition dancing until I was 13. I’ve always loved to dabble in drawing, arts and crafts.

My mom was pretty encouraging that way. In highschool I was in an Acapella Choir, and had some amazing experiences being involved with that. I attended Utah State University in Logan, UT and went on an LDS mission to Nashville, TN.

Dan and I reside in Layton, UT with our two dogs, Reeses and Benji. I am an artist and surface designer.  You also know I design fabrics for Riley Blake Designs, which is pretty fun. My latest line is Wistful Winds and it comes out in September 2016. I’m currently working on some new designs to submit in for some more fabric.  

Tam came to my house last weekend to help do some major sewing for Quilt Market. She’s been and amazing help to me and I LOVE my SISTER! Right now Dan and I are on a health life changing path and it’s been an amazing journey! Here’s some insight into my studio, the cutting board was built by my husband and my desk and sewing table was made by my friend, Craig Jensen.

So that’s a little insight into who I am. ;) All pictures by Tamara!

Snowballs and Sunny Skies

Okay, so I have been super slacking on posting my blocks here, so here I go trying to do a bit better ;)

Sad to say, I got a little behind on my bee block last month.     The main reason . . . I was super nervous about putting together this Flowering Snowball Block for Cali.  I have done a lot of improv curves in the past but never a precisely pieced curve.

And I am so happy to say that all of that improv practice must have paid off because these blocks went together very nice, lined up on the edges, and don't have any big bubbles!!!  Yippee!!!!  I can't tell you how excited I am about this!!  Thank you Cali for picking a block that forced me to face a curve fear!!   Time to add a Drunkards Path quilt to the list :)

And Shari's blocks went together so fast, thanks for the quick ones ;)  And I just love the Mama Said Sew fabric you sent!!  It has always been one of my favorite lines.   I mean, how can you not love a line that is all things quilty!!!

 It is always fun to be able to whip out some patchwork and I love all the points!!!

All ready for May now ;)  Can't wait to see what's next!!

Sunny Skies and Sisters!

Sometimes you just have to hand deliver your Bee Blocks!

Or at least I had that opportunity!  

Loved spending time with my favorite sister, sewing and working on items for her new line.  But, before I visited, I got her Sunny Skies blocks done....surprise!!

Reflections on Moving

News of a corporate relocation from Florida to Texas came in October 2015 which started a frenzy of purging and going through boxes that had never even been opened since we moved from Utah to Florida in March of 2014. Crazy, huh? Anyway, I'm happy to report that I made a decent effort to do additional downsizing since our first big move from Utah although, I have to admit that I still kept a fair amount of crafts and fabric that I just couldn't part with this time around. 

The last 6+ months of my life have been pretty WILD & CRAZY but, we all made it through another BIG LIFE CHANGE with flying colors!! I'm so proud of my teenager (17) who has been so positive and really supportive of her older parents. The last two years have been quite an adventure which has resulted in a very positive growing experience for all of us. I'm so grateful for the opportunities that we've had to work and serve in our Church, Work, Neighborhood and School Communities as well as all of the wonderful friends we've made along the way!!

Our present plan is to stay in Texas until my Husband retires in about 7-10 years. Of course, things can always change but, that's the plan for now.

With all of the moving and the temporary housing we were in while trying to figure things out I'm pretty sure I received all of the blocks during this transition time. Let me know if I'm missing anyone's blocks. Thanks!

Here are the two blocks I made for Calli's Flowering Snowball Quilt! I have to say that I really enjoyed making this block so much that I 'm feeling the NEED to BUY an Accu-Quilt die cutter just so I can make this quilt!! Oh dear!! :)

April Block Sunny Skies Quilt for Shari

Here is a sample of what's in your packet! One is missing, because I already sent it to my sister!

Well, I'm late in getting my blocks posted. My excuse..under Quilt Market deadlines. It's six weeks away from today and I can't believe it. Gulp! So I've decided to choose the Sunny Skies Quilt Reboot by Missouri Star and Company. I loved how Megan took the spin on this quilt with no borders, and that's what I'm going to attempt. Here is her quilt for you too see what it may become.

Picture by Megan Pitz for Missouri Quilt Company.

I am using Sew Mama by Sweetwater and Company with Riley Blake Designs Vintage Cream, and Moda Gray. I think this will turn out to be a fun and different quilt in colors I'm not normally use to sewing with. It's been in my stash for a little bit, and this seemed like the perfect quilt to mimic. Plus with the bonus triangle squares I can make another quilt. Won't that be fun? ;)

Here is a sample of the blocks. I have included instructions in your packet from what I did on my own. There is a link in the blog post for those who are interested in purchasing the pattern. You can watch the video here. 

Chevron Block and Sixteen patch. Extra half square triangles to be sent back.

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? The unfinished blocks both measure 8.5" x 8.5" unfinished, 8"x 8" finished blocks. The half square triangles will be extras to send back! ;) It's how you create the chevron block.

Can your partners use any of their own stash fabric to use in your quilt block? If so, are there any limitations? All fabric is provided!

Is there a specific color of thread (white/off white) you want your partners to sew with? Either one is fine.

Do your partners have to use at least a little bit of every fabric you send or can your partners decide? Use what I have sent you. I'm using from my stash and its a line I want to get sewn and put together.

Do you have a general theme or is it up to your partners to decide? Are there any specific themes that you do NOT want in your quilt block? Likes/dislikes? I am following the pattern Sunny Skies Quilt. Instructions have been sent for the block from what I figured out on my own.

Will you allow any embellishments on the quilt block (i.e. embroidery, raised items such as yo-yos or fabric origami)? Nothing needs to be added, just piece the blocks.

Can you link us to any flickr or Pinterest photos that you would like us to use as inspiration for your quilt block? Here is the tutorial video. It's called Sunny Skies Quilt Reboot. And I am going to be doing the quilt without borders. Just need help piecing the blocks pieces together. Just send the chevron block and 16 patch as is with the extra half square triangles.

My question: What is your favorite quilting project to date? What inspired you to make it?

Thanks for being patient, the blocks are coming your way and I appreciate all you do in the Bee!

XOXO,

Shari

Calli's March Block

Loved working on these blocks for Calli, they were fun to do and to sew on the curve is always a challenge.  I can't wait to see how these 1930 prints all come together. This will be one stunning quilt.

What is your favorite quilt you've ever made. And why? I have to say my favorite quilt to put together was my maple leaf quilt I made for my husband and with last year's help in helping me put together. It was a christmas surprise for my husband and I loved surprising him with it. Although, I have a new favorite that will be showcased at Quilt Market.

XOXO,

Shari