June Block - Hunter's Star

Hi Everyone!!!  It's me Melissa from Happy Quilting ;)  I am super excited for my month of this awesome bee ;)  I have been wanting to make a new king size bedspread for our master bedroom for over a year, but you know how it goes, if it isn't a deadline is falls to the bottom of the list.    So, I am asking you ladies to help me out in moving it to the top of the list ;)   I have always loved the Hunter's Star quilt and it has been on my bucket list to make for some time . . .  so that is what we are going to be making!!!

But don't get all worried about cutting angled diamonds and sewing crazy angled seams together.  I played around with the Hunter's Star in EQ and came up with this block that is simply 8 HST's and 2 big squares.   So fun and fast :)    I have included this image with your fabric so you can refer to it.  Just take special care on the HST placement and make sure that you use matching fabric where it is shown.  

I have sent the exact fabric needed for the block and it is already cut to the the sizes needed for piecing. So you can just start sewing when your fabric arrives ;) There are instructions for piecing the block in your envelope. Please use white thread and only use the fabric sent. I have sent fabric for two blocks (each packaged individually) and would love it if you could make both, but if you don't have time, no worries. Just please send back the extra fabric as I don't have any extra's ;) The Finished size of the block will be 18" x 18" the unfinished size will be 18 1/2" x 18 1/2". And if you have any questions just email me at happyquiltingmelissa@gmail.com ;)

I can't wait to see all of your blocks!!!  Thanks for being such a great bee!!!  Oh, and when you post your blocks, if you want to tell me a favorite quilt that has been on your bucket list to make that would be fantastic ;)  

Nedra's Spotlight

Let’s get to know Nedra!

I am the youngest of 3 children, raised just South of San Francisco in San Jose, California (as in Do You Know The Way?).  The 1960’s and early 1970’s were an interesting time in the Bay Area.  Haight Ashbury, Hippies and drugs were part of my culture.  My sister joined a Commune.  I joined the Mormon Church (best decision ever!)

After High School I moved to Utah, where I eventually met my husband.  We have been married 37 years, have 5 children, 3 grandchildren, with #4 due in a few weeks.  We moved to Arizona a few years ago to be near our two oldest daughters and grandchildren.  (in reality it was mostly those cute grandkids!  I  am in love!)

I started quilting when our oldest daughter went off to college, and there was finally a spare bedroom to set up a sewing machine. I’ve been addicted ever since.  I’m also addicted to working on my Family History, but that is another story for another day.  I hosted my own Quilt Blog for 8 years, started and published a few Quilt Blogs for other companies, and now enjoy communicating through Instagram.

I’ve worked in the Quilt Industry in several capacities:  Quilt Stores, taught quilt classes, worked for Superior Threads, and was a Sales Manager for a small company.  I even gave pattern designing a try.  Currently I travel from time to time for a few Quilt Companies, demoing their products, or helping out in their booths at Quilt Conventions and Shows.  

I feel fortunate to experience the best of two worlds.  I love to travel, meet people, and follow the quilting trends bursting forth at Shows.  I feel kind of like a kid in a candy store when I see the booths go up like a mini city, and always find it exciting to view new patterns, products and quilts.

My tastes in fabrics have definitely changed over the years.  I am a member of the Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild, although I’m still am drawn to Vintage and traditional.

My question for you:  what is your favorite style of Quilts?

I'm Ready for May

A friend of mine, Kassy, took this photo. I think it's amazing! So, since we are the Bees Knees... I thought I would share!

I have a couple of blocks done... which makes me caught up! (Yeah...) and waiting for the new

project for this month!

I completed Sunny Skies for Shari... which was a fun block

to make! I watched the You Tube video from Missouri Star

today just to see another version. It's going to be so cute

in these fabrics... can't wait to see it completed.

And for Calli... I had fun with the Flowering Snowball

blocks also! Cute vintage looking fabrics with a touch of

Fig Tree in the mix!

I just made a large version of this block and I have to say that

Here is my quilt... these are humungus blocks!

I did some pattern testing for Whole Circle Studios. It 

was from a pattern made from her quilt that was at QuiltCon!

It's so fun what you can do with the Flowering Snowball!

Oh, I have only one block that I am waiting for to finish my quilt for this year...

I don't keep track of these things... so I don't know who it is.

I am assuming it's not me! lol

but it could be... just in case someone has my little envelope...

I thought I would mention it before I make one. I know everyone is so good 

about getting these made... feel free to say... Sinta, it's you!

Wanta Fanta

Hi Ladies!
May is my month! I love scrappy quilts, and look for opportunities to use up little bits of leftover pieces of fabric.  Hopefully, I can see a dent in my stash after making Wanta Fanta.  Thank you for your help.
*A little disclaimer:  (the block is paper pieced)  But don't panic!  It's a simple version of PP.  And remember, one of the good purposes of belonging to a Bee is that we stretch outside our comfort zones a little bit and learn new skills.  I don't want you to stress or worry about this particular block.  It's made out of my scraps, so if you make a mistake, or it doesn't turn out as well as you hoped, no biggie! If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me.

I am only having you make one of the X blocks.  It sits next to a Snowball block, but I will make those. I'm also mixing it up by making the background scrappy too, by using some of my low-volume/text type fabrics.

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make?
     Unfinished block = 6 1/2"X 6 1/2" *when sewing the 4 sections together at the end, please press the seams open.

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

    I am sending you everything you need.

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

    Please use either white, off white or gray thread

Do your partners have to use at least a little bit of every fabric you send or can your partners decide?

    Please use the pieces I sent you.

Can you link us to any flickr or Pinterest photos that you would like us to use as inspiration for your quilt block?

    The original pattern is from Janice Zeller Ryan of Better Off Thread.  I received her permission to share with you.  http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/2015/02/bee-hive-wanta-fanta/

 

Beeskneesfully yours,

Nedra