January Block Information

Hey Guys!  I've been working on getting the packages ready to send out for January.

I'm excited to have you all make a Lone Star block for me.  If you haven't made a Lone Star block before--don't worry!  This is a large block and will finish at around 20" square--so no fiddly little diamonds to work with.

You'll be receiving a variety of my fabric lines and black cross weave to work with.

You can find the tutorial here.  It is a wonderful tutorial with lots of pictures to help you out along the way.

Just a couple things:  

1.  I want my star made as my picture above with the center all the same fabric and the points all the same fabric.  

 2. And the step with this picture was a little bit confusing to me:

Where it shows the measurement 2 1/2", it will measure 3 1/2" across.  The 2 1/2" references two and one half squares across the diagonal of your ruler but since it's a diagonal measurement the actual measurement in inches across is 3 1/2".  If you line up your ruler like it shows, you will be fine--just don't be thrown off that it shows 2 1/2" in the photo and actually measures 3 1/2" across the top of your fabric.

 3.  And lastly, do not trim/square up your block before sending it back.  I'll trim them down to size after receiving them all.

Bee Block Questionnaire

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make?

These will measure around 20 1/2" square unfinished.  Do not trim them down.

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

No Need, I am sending all fabrics needed.

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

White/Off White/Grey--any of these are fine.

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

You will need to use all of the fabrics.

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? N/A

Will you allow any embellishments on the quilt block (i.e. embroidery, raised items such as yo-yos or fabric origami)?  No Thank You

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 link to the tutorial again:  Lone Star Tutorial

If your partners are super motivated and are able to make two blocks out of the fabric you send. Just One

Thank you so much for making these blocks for me!  I have enjoyed making all of your blocks this past year.

Caught Up On all Bee Blocks!!!

I am horrible and I hope you all forgive me, but I am now finally caught up and your blocks are on their way to you! I am just doing one post for all blocks that I was past due on.

First up is for Kimberly! This block was so fun and 

you are very generous in giving us all our own colorway to do! Thank you!

I can't get my photo to turn, but this suitcase was to Die For! Thanks Trish for letting us play!!!

I couldn't finish Sinta's I didn't have enough fabric and not anything from my stash matched :(

Calli's block was super fun to do and a fun way to learn how to do half square triangles.

Melissa this block is super fun and HUGE!

Shannon this was so fun to do! Great color choices and can't wait to see it all together.

 Stephanie's block was fun and lots of little pieces. I sent this a while ago. 

Thanks for all the amazing challenges you all bring and the fun blocks we get to experience. Can't wait to see what Corey bring's us in January.

XOXO!

Shari :)

Your Beehive Mama

Shannon's Simple Star Blocks

 

It was fun to make Shannon's Simple Star blocks for her this month!  Very easy to do.  I was able to whip them up during my Granddaughter's nap today :)

Nedra

Boys. I am a MOB (Mother of Boys)

My whole life is filled with boys. I have 1 husband, 2 sons, 2 brothers, 5 brother inlaws, 8 nephews. Thank goodness we have no pets. They most likely would be boys too. :) I love them all and everything that goes with it. (Excluding the smell, whoa!) All this testosterone is a great excuse to do my own thing. Especially when they all get together, I retreat with my camera and sketchbook or go quilt.

I draw all the time I'm not sewing. Drawing is really relaxing for me and helps me get all of my ideas out of my head so I can sleep at night. Lately, I've taken up painting again after a very long hiatus. I find that changing up mediums keeps the creativity moving so when it comes to design my next fabric line or quilt patterns my well is full. Occasionally, I get stuck and that is when I know it is time to get out of the house and a find a change of scenery.

My question to you is... What do you do to stay inspired and motivated?

I also LOVE this great big group of amazing women who understand my love of fabric and color and quilts! Quilting has really helped me find my tribe. Ladies who get it.

I made quilts for each of my sons when they were very young. They've been through a lot of washing and love over the past 10 years and it's time to update. The blocks I'm sending out are all made from fabrics I pulled from my stash, even the background fabric. I was on a mission not to spend any money on this project. Although, it was so tempting to go buy some deep gray background fabric!

One quilt will be green the other blue. My kiddos aren't twins but inseparable best friends so I knew that the quilts had to be pretty similar to keep the crowd happy. The center stars all have a different gray center and same blue or green for the tips. All the corner blocks will come together to make scrappy squares.

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? Blocks completed blocks measure 12 1/2" x 12 1/2"

Can your partners use any of their own stash fabric to use in your quilt block? Yes, feel free to swap out a blue or green if you like, as long as it fits in the same color scheme.

Is there a specific color of thread (white/off-white) you want your partners to sew with? Whichever neutral thread you care for is fine. 

I designed the block to be quick and easy, that's why there are two. Please make and return both. 

Thank you so much! This has been a complete JOY and a nice break from the "have to/secret" sewing days.

You can find me at @ebmakery and www.evabmakery.com

My True North

 

 

I made my (24-inch) True North

for Melissa

 

Fun block!

 

Nedra

 



October True North

Hello friends,

Goodness, time flies when we are Happy Quilting.  I can't believe that is already October and that it's my turn for our wonderful bee :)  And now the fun part, to share what we will be making!!!  I designed this True North quilt a few years back for Riley Blake and have wanted to remake in non-Christmas fabrics ever since.   (Not that I don't love it in Christmas fabrics, I just knew it would work wonderful in something that would work year-round ).

So I have sent you each 2 Fat Quarters from Rashida Coleman-Hale's Raindrop line (I just love the happy cool colors in this line!!) and some white background fabric for your block.  You will use most of the fat quarter and background fabric and no worries on sending back any leftovers, just add it to your scrap piles :)  

 You will each be making one Queen Sized True North block and these guys are big ;)  I have included block directions that I have rewritten to making just one block and simplified them slightly, but if you find them confusing at all, just let me know and I will send you a PDF of the pattern to follow :)

I am so super excited and can't wait to make up this new quilt!!!!    So here are all the details:

Bee Block Questionnaire

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? (Give finished and unfinished measurements, just to be sure.)   24 1/2" x 24 1/2" unfinished and 24" x 24" finished

Can your partners use any of their own stash fabric to use in your quilt block? If so, are there any limitations?  Please just use the fabric sent ;)

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

Do your partners have to use at least a little bit of every fabric you send or can your partners decide?
You will need to use all the fabric sent to have enough ;) 

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?

Just the True North Block ;)
Will you allow any embellishments on the quilt block (i.e. embroidery, raised items such as yo-yos or fabric origami)?

No thanks, not this time ;)
Can you link us to any flickr or Pinterest photos that you would like us to use as inspiration for your quilt block?
There's more pics in this post :)

If your partners are super motivated and are able to make two blocks out of the fabric you send.

Nope, there is just enough for 1, and it is big enough to keep you busy I am sure :)

And that's about it ;)  I am so super excited and thank you so much in advance!!!!  If you have any questions at all on the block don't hesitate to email me ;)  

So now the other fun stuff ;)  Shari asked me to share my top three projects from 2016 and a favorite recipe.  

As far as favorite projects goes, that is super tuff.  (Kind of like picking a favorite child right, tee hee hee ;)  But if you twisted my arm, I guess I would say my favorites from 2016  would be as follows.   My Moroccan Lullaby quilt because I really pushed myself on the quilting of this one and am super proud of how ti turned out.  My Camp Moda quilt because every time I see it it reminds me of all the awesome people I got to work with in collaborating on this one and I just think it turned out adorable!!   And finally, my William and Jack quilt, because I have always wanted to make a Union Jack quilt as my Mother was born in England and it just seemed a special tribute to her.  This quilt also had a huge surprise with it that it ended up front and center and the Main Schoolhouse at Market, that I was not expecting but was indeed a wonderful surprise and honor ;) 

    

 And for my favorite recipie, it has to be my no fail bread recipie.  My family loves it and it is super easy and never fails :)  Love it!!!!  You can also use it for pizza dough, cinnamon rolls, scones, and regular rolls, so yummy!!

BREAD DOUGH

NEEDED

2 1/2 cups Warm Water (110 degrees)

1/3 cup Oil

1/3 cup Honey

1 tbsp Yeast

1 tbsp salt

7 cups flour

DIRECTIONS

Place water in mixer.  Add oil and honey and blend.  (if you put the oil in first and then use the same measuring cup the honey comes out much easier)  Add yeast and 1 cup of flour.  Blend on low speed.  While running add 3 more cups of flour.  Continue blending and add salt.  Continue blending and add remaining 3 cups of flour.  Turn Mixer up one speed and blend for 10 minutes.  Remove bowl from mixer and cover with a towel and let rise till bulging out of bowl – about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.  Refer to what you want to make now.

BREAD

Dump dough onto lightly floured surface and punch down.  Cut into two pieces and shape in the size of a loaf.  Place in greased loaf pan and place a towel over pans.  Allow to rise until double in size about an hour.  Place in oven at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.  Brush melted butter on the top of the loaf as soon as you take it out.  Enjoy.  Makes 2 loafs.

ROLLS

Dump dough onto lightly floured surface and punch down.  Cut into two pieces and roll the first piece into a large circle about 16 inches in diameter.  Brush melted butter across the surface of the dough.   With a pizza cutter cut 12 pieces the same you would a pizza.  Starting on the edge of the piece of dough, roll up each piece toward the center to make a crescent shape roll.  Place on greased cookie pan or a cookie pan with a liner and make sure to tuck the loose end under.  Repeat with other piece of dough.  Cover with a towel and let rise until double the size, about an hour.  Place in oven at 350 degrees for 15 minutes.  Brush melted butter on the top of each roll as soon as you take it out.  Enjoy.  Makes 2 dozen rolls.

PIZZA DOUGH

Dump dough onto lightly floured surface and punch down.  Cut into two pieces and roll the first piece into a large circle about 16 inches in diameter.  Place on pizza pan and top as you desire.  Repeat with second piece.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 to 30 minutes.  Sometimes I like to make the crusts a little thinner and leave some dough for breadsticks.  Roll remaining dough into snake shapes and place in a glass baking pan with melted butter in the bottom.  Allow a little bit of time to rise (I normally bake them after the first pizza is done).  Cover with Parmesan Cheese and Seasoning and bake for 15 minutes.  I normally just stick it on the top shelf with the second pizza on the bottom shelf.  Enjoy!!

SCONES

Dump dough onto very lightly floured surface and punch down.  Return to bowl.  Tear off a small piece of dough and stretch it in your fingers.  Place in a pot of hot oil.    Fry for about one minute on each side.  You can cook 3 to 4 scones at a time.  Serve hot with honey, butter, and powdered sugar.  Enjoy!!  Makes about 24 scones.

CINNAMON BUNS

Dump dough onto lightly floured surface and punch down.  Roll into a large rectangle shape.  Make a cinnamon roll mixture by mixing 3/4 cup brown sugar, 2 tsp cinnamon, and optional raisins and chopped nuts.  Sprinkle mixture over dough.  Starting on one end of the dough, roll up into a large cylinder shape.  Use a knife to cut cylinder into 12 circles.  Place in 9 x 13 pan and bake at 350 degrees for 25 – 30 minutes.  This makes 12 very large rolls.  You can make medium size ones by making two cylinders or mini’s by making three cylinders.  Adjust cooking time accordingly. 

 Happy Quilting Everyone!!!!

September Bear Paw

By all these lovely tokens September days are here. With summer's best of weather and autumn's best of cheer. 

Hello Bee Friends! I'm so glad it's September. It's one of my favorite months of the year. I'm so sorry to be posting a few days late this month. August was a whirlwind and September was here before I knew it.

The block I've chosen for my month is old and tried and true. I've been reading a lot of Civil War history lately and came across a story about Bear Paw Quilts being used to guide escaped slaves along the Underground Railroad. I loved that story so much, I knew I had to make a Bear Paw Quilt.

A Bear Paw has been on my "To Make" list for as long as I have been quilting. I have a funny story to tell. Long ago, when my husband and I were engaged, my entire family went on a vacation to the Bahamas. Some of you may know my mom, Leslie Ison. She asked my soon-to-be husband to carry her featherweight sewing machine from Salt Lake City, all the way to our destination at Green Turtle Cay. He carried it on planes, through airports, on mail boats, ferries, and taxis. She was planning on making a wedding quilt for us while we were on our two week vacation. Before we left, my mom asked my husband to look at quilt blocks and decide what he liked for our quilt. He chose a Bear Paw. But my mom, being her own quilt boss, made us an Ohio Star, and of course finished a queen sized quilt, when a normal person would be doing nothing on a beach. It is a lovely quilt, but I've always thought my husband would love a Bear Paw to snuggle under.

The fabric I've chosen are mostly 30s, my very favorite. They remind me of September... with greens, yellows, oranges, and blues. The fabrics make me think of harvest and fall. The background is unbleached muslin from Moda.

I will send instructions for the block out in an email this evening. I used a new (for me) method of making 8 half square triangles at once. Here's a tutorial with a handy size chart. Just be sure you have an accurate scant 1/4" and you will be great. Since it's an easy peasy block, I've included enough fabric to make two.

Now for my question for you all: What quilt has been on your "To Make" list the longest, that you've never gotten around to making? Is there a story of why you'd like to make it? Or why you haven't? Technically that was more than one question...

Thank you everyone! I'm so grateful to be in this bee with such amazing partners! Let me know if you have any questions.

Bee Block Questionnaire

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? (Give finished and unfinished measurements, just to be sure.)

This is such a quick and easy block, so I've sent enough fabric to make two blocks - They will measure 11" unfinished.

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

I've provided all the fabric you will need.

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

Any light colored thread is fine.

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

I've precut the blocks, so you will use it all.

Can you link us to any flickr or Pinterest photos that you would like us to use as inspiration for your quilt block? There are so many pretty Bear Paw Quilts out there, but here are a few that I have pinned. I especially like the two color versions.
https://www.pinterest.com/search/my_pins/?q=bear%20paw%20quilt

Purple Spools

I had so much fun making up your Purple Spool Kimberly!!!   The fabrics are all so much fun and I just loved that adorable low volume purple heart ;)  I can't wait to see this quilt come together, it is just going to be so cute!!!

And thank you so much for the extra prints to make my own Purple Spool Mini.  I just made my block right along side your block, which made the paper piecing seem even faster as I could do it more assembly line style ;)   Then I just finished it up with some quick stitching and binding ;) 

It looks so cute added to my wall of purple mini's!!!   Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I hope you have a very Happy Quilting Weekend!!! 

August Bee Block

It's un-bee-lievable that August has come around so quickly!! My daughter's Senior Year flew by as fast as I thought it would. Infact, it seemed even faster than I thought possible!!!! Cherish every moment Moms of teenagers!!

My baby girl is leaving the nest in just 5 days and I'm not sure what I'm going to do with myself for the first week other than Sleep and Sew. Maybe I'll clean the house but, I doubt it!! lol... Seriously though, I have lots to get done in preparation for my departure to New Zealand. I finally get to see my children and play with two of my sweet grandchildren after a long separation because of distance and cost of airfares. I will be making lots of memories and I'm sure I'll be posting pictures on my instagram if you want to follow along.

I need to apologize in advance to Callie and Melissa. I will be gone for 9 weeks (crazy, huh?) and I won't be able to sew the September and October blocks until I get back in early November. I hope you both understand. I will be here until the end of August to receive blocks and after that my husband has been instructed to keep his eye out for any blocks that come after I leave.

FYI. . . My Blocks went in the mail yesterday, on July 31st.

You should start seeing the white envelope by the Thursday or by the end of the week, at the latest!!

Now to introduce the block I picked. . .

The IMPROV SPOOL by Konda Luckau

I came across this block earlier this year and thought that it would be a fun and easy block to make so, I printed the pattern and put it aside so I would remember to pull it out when the time came. I decided to make it less improv and more uniform so that I could cut all of the same size fabric strips. I drew up a simple paper pieced pattern for each of you. I sent two copies, one to save or to copy extras and one to use. I stacked the fabric strips from top to bottom so, when you pull out the stack of colored fabrics just start with the top fabric and work down to the bottom. Let me know if you have any questions on paper piecing.

Here's the Link to the "Free" Improv Spool Pattern at

Moose Quilts

Thank You Konda Luckau for the great Spool Pattern!!!

I Love it!!!

Bee Block Questionnaire

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make?

The Spool Block will finish at 13" x 16".

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

All of the necessary fabric is provide for one Spool Block. I've included a fabric packet so that each quilter can make their own Mini Spool Block Quilt (packet does NOT include the fabric for the spool ends or the background fabric). 

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

White Thread thread will be fine.

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

Please use what's provided. Thanks! :)

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?

Not applicable.

Will you allow any embellishments on the quilt block (i.e. embroidery, raised items such as yo-yos or fabric origami)?

Please no embellishments.

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

Pinterest Link to see more Improv Spools

Last Years Quilt is FINISHED!!

Yippee. . . It's done!!

Thanks for making 2 blocks for me!!

June and July

Wow, something about summer that just makes the days fly by!!!  Sorry your block is a bit late Stephanie :)   Your blocks and Sinta's block is going in the mail today ;)  They both were so much fun to piece!!!  Can't wait to see these quilts all finished up ;)

Summer Vacation

Hi there everyone!

I'm Sinta 

from Pink Pincushion blog!

July is my favorite month and also my month

 to share my block with 

my Bees!

This has really been a hard decision this time...

and I hope it's not too hard...

it does have large pieces along with some smaller ones

so I think it will go pretty fast!

Here is a photo I found on the 

Instagram #snapshotquiltalong

It was a free pattern (with a donation option).

I made the donation... so I feel comfortable if we use

the pattern.

This was my favorite block in the whole quilt along...

but this was suppose to be for the back of the quilt!

I thought I should have an entire camera quilt...

but of course, I need your help!

Here is my test block.

Here are the stats:

1.  The block is 12 1/2" x 22 1/2"

2. I provided white for the center of the camera... the camera lens... 

but if you want to replace it with something fun... feel free to surprise me!

 3. Neutral thread is fine.

4. Since it's summer and time for vacations... and because I live in a tourist town...

I thought this block would be perfect! That's my "theme".

5. The block is enough in itself... so no need to embellish.

6. Here is a link to the tutorial of the block by Fat Quarter Shop

7. Note: We are only making the camera part of the block. 

.

I really hope you have fun making it! 

Now, here is my question for you!

Please tell what your favorite summer 

vacation was when you were a kid! 

Here are 3 of my favorite quilts from 2016

but if you want to see more of my end of year recap post

you can link to it HERE.

I hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend planned!

P. S. The tourist town I live in is just minutes from 

Yosemite National Park! 

Postage Stamp Block for Steph

(1) Postage Stamp block

and

(3) 9-Patch blocks

completed and mailed for

Steph!

Whoohoo!

 

Nedra