More Great Granny Blocks for Kim

Hi Everyone!! Happy FALL!!

The cooler temperatures are welcome here!! :)

It's been a whirlwind of a year for our household and I'm hoping that we are finally done moving for at least a decade (hopefully longer). We are mostly settled and enjoying our new home!! It's a HUGE blessing being back in Utah near most of our family and most of our grandchildren. Our hearts literally ache having two of our children and their families living out of the country. The good news is that they're all planning to come visit us in 2020. Yippee!! :)

Kim's Great Granny Square

This month I decided to have y'all help me make more Great Granny Squares for a quilt I started several years ago. When Lori Holt did her Great Granny Sew Along I made a quilt using 9 blocks. I loved it so much that I started making more blocks for another quilt but, with all of our moves over the last five years the blocks I'd made got put in a box and set aside for another day. Well, it's time for the blocks to come out of storage and get some attention!! I'm hoping to make a kingsize quilt for my bed. I've been digging into my stash and pulling out lots of my REDS, BLACKS and GRAYS and mixing them with an assortment of background fabrics. I started with one background and then added a second background but I no longer have either so I decided to make it scrappy with a variety of different backgrounds as well. I think it will all work out in the end. Thanks for all of your help this month!! ~Kim 

Here's the link to Lori Holt's Great Granny Sewalong she posted July 9, 2014

http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2012/07/great-granny-along-and-giveaway.html

The photo below is of the fabric I cut and prepped to send out to each of you. You should be able to click on the photo to get a closer look at the variety of Red, Black, and gray fabrics and the different backgrounds I put with each of the combinations.

Here's a preview of the information that will come in your packet.

I've Included the following fabric pieces to make ONE Great Granny Block:

Fabrics in Red, Black or Gray:

(1) 2.5 square for the Baby Center

(4) 2.5 squares for the Mama Round

(8) 2.5 squares for the Granny Round

(12) 2.5 squares for the Great Granny Round

Background Fabric:

(12) 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles for the ends of 7 rows 

(4) 2.5" x 5" rectangles that will be sewn on the ends of the four corners.

Basic Instructions:

Sew all seams using a 1/4" Seam Allowance

1. Lay out the fabric squares starting with the (1) Baby Center Square (see photo 1)

2. Proceed by placing the (4) Mama Squares around the Baby Square (see photo 1)

3. Then place the (8) Granny Squares around the Mama Squares (see photo 1)

4. Then place the (12) Great Granny Square around the Granny Squares (see photo 1)

5. Lastly place the (12) 2.5" x 3.5" rectangles on each end of each row (see photo 1)

6. Sew the fabric together from left to right in each of Rows 2-8 (see Photo 3)

7. Press fabric in each row toward the darker fabric. (Refer to photo 2 for back view of the block)

8. Nest the seams when sewing the rows together. Use pins if needed, to make a snug fit.

9. Press the rows outward on each side of the center row. (see to photo 4)

10. Trim the fabric that hangs over on each side of Row 4 and 6. (see photo 4)

11. Then center the (4) 2.5" x 5" rectangles on each corner and sew in place (see photo 5).

12. Press seams outward toward the corners. (see photo 2)

13. YOU WILL NOT NEED TO TRIM DOWN THE BLOCK. 

Here are three other photos that I included on the information sheet in your packet.

I had to rotate the view of the above photo so you could see the block as it's constructed in rows.

The above photo shows rows 2-8 sewn together with the excess fabric

having been trimmed off both ends of rows 4 and 6.

The above photo was taken prior to sewing on the 2.5" x 5" rectangles that will form the corners of the block after it's trimmed.

The above photo shows how I pressed the seams on the back of the block. This photo will be a good visual reference to help see and understand how I press my Great Granny Blocks.

Just a reminder that I'd like you to NOT TRIM DOWN the BLOCKS! I will take care of that when the blocks are returned to me. Thanks.

This last photo I used some of same fabric that I used in the first block but with the Black fabric in the Great Granny round and the Red Fabric in the Mama Round. It's fun to change fabric positions to get different looks.

Bee Block Questionnaire

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

The finished size will be 12" finished and 12.5" unfinished (after trimming) but. . .

REMEMBER, I will do the block trimming.

2. 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 in your packet.

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

 White or Off white is fine.

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

 Please use only the fabric provided.

It's September!!

Happy Fall Y'all! I hope you are all enjoying the cooler temperatures! I know I am... but I am wanting to cook and quilt! This beautiful fall weather makes me want to make homemade bread for my family and eat hearty meals! I'm going to share my favorite recipe of all time!!

Tri Tips with Gravy

3 T Olive Oil
3 cloves minced Garlic
2 lbs Tri Tip cut into large pieces (I have also used roast, pork loin, stew meat or any other cuts)
Salt and Pepper to taste
1 10 oz can Beef Consomme or 1 1/2 C beef broth (if I use pork, I use chicken or pork bouillon)
1 can water
2 Bay Leaves
3/4 T dried Thyme leaves
3 T softened butter
3 T Flour

Heat oil and saute garlic in a cast iron dutch oven with a lid. Salt and pepper Tri Tip and brown meat. Pre-heat oven to 300. Pour broth over meat and add water, bay leaves and thyme. Cover and bake 2 hours until meat is fork tender. Mix flour in softened butter. Remove meat from pan. Stir flour mixture into drippings until thickened. Add a little water if needed to gravy. Stir meat into gravy and serve over mashed potatoes.



We make this all the time with all kinds of meat and it is delish!

In case you wanted to know a little about me... I am a stay at home mom of 3, married to my best friend and love of my life for the last 28 years (In November). Our kids range from 21 yr old son who is getting married soon, 15 yr old son who is learning to drive and a 10 yr old girl who is my sweet girl who likes the same things I do... except slime! I don't get that one! ;)
We love to travel with our camping trailer, hiking, playing board games (Settlers of Catan is our favorite!) and hang out together! We love football and food, which they go together perfectly! I love to cook, quilt and craft! My mom taught me how to make all the best comfort foods and I have been sewing since I could sit at the machine and touch the pedal!! She let me make anything I wanted and my favorite babysitting job was for an owner of a fabric store. She said I could earn money or fabric.... I chose the fabric!! Found some great treasures there! I have sewn

many wedding dresses, curtains for parade of homes, bags, clothes for work the next day, blessing clothes and I was a seamstress for a custom clothing business for 5 years so I learned a ton there!!

We have started our own family business called The Quilted Poppy where we make beautiful Barn Stars... you can find us on instagram@thequiltedpoppy and we all paint and build the stars together. It has been a fun adventure!!! Hoping to build it even more with this crazy crew of ours!!

Anyway... thanks for making my blocks this month! It is one of my own designs and I can't wait for it to all come together!

the August block is on its way!

OK, here we go!  I have selected the "Great Granny"!  I chose my sisters last fabric line, "In the Meadow" (in the stores now) and used some of my stash to add to it!  Oh my these blocks are fun!  What started out as a throw blanket, is now becoming a queen size quilt. You just can't stop once you start these blocks.   I know that there are a million tutorials online and books...but sometimes I like to figure things out.  So, I cut my white blocks at 2.5x3 instead of 2.5x3.5.  Oops!  So when you trim, there will be a little jaggedness to the edges.  No worries, I will be sashing the blocks together.

I also sent you each a little something from my other hobby.  The bookmark cabochon was made by me.  It is out of Box Elder Burl, which is usually a bland blonde.  I then dye them to show off the figure and well, to make them colorful.  I figured you can use them to hold a place in your favorite quilting  book.

And now a word on shop safety!  While fussy cutting...well you know the rest!  Yes, I will have a month or so of healing!  Luckily the shearing was quick and clean and no blood on my fabric!

So please be careful!  I have included all the fabric you will need for the blocks and if you would use white thread that would be great!

Now, I want to take a poll...How many of you have had a wicked quilting accident?  Please no gory details. Just curious if my wood turning hobby (table saws, sharp lathe tools, wood flying at my head) is safer than my quilting hobby?  Your answers will determine if I need more insurance!
Happy sewing my Bee Sisters!

Natalie's Sew Sampler Block

I love this sweet block, and I do love basket blocks. I can't wait to see how this block turns out. It will be super cute and fun. I did screw up on the bottom one, but Natalie was so gracious to pop in two fabrics so I could complete it.

I am loving the colors!

Here it is on my flannel quilt board.

Thanks for sharing the sew sampler block. I have added that back into your envenlope!

XOXO,

Shari

Bonnie's Block

And finally Bonnie's Block! It's so awesome I love this pattern. Off the Brick Pattern may be my way to go in completing some awesomeness and get through my scraps! These could be blocks to make a big picnic blanket, baby blanket or lap quilt. Love the possibilities.

The splashes of color and low volume just rocks and seeing everyones come together is going to be amazing.

I didn't have one low volume block, so I added my own solid piece and I hope you love it! Plus you get an extra block back so you can make another one Bonnie!

XOXO,

Shari
Your Beehive Mama

Cynthia's Block

Now I am showing off Cynthia's Blocks! She sent me two letters, and I love them. Although on the O I was missing a piece of fabric, and should have emailed you. Don't hate me!

I really can't wait to see this quilt it's going to be amazing! I love Moda's letter blocks and I really do need to make a quilt with just letters. They really know how to make fabulous patterns.

XOXO,

Shari

Your Beehive Mama

Sinta's Block!

I have been on radio silence for a bit, and I have to apologize! But hey, I got caught up on my BEE BLOCKS! So that's a win for me.

Here it is all laid out on my cutting table.

First I will show off Sinta's Scrappy Around the World block. I have done this before, but it took my brain a minute or two in order to get it done. And yes, I texted my sister. I hope you love it Sinta! Also, I hope I did it right.

And thank you for the sweet little gift! You were super sweet to do that! And yes, I had to place my Binding Baby on there. :)

Now to show off the next block! :)

Shari

Your Beehive Mama

Sinta's Scrappy Trip Around The World Block

I made a Scrappy Trip Around The World Quilt

years ago.  

Now that I've made Sinta's sweet block with White backgrounds

I just may have to make another one!

And THANK YOU Sinta for the lovely gift

of the new Lori Holt Tape Measure

How did you know I REALLY wanted one of these?

made out of cute pink Farm Girl Vintage fabric

Love it!

Quilty Friends are the Best

Nedra

My Month is May and I am Already Ready!

• There is no glory in star or blossom till looked upon by a loving eye; There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as they wander by. ...

(A cherry blossom tree that I just had to stop and appreciate last week)

3 Things about the people in my life

1. Here is a photo of my family taken at Monterey Bay Aquarium.

We took a trip together in January as our Christmas gift because we just like to be together!

We rented a large home and created wonderful memories!

The sweet grand littles are 1, 2, 3, 6.

2. I work for Environmental Consultants

as Administrative Assistant to the

President and also assist with accounting.

I have worked for the company 18 years.

Before that I worked in Yosemite National Park for 10 years.

3. My children actually started school inside Yosemite in a

one room classroom and that included rock climbing starting in

Kindergarten and skiing and camping too!

All of the kids are either teachers or Hotshot firefighters.

So let me share 5 things about me...

and my philosophy:

1. Mostly my daughter in laws and sons think of me as

a Diane Keaton type of personality.

I can't say that I would disagree with them!

2. I can tell you that I wake up happy... and believe that

time is as precious as the lives we touch...

and everyone deserves a smile.

3. I really began quilting once my boys were in high school.

My husband traveled for work, so it was a good way to

entertain myself.

I do have a degree in Interior Design... so I am

all about textiles!

I also like to chalk paint my furniture.

I love vintage.

I actually use to only dress in vintage clothes... hats and all!

Now my grand daughters love to play dress up with

my collection that are packed in my collection of vintage suitcases!

4. A little story:

I have a vintage clock on my side of the bed that I wind every single night for years.

One winter night the electricity had gone out... my husband wanted to set his clock and asked what time it was...

Confused, I said "how would I know, the electricity went out"!

Then I realized that he meant my wind up clock...

I had to confess that the clock never worked... I just like to hear it

tick at night!

That always makes me laugh now!

5. The recording on my phone says...

if you have good news, leave a message after the beep

if you have bad news... leave your message before the beep!

And I think that's me in a nutshell!

I don't usually share these personal things...

but gosh, we have been together for a real long time now...

so I thought,

what the heck,

I could share what my little world is like!

Well, when I first started in the Bees Knees group, it was the same time that Sheri of A Quilting Life joined and her block was a Scrappy Trip Around the World...

I have wanted one of those quilts for myself ever since then BUT a few years ago a revised version by Woodberry Way evolved and it actually seemed to be a much more restful block.

Every other row is a background color... I showed a block on my Instagram. It also has 8 rows instead of the 6, like you see in this diagram.

But let me answer some of the questions here before I continue chatting!

Bee Block Questionnaire

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? (Give finished and unfinished measurements, just to be sure.) I believe the block is 16.5"

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

I have sent the fabrics and you should have them in your mailbox today... or perhaps even yesterday!

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

white/off white is perfect to sew with.

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

I have cut the strips and put them in a sewing order for you.

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 will be making all the alternate blocks for this quilt (block B)

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

no extras please.

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

I have included a paper with instructions and links to those instructions with the fabric.

The navy fabric will be the main fabric and is in each person's envelope.

That one is the one that I would like to be the constant through the center of the block like the one here in the photo.

I hope you have fun with making this one and that you might even want to make one for yourself too!

Happy Spring and Easter weekend

Hugs to you all~ my Bees Knees friends!

I included a little something in the package as a thank you!

Cynthia's Cherry Blocks

I'm excited to see what Cynthia's Quilt

will look like once she has all of 

our blocks back!

My assignment was to make

these 2 Cherry Blocks

from Lori Holt's book

Farm Girl Vintage

Cynthia always picks the cutest fabrics!

How are your March blocks 

coming along?

Nedra

Cynthia's quilting bee month

Hi Everyone!

It's my turn this month for the Quilting Bee!

I sent your fabric and patterns, and this is what your finished letters should look like, with the borders.

I sent nine of you two letters each, and 

I sent two 6" blocks to two ladies.

These letters are from the Moda Bake Shop free pattern, 

Spell It With Fabric!

I've had these letters sewn, since 2016!

I'm looking forward to getting all the blocks back so that I can put my quilt together :)

Some of the blocks have a low volume background.

It will be interesting to see how the quilt turns out.

I'm using Lori Holt's Farm Girl Vintage blocks for

 some of the blocks.

Here are the blocks I sewed for Bonnie, they were fun to make!

Thanks,

Cynthia

Bonnie's Off The Brick Path

It was fun to make Bonnie's

Off The Brick Path

quilt blocks!

They went together fast

using the great tutorial she provided

 on her blog.

Happy Valentines Day everyone!

XX00

Nedra

October Spotlight - Nedra!

Hi Everyone, this is Nedra Sorensen from Gilbert, Arizona!  I am an Original Member of the Bee’s Knees Quilting Bee that started wayyyy back when, in fact I submitted the name for our Bee. I love being part of this group and learn something new with every year.

I was raised in San Jose California, just south of San Francisco, but married a Utah boy where we raised our family.  We recently celebrated our 40^th Wedding Anniversary, have 5 children and 4 grandchildren.  We now call Arizona our home because our 2 oldest daughters and all of our grandchildren live here.  I love Arizona in the Winter. (enough said!)

I began quilting in 2000 and now work within the Industry doing a variety of things.  I help a Designer get ready for Quilt Market by piecing and binding many of her quilt tops with her latest fabric lines and patterns.  I also help a Vendor get ready for Shows, plus work her Booth at several National Shows throughout the year.  I love what I do!

I find most of my Inspiration through Instagram, and being part of several local quilt groups, including the Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild.  Quilty friends are the Best!  My favorite place in the World was being able to visit Israel and to feel the Culture and to walk the paths of our Savior Jesus Christ.  I’m passionate about Family History, and along with quilting work on it a little bit every day.  These are the people who contributed to everything I have and enjoy, and I feel a tremendous pull to remember and honor them.  My favorite movies are the Classics, when life was a little more simple and clean. I often quilt by Amazon, Netflix or Podcasts and go months without watching TV. Scanning the headlines on my News APPs is about all the shock my brain can handle.

When not quilting I spend most of my time with family, babysitting grandkids (smitten!) or volunteering with my Church. 

My latest craze has been cooking with an Instant Pot. I love good food, but would rather be quilting than cooking   I can hardly believe how fast and easy this appliance makes meal preparation!  I especially like that I can use frozen meat, or unsoaked beans, and have dinner ready in less than an hour, with one pot for clean up.  My kind of cooking!  Here is the first recipe I tried, and believe me, it’s that easy.

Instant Pot(R) Salsa Chicken

Recipe By:Tammy Lynn

"An Instant Pot(R) makes an easy weeknight meal even easier! Frozen chicken breasts are combined with taco seasoning and salsa for a tasty Mexican-themed meal. You can use the meat for tacos, burrito bowls, or as a topping for baked potatoes. So many possibilities! I used this the first night for chicken quesadillas. The second night I used it as a topping for baked potatoes with shredded cheese, pickled jalapenos, and sour cream."

Ingredients

·         1 pound frozen skinless, boneless chicken breast halves 

·         1 (1 ounce) packet taco seasoning mix 

·         1/2 cup salsa 

·         1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 

Directions

1.      Place chicken breasts in an electric pressure cooker (such as Instant Pot(R)). Sprinkle all sides 

       with taco seasoning. Pour salsa and chicken broth on top.

2.      Place lid on the pot and lock in place. Select the Poultry setting and set the timer for 15 

      minutes. Allow pressure to release naturally after the cooking time has ended, about 20 

      minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken should read at 

      least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Shred the cooked chicken.

Lori's Block

Lori, I am so sorry for you loss! I am sure a few of us have experienced that lately and our hearts go out to you family! I hope I followed your order correctly and it was a fun block to do. Thanks for doing the half square triangle work.

The first one is where I layed it out.

Now the finished block!

Can't wait to see this finished beauty! XOXO

Nedra's Cross Blocks

I finally made a few minutes to sew today to do a bit of catch up on my bee blocks! These blocks were so fun to do and appreciate the simplicity of the blocks.

Nedra, your choice of colors is fun to do. You always have spectacular blocks to work on.

Can't wait to see this lovely finish! XOXO