Sunday, March 27, 2016

March Spotlight - Calli!

Let’s get to know Calli!


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Hi Bee Friends,  I’m so excited for March.  It’s one of my favorite months of the year!  I grew up in Salt Lake City and am the oldest of 5.  I learned to quilt from my mom, Leslie Ison who has been a quilter for many years.  I fell in love with fabric as a girl, going with my mom to Gentler Times.  Gentler Times was a wonderful quilt shop in an old house in Salt Lake.  Mom worked and taught quilting classes there for many years.  She is an amazing quilter and teacher, and I feel very lucky to continue to learn from her.  
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I am a mom of three teenagers who are all in middle school.  My son is in 9th grade and my twin daughters are in 8th.  Maybe I shouldn’t say this too loud, but so far, I love being a mom of teenagers.  They are a lot of fun, interesting, and even inspiring to be around.  We enjoy skiing together as a family and the rest of the year is spent watching them play a lot of soccer.  

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Did you know that soccer and quilting go together?  I rarely leave for a game without having “halftime” hexies or other handwork projects.  


In my spare time, I love to read or watch old Hitchcock movies with my girls.  I also love to cook and bake.  I love to be at home, but I also love to travel.  My favorite treats are hot homemade bread right out of the oven and good pie.  

What do you like to do with your spare time?

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Friday, March 25, 2016

Blocks for Calli

I finished these blocks a while ago, but have been to busy to post them.  Sorry!  

I learned a lot from putting these together.   They may not be perfect but now I am not afraid to try curved line sewing anymore!  Thank you for pushing me!

And in answer to Calli's question, my favorite quilt always seems to be the last one I finished!  One may be my favorite because of colors, the next because it was for someone special...it is hard to choose!  My future favorite is the one that you all have worked on!!
Tam

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Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Now On To The Next One

A quick little drop-by to show you that these cute little 
blocks are done and on their way to 
April and Tamara!


I really enjoyed making both of these blocks.

I love the bright and happy fabrics of April's.
Just perfect for Spring!

The log cabin was really unique...
I haven't ever seen that block before!
And you just can't go wrong with that color combination!
Good choice Tamara!
And welcome to our 
group! 


Have fun making your blocks into quilts quilty-friends!

Sinta
Pink Pincushion


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Callie's Flowering Snowballs


I'm on a Roll!
Made two Flowering Snowballs for Callie.
Easy to do and fun to make.

Callie asked us to share a favorite quilt that we have made.
There are too many choices for me!
But, this is one of my recent favorites because I used
my scraps (free quilt:)
and I even quilted it myself, which is something
I rarely do
Welcome To The Neighborhood
pattern by Terry Schuld and Louise Haley
 
(Nedra)
 
 

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Friday, March 4, 2016

April's String Block


I forgot to post this one too!
A completed String Block for April Rosenthal
that was finished and mailed in January.
Turns out April and I have a connection
that we both just became aware of!
Her husband Jacob
and my Son In Law Dano
were very good friends
and played on the same soccer teams
as they were growing up.
Dano went to school with April also.
Small world isn't it?
Does this mean I might be in line
to Inherit some of her beautiful fabrics?
(You can't blame a girl for trying :)
 
Nedra


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Tamara's Block

I did finish Tamara's block at the beginning of February,
and it was mailed off to her at that time.
Sorry to be so slow in posting here in our
Bees Knees Blog.
Fun one to make and easy to do!
Welcome to our group Tamara!
(Nedra)


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Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Calli's March Flowering Snowball Block


It's March. The sun is shining.  My daffodils are coming up.  I've even been outside watching soccer.  And it's my month for our Bee.  The block I've chosen is a Flowering Snowball.  March seemed like the perfect month for this block, since here in Utah we have flowers blooming and snow showers too.

Please don't hate me for choosing curved seams!  One of the things I've loved about our bee is that some of your blocks have taken me outside of my comfort zone... and curved seams fit in that category.  They are always a little intimidating for me.




Guess what?  Now that I've made a few blocks, they are much quicker and easier than I expected.

A friend in my quilt guild generously offered to let me cut out my quilt using her Accuquilt.  It made cutting this quilt a breeze.  I love the tabs that help with accuracy on those curved seams...

The fabrics I've chosen are a lot from my stash of 1930's.  I love the 30's and I want the quilt to feel like it's old... from bits of old flour sacks and old dresses and shirts.  


As you can see, my block isn't perfect... this is the first block I made... and I feel like I've improved with each one.  I'll share funny advice about sewing curved seams given to me by a friend.  She said as long as my curved block was smaller than a C cup it would all come out in the quilting.  Take that to heart if you are worried.  

There is a perfect tutorial that I used for making the block found here on Bits of Everything

My friend Andy also has a great tutorial for sewing curved seams found here on her blog, A Bright Corner.    

When you post your blocks on the blog please answer the question "What is your favorite quilt you've ever made. And why?"

Thank you all!  I love getting fun mail from you all each month, and being part of this bee.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I'll be dropping your fabric in the mail today, so you should be receiving it soon.  

Bee Block Questionnaire
What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? 
The block should measure 12-1/2" unfinished which will be a 12" finished block
Can your partners use any of their own stash fabric to use in your quilt block? If so, are there any limitations?
Please use the precut fabric that I sent only.
Is there a specific color of thread (white/off white) you want your partners to sew with?
Any light colored thread is great.
Do your partners have to use at least a little bit of every fabric you send or can your partners decide?
I really debated whether to send enough fabric to make two blocks. But after making a few blocks I felt like they were quick enough to send fabric for two. That said, if they are a challenge for you, or if you are pressed for time, please only make one. I like having a few choices on fabric when putting a block together and this way you can have a little more creativity involved. If you enjoy making them, make two by all means. If you make one, please return the unused pieces so I can use them in the quilt.
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?
No... not really applicable.
Will you allow any embellishments on the quilt block (i.e. embroidery, raised items such as yo-yos or fabric origami)?
Not applicable either...
Can you link us to any flickr or Pinterest photos that you would like us to use as inspiration for your quilt block?  
I've been pinning Flowering Snowballs Quilts for a couple of years... here are a few of my favorites: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/65161525837254091/
And check out this fabulous big stitch quilting:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/66568900717079527/

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

Again, make two blocks if you'd like, otherwise make your block out of your choice of the fabrics I sent, and send back any of the unused fabric so I can use it in the quilt.

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