New Bee blocks received

The rest of my New Bee blocks have arrived.  Jennifer sent another lime green and pink one.  Love those colours!

Sherri sent me two blocks in wonderful colours.  

And she sent me a crocheted dish cloth and a lovely card.  What a sweetheart!  I've been wanting one of those cloths for a long time.

And Beebee sent me this block with unusual greens and yellows that look so great together.

And here is a photo of all my little jewels together. (Sorry it's not such a great photo.)  Thanks to all the New Bee members for these wonderful colourful blocks!

I am going to have to make one more so that I have twelve I think.  And then I have to decide how I'm going to turn them into a quilt.  I'm excited about this one.  I hope I find time to work on it soon!

Janet

Thank you New Bees!

The Blocks have been pouring in, and I don't even know what to say, i'm so amazed with you all! They are so beautiful, and you are all so talented. Its great to see these blocks in person too, I'm picking up hints for my own made fabric. (I need to use a smaller stitch, etc)

This morning I showed the boys the blocks, I wish I had the video camera out from the start. Wesley was so formal with his praise, its like he's been taking hints from Ryan Gosling. http://handmaderyangosling.tumblr.com/ "This one is really nice" "this one is beautiful" "I really like this sparkly purple fabric." Then he and grant started laying out the blocks for me. Just like I do, moving htem this way and that, and switching, and switching back. Wesley sweetly allowed for Grant's suggestions, but wasn't happy about it. I DID make a quick video, zero editting, and certainly it won't be as cute to you as it is to me since it's my kids, but its here:



Grant wanted to wear the block with a ric rac saturn.

I made some big pieces of made fabric last night so I am ready to start the april block; hopefully my upcoming blocks will be much improved with my new modifications.

Blocks and Fabric for Lauren.

I did get them done in March.  Mailed today.  This quilt will be so cute!

NEWBEE for April

I’m up this month and I’ve finally got my tutorial done, just in the nick of time :)

This is the block I would like in a 12 1/2 inch square (unfinished – it will be 12 inches square when I add a border).

I would like you to make the block in two contrasting colours of made fabric. I don’t care which colours you use except please no black or white and please make sure they contrast. I have done mine in blue and yellow as you can see.

I am sure this block has a name but I don’t know what it is.

To start, make a piece of fabric in each of your chosen colours. The piece needs to be 5 inches by 25 inches. 5 inches is really a minimum so make it 5 1/4 inches and you’ll have less stress when cutting.

From each colour of made fabric cut four (4) 4 7/8 inch squares and one (1) 4 1/2 inch square.

With the 4 7/8 inch squares you are going to make half square triangles. Draw a pencil line diagonally corner to corner on the back of all four of one colour of squares. I did this on my yellow so it was easier to see.

Pin your four colour A 4 7/8 inch squares to your four colour B 4 7/8 inch squares, right sides together. Sew a scant 1/4 inch seam on either side of your pencil line.

Can you see my seams? You really want to make sure these are scant 1/4 inch seams, otherwise your half square triangles will end up too small.

Cut the squares along your drawn pencil lines. Oops. I forgot to take a picture of this step.

Press your half square triangles open. It does not matter which side you press these seams to so press them to whichever side works best.  Lay your blocks out.

Now at this point you might want to square up the half square triangles to make sure they are 4 1/2 inches square. Some of us are more precise sewers than others. I’m one of the less precise. I always square up my blocks because if I don’t my seams don’t match up and I’m not happy with the finished block. Just saying….

Once you have squared up the half square triangle blocks, join the three blocks in each row together. Press the seams – and in this case it does matter which way they go. You need to press the seams in the middle row one way and the seams in the top and bottom row the opposite way. This will make a big difference in being able to align the seams when you sew the rows together. Here’s my rows all pressed and ready.

Sew the three rows together; press the seams (whichever direction feels right to you) et VOILA!

You will have one half square triangle block left over. Please send that to me along with the block.

Thanks everyone. I hope you have fun making this block. It’s not too difficult I hope.
Janet 

Quilts - in - Space!

Hey Lauren - and all you NEW'BEE's - here are my bee blocks for March!

I made one planet block (super fun, had a perfect hand-dyed scrap), and another block of made fabric, per Lauren's request. Since we had yet another gorgeous warm, sunny day here in Illinois in March - the blocks asked to pose outdoors by the pansies. Say cheese!

MARCH NEW'BEE BLOCK

I’m sorry I’ve been such an awful poster… I’m afraid I’m super intimidated by the blog thing, and I feel like I’ve done it wrong a dozen times… in fact, I know I’ve done it wrong several times because my posts don’t actually show up… SO. I’m writing this in word, and then I’m going to have it saved so I can post until I get it right. I’m sorry IF you get this 11 times.

I debated about what I’d do for MY month of the NewBee bee… AGES and ages, and here’s what I’ve come up with.

My little boys are 2 and 4 and just getting into dinosaurs and space. Dinosaurs = hard, and I have no interest in ancient reptiles. SPACE, so much fun. So. I want to make a quilt of Space… like this one, only better, of course, since it will be made by YOU.

If everyone could make a big hunk of made fabric in Navy Blue/Black, and hopefully also a thing you might see in space a planet (any planet, real or imagined) Perhaps a star, or a spaceship, or an alien craft…. (this should be ideal for made fabric, don’t you think? A firey orange-red sun, a white and gray moon, green and blue earth, blue Neptune red mars) You are all so creative, I can’t wait to see what you’ll come up with.
Thank you!


http://lehman.shutterfly.com/10283 This is Wesley, he’s four. He is the supreme authority on… all things. He could be talking to Stephen Hawking, and he’d interrupt to voice what he’d be certain is a better idea.

http://lehman.shutterfly.com/10303 This is Grant, he’s 2, and also into super heroes right now. What does Krypton look like? That was a planet, right? Or wait… didn’t it get destroyed….? Who knows. (psst... not him)

NEW'BEE Hearts for Sherri

Here are my NEW'BEE hearts for Sherri for February -

these were fun to make, Sherri, and your tutorial was perfect too! These are going in the mail tomorrow - enjoy!

January New'Bee Blocks

Katherine, thanks for your patience.  I finally got two blocks completed for you.  Here they are...

They are in the mail.  Hope you like them.

New'Bee February Block

New’Bee February Block

Hopefully February’s block will be simple for you……because you get to design it!  (With three requests).

1)    Make a heart block from made-fabric

2)   Somewhere within the heart, have a predominate "spot" of a solid bright red

3)   Have the heart bordered with “white-ish” made-fabric.

Here’s an example:

Your creativity is what counts.  The block may be

·         Any size

·         The heart may be any shape

·         Use any colors (multi-colored made-fabric or monotone made-fabric) for the heart – as long as there is a predominate "spot" within the heart that is bright red

·         Heart is bordered with “white-ish” made fabric

If you would like to make one like mine here is how I put it together:

Make two (2) 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" Flying Geese

Sew together to make a strip

Make one (1) 2 1/2" x 8 1/2" Made-fabric Rectangle

Make two (2) 4 1/2" Half Square Triangles "Blocks"

Sew together to make a strip

Place strips for sewing.....and then sew strips together

Then if you would like to put a "white-ish" border, don't worry about the size as I will cut it to size or add to it.

But remember, you do not have to make this particular heart.  The main thing is to have a predominate "spot" of a solid bright red in it. 

I look forward to seeing what you create!

Another New'Bee Block for Victoria

Another block for you Victoria.  I wanted to send you a second block as I so appreciate your setting up this particular Bee.  It has helped me get into a more regular pattern of sitting down and sewing.  I was concerned before we started that other commitments and life in general would get in the way, but so far, so good.  Everyone has done a great job with their blocks, so hang in there, we will make it!

Katherine's Double Pinwheel

Hello! I was so excited about another three-day weekend, I got busy and made Katherine's wonderful block, for the NEW'BEE group, right away. After the holiday busy-ness of last weekend, I'm enjoying a glorious weekend of sewing!

Great instructions, fun block - done!

V's Stars!

Here are your star blocks for the NEW'BEE, V! I put them in the mail today. I also sent two quilts for BASICS (you can see pictures of them on my blog, here). Sorry the pictures aren't the best, I snapped them as I was rushing out the door on my way to work this morning. I hope they work for you!

NewBee Blocks for Emily

I have had these done for a little while.  Just a little internet challenged at the time.  They will go into the mail today.  Enjoy!

Fun Making Cookies!

I woke up early today - time change means more sleep for some (like DH), but I am still on DST! So - time to sew Cookie Crumb Blocks for Em!

These were easy and fun, hope you like them Em!

Everyone Playing Nicely!

Just a little update on my 9-patch blocks for the NEW'BEE group!

We are the newest monthly exchange group on 15 Minutes, and as the first recipient of this group's blocks, may I say - this group is great!!!

As you can see, the variety of blocks is amazing! so fun! I find myself going down to my studio to sew, and instead I am just looking at everyone's blocks, rearranging the blocks, dreaming of the finished quilt...I love looking at everyone's stash in their blocks! all so different, and all great!

Thanks for all the blocks, NEW'BEE friends! I will post once more when I am sure I have all of the blocks!

My Block Party - Part 1

You asked for inspiration? How about this: you join a bee, describe a block, and you get these beauties in the mail! What fun is that??!!! Usually the mail is just bills and junk - NOT something to look forward to - but now I can't wait to get home from work and see if I have a deliciously squishy envelope from a bee friend!

Thank you to my fellow NEW'BEE members: Cathy, Katherine, Brenda, and Barbara. And thanks also to the lovely and talented Glen, who made and sent me blocks, even though she's not in the bee! :) A bonus - or as she called it, a lagniappe (a special gift).

But if you ask me, these are all gifts! Thank you all!

NEW'BEE Block for October!

Hello! I am excited to be a part of the NEW'BEE, which starts this month!

Thank you in advance to all of the NEW'BEE players - and now here is my block request.

See how excited my doggies are?

Autumn says "back to school", back to basics, and in honor of that - I'm requesting a 9-patch block - and the extra made fabric too, if you please!

First, create a piece of "made" fabric approx. 12" x 12" from one bright color group - think blues, greens, pinks, fuscias, purples, oranges - no yellows or tomato reds please. Above, see my made fabric all of oranges. From this fabric, cut 5 squares at 3" x 3".

I plan to make a quilt with a combination of patchwork and applique - and would like to use the extra made fabric for the applique - hence the size of made fabric requested.

From one piece of a contrasting fabric, in the same color choices, cut 4 squares at 3" x 3". This fabric should be a print, or something like the batik shown. The 4 contrast squares don't all have to be from the same fabric, as long as the color is similar (all purple, e.g.).

Assemble 9-patch block. Sew each horitontal row together, pressing the seams towards the darker fabric, then sew the 3 rows together, and press to finish.

How many to make is up to you - one block, and the remaining made fabric would be totally fine. If you feel inspired to make another, it can be with the same fabrics/colors

Finished block, ta da!

Thank you all!

NEW'BEE players

NEW'BEE quilt bee PLAYERS

• OCTOBER- Chris H
• NOVEMBER - Emily B
• DECEMBER - Victoria
• JANUARY - Katherine F
• FEBRUARY - Sherri I
• MARCH - Trisha T
• APRIL - Lauren L
• MAY - Janet R
• JUNE - Beebee
• JULY - Brenda
• AUGUST - Jenny H
• SEPTEMEBR- Cathy B

Hello NEW'BEE players!  The 12 of you are listed above, and NOTE:

We have not started this group yet. 

CHRIS will lead us off and POST her tutorial the end of this month.

Please notice that we have three bees running on this site.

we have the 15 minutes bee, the SCRAP-BEE and now that NEW'BEE's

Please label your POSTS for your group New'bee's when you post.

the label exists where you edit your posts...

Also to all new players on this site, RWEMINDER: 

your blocks are to be designed 

around using MADE FABRIC.

the PLAY concept of the site... 

making something from nothing, 

and you are free to design anything as long as it

incorporates MADE FABRIC. 

Be creative, and kind, and post your work so

we can all ooh and awe over what you make.

Now go PLAY, and I can't wait to see what the new group comes up with!