Bee block time

I've decided to join in a quilting bee - this is my first ever bee and so far it sounds like a lot of fun. As it turns out, November is actually my month - trial by fire I guess.

So here is the block I've chosen for my partners this month


This is the stargazing block designed by Angela Pingel (cut to pieces) from the book Modern Blocks.

I've done my block up in a palette of Aqua and Red on a natural linen background! Hey it's the Aqua and Red bee after all.

So far I'm liking this palette a lot. You might notice a little holiday inspiration in there. I figured it was a good way to get myself and hopefully everyone else, in the holiday mood.

I can't wait to see what my partners come up with.

Happy Sewing!

Hello November??

Really? November already? Where has the time gone? I have not been blogging much due to the fact that I have not been sewing much. October has come and gone and aside from some Halloween costumes, I've barely gotten any sewing done. Hence the blog hiatus.


So you probably don't know that the Pillow talk Swap was on again, and today was actually our mailing deadline. This pillow has been a month or more in progress but it’s finally done and off to it’s new home. I hope you like it partner! It's kind of anthro-inspired. I had fun making it and I even got to try some creative paper piecing, a little hand embroidery (ok haven't done that in years)


EDITED 12/7
By now my partner John, QuiltDad has received his pillow and he likes foxes which is why I chose that theme. I used Sonja's (Artisania) paper pieced fox pattern to make the fox on the back of the pillow. You can find her patterns here.

Back to work tote

I did mention I was taking a blog break didn't I? Back in August. Well Summer has come and gone but i'm still in vacation mode apparently.  I am not ready for the kids to be back to school, not ready for summer to be over, not ready for the warm weather to leave, not ready, not ready…..  Isn’t that always the way? Seems like every year goes by faster and faster. 

But it is time to go back to work and time to get this blog back up and running.  The first stop on this crazy train will be the “For the love of Solids Swap” item.  I’ve finally, (practically down to the wire this time) gotten my project done for my partner.

It’s a tote bag, ok you could probably tell that by looking.  I have had this circle piecing idea in my head for at least the last 5 years and finally there was a project to try it on.  The circle piecing I used exposes the raw edge on the outside of the fabric, creating a textural fabric.  The circles are pieced as squares leaving a circular seam allowance and lending this circular feel to the final fabric.  That’s what I was going for.  I hope my partner is ok with this look, because it’s a bit ‘un-orthodox’ shall we say?  The colors conform to my partners preferences.  I think the final project turned out  as I planned it.  The main body of the bag is Kona Charcoal offset with various selections from the Kona fat quarter bundle in grape. Lining is Michael Miller. Off to make a little extra and then it will be shipping its way across the pond??  Continent?  Region??......

Happy Sewing!