Tethered Threads: January

(reposted from my blog)

These are the blocks I made for Rebecca for the January edition of my Tethered Threads quilting block party. All of her fabrics are the new Heather Bailey Nicey Jane, and they sure are nice! Rebecca just gave us freedom to do whatever, so I did some more improv piecing and pretty much like what I came up with.

I think I was thinking "garden" with this first block. I wanted to let some of the larger prints do their thing, like that green one and the pink and orange one on the far right. My original plan was to not use the pink in the border on the left and bottom and have the corners of the squares touch, but I went a little too big on that bottom left square and didn't want to chop anything off, so did a little more improv to make this work.

This block just kinda came together organically as well. I just wanted to continue using up all the small pieces I had, so once I pieced the log cabin blocks, I just went to town. I really liked using these fabrics and the freshness that results from all of them together. I didn't add anything of my own to these blocks and used up every last thread that Rebecca sent, too! There are more seams here than I typically work with, but I still think the overall effect is nice.

Catching Up

December was an incredibly stressful time for me this year. My husband got sick and was hospitalized for a couple of weeks around the holidays. Getting my Tethered Threads blocks in the mail throughout that time was so uplifting and comforting. I love them all. They're just the look I was going for, and I can't wait to put them together into a quilt.

Things are much better now, but since I was so intent on enjoying the blocks I neglected to note which ones I had received so that I could properly thank each of you. I have figured out 6 people who have sent me blocks but I have 14 blocks, so I apparently have left someone out. I think I received blocks from Heather, Karissa, Jessica, Megan, Beth, and Marty. Do correct me if I'm wrong.

I just finished Heather's blocks today, and I plan to dig up some more of my fabrics to send to Wendy tomorrow (Welcome, Wendy).

This is such fun. Getting to play with beautiful fabrics - what could be better?

Tethered Threads: December

(Reposted from my blog)

I'm a bit behind in my non-Christmas posting, so this is a little catch-up. In my Tethered Threads quilting bee, Kathy had requested light, bright, scrappy, zakka-style blocks. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do; I started making hexagons on Christmas night. But I'm happy with what I came up with.

This block came first. The hexes are pieced into the block because I didn't want to appliqué them. Of course, I probably could've appliquéd them more quickly; I think I spent 13 hours making these hexagons! Still, I like the way that this turned out. I actually added all of the green fabric on the right because nothing that Kathy sent had enough to piece on the side and make all of those half-hexagons.

For this block I wanted to mix the fabrics up a bit more, really let that red pop, and let that flower Heather Bailey fabric sing. Not sure if I fully achieved the zakka style, but I think these blocks are fairly close.

Rebecca Blocks

These are the blocks I did for Rebecca. It's kinda stressful sewing for others. Hoping you like them. Looking forward to seeing everyone elses.

December Blocks

Hi ladies! Thought I would share the blocks I sent to Kathy for December. I'd love to see what else Kathy got!

And thanks to Rebecca for sending such fun fabrics. I'm having fun planning out your blocks and playing with the fabric.

Happy weekend!

New Member

Everyone should take note that we have replaced one of our members.

Her name is Wendy and she has April.

Getting Behind

I need to post the 4 additional blocks I have received (I love them all!), but I am running behind and have, once again, misplaced the cord to my camera. Thank you so much Kathy and Jennie J! I really do love the blocks and will give them proper accolades soon! :)

Nicole :)

Two more blocks!

Yesterday I got yet another fabulous package in the mail and I had to show it off. Last month, I went on a quilting retreat with my BFF, Janelle, and her family. I brought along fabric for my quilt blocks incase inspiration hit....it never did. I had more than enough to work on, but when I was showing Janelle the fabrics for this month she asked if she could make my blocks for me. Knowing I have a lot on my plate with the holidays approaching readily agreed. I am so glad! She did some really fantastic blocks!


This swap has been so much fun! I bought this fabric wanting to make a quilt, knowing it would have to wait.....so, this has been all of the fun, none of the work. I almost feel guilty! Every time I lay the quilt blocks out together I get a bit more excited. Now to settle on a layout, borders, sashing, backing. Decisions!

fall colors

I totally thought "fall" the moment I saw the fabric for November's Tethered Threads Bee from Nicole. Orange, brown, yellow, green and it's November?! This is totally going to be a fall quilt.

My biggest effort went into making this fall colored tree. By far, this was my most challenging piecing yet. All those little squares were tricky to work with, but I learned a few new techniques.

On the second block I lost a bit of steam. So, for that one I went with a color frame with a cute little owl in the center. Quick and simple, but I was happy with how it turned out.

Can't wait to see how these all come together!

Six new blocks!!

Happy Black Friday! I tend to avoid shopping in huge crowds, but I still think I made out like a bandit. We stayed at my mom's house on Wednesday, so I was excited when I returned home late last night and found these blocks from Jessica in my mail box:

  I love the little appliqued apple and pear!!

Then today I got two more packages! First these blocks from Megan:

 And these from Marty:

Gorgeous!!! Then, of course, I had to see them all together.

 I am so excited to see all 24 together! I am lucky to be part of such a great group of quilters.

apples and owls

i loved this fabric when it first came out thinking it was perfect for a fall quilt. imagine how excited i was when i opened my package and saw the owls and apples looking back at me. if given the option to do what i do (which nicole gave us) i like to piece improvisationally. it seems to suit my fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants style of sewing.

the first block i did was the improv block on the right. i fussy cut the 'a' and the apple and then did whatever seemed to fit with those 2 and the white piece. my plan worked out and i then embroidered from the 'a' to the white block. then, i added fabric around the edges to fit within the 12.5" paramaters.


i was at a loss for the other one until i remembered seeing amber from one shabby chick do this on a larger scale. not sure what you call this, but i'm going with "uneven stacks on white." i really like the look of that one, but it was a bit of work to get all of the strips to line up in such a random pattern without wasting too much fabric.

(pardon me if the pictures don't work. i'm going to publish first and then go back and fix if they aren't there. i use wordpress, so this is all brand new to me. HELP ME! how do i fix the pictures! problem solved, but i did not have fun doing it.)

Blocks so far

Today I got my second set of blocks and thought I'd give you guys a peek of what I have so far.

Aren't they adorable?? I am so excited to see all 24 together. :) Thanks ladies!!