March blocks, part 1

(reposted from my blog)

So, March! March is my month for the Tethered Threads block party! Exciting stuff! I can't believe I haven't posted about it yet, but now there's plenty to talk about. The photo above is of the fabrics I sent: four solid Kona cottons and two prints from Erin McMorris' Wildwood line. (The Konas were purchased at Fabric Shack and Pink Chalk Fabrics and the Wildwood at Hawthorne Threads--all of which are online fabric stores that I really love. Also, I just saw that Erin McMorris has a new line coming out. Sweet!) I decided that we needed a new queen-sized quilt for our bed (this is the one we've had for years), so I requested 15-1/2" blocks that will finish at 15". I have 22 coming from the group, so I plan to make either 3 or 8 and set them 5 x 5 or 5 x 6, depending on how many I feel like churning out. I also asked the group for blocks that read dark with pops of color and said I was inspired by the intuitive piecing and projects found in Jean Wells' Intuitive Color & Design.

The ladies in my group certainly haven't disappointed! (Check out the Flickr pool here--it's full of great blocks!) The photo above is of the first four blocks I received, all of which came yesterday. The top two are from mommymae and the bottom two are from Amanda. WOW! I am super impressed and can't wait to see this come together!

Though I guess that means I need to do my share, too! The photo above is how far I was on Saturday. Hmm. I've finished that block and started on another, but they are big and taking a long time to complete. So glad I have the help of 11 really talented ladies to make this happen!

New Member

You all are aware that we lost Heather this past month. Life got busy for her so we agreed to let her off the hook.

I want to introduce Amanda to you. She is going to be joining us the make us 12 again. We have already lost February so I am going to add her to the end. She will be October. I met her at our recent Modern Quilt Guild meeting. I've seen her work and she's very creative. Also eager to tackle anything you throw her way. I will send you her address in an email. You can see some of her work if you go to the Modern Quilt Guild link on this blog. Feel free to send her a welcome.

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.