Wednesday 8 February 2017

Let's Bee Social - all about the blocks!

I am still not feeling well but I got so bored doing nothing that I have been in my studio and created!  Whilst it has been a lot slower than normal at least I am making again.

My first make is for the Jersey Modern Quilt Guild Rainbow Retreat in March.  Last year, when I asked for pattern testers, a lady from Jersey replied.  She duly tested the pattern and we kept in touch.  I met her for lunch at Festival of Quilts last year and she mentioned that she was one of the organisers of the Jersey Modern Quilt Guild.  At that time I was really wanting to get involved in the MQG but had just decided that I didn't have enough time or energy to start a group in Midlands.  Luckily for me, soon after, there was a post on IG for the start up of the Oxfordshire MQG which I duly joined!  However, back to Jersey .... I was lucky enough that there were spaces left on their Rainbow Retreat and was invited to go along. I have never been to Jersey so I am really looking forward to it.  The plan had been to go for a week with the family but then the girls started school so the plan changed.  Now it is me flying on my own and being away for 4 days.  Which is a first for me since children came along and will be such a short flight compared to our usual journeys between the UK and NZ!

Anyway, the block requested was a rainbow star (any design) with a Kona Iron background.  I think this fits the bill!


I had used a Wombat Quilts paper pieced pattern before (Inner Star) but I wanted it larger this time.  So I upsized it in EQ7 and printed out my own papers.  I have to say I am really enjoying the learning curve of EQ7 and have found myself colouring in quite a few quilts since I have been unwell!

Next up was my addition to Pauline's UK Travelling Quilt Bee.  I still haven't blogged about this fabulous group I am in which I really must do.  So having looked at the quilt and Pauline's various inspiration # and Pinterest boards I decided to make some improv blocks.  This is something that I have wanted to do for a while having seen such gorgeous pieces being made by others.  I read this post from Red Pepper Quilts - Tutorial: Cutting and Sewing Freehand Curves and this post from Leanne at She Can Quilt on Improv Circles and got cracking.


I think I may have fallen rather in love with this technique!!  I loved how liberating it was and that you can't really go wrong.  The colours would not have been ones I would have usually worked with but I love how they have worked out.  They are mostly Kona Cotton solids with some Cloud 9 Cirrus solids thrown in.  This photo does not do the colours justice but having not had ANY decent light for photos this will have to do for now!

My other monthly Bee commitment this year is The Stash Bee.  This month Rochelle asked for an arrow:


You get some lovely bonus 1/4 blocks from making these blocks which make gorgeous scrappy string squares.

I have three 2017FAL finishes to still blog about but will do them in separate posts to make it easier to link up at the end of the quarter.  If any of you have had some FAL finishes please do leave a comment below with a link so I can come visit and wave some pompoms!!

I am going to link up with Lorna's Let Bee Social linky party today.





13 comments:

  1. Thank you for the freehand curve tutorial. I will have to try that - I love just designing on the fly. No need to apologize on how the color of the blocks photographed, I think they look fantastic.
    Popped by from Let's Bee Social.
    http://thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

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  2. I really am smitten by your improv curves blocks!

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  3. All of your blocks are gorgeous... And each so different than the other. I love and admire them ALL!

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  4. You had me at the first block. The center star looks like it is popping right off the fabric. Glad you were able to get in your studio and create even though you were not feeling well. Hope you are feeling better now.

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  5. Sending "get well soon" wishes! Just popped over from Let's Bee Social because this star just looks gorgeous! Hope you have a fun trip/ retreat.

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  6. At least you felt well enough to sew for a bit. It's not fun being ill. Love your rainbow star! It's gorgeous.

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  7. We love your star, thank you, & can't wait for you to come over for our JMQG Rainbow Retreat. Glad you're feeling better x

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  8. No finishes for me yet. I've been working all my sewing/knitting energy into a class play: 3 pig hats, 1 wolf hat, a mermaid tale, tutus, 2 capes, gingerbread people shirts, pirate clothes. Tired. Your blocks look AMAZING.

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  9. I love your star block, thank you for the link to Wombat Quilts, her blocks are very inspiring! And your improv blocks are fabulous!

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  10. Your star block is lovely, how wonderful to go to Jersey, I have always wanted to go but have never quite managed it. But, I LOVE your improve curves Abi, I have always meant to try them but your pics are really inspiring. I hope you start feeling better soon, although if you have to be poorly it might as well be while the weather is so awful.

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  11. What a lovely collection of blocks. The star is stunning, but the improv is my favourite.

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  12. Having just won your IG Giveaway I'm now stalking your blog!
    Love your star... Hope you're feeling better and enjoy time out from the kiddies in Jersey. Whoop whoop!

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  13. Your blocks are all lovely but I especially love your rainbow star. It's just stunning! I have a few FAL items but I have yet to blog about them. I really need to get back on track with the blog. Maybe by March!

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