Buzzy Bee Blocks

AusMod Bee - Kirsten from Gemini Stitches chose May as her month - sending us all the fabulous collecton of Chicopee - 'acidic' comes to mind to describe these fabric colours - not in a negative sense - not at all - but the yellows, greens even oranges and pinks have some kind of quality that makes me think of the sweet tartness of lemons - is that weird???

 We got to make AMH's Feather block again - wow - making them a second time was a breeze! Though bias edges causing warping is a Devil!!

MY month for the Bee was April and I have received The Most Fabulous Blocks!!

I realised that I have a HUGE collection of red and aqua, with quite a bit of teal thrown in as well - it is obviously what I gravitate towards when fabric surfing online and in shops and really, it was getting ridiculous, so this is what I chose for my colour theme (with a little bit of soft orange in for good luck)

I chose the block theme as anything the Bee members liked from the Summer Sampler Series, by Fresh Lemon Quilts  - and some other fave blocks I posted about.  I think that it can be difficult to be given carte blanche on the block that you have to produce - but it also may challenge people to try a block they have been thinking of for awhile, or can give them a needed break by choosing something simple - simple or not, I was happy with what ever was chosen.  Even multiple blocks of the same pattern was not an issue - everyone got a fairly unique package of fabric to choose from.

I have 20 blocks so far - just waiting on 8 more - they are truly Fantastic!!!

It is going to make a huge quilt - but I LOVE huge quilts-  hmmm sashing or no sashing?; mini corner blocks or not?

Once I have them all in, I will give you a proper expo of all the individual blocks and their makers

Holidays must come to an end....

School Holidays are so good sometimes, that I wonder why we need to go back to work/school/job/life at all.........we have been away at the beach and we have had such a good time - just plain old good family time together!

But you are not interested in that!! No - show me some fabric!!!

These two shots are for the Colorbrick Quiltalong - hosted by Stitched in Color - this will be my last School Auction Quilt - maybe be my favourite yet!!

I had so much fun playing with my stash to find bright, interesting fabrics - loving my echidnas and chickens and apples ohyeah!

My Red & Aqua Block Swap was held last night at my place - it was a good turnout - with friends coming along for the first time and lots and lots of loud discussion about what to do with our next swap starting 2011.
My family chuckled about how noisy a bunch of women could be discussing sewing!!

But - what to do with my little blocks?
This was an idea....

and this was an idea.....

But, I like this!!

and then maybe this?? (dont ask me about the white sheet (actually) my design wall..huh?)

Some much wanted blocks for Australasian Bee member - Jen of Cheeky Child - she requested a 16 inch block made with her Michael Miller Fairy range of fabric and for us to embellish any way we like.

I found some lovely lace, stamped ribbon and made a lace flower:

Some extra blocks made for a friend's daughter: pink was requested for the borders and I love my Laurel Birch fabrics - I have had them for a very long time now and they should be used and enjoyed!

Here are the fam at Sorrento back beach or surf beach (if you dare!)

Some pink and white heath - our state floral emblem:

Love this picture of hubbie:

This one is for the Auntie - your wacky nieces!!

Just some sticky sticks

I've been doing a lot of whirly gigs recently - lots of very cute little red and aqua ones for my swap involving my pal Wendy, cutting 2.5 " squares - BUT - I was desperate to try really huge ones!!

so...

I went wild and cut 5" squares 

and got these lovelies!!

'My Whirly Girls' - base fabric: Kaffe Fassett Mint Spot - oh so delicate and love-er-ly - 

just the right amount of something in the back

                           - feature fabric: Jennifer Paginelli's ranges of Dance with Me, Pretty Please and BellBottoms

I am so attracted to these prints and colours; 

strong sky blues; intense raspberry and eye-hurting flashes of gold; deep deep pinks with a touch of icypole orange

 - the photos are sorta washed out - the hues and tones are more.....intense, striking, in a gentle girly kinda way....clear?

Finally - my first finished swap quilt - hubbie almost falling off his 'perch' in amazement???

I enjoyed more arty-farty fotos - if only I had a big red barn, or some snow covered landscape....none of that round here - just some sticky sticks and some blue sky

It is strange how I was never truly in love with this quilt - I would often say to myself that my feature fabric is just not me, not really - it's just too...floral? country? hmphf?

Hand to heart - it is me - through and through - I keep picking it to snuggle under on the couch - I could pick lots of others - but it's coming with me folks!

Don't listen to what your head says - if your hand lays on a fabric and won't let go - don't!!

I have always called this my Chaletgirl's Block Swap Quilt - well, I've literally just decided - 

new name: Hand on My Heart

Does anyone else call their projects silly names which only they will get?

Bee Blocks

Around The Block:

These two are for Susie of Yarnplanner - a space theme for her son Gryff - even has Gryff fabric from Spoonflower - great choice!! A wonky star and a wonky space scene, well, that's what I'm calling it!

These two are for Rachel of Fourwisemonkeys - squares and rectangles are requested for her two boys - they will each choose their blocks and have matching but different quilts for their beds. Love the blue paisley - which reminds me of another blue paisley I apparently won in a blog comp but never ever received, despite hints, email and post comments - well, what can you do? 

Australasian Bee:

This one is for Viv of Highway Cottage, in NZ for the Australasian Bee - a big piece of calico and lots of little bits made up into this abstractness - Viv wanted 1.5inch squares, triangles or rectangles in a line of some sort - I enjoy arranging them in colour and value order.

Red & Aqua:

Some more HST and Whirly Gigs! Love the ladybugs, thanks Tula Pink.

Lots of little flags on a string

My stash so far!  Looking good I think! Had a lovely time at my second meet with my Whirly Gig/HST girls - lovely chatting and some lovely new fabrics! Just lovely!