Tis the Season...

Life has been busy, so once again I'm running a little late.  I do, however, have some warranted excuses...pink entered my life in the form of a new granddaughter (all the heart eyes), I've been organising my current sewing room in preparation for a swap into my husband's larger 'man cave'...and Christmas is coming.  I need say no more.  Santa - AKA hubby - decided I deserved a longarm and a bigger room to put it in - who am I to argue :))).

Back to business!  We met and made some more Wonky Log Cabin blocks.  All the relevant information is here, should you wish to make one.  The fab tutorial is by Quilt Dad and it's going to be a bright, cheery quilt.

These are the projects we worked on. Thanks for all your Wonky Cross blocks. The quilt top is on its road to completion and promises to be a stunner.  We have a couple of left over blocks which can be included in our next masculine quilt, when we have enough orphan blocks stockpiled. 

Speaking of which - we have sufficient orphan blocks for this quilt top.

There was some more progress made on our Batik Tumbler quilt.

Short work was made of a French General charm pack.

Recently Katy Cameron, the_littlest_thistle, ran a 'giveaway' on Instagram and this is one of her generous donations to Bee Blessed. It's very different from what we have used before, in that some of the motifs are appliquéd on, and we're excited by how it's looking.  Big thanks to you Katy.  Motifs have been FMQ sketched on and blocks joined.  Just the borders to go now and then it will whizz off to its new home.  

(A lovely lady in the Netherlands has claimed the other donated fabric and has already completely finished a quilt. It will be making its way to us in the New Year, when we will be able to share it with you.  Many thanks FP!!!)

Big thanks also to Hilary, who not only longarms a quilt for us each month but also donated this pretty pink quilt.  The photograph doesn't do it justice.

The finished Woven Block quilt was handed over to a beautiful lady and our thoughts and prayers accompany it.  Thank you all for your input.

I've a few more projects to share but the lighting was poor so I'll leave them until next time.

It just remains to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  Thank you for all you have done to help in any way during 2016 and we hope to continue our connection in 2017.

Happy Sewing

December's Wonky Log Cabin

Well...nearly December...and this time next month we'll be sleeping off our Christmas dinners. Isn't that scary!!!

Continuing on the 'wonky theme', this month's block is a fab tutorial by Quilt Dad.  It is easy to follow, with lots of photographs and clear, precise instructions. While reading his blog I came across this post  about prepping and cutting fabrics.  I love that...oh to be so organised.

On with the block.  You will find it here and this is one I made earlier.  I love it.  It's a great way to use up those long narrow scraps or left over jelly roll strips.

We would like scrappy brights please with a little low volume somewhere within the block.  The low volume can be white, cream, or whatever you wish.  I find the splash of low volume within a scrappy block helps to break it up and keep it fresh.

Finished blocks will be 12 1/2". You will notice, at the end of the tutorial, that Quilt Dad adds white sashing to his finished 12 1/2" block, bringing it to 15 1/2".  We would like the blocks without sashing, please,  as we want to see them laid out before deciding whether or not to sash. 

I know it's a busy time of year but we would love you to make us a block if you have a few spare minutes.  It's a satisfying make.  We would like the blocks to be with us by 6th January 2017, please.

We meet on Saturday so I'll post an update next week about what we get up to.

Your continued support and encouragement means a lot to us and we thank you. We couldn't do it without you!

Happy Sewing

Quick Update

The clocks have changed and it's perfect weather for sewing indoors.  Don't the trees look beautiful as the leaves go through their colour changes.

It seems my internet isn't happy moving into Autumn and is on a bit of a go-slow but it looks like it will allow me to upload some photographs today, so while the iron's hot....

Here are some quilts which we gifted since I last blogged.

This quilt was gifted to a little boy who sadly has spent the first few months of his life in hospital.  We hope and pray that he'll be home for his first Christmas with his family.

The Framed Box quilt went to its new home...

...as did this quilt which was made from a layer cake we had received. It is a much prettier colour than the photograph suggests.

These are the final two quilts we gifted this month.

Now for what we got up to...

Thanks to Rachel, The Floral Suitcase, who kindly donated some Bee Blocks to us.   We finally got them sewn together and love this bright quilt.  Thanks, Rachel :)

The Hour Glass block quilt is bound and ready to go.  I'm loving the soft colours  We asked for two pastel blocks recently and some of us struggled to find soft colours, me included.  Bright, bold, modern prints are more to my taste but Ros was spot on when she suggested opting for pastels on this occasion.  The Woven block was another pastel choice, see below...

I've seen the same block in bright colours and this is definitely prettier.  Hilary did a great job long arming it for us.  I'll add binding this week and let you see it in its completion before it's handed over.  It's one of my favourites!!

From time to time we have a leftover orphan block but nothing goes to waste. We're now in the fortunate position of being able to make a quilt top from them.  We'll get some sashing added and let you see them soon.

And last but not least we started our first tumbler quilt.  Two charm packs came our way and it didn't take long to trim and sew them together, all ready to be completed inside this next month.

Hmmmmmm.....Did anyone spot the deliberate mistake......I called October's block November's block and have only this moment noticed it.  That's a bit worrying!!!  I can't believe the CEO didn't see that - for one - ROS!!! ;)

Anyway, October's Wonky Cross block continues to come in and are not due until 14th November, in case you fancy making one.  You can read all about the pattern here. We like to have a couple of male specific quilts on hand, should the need arise, and this is a fun block which is really quick to make. It comes courtesy of Sarah.  Thanks for allowing us to use one of your fab tutorials again.

As you can see the Wonky Crosses are piling up.  Many thanks to all who have contributed either this month or in previous months.  As always we wish to say we couldn't do it without you.

Happy Sewing

November Block - A Wonky Cross

I think we asked for blocks in 'man fabric' around this time last year and we ended up with the Wheel of Time quilt, which everyone loved.  We think it's time to do the same again and inspired by this Wonky Cross quilt , which Bee Blessed made before we took the reins, we're going to once again ask for some 'manly' blocks.

Sarah very kindly allowed us to use her tutorial, which is here and I ran up a couple of blocks in next to no time this morning.  They are quick and fun to make.

The blocks are 10.5" unfinished and we echo Sarah's requests for bright colours - red, blue, grey, green, orange etc - manly, no flowers or girlie prints etc etc...I'm sure you catch my drift. Just two colours per block please.

This is what the previous quilt looked like...all bright and cheery...

We ask for the blocks to be with us by 14th November, please, and thank you in advance for your continued support.  There have been many quilts donated over the past few months and there is a need for more. I'll blog asap with an update of what's been happening and what we're working on.

Thanks again...

Happy Sewing

New Term

Gosh it's blowing a gale outside. Where did the summer go? It's just like someone flicked a switch.  Here's hoping you have better weather wherever you are.

It's hard to believe it's been a year since we first started blogging!! The time has flown by and it's been really rewarding.  Since Ros and I took over from Judith and Sarah in September 2015, Bee Blessed have gifted 45 quilts. That means 45 people's lives have been touched, but it wouldn't be possible without your support. Once again please accept our thanks.

A couple of us managed to get to The Festival of Quilts in the NEC, Birmingham, for the first time.  We came back inspired with lots of photographs, ideas and questions. There were some amazing quilts, traditional and modern...could we recreate some of them in a more simple form????

I've blethered on enough.  Is that an Irish word?  Anyway, since we last met these quilts have been gifted.

That is the second of the two Scrappy Frame Box Block quilts, from Sarah's tutorial. Thanks to all of you who very kindly sent us the blocks. A mother and daughter received these quilts. Our kind thoughts and prayers accompany them.

From time to time we receive donations of quilts in various forms of completion. You'll see a couple of them below.

The house quilt was a labour of love and it was given to a quilting friend last Tuesday.  Being a quilter herself she appreciated the appliquéd blocks and the beautiful longarm quilting.

The perfect home came along recently for this small rag-quilt.  It's keeping the knees of a lovely lady nice and cosy.

The second of our Rail Fence quilts will be going to a new owner this week.

I'm not sure if any of you have heard of the Northern Ireland Big Sock?  You can read all about it here.  In short, a group of people are making hexies. They will then be sewn together, and they hope this will become the largest Christmas stocking recorded in the Guinness Book of Records.  The reason I tell you this is that one of our ladies (a Big Sock hexie sewer) came up with this lovely quilt top for us.  

We were very productive, as you can see...this panel was quilted and the binding added.

Some dinosaurs are being prepped for a baby quilt or play mat.

A tractor is nearing completion...

...and the reluctant photographs below prove how hard everyone worked.

     

 Big thanks to the Florence family who arrived with a bag of donated goodies.  We didn't get a chance to go through it on Saturday but as you can see below, there are many interesting looking bits and pieces poking out, fabric of all sorts, threads, patterns and who knows what else.  Much appreciated!!!!

Our new term is underway and we're keen as mustard.   I hope any new ventures you have started are bringing you joy.

Some of us are off to The Stitch Gathering at the end of September so if you see us please say Hi.  We know blog names, Instagram names but don't know many of you in person and we're excited to meet you.

Happy Sewing 

September Bee Blessed - Woven Block

Our last block was in pastels, soft and soooo pretty that we thought we'd try the same colourway this month.  It has been a struggle for me...I'm so used to sewing with bright, bold prints but seeing the blocks together it was definitely a good idea of yours - Ros!  We would like the plain background in white and the pretty patterns in pastel pinks, lemon, turquoise, soft greens, soft blues and peaches etc.  

I have seen a completed quilt on Pinterest made from a Woven Block in gentle colours. It was the inspiration for this quilt but I can't for the life of me find it.  Obviously I should have pinned it!!!

We would like the finished blocks to be with us by 30th September and thank you in advance for your support. 

Requirements:

Background fabric: 4 squares 3.5 by 3.5 inches

Colour 1: 1 rectangle 6.5 by 3.5 inches and 1 square 3.5 by 3.5 inches

Colour 2: 1 rectangle 6.5 by 3.5 inches and 1 square 3.5 by 3.5 inches

Colour 3: 1 rectangle 6.5 by 3.5 inches and 1 square 3.5 by 3.5 inches

Colour 4: 1 rectangle 6.5 by 3.5 inches and 1 square 3.5 by 3.5 inches

Assume 1/4” seams throughout 

1. Cut out fabric

2.  Lay out your block

3.  Working in quadrants - 

     Sew a 3 1/2” background square to a 3 1/2” coloured square and press to the dark fabric

4.  Sew this long side to the rectangle within that quadrant, pressing the seams to the dark fabric

5.  Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the other 3 quadrants

6.  Sew together the top quadrants and the bottom quadrants

7.  Sew the two rectangles together and press seams open

Tada!!!  A beautiful woven/basket block which should measure 12 1/2" by 12 1/2"

Stash Busting and Leftovers

We're becoming quite skilled at using up our leftovers at Bee Blessed.  This month, as well as updates, we've two lovely quilts to show you which are made completely from the remains of fabric that was donated to us after we had used it for another quilt.  Sampler blocks are a great way to use up scraps and Ros put this one together from the remains of fabric which was donated by Trudi from Quilting Prolifically.  Why not do some stash busting and make one yourself.

This was the original quilt which we gifted recently.

You may even see some more of it amongst this month's Hour Glass block...The tutorial was by Jeni Baker and you'll find all the info concerning the tutorial here.

No doubt you'll see it popping up in future quilts.

Thanks for taking time out to make us a block this summer.  We're aware that people have holidays, kids and all sorts of plans for this 'beautiful, sunny summer weather'... and catching a minute at the sewing machine isn't always easy.  

This is another 'leftovers' quilt made by our very own 'fabric princess' ...a name which is perfectly appropriate and embraced by the young lady concerned!!!  This may even be a first for her - in terms of using up scraps!  I can't remember whose dainty fingers are peeping over the top lol.

I'm sure you remember the original quilt, which went to a little girl this weekend.  

Hope you're not fed up looking at these photographs more than once but I like to give you a feel for what we're doing.  It's special to us and you're part of it.

This quilt went to a truly inspirational lady who has been unwell for a while now but doesn't let it hold her back in any way.  We hope she enjoys it. 

We were gifted some blocks by the lovely Rachel from thefloralsuitcase and got a chance to sew them together when we last met.  Check out her blog if you haven't already done so...all the heart eyes for her makes!!!  The quilt top is soooo pretty and my photograph doesn't do it justice.  Methinks I need a decent camera!

The smaller Framed Box quilt now has a border.  

Binding is now complete on this autumnal looking quilt top.  Aargh I don't even like to mention the word autumn whilst we await summer. 

And last but not least some more leftovers, not to mention stressful pinwheel fudging, have gone into this cutie.  A princess is making it ;-)

We know where it is going and will let you see it finished and quilted.

I don't think I'll post another block until the end of the month, just before we meet at the beginning of September.  I'm sure you are all busy and I hope that you have a wonderful August.  Also, wherever you are, I hope that the sun shines for you...  Happy holidays and...thank you for all your support in whichever way you join us.

Happy Sewing