309 Squares

I don't know about you, but when I'm going to start a quilt, I always do ALL my cutting, regardless of the size of the quilt in question. As I posted, I'm pattern testing for John of Quilt Dad. Today was spent getting ready to piece the quilt top over the next week or two.

This also shows that I have a cutting table now. Yesterday, my mother and I moved the last couple of furniture items from her house to my apartment and that allowed me to put this table into my sewing room (until yesterday it was what held my TV). I have a 24"x36" cutting mat covering all but an inch on the edge of the table top. 

Making a Mosaic Block

I've seen mosaic blocks all over the place made from people's scraps. I just made one for the Simply Solids May Queen Bee, and I can say I'll definitely use this technique for some scrappy blocks of my own using warms or cools rather than the set palate that we used for this block.

Chelsie is going to have a fun quilt made of these blocks:

A sneak peek!

I'm pattern testing for John over at Quilt Dad - here are the fabrics that he sent me for making his new pattern. For the next few weeks, this will be my focus project with bee blocks sprinkled between. I can't show you the whole quilt until John gives the go ahead, but I can give little glimpses into what I'm doing.

I can't tell you how nice it is to have a gigantic window in my sewing room - 48"x66". Natural light photos are the best. And I've switched over to using my DSLR for the photos that go up on the blog. 

The last of the bee blocks (for this hive)

I finished all of the Star Seam blocks and put them in the mail this week. I also signed up for the summer round of the 3x6 bee and a full year paper piecing bee because as we all know, paper piecing is my thing. I love the precision and geometric designs that it allows for. Also, this whole being at work at 6:30 every day and going to bed by 9:30 is a bit of a drag when it comes to my quilting time. That said, the new job is great, and I'm learning a TON.

Here are the last 4 blocks that weren't previously pictured. They are already on their way to their new homes.

And for the April Simply Solids Bee, we were asked to make an improv block with a gray background via the fabric sent to us from this month's Queen. I enjoyed making this more than I was expecting to. It was nice to have a very abstract, free form design. The May block is also a very free form pattern, so my guess is I'll enjoy making it, too.

My Little Paper Piecing Secret

So I have a little paper piecing secret. I buy reams of newsprint off of Amazon to use as my foundations. The total of the ream and shipping is just under $9, and totally worth it compared to buying actual foundation paper at quilt shops which will often run $5 for 20 sheets of the exact same stuff except that I'm getting 500 sheets. 

And here we have another bee block, this one for Jenn who wanted medium pink, red, and green. And for those wondering, each of these stars takes about an hour and a half to do from printing the foundations to sewing all the pieces together at the end. 

Better Late than Never

Since I was in Newport, RI for the entire month of March, I'm a little behind on the Simply Solids Bee. The block that I made this month was delightfully simple, but I can see it packing a huge punch when all the blocks come together. I might have to buy myself a layer cake or two to make one of these.  Up next will be the April block which I will get out before the 30th.

These will go in the mail tomorrow (one benefit of working on a military base is having a post office on site)

I'm back!

The blog won't be quiet anymore. I'm back! I'm moved into my apartment and 98% of the way unpacked and settled. There are still a few things that need to happen to make it exactly how I want it, but the important part is my sewing machine and stash are good to go. I started out with a Bee Block - I made a practice one for myself which had a few flubs since it was my first time making the Seamed Star from Anna over at Six White Horses .

Here is the block I am making for my hive members. This particular hiva mate wanted black and white with a touch of color.

The rest of the blocks will be made over the next week since they have to be mailed out by the 30th. I also need to do my Simply Solids blocks, but those will be quick, I have to catch up on the March ones from while I was at training and do the April one, too.

And just for fun since I'm living very close to my mother's house for the next 3 years and the kitties who are there, here's one of my furry friends. He is a shoulder cat and will very happily sit up there for extended periods of time.