Thursday, March 29, 2012

Bee Blocks & New Fabric : :

I finished up my two March bee blocks yesterday!! These are for the do. Good Stitches Love Circle. March hostess Natalie chose improv chevrons in turquoise, robin’s egg blues, orange-yellows, and greys -- a fabulous color combination if you ask me!! We were assigned to use the Improv Chevron tutorial created by Six White Horses and I just love the end result!  This great block design paired with a Natalie's beautiful color palette is perfection!

Improv Chevron Bee Block -- stash pulls and more scraps!

I did struggle with my first block in the beginning. I pieced together my center just fine and then I got a bit lost and just couldn't get that full angle in the side pieces? I stepped away for a few hours, realized that I was just majorly over thinking the whole process, and when I returned it was a piece of cake. The second one came together so fast and beautifully!

Improv Chevron

I really like the brighter tones in this block. I added in my favorite Bryant Park print, the top fabric on the left and I think it's so pretty!

Improv Chevron Bee Block -- stash pulls, brighter, with my favorite Bryant Park print by Kristian A. Howell for Anthology Fabrics

This afternoon I'm leaving for four days, with no sewing! Can you believe it? Otherwise, I think I would keep going with these blocks, a quilt of these would be amazing!! I think I may have found my next scraps quilt plan?

Improv Chevron Bee Blocks & stash pulls

Besides, the last thing I need is another project to start right now. I hope to return with some new energy to finish up all my unfinished projects. There are several that are so close!

wips

I have a desk full of new fabrics & materials, projects, and future giveaways waiting for my return, as well.

On my Desk

Just check out these wonderful stacks of fabric! I had myself a bit of a shopping spree recently with some of my extra birthday crown $$! :) I took advantage of the special sales happening at Form & Fabric, Modern Fabric Studio, and the Grand Opening sale Julie had for her new eCommerce site for her shop, The Intrepid Thread!

Huge Fabric Stashing -- Modern Fabric Studio, The Intrepid Thread, + Form & Fabric

These Yuwa Prints are some of my favorites right now, aren't they sweet?

Yuwa, Rifle, and Stamps

Most of all, I am loving all things Art Gallery right now! Which makes me extra excited about tomorrow's Giveaway!! Here's a peek!

Maureen

50 comments:

  1. Your improv blocks are lovely! I used a Bryant Park print, too! We're on the same wavelength; I kept going with the scraps from those blcosk and am making a quilt. As of last night, I've got about half of the top complete!

    I hope you are doing something fun on your break from sewing! Ooh, I'm in love with that stamp set!!

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  2. I hope your break is all that you want it to be! Love the chevrons and the ultra-organized multitude of piles on your desk!

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  3. You shouldn't show such beautiful fabrics...this girl from Lexington might be tempted to come snatch some ;) Gorgeous work, as always. Never a dull crafting moment over your way!

    Hugs from Lexington~

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  4. Oh no! I knew I should have looked away after I was finished admiring your newest bee blocks! These fabrics are killing me. WOW, I want them all!! =D

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  5. Woohoo! I see you bought the Maya collection. I received mine last Friday and am so impressed with its softness and color. I cut into it and made some blocks right away. I already bought more of two prints from Hawthorne yesterday!

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  6. Love the fabrics and the "bee" blocks. And where did you find that wonderful typewriter print - would be great for little notebook covers for the girls in the office.

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    1. The typewriter print is by Melody Miller, F&F have two colors available here -- http://www.formandfabric.com/typewriter-green-and-teal/

      and I just did a quick etsy search and you can find all three here -- http://www.etsy.com/shop/Matatabi?section_id=10226848

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    2. There is a fabulous photo of fabric covered notebooks using this same fabric on Pinterest if you'd like to check it out, Sharon.

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  7. Great blocks and gorgeous colours. I love that black and white fabric in the last photo. Did that come from Intrepid Thread?

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    1. The black and white is a Yuwa print found here -- http://www.formandfabric.com/products/Yuwa%2C-Spiral-Leaves-%252d-Fuchsia.html

      I love it!

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  8. Wow-All is so nice. Quite the visual for what the quilter calls "happiness!"

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  9. Lots of fun things coming! Enjoy your days of rest though. I just read your post with the birdie pillows and wanted to second that this whole sewing/blogging/inspiration circle really is magic. May the magic continue!

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  10. Oh my gosh, I'm jealous of your gorgeous fabric stacks ! Licky you :)
    New fabric can brighten up any day !

    And I absolutely love your blocks ! I might have to add this to my must-try list !!

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  11. Is there really any other fabric than Art Gallery , It happens to be my very favorite , and then Northcott follows , but Pat Bravo knows how to make that fabric pop , and every line is better than the last
    Also love your Blog follow u all over the place .and what other Thread goes so well , NONE other than Aurifil of course

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  12. The chevrons are so pretty! I can definitely see another amazing scrappy quilt in your future.

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  13. This was a fun post and so colorful! I love that block and I'm looking forward to seeing the fun stuff coming up. Have a lovely, relaxing respite. :)

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  14. NEAT COLLECTION!
    YOUR CHEVRONS ARE GORGEOUS!
    THANKS FOR SHARING!
    HAPPY STITCHING!

    msstitcher1214@yahoo.com

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  15. I do love the colors of the new block you are working on and like the other comment the yuma print is beautiful. Hope you are doing some restsing the next couple of days.

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  16. Those blocks turned out great! I love the colors.

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  17. I love this color combination in a quilt. Great job!

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  18. Great chevrons and nice colors together- like early spring sunshine!

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  19. Those blocks look great! The scrappy look to them is really cool!
    I wan't your desk, it looks awesome! =D

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  20. Wow I really love these colors!

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  21. Loving the improv chevrons, and if you have a burglary while your gone, that'll be me raiding your stash. I promise to leave everything else though, 'kay?

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  22. I love those fabrics and especially that typewriter fabric! Your studio is very inspirational and so organized. I love to be surrounded by fabrics, yarn, books, wool and fiber of any kind. I guess paper is a fiber? LOL!

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  23. I love that block and the colors are my favorites. Hope you're someplace fun and have a good time.

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  24. I really love the color scheme of your chevron blocks. I also have that Ruby Star typewriter in my stash. I wish I had bought more if it while I could still find it!

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    Replies
    1. I linked above to an etsy shop where they still have all three prints available. :)

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    2. http://www.etsy.com/shop/Matatabi?section_id=10226848

      :)

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  25. Your chevron blocks are wonderful. I have never tried making them. Your blog and studio are inspiring. Thank you for the chance to win.

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  26. You have a great blog and wonderful projects. I get very inspired by looking at it all.
    By the way, Jackie says hello.

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  27. Maureen,
    que espaço mais lindo!!!!
    Amei o seus trabalhos!!!
    Parabéns....
    com abraços - hugs - de Maria Filomena

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  28. you have a beautiful blog, specially I love your photo. i really add your blog to my folloving list.

    I will ave my gammill long arm in 2 weeks, and I'm also starting a small business here in Finland

    Thank you for the great giveaway party :D

    Soile

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  29. Love the blocks :)
    Hope you have a good trip and the sewing withdrawals aren't too bad!

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  30. Thank you giveaway! Jacki say: hello. Freertings from Hungary!

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  31. I love the chevron blocks and the appliqued birds - great site, thank you for sharing your creations and tutorials. By the way Jackie says Hello

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  32. The chevron block is awesome! I really like it. There are lots of great ideas here. "Improv" rules! love it! Oh, by the by, Jackie at Canton Village says hello!
    Before I go, just want to say I also really love the stitch sketch...wonderful...pictures of your "assistants" are precious! You cannot get that kind of help anywhere!!!

    hugz
    Pam

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  33. Good Morning, Maureen. Your chevron blocks are gorgeous!But they look so complicated.I think these would be awesome in a scrap quilt. Just came from Canton Village Quilt Works and Jackie said "hello".

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  34. Good morning; what cheerful fabrics and blocks you've been working on. Jackie says to tell you Hello, too. Glad I visited your blog; I'll be back.

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  35. OH, that block is so cool. Well done.
    Love that typewriter fabric.

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  36. your improv chevrons are sooo pretty, and I'm so glad you had fun making them!

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  37. Those bee blocks are absolutely gorgeous.... And they look so well-pieced! I'm impressed.

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  38. i am so behind in my blog reading. spring break... i hope you had a good 4 days off! xo love your chevrons so much! they are so great. i have decided that is the block i am going to ask my bee people to make for me when it is my month! love it! xo

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  39. Wow that is awesome and has inspired me to deviate and experiment away from my normal patchwork quilting!

    T

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