The Sewcial Bee Sampler Sew-Along: Block 5!

It's a new month, week five and block release day of the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along Sharon Holland and I are co-hosting now through early August! I like to begin each Wednesday by reminding folks just learning about the bee that it's never too late to jump in! The blocks typically take about an hour, so feel free to join us and play catch-up at anytime! I also love to encourage you all to keep posting to Instagram with #SewcialBeeSampler, tagging @sharonhollanddesigns and myself @maureencracknell when you post anything SBS so we can both see and easily keep track of all your wonderful bee posts. We'll continue to try our best to visit with all who join the sew along. We're having so much fun!

Today's free download is for block #5  July Fourth! I'll be sure to add this new pattern to my Sewcial Bee Sampler Page, so those of you just discovering our bee can find everything you need to begin right in one place! I keep meaning to mention each week how I love sharing the images that Sharon made combining my Garden Dreamer Bee and her Bountiful fabric prints, aren't they great?!

For this week's July Fourth block I'm combining my Crimson Dance print from Wild & Free - my first fabric collection with my newest - Garden Dreamer, plus AGF's Soft Sand Linen. I love the combination of this rusty red with the sweet berry purple!



This pattern was a new one for me and I'm happy to have learned another pretty star block to add to the roster. I love how this one turned out and I'm looking forward to making my second block using AGF's Boho Fusions!



I can't wait to see the July Fourth blocks you'll make this week!

I'm still playing catch-up with my own SBS blocks since I'm making two versions and have been so swamped lately with getting into the new studio space, while working on a new fabric collection. I just need one good sewing day to get me back on track, hoping for that sooner than later! Don't forget to visit Sharon's blog today to see her beautiful versions, for an extra step-by-step tutorial for the new technique being shared in this week's pattern, and to stop back for this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway Friday with our sponsor the Dritz!

Happy SBS sewing!  ♡ Maureen 

A New Leaf Quilt Block Tutorial : :

Over the holiday my friend Jan, Daisy Janie, asked if I would join in a fun Bee Block Blog Hop she was organizing to showcase her newest collection, New Leaf, a 100% GOTS certified organic cotton collection packed with brilliant color!



After a quick study of the fabrics I received, I decided my block would be based around this fussy cut flower, in her Rhapsody print.



From there I started playing, continuing to cut and sew until I was happy with my block layout.



For this quick Quilt Block Tutorial, it's easiest and makes the most sense for me to point out what cuts of what pieces went where, with more of a Pictorial approach! The finished block will measure a 12.5" square, using a 1/4" seam allowance, pressing all the seams open as you go along!

Assembling Your Fussy Cut Block : :

First, cut out your 5" fussy cut square for the center.

- -  Start with the Corner Pieces, you'll be making four of these : :



- -  Next, the Middle Pieces, making four again : : 



- - Assemble your block just as I did below, sewing the three pieces together at the top of the block, the three pieces that make up the center, and the three at the bottom, as well. Next, sew those together in the correct order : :



And, now you have a pretty fussy cut, New Leaf Quilt Block!



Jan did request that we could make our blocks using "turning over a new leaf" as inspiration, and that I did! This is my very first quilt block tutorial after all! This was a wonderful challenge for me to be a part of, since when it comes to my sewing, I am most insecure when it comes to quilt work. Thank you so much for inviting me, Jan!

This quilt block design was also inspired by some of the stained glass in our new home. Quilt blocks always look so pretty in the window light!



I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!  Please do check out the other stops along the blog hop!

New Leaf Bee Block Blog Hop Schedule : :

  Mon, 1/14 - Becky Moyer, My Fabric Obsession

  Tues, 1/15 - Lynn Harris, The Little Red Hen

  Wed, 1/16 - Candy Glendening, Candied Fabrics

  Thurs, 1/17 - Holly DeGroot, Bijou Lovely

  Fri, 1/18 - Melanie Thornton, Melanie Dramatic

  Mon, 1/21 - Emily Cier, Carolina Patchworks

  Tues, 1/22 - Rachael Gander, Imagine Gnats

  Wed, 1/23 - Maureen Cracknell, Maureen Cracknell Handmade

  Thurs, 1/24 - Leanne, She Can Quilt

  Fri, 1/25 - Cindy Wiens, Live a Colorful Life

 

  Mon 1/28 - Cheryl Arkison, Dining Room Empire

  Tues, 1/29 - Jacquie Gering, Tallgrass Prairie Studio

  Wed, 1/30 - Shanna Bailey, Fiber of All Sorts

  Thurs, 1/31 - Katy Jones, Monkey Do

Oh, and if you're participating in the Fat Quarter Word Scramble, my secret letter is A!   ♥,  Maureen 

Color Palette Perfection : :

Isn't this the most beautiful Fall color palette? I think so!



Yesterday, while I worked on my Wonky Pinwheel Bee Blocks, I thought a lot about the things I plan to make for our new home. I've been creating quite the list! I'm so excited to finally be able to really decorate in a way that represents our taste and style. Since we've always rented and have moved sooo much, regardless of how much I may have loved the house we were living in, I knew it was just a temporary situation. Because of that I have never had this chance to plan and dream about making a house, our home.

While I pieced away, I also spent some time thinking about Natalie. She clearly has great taste and a wonderful sense of color! These colors together are so warm and inviting.



I thought of the last assigned bee blocks that Natalie chose for us. Those Improv Chevrons, probably my favorite blocks ever! And remembered I had made just one extra one, adding in a little navy and brown.



I have several, maybe a dozen or so, random quilt blocks hanging in my studio closet. I went and found that one that I had completely forgotten about, and right away thought about this pin, of an Eco-friendly Living Room via bhg.com. I love everything about it! This color palette is definitely one of my favorites, and one that both my husband and I love. I plan to use this image as inspiration for decorating our new family room.

via bhg.com

Today, I'm thinking that this Improv Chevron block might have to become a first new pillow, for our new home. What do you think?
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oops : :

So, yesterday was interesting! I woke up so excited about sharing my newest Fat Quarter Gang project. Posts ready, with an awesome Rock n' Romance giveaway, waiting semi-patiently for the go-ahead to share. Some of you may have already gotten a peek of it, if you follow me on flickr. Well, I waited all day, sending our "gang leader" (never thought I'd write that...) little emails, telling her I was ready. And, it wasn't until pretty late in the day when Amy kindly pointed out that it wasn't actually my turn until next week. Doh! So, next Monday....

I also finished up a new Janome project tutorial on Friday, which I'm super excited about. Hoping to share that soon! Otherwise, these last several days have mostly been spent making my Birthday Crowns! I am so grateful for the orders I am getting, it's been wonderful, and I'm starting to believe that spending my days home sewing "as a paying job" is definitely possible! Thank goodness!

I love when I get a stretch of time to knock out several crown orders. Especially when I get to take a photo of them grouped together, before packaging them up and sending them on their way!









Below...now these were a lot of work! I shared them here back in the Spring when they were made, but this past Friday they made it on a really amazing Party website. Warning - make sure your children aren't looking if you check it out. It made every party I have ever thrown look extremely lame. lol



Today, I have plans to finish my second Wonky Pinwheel bee block using Natalie's awesome tutorial. Can you believe this is her first tutorial?? Amazing!!

photo by Greenleaf Goods

Happy sewing, friends! ♥,  Maureen
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