New Bee Blocks : :

Late last week I decided to give into my urge to make two versions of our Sewcial Bee Sampler quilt, the community sew-along Sharon Holland and I launched last week! The first block, Patience Corners is so fun and simple! Using the make eight-at-a-time HST method it comes together quick, taking under an hour from start to finish. Surely, I thought, I could fit in two a week. Add to this the beautiful new stack of AGF's Boho Fusions that have been calling me since they arrived. How could I resist?!





In case you missed last week's Sewcial Bee Sample Intro and first pattern releases, I invite you to look back through my last few blog posts for all the details. It's never too late to join in the fun! Each Wednesday we're releasing a new, fully tested PDF block pattern, followed by a fun Giveaway on Friday's both on our blogs and Instagrams. The response and participation has been incredible, especially on Instagram in the hashtag pool,  #SewcialBeeSampler. I LOVE seeing all of the different block variations being shared!

In addition to my sampler blocks, I've been slowly working on my Collection Quilt blocks, using the Winter's Garden Quilt Block Tutorial I shared last month! I've noticed a few of you have joined me in making these, and it's such a pleasure to see that some have made major progress! Me, not so much, but I do have two new blocks to share today featuring prints from Nightfall, Fleet & Flourish, and Wild & Free!



Tomorrow I'll be back to share our Sewcial Bee Sampler Block No. 2!  If you're not joining us on Instagram, but have been blogging your blocks and have a post(s) you'd like to share, be sure to add the link in the comments so I can visit you! 

♡ 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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Improv Bee Blocks & a Birthday Set : :

This month Jacey asked the Love circle of do. Good Stitches to make our bee blocks scrappy and improv and in citrus-y greens, yellows and oranges. After all the large scrappy improv blocks I made for my scraps quilt, I was so excited to see that request -- this was definitely up my alley!



I pulled what citrus-y colored scraps I had left in my scraps basket and got to work. Hanging them out of my way, in the hallway as I finished.



These went out yesterday and I'm so, so happy to have them finished this early in the month! That's a first for me!



The Birthday crown and pillow sets for my nieces and nephews have continued again this week, too! This time I made a special Birthday set for my nephew Owen, who loves all this Star Wars and Superheros!



I don't think I have ever seen Star Wars fabrics for sale? I assume they have some, but since I had these adorable Superhero fabrics in my stash already I thought it would be perfect. I picked these up a while ago from The Little Fabric Shop.

I do love this shade of aqua blue for boys!



I finished Owen's crown in a similar shade of aqua blue felt and I had the word "KAPOW" in mind when I added the details. Can you tell?



These sets really are super fun to make and definitely something I plan to try to offer in my etsy shop this Fall when I am making my handmades full-time.



Now I just have one last Birthday crown and pillow set to make this month for my niece Sylvia (I know, it was a busy birthday month) and since it's raining here today, I think I might even get to that last quilt top. Wish me luck!!   ♥ Maureen

Patchwork Wheel Bee Blocks : :

Today I'm finally sharing my May do. Good Stitches bee blocks. Love Circle member Deb chose the Patchwork Wheel Block by Don't Call Me Betsy, which made for some quick and enjoyable quilt block making, if I could just find the time.



Honestly, I think choosing and cutting the fabrics from my scraps basket may have taken longer than actually making the blocks!

I do love how these bright colors pop next to the crisp white!



Getting the chance to use up those scraps, especially my precious Good Folks fabrics, might just be my most favorite type of sewing project!



I was so worried this time about turning my blocks in late. The truth is, I had made one block a couple of weeks ago, and had thought that I only needed to make my second before I could ship them off to Deb. However, when I finally got back to sewing last week, I realized right away that I had mistakenly trimmed my first block down to a 12" square. Not sure how that happened, but it did!



No worries, that third block is almost a new quilt block tote bag, it's just waiting on some strap!

Which I hope to have finished in time to share this week!  

How about you, what are you working on??

Sewing Again : :

I'm here and am finally sewing again! We really appreciate all the sweet comments you left us -- congratulating Kevin on his races, on understanding the disappointment we were feeling on the house situation, and in regards to the passing of Grandma Jane. Thank you!!

I brought back a pretty glass of roses from her garden, aren't they beautiful?!



Yesterday in the late afternoon I found my opportunity and dove right into sewing. It felt great, just what I needed in fact!



My niece Josie and I share a birthday this Sunday on the 10th, woohoo! I'll be thirty-one, in case you're wondering! :)

So... just as I've done for all my little nieces and nephews this year, I made her a Birthday Crown and Pillow set.



I tried out two more stitches on my new Janome -- the applique stitch, to add all the pillow details and the oval satin stitch, to add the flowers to her crown. I am having so much fun with these stitches! It's amazing what a huge difference changing up the stitching can make to a project. Even to something as simple as a birthday crown, which I have made over 500 of now -- WOW!!



I'm hoping Josie likes both the birdie themed pillow and the color coral, you know I love both!



I tied them together in my favorite yellow Divine Twine and sent her package out the door just before the Post Office closed last night. I hope she loves it!! Happy Birthday, Josie Bear!! Love, Aunt Maureen -- which she actually pronounces "Aunt Mean" -- can you believe it?!



Last night I even finished up my May AND June bee blocks, but I'll save those to share another day!



It's feels SO good to be back! Thanks again, friends!! ♥ Maureen 

p.s. Here's a little peek at tomorrow Fabric Giveaway!! Be sure to stop back!

Polaroid Bee Blocks : :

I finished up my two April bee blocks finally!! These are for the do. Good Stitches Love Circle. April hostess Rachel chose Polaroid blocks created by Little Miss Shabby. With fussy cut images of my cutest fabrics, framed in white, with gray sashing -- I imagine this style of quilt will be something both useful and fun for any child to receive. The Love circle makes quilts for children in need through Wrap Them in Love, so it's just perfect!



I snapped a quick photo the other night just before I started assembling my blocks. The white framed fabric images were so adorable! There is an obvious woodland/house theme happening here, hmn? Well, those plus a super hero, his chopper, and the robot he's defending all the forest critters from.



I didn't plan that, I promise, but it certainly tells a story!

We each pointed out our favorite picture and we pretty much all agreed, well besides my husband who chose the super hero. ( I'm still thinking he may be one after that half marathon on Sunday, sheesh, I'm still so impressed! ) For the rest of us it was an even toss-up between --

The sweet little house on the hill...awe...



And, the cute, little squirrel or chipmunk (which discussing proved to be an even toss-up as well)...eep...



We liked this little house, too! Which I put in the very center of my second block.



These blocks were definitely a lot of fun to make! I may even make more!



However, I did use up the last of my gray solid stash on these blocks. It is completely gone, which is why I wasn't able to go crazy with slanting my framed pictures and then squaring them up like some of the other Love circle members. I did add a slight wonkiness that I'm hoping is fine with Rachel?



This was my third month as a member of the Love Circle for do. Good Stitches and it has been a complete pleasure! I've admitted here several times now that following patterns is most definitely not a skill of mine! I was SO nervous while making my first Retro Flowers blocks and truthfully still have those nerves, especially once I send off my blocks. Is that normal?

Really I am so thrilled to have the chance to experiment with quilting in this way, but mostly I am just grateful to be a part of such an amazing charity!

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!



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!



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!



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?



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!



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



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!



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



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