A Modern Bee GIVEAWAY : :

Today is my stop on the Modern Bee Book Tour! Which means I have another wonderful Giveaway to share with all of you!!

I personally love the story behind this book -- Author Lindsay Conner has taken the work of her quilting bee, including 11 very talented partners, and has turned their collective work into a beautiful, new book! 



Rather than sharing a review today, and over-using the word LOVE, I chose to make & share a quilt block from one of the 13 quilt patterns included inside! The June quilt -- Stacked Windmills by Jeni Baker, made with Domino Dots, Juliana Horner's Rosette and a little Denyse Schmidt, both from Joann Fabric's Premium Quilting Cotton collections.



One glimpse of this block pattern and I knew it would make a wonderful addition to my Making Rows quilt in progress, so I got to work! Plus, this block is perfect for mastering those HST's, half-square triangles, and shares with you Jeni's super, quick method for making four at a time!





I'm currently thinking it might be the perfect innermost block in the middle row of my quilt, possibly set on point? I just love how it turned out!



To see more peeks inside this wonderful, new book be sure to check out the other stops on the Modern Bee Blog Tour : : 

 
Monday - 10/7:  Sew Mama Sew + Stash Books
Tuesday - 10/8: SewCraftyJess + Sew Sweetness
Wednesday - 10/9: Ellison Lane + Diary of a Quilter

Thursday - 10/10: Katie’s Korner + Pat Sloan
Friday - 10/11: Fat Quarter Shop + imagine gnats
Saturday - 10/12: Quilting is My Therapy + Hot Pink Stitches
Monday - 10/14: Live a Colorful Life + Craft Gossip
Tuesday - 10/15: SewCanShe + Maureen Cracknell Handmade (Me!) 

Wednesday - 10/16: Craftsy + Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores

..............................................................

How would you like a chance to win a copy of Modern Bee for yourself?

Here's how,

-- Simply leave a comment under this post! I'd love to read about your own quilting bee, or a favorite quilt or sewing project you've made! (one entry)

Enter now through Friday, October 18th! We'll choose one random winner to receive a copy of the book, and if the winner lives outside of the U.S., they'll receive a copy of the e-book!

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or anonymous commenter, please remember to include your email address in your comment!              

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Thank you to all who entered the Giveaway!!

   From 381 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is... 
Comment #184 --   * Kathy @ Kwilty Pleasures *   

Congratulations! I will be in touch shortly!   

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