August Bee Blocks

This month was relatively quiet on the bee front - I only had two blocks to make for my Munki in the Middle Flickr bee.  Joni asked for any size wonky star with a solid background.  I think mine are so cheerful!  It was especially hard to let the cat block go!  The wonky star was really fun to make and I think it may be a good block to intersperse with my Greek cross blocks.  I may have to sit down and make a few more for myself.  They measure 12.5" square.

Free Motion Quilting Fun

I'm having a really fun time trying out some new moves - FMQ moves that is!  I made this Over and Under quilt using Lori Holt's Sew Cherry fabric over a year ago and finally decided to drag it into the light of day and quilt.  After making my dad's quilt, I've had an itch to expand my FMQ skills.  On this baby, I made giant flowers in the white negative space and now I'm making a skinny loop in the strip area that kind of reminds me of ribbons interweaving across the quilt top.  Don't ask me how long it will take or how many bobbins I'll go through...Thank goodness for Connecting Threads' giant spools!  

WIP: The rainbow medallion is growing!

I've had quite the busy week!  Last Sunday I decided it was time to add to the rainbow medallion, which calls for 21 borders in the pattern.  I'm not sure how long that will take, but this is meant to be a fun project that uses a lot of scraps from other projects along the way.  I've decided to group the borders into 2-3 of each R(pink)OYGBIV to make a radiating outward rainbow quilt of fabulosity!  Plus I have a thing for cool colors and those will need the most scraps because they're on the outside.  Here it is, currently 13"x13" and just waiting to grow.

I also had a fun weekend at the Austin Shop Hop.  Finding new places to shop for fabric is always at the top of the list!  Here's the loot I scored.  Lots of Anna Maria Horner and even some scraps of the original Flea Market Fancy and Melody Miller typewriters.  And of course, eyeglasses for the eye doctor.  Please, sir, may I have some more?

WIP List:

Finished!

  - Scrappy Trip Along charity quilt top

Being quilted

  - Over and Under in Sew Cherry

Finished quilt tops

  - Aqua/Yellow Patchwork Chevron

  - Happy Go Lucky in Vintage Modern

  - Round Robin Medallion

  - Neptune Squared 

In pieces

  - Hexa Go Go Stars & Stripes

  - On a Whim in Birds & Bees

  - Rainbow medallion

Traveling Stash Winner!

Thank you so much to everyone who entered to win the traveling stash box!  Without further ado, my random number generator selected #12, Melissa at Missouri Mel.  Congratulations!  I will be emailing you to get your info to ship out the big box of goodies.

Thanks again for entering everyone.  If you want to find another box to win, check out the updated list at Katie's blog, Snuggle Up with a Dish from Karma.

Want to Win a Traveling Stash Box??

                                                  

Have you heard about the Traveling Stash boxes?  They're such a fun idea.  A large priority mail flat rate box has been filled with sewing goodies, a drawing is held on a blog for a winner, and when the winner gets the box, you can take anything out of the box (as much as you like!) to keep for your stash.  The only catch is you have to replace it with items from your stash of equal value and hold a give away on your blog to mail it to the next lucky winner.  

I won the box that Susan had last, and now I'm going to pass it on to one of my lucky readers!  To enter, just leave a comment telling me what your dream traveling stash box would have in it.  Please make sure I have a way to contact you if you win!  I will choose a winner on Sunday, August 11, around 9 pm Central time using a random number generator.  Please be aware that if you win, you will be responsible for mailing this box to the next person via Priority mail flat rate for a large box (~$15).  Sorry, but this is for US addresses only at this time!

In order not to spoil the surprise when the lucky winner's box arrives, I'll just post a couple pictures of what I put into the box and what I took out.  There's a lot more than what is in my pictures here, trust me!  It's also a mixed variety of several different tastes and items including fabric, notions, buttons, magazines, and other fun stuff.

Here's most of what I'm adding!  Lots of QuiltCon swag there.

Here's what I'm keeping for myself!

Also, here's a WIP to keep you satisfied this week :)  I'm working on my paper pieced fussy cut blocks for my friend Amanda's swap.  Here are the couple I have finished along with the centers I've picked for the rest of them.  I'm sure glad I have a stash of kawaii fabric from Bunny's Designs!  

I'm linking up to Show and Tell Tuesday, Thursday Threads, Fabric Tuesday, We Did it Wednesday, Giveaway Directory Thursday.

WIP: Paper Pieced Fussy Square Blocks

My friend, Amanda, and What the Bobbin? tempted me with a block swap.  Like I need another project!  But looking at the Flickr pool made me cave.  They are too stinking cute!  I'm not sure what I'll do with all these little guys, but I'm positive it will be magical.  I made my first block with some Heather Ross pink gnomes and then I remembered that I have a great sampler pack of Japanese kawaii prints courtesy of Angela from Bunny's Designs.  This is going to be so much fun!    

4.5" block. Hello Mr. Gnome :)

June Ima Bee Block

June's Ima Bee block from my Flickr group is going all the way to Singapore!  Exciting - I'm an international quilter ;)  Queen Bee asked for a simple black cross on a crisp, white background.  This block is huge finishing at 21".  

I wanted to be a little fancy this time and I've been crushing on Jacquie Gering's improv piecing.  I also had a pile of scraps left over from paper piecing these Circle of Geese blocks, so I decided to just start sewing and see what I come up with.  I think the result is lovely!  Since the fabrics are all black and white, you have to look closely to see that it's pieced, but I think the effect is good and I'm excited to try this again in the future. 

Have you ever tried improv piecing before?  How do you like it?  Any tips or suggestions for newbies?

Close up so you can see the crazy piecing - and the teeny kitty cat :)

Here's the whole block