Modern Stash Bee - October

It is a wonderful feeling to be part of a group that just gets it done! This is that group!!  We had someone in our hive disappear.  Not off the face of the earth, she is still around, but for whatever reason, just didn't want to be part of us anymore.  In general my luck with online swaps and bees has been fantastic, but it feels terrible when it happens to you.  So...she didn't make me a block, but what did I tell you, this group found an angel and I got my block.  So...little miss missing had her month in October, so we decided to just have a couple of us make 3 blocks (to make up) and then we would be done in November, not December. 

Our queen in October wanted these Wonky Pinwheels.  Oooy.  These take some time, and I had to my two, plus one. But aren't they just lovely! This quilt is going to be fabulous! I love my hive!!

December Simply Solids

They look plain don't they? That was my first thought when Colby requested these blocks.  Now usually, plain is right up my alley so I had a moment of "is this my style or not" cross my mind.

Two things though:
1) She has the second to the last month for this year long bee and maybe she was nervous about having a complex block during the holiday season. (Guess who has next month......and that is one of the many things I am thinking about)
2) The finished quilt is AWESOME!

Look at that! Gorgeous right?  (I don't know whose photo this is...please please, if it is yours, let me know and I would be happy to give you the credit, it's beautiful!)

Q3 Finish-A-Long Check in {Progress}

A Big Thanks to Leanne at she can quilt for hosting this fun event! I'm sorry to say that I didn't get as much done as I wanted to this quarter. Here was the original post with the lofty list.

Orb Quilt - I requested this block a second time in a bee so I could have double the amount of blocks (and make the quilt double awesome), but sadly, I am still waiting on one more to arrive so this isn't done.
Big 10 Quilt - I am 3 seams away from completing the top, but it isn't done either.
Mondarin - blocks done, need to sew together - Forget it. I'm not feeling this one so will no longer put it on a finish list.  Don't be surprised if one day though, I just finish it up and show it to you!
Churn Dash - The blocks are done but I still need to decide on a design and sew them all up.
Make Up Bag for Sister {post here}

Husker Zip Pouch {post here}

Summer Sampler {post here}

And for those of you wondering how I was doing on the rest of the projects...
I have decided not to do a low volume quilt. I just got caught up in all the hype and wasn't doing it because I wanted to, so now, I'm not doing it at all.

2 M quilts, one is basted and one almost has the top done, you will hear about both of them soon.

Baby Allen is going to get this quilt, I only have the label left and it will be heading to Washington, D.C.

Canada/USA Quilt is waiting for a big maple leaf.

Modern Stash Bee - September II

It happened to me AGAIN! I only made one block. Gah!  In my Modern Stash Bee, we are supposed to make 2 blocks each month and I keep forgetting.  No worries though, it isn't late (thank goodness I was early with the other one). I'll be sending this on tomorrow!

Sneak a peek at my first one (it was teal).

In the interest of learning

I would love to share with you about a new learning platform, called Daily Craft TV. The classes I am most interested in are the quilting classes, so I tried one out! String Piecing - 7 ways.



This is a simple technique that can give you so many different results. There were a few that I was aware of, but some that I did not. It's always great to learn of a new way to make blocks.

Now...on to the review!

Going through the checkout process was easy and effortless.  I selected String Piecing because of the chance to learn something new. Although there were some patterns that were new to me, it might be disappointing if you are an advanced beginner or higher quilter.  The format had a couple of teachers and they talked throughout the video as they showcased the various blocks.  It wasn't something I was keen on.  I think I would really prefer to just have one instructor.  The tone, while casual, almost had too much conversation.

Another observation is the pricing.  I am not aware of how the pricing structure is applied, but having watched this one (which was valued at $9.99) and lasted just under an hour, if I had to select again, I would have selected Fresh Quilting Ideas & Design Techniques (which is valued at $4.99) and is just over an hour and a half.  

I would say about half of the selections are either traditional or not of interest to me but there were some other titles of interest including: Yes You Can Piece Curves, Unique Ideas and Innovative Designs for your Quilts, Advanced Quilting Techniques & How to Resize Blocks and Choosing the right quilting fabrics and learn about Hue and Contrast with Mary Fons (because well, I love Mary Fons!)

So my advice to you, if you are interested in the class offerings, is to read through all of them and step outside of your comfort zone! I played it safe and should have selected a different class to really be impressed.

Please see my disclosure policy regarding reviews.

Grandma's Lawn Chair Blog Hop

It's not over yet!

Check out some more of the fabulous quilts made with this easy pattern!

Mon 16th , Diane @ from blank pages
Tues 17th - Hilary @ Young Texan Mama
Wed 18th - Mike @ The Amateur Quilter
Thurs 19th - Rachael @ imagine gnats
Fri 20th - Courtney @ Mon Petite Lyons 

Mon 23rd - Jamie @ Sunflower Seeds 
Tues 24th - Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts
Wed 25th - Krista @ Spotted Stones 
Thurs 26th - Cristy @ Sew Much Like Mom
Fri 27th - Diane @ from blank pages...

And the Winner is...

Angelia!

I have emailed her and look forward to seeing what she makes!

Modern Stash Bee - September

September greeted me with another chance to do a block with HST's.  I have recently decided that I like these and have 4 projects going with them now.  Kelleighz is our queen this month and she requested this block so that she could put them together and make a quilt for herself.  She left it open to us on the color scheme and requested a low volume background.

My favorite HST method is to sew all around the 4 sides and then slice it twice.  That didn't really work on this one as a variety of prints was more important, so....I cut out triangles one by one and did it the old fashioned way.

It's in the mail to you Kelleigh - Enjoy!  

Blog Hop Stop #1 - Pull up a Chair

and let me tell you about this pattern! It is called Grandma's Lawn Chair created by the talented Diane over at From Blank Pages.

If you are a value shopper, then this pattern is for you! Diane really out did herself on her inaugural pattern as it includes so much!
*3 sizes (baby, toddler and lap)
*Cutting Diagram (useful so you don't have a lot of unused fabric)
*Advanced notes on fat quarter vs. fat eighth fabrics (you can use your stash!)
*Advanced notes on directional prints (this is valuable!) Typically I just don't use directional prints because I don't want to have to think about which way to cut and sew, but this pattern guides you through and makes it easy to accomplish.
*Coloring Page for each size
*Color Variations

So many details that don't always come with patterns, but she has them all.  There isn't one extra thing that I would ask for in a pattern.  She will be selling these on Craftsy if you would like to pick one up, but......just keep reading, it could be worth your while - I promise!

Have you ever looked at a quilt and wondered how it was put together? That was my first thought when I saw this pattern and it looked complicated.  When it "looks" complicated {to me} then I don't do it. I move along to another one but I assure you it is easy to make.  Plus, I know Diane, personally and am happy for her as creating patterns has been on her goal list for a little while. It is encouraging to see your friends meet their goals - yeah Diane!

Let's get to it!

I decided to tackle the baby quilt as I had an event coming up for a little one and this would make the perfect gift. The first version of the pattern (for this size) had 7 rows and 5 columns (not counting the background). The newest version has 6 rows and 5 columns.  That is one of the great things about this pattern - you can easily add or remove a row or column to suit your project, if necessary.

Printing out the entire pattern is what works best for me so I can mark it all up with fabric choices.

Then on the cutting instructions I also list out which fabrics they apply to. This is really helpful for me to remember which column or row corresponds with which fabric. Especially for this pattern, I would encourage you to do the same.

Once I got everything cut out I was ready to lay it out on my design board. For some reason this step took me a while. I think at this step it would be better to have your phone/tablet in front of you with the colors to use as a guide. What worked for me was to only do one row at a time and cover the remaining rows. After that, it was a breeze to stitch up!

Are you still with me? Remember I said to keep reading.  So...do you love it? You have a chance to win it as Diane is offering a free pattern to one of my readers (thank you so much)! All you have to do is comment on this post and answer the following question: What color scheme would you like to make this in?.
I'll pick a random winner this weekend and the pattern will arrive to your email inbox courtesy of Diane Bohn.

Giveaway is now closed - See this post for winner details!

Check out the other posts this week from other testers too! Ginny @ Fishcreek Studio
Kelleigh - guest blogging at from blank pages
Sara @ Sew Sweetness

Inspiration from the Dishwasher!

You know they say, you never know when inspiration is going to strike. Well it jumped up and hit me in the face the other day, as I was unloading the dishwasher.  These were the last thing for me to put away, but I stopped for just a minute and you know what, I like this color combo. So much so that I got a photo so I could remember it.  I do think I need to have one more color in there (cause even numbers aren't good for fabric choices) but as a base, I love it. And yes, even the chartreuse green. {Note: for my newer readers, I don't like green, at all, ever - just don't}. But....with the navy blue, white and coral, it looks good!

What do you think the 5th color should be to blend this out into a new quilt color scheme?