Tuesday, July 16, 2013

The Unusual Bee Blocks

No, our quilting bee is not called The Unusual Bee, though that would be a good name for it! It's called Stars in their Eyes, another good name. We met while making star blocks in another online bee and decided to stick together.

The first month was Lisa's. She chose the Japanese x and + block with a scrappy look, but with the colours more organized. I already loved this block and had been in two block swaps using it.
Here are my blocks:
Blocks for Stars in their Eyes, May


This is the quilt Lisa made. Cute!!!

Japanese X and +, Mollie

June was Sam's month. She chose the Union Jack Block. She asked for a Laura Ashley look to the block.
I was a bit worried, since my stash is mainly novelty prints or bold, or both together! I dug deep.
Union Jack block for Sam in Stars in Their Eyes


I love this! Now I was really getting into it. Here is my second block:
Union Jack block for Sam in Stars in Their Eyes


Here is a pic of Sam's blocks. Won't it make a fantastic quilt?
Union Jack quilt in progress, thank you bee members


This month is Linda's turn. She chose Anna Maria Horner's feather block.
This pattern uses templates which I find challenging, but Linda has posted some useful suggestions on her blog.
My first attempt came out beautifully and I was happy until I discovered that the measurements were not right, too small. Further inquiry showed a tiny box on the "Print" page that says "fit to page".  In my excitement to start, I hadn't noticed it defaults to checked. Curses. I still love it though, so it will probably go on the back of another quilt.
Now I was wary about the printing, so I set it all up again, and here is my first successful feather:
Stars in their Eyes Bee Block for Linda
Success! On to the next block:

Stars in their Eyes Bee Block for Linda

And here they are together with their reject cousin:


Linda's feather blocks together with my first reject block.

August is my month in the bee, more about that in another post.

Till next time,

Sue

Linking to:

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

8 comments:

  1. All your blocks look great! You're a brave one for using templates, congrats and well done!

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  2. lovely blocks!! I love the first block so much. I need to make one....

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  3. Wow those Bee quilts are turning out brilliant ... I'm looking forward to seeing what yours will be :)

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  4. Hello,
    thank you for the link with the Union Jack pattern!
    Beatrice.

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  5. The feather blocks are gorgeous! And how fitting to choose the Union Jack pattern with all of the excitement over the soon-to-be addition to the royal family.

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  6. I love seeing your fabulous blocks and then seeing how the quilt came together. I have been hankering to make a Union Jack quilt for ages and your blocks have inspired me to give it ago sooner rather than later.

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  7. That "fit to page" button is evil... I'd love to be in a bee actually called The Unusual Bee, wouldn't you? All these projects are wonderful!

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  8. What beautiful blocks for all the bees!! Looks like you are having fun. Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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Thanks for commenting. I love hearing from you. Really!