I can't wait until August :o)

I thought I'd give a sneak peak to what I plan for August, when it's my turn to pick the block.  I love the wonky log cabin tutorial that John, aka Quilt Dad has created.  I think these are tiny napkins?  but they are hand embroidered and are linen.  They will make fantastic centers to the log cabin blocks.  Don't ya think?

~Kristy

Jan & Feb blocks for group 2

I've just finished both my January and February blocks for group 2.  This was my first experience working with linen and I've found a new love!  January's blocks belong to Chris/lightbluequilt.  We used the fabulous wonky star tutorial from over at Silly BooDilly.  It is one of my favorite blocks to make, as you can see in my flickr photostream.  

February's block belongs to Franswimmer and we used a great Dutchman's Puzzle tutorial over at Modify Tradition.  I like the option to waste some fabric when making flying geese, simply because I'm a perfectionist and any other way I've tried to make them turns out in disaster.

~Kristy

For Alexandra in the Lovely Linen Bee

For Alexandra in the Lovely Linen Bee
Originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes

This block was so much fun. I love the simplicity of it, the way you trim as you go (minimizes mistakes and makes everything uniform) and the way your eye is drawn across the blocks. So stunning!

Thanks for the fabulous idea, Alex! I started cutting into my scraps today to make my own, although I might use a solid cotton or flannel instead of linen. Not sure yet...

A strip for Alexandra

Alexandra is going to have a beautiful quilt from the strips that Linen Bee 1 are making for her. This was the first time I have made this block/strip. I think it will make a beautiful quilt for her bed. I look forward to seeing it done. Great choice Alexandra!!

Group 1 - February

The fabric is in the mail! I will admit that I just went through my stash pulling what I thought might work, then pared it down. I did have a panic moment where I thought things looked a hot mess, but I think the fabrics work together. I ended up picking soft blues, greens, yellows, and reds with punches black. There are a few pieces that I would like for you to definitely use: black linen, red linen, red/orange argyle. Please pull from your scraps if you have something that would look good. :) Solids or prints are fine. Also, please send back any unused linen.

I'm going to make these into a queen sized quilt, approx. 83" x 96". I would like for each person to make a row (83" wide) or as much of a row as you can stand making! I know 83" is a lot and I will be very happy with whatever you send me. :)

I'm ok with a little wonkiness, but please try to make your blocks as square (90 degree angles) as possible.

In your package you should have 1 piece of linen that is 8" x 23", one piece of linen that is 8" x 46", and lots of little rectangles.

*These directions have been included with your fabric, but a few points have been changed slightly and it won't make a difference which directions you use*

The "block"

finished size: 8.5" x between 40" and 83"

1. Take your linen (8" x 46") and cut it in half so that you have 2 pieces that are 8" x 23" (3 total).

2. Take one of the 8" x 23" pieces and cut it in half so that you now have 2 pieces that are 4" x 23"

* We are going to be working with 2 sets: tall color pieces (that use the linen from step 2) and short color pieces (that use the linen from step 1).

3. Look at your cotton fabrics. You may want to set some aside to be tall and take others to be shorter pieces (cut them as you see fit). The ones I sent you are between 1.5"-3" wide and 4"-7" tall.

4. Take the shorter pieces (under 6" tall) and sew them to the 8" linen in a string piecing method (see picture). It's best if your pieces are touching, but not overlapping.

5. Repeat with your taller pieces (6" or more) and the 4" tall linen.
6. Press seams toward cotton. Use your rotary cutter & ruler to trim them apart. 

7. Now take any 2 (perhaps a tall & short?) and place them right sides together. You're going to want to make sure that the horizontal seams DO NOT line up. Sew. Press seam however you like. Repeat...

8. Sew together 2 pairs. Press seam. Repeat...

* Once you have about 8 pieces sewn together (about 18" wide) you're going to trim it to 8.5" tall. It's easier to trim now than at the end. 

10. Sew together these trimmed blocks, this time making sure that the top & bottom are aligned. 

11. Repeat until you have a row! Or until you are burned out! :) I made it to about 50" wide in just over an hour (with documentation).

I am very happy with how this is looking! I made a collage in Photoshop, but I'm not going to share it because I want to final quilt to be a surprise!

Siggy block

So this may sound strange: I want you to sign one of the cotton fabric pieces in your row. It can have a print or be a solid. Be one of my fabrics or yours.  Big or small.

Butterflies for Jodi

Butterflies for Jodi
Originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes

Re-done! I had my butterflies assembled the wrong way... Got some more pink linen & finished up!

Butterflies for Jodi

Butterflies for Jodi in The Lovely Linen Bee
Originally uploaded by nkiblueeyes

The pattern Jodi chose is from Mrs. Schmenkman's Butterfly Tutorial.

The pink background is linen. We're all supposed to sign one butterfly on the yellow body portion.

If you haven't made these before, you should check it out! One of my very favorite blocks.

Santa

Will Santa be bringing you guys any fun stuff this year?

Any fabric?

Any linen?

Santa let me shop early this year.  I spent more than my share this year back in the fall on a (used) Bernina and many accessories to go with it...  Hubs got an IPad, so I felt less guilt after that...

I am expecting some fabric from my sister and a dozen bobbins for my new machine from my mom.  I've been making ends meet with 6 bobbins and it's so annoying to need another color bobbin and not have an empty one...

I've been sewing some zippered bags for gifts for my nieces and nephew.  Here are a couple pictures:

Have you guys made any fun crafts this holiday season?  If so, share!

Our bee will start soon and I don't know about you, but I'm getting excited!

Finding Inspiration

Just a few short months ago I never would have given using linen in a quilt a second thought. I was a cotton snob and that is all I would consider. Then I went looking for a quilting bee to help occupy my time and give me a reason to try different things. After finding and joining a couple bees I got an invite to the Lovely Linen Bee. At first I thought I might pass, after all I'd never sewn a quilt with linen before. Then I started to look around flickr and the blogosphere and found a lot of beautiful items using linen. The more I looked the more I loved about it, so I happily accepted the invite and have been waiting in anticipation of the first project to begin.

While waiting for the first month of our bee to start I've been collecting links and pictures of quilts that inspire me. The more I see the more I love and thanks to all the wonderful people who take the time to share their work, I've found tons of inspiration and reasons to love linen.

1. Field Day Linen Quilt with Striped Binding, 2. Modern Linen Quilt, 3. Mini-Pinwheel Quilt, 4. Spring Quilt, 5. Katie Jump Rope and linen pillow, 6. mini quilt sparkle binding, 7. Quilt for baby Britton, 8. Art quilt, 9. Vespa Quilt Finished, 10. UHG item #2 - hotpad, 11. G&H's Wedding Quilt back, 12. Close up of Quilting, 13. Spiderweb Mini Quilt, 14. Modern Linen Quilt - Front, 15. Pop Flower Quilt - Urban Home Goods Swap - starting to quilt, 16. Pacific NW calm quilt top, 17. Mini Quilt Sparkle, 18. purple green orange quilt, 19. Flutterby reversible mini quilt, 20. mini quilt

Noodlehead's Lovely Linen Coasters

I just love the stuff that Anna at Noodlehead does. She just posted this linen coaster set. So cool! I can hardly wait until we start our BEE!!!!!

http://noodleheads.blogspot.com/2010/11/i-heart-linen-coaster-set.html