Back to the Bee Blocks

So I managed to get Shannon's block finished. This is for the Let's Bee Together swap.  Isn't the fabric adorable?  She's got in in a variety of colors but I got to work with blue, my favorite.

The block pattern is called

ANTIQUE TILE

and Shannon chose it from Quilterscache.

I just couldn't resist taking more photos!

I have one more to show you as well.

This is August's bee block for the same swap above.

Let me tell you, I was nervous when I found out Colleen

wanted a WONKY star because, honestly, I have trouble

with wonky.  My brain almost refuses to function without symmetry!

But, I was grateful for a pattern I could follow to be sure it ended up being

the right size. So, here it is:

My first EVER wonky star!

I hope Colleen liked it.

A Nice Surprise & Honor

I am honored to have received the Versatile Blogger Award! This is my very first blogging award, so you can imagine my excitement. I received it from Linda of Stray Stitches and Marta of Polka Dot Classic. Be sure to pay them both a visit! Thank you gals so much!

So here's the rules to this award:
1- Thank and link back to the person who gave you the award.

2 - Share seven things about yourself on the post.
3- Pass the award to fifteen bloggers that you think deserve it.
4- Lastly, contact all of the bloggers that you've picked for the award

Seven things about me:
1) I'm not a great singer but that doesn't stop me from giving concerts in my car...to myself...at the top of my lungs.  It sounds pretty good to me, but I'm sure I look a tad silly!

2) I've been quilting for almost 5 years and had my first mishap with a rotary cutter just last saturday. Note to self, curl those fingers back and slowwwww down! I'll spare you the details...it wasn't pretty. And don't worry Shannon, your fabric was saved but your block will be late!

3) I am a tennis fan and a Roger Federer fanatic.

4) I like to play Guitar Hero with my 3 grown sons and am pretty good at it.  ; )

5) I am allergic to ALL fragrances and had to ban sprays and lotions from my high school classroom. That also means no air fresheners, scented candles or anything of the sort.  Thank goodness for all the unscented products available these days. 

6) I have an 8 year old grandson who was adopted at birth by a wonderful couple and have had the pleasure of remaining involved in his life through an open adoption. I am proud and grateful to be a part of this unique, special extended family!

7)  I have trouble being concise, hence the length of #1, 2, 5 and 6 above.

And it's my pleasure to pass on the award to the following bloggers who have inspired me, each in their own unique way with their blogs and encouraging me with their kind words.

Needles and Pins	Sew in Peace	Describe Happy
16 Muddy Feet	Love to Stitch	Naturally Carol
Quilting Dreams	Sheila's Quilt World	The House on the Side of the Hill
Cottage Tails	Jeannette's Place	Creative Confessions
Valentina's Corner	Birdie	The Confused Quilter

Happy Blogging!

Butterflies are Free to Fly

Finished!
(Update: Finally linking to Fabric Tuesdays over at Quiltstory)

the label...still not saying who it's going to  ; )

3D butterflies...

Fabric - Dream On...

By Urban Chiks...

...for Moda.

The complete top...

The back...

Ready to Fly Away

Bye-Bye

Yipes Stripes!!

I spent a few nights sewing down the binding on my Flutterby quilt all the while thinking how the green stripes (and the orange striped butterflies) reminded me of something from my childhood....anyone else remember...

I used to love that GUM.

Such yummy flavors!

Can you see the resemblance?

A little rainbow of fruity flavor.

I remember rolling up those gum sticks

before popping them in my mouth.

Even the wrappers were colorful and fun.

Been a carefree little trip down memory lane.

And I'm really happy to be finished with the binding.

I've designed a label, so all that's left is attaching it

and clipping some loose ends!

Thanks for stopping in!

Butterflies and Bias Binding

Took some time today to work on my Flutterby Quilt.

You'll see below, that the green stripe was the popular

favorite and that's what I decided to go with.

Here it is, ready to be turned, pinned and sewn down.

This is the first time I've done a BIAS binding

because I wanted those stripes on the diagonal.

I used this tutorial from My Sweet Prarie.

And it worked out fabulously!

And check this out...

I stuck the roll of binding in an empty

tissue box to keep it from rolling away

as I attached it.  I thought it was a pretty clever idea.  ; )



Anyway, here's some shots of the quilting too.

No time for FMQ so I just went with some

straight line and ditch quilting.

I used green thread for the quilting, but

honestly not sure I'm really happy with it.

But I do like the green quilting on the back.

Anyway, there it is.  Binding pinned and ready for a

few evenings of hand sewing.

In the meantime, I'm still in training for my new job

but should be getting students soon.

Also have an apartment lined up so my move date

is now settled, October 17th.

Lots to do before then!  But tomorrow is

Labor Day, so I'm taking a break from all of it.

Hope you all enjoy the holiday,