Trying to Choose...

I am participating in  the Oh My Stars! Quilt Along, hosted by Thought & Found.  I've pulled a bunch of polka dot fabric (my fav!) from my stash for this quilt:

But I'm having a hard time deciding what kind of stars I'd like to make, so I made a few samples.  Each of these blocks is 4.5", which will be a 4" finished block when the quilt top is sewn together...but the final layout of the quilt includes stars that are 8" and 12" (finished) too.

Left - scrappy star with white background
Middle - white star with scrappy background
Right - solid star with white background

Which style do you like best?  Or, should I use all three?  Hmmm...hard to decide..

Want to participate in the quilt along?  Visit Thought and Found's blog...or check out the Flickr pool for more info.

Thanks for your help!  =)

2011 Flickr Quilting Bees and Swaps

I discovered Flickr this year!  Oh, how I love Flickr!  I am addicted to the quilting bees and swaps that people host there.  It has been a fun year participating in the following bees/swaps:

3x6 Mini Sample Bee - Qtr 1, Qtr 2, and Qtr 3
4x5 Modern Quilt Block Bee - Qtr 3
Freedom Block Swap
Scrapbuster Swap
Blockwork Orange Swap
Teal We Meet Again Swap
Bowtie Block Swap
Embroider Bee
Tokyo Subway Map Swap
Oh My Stars! Quilt Along (just started at the end of 2011)

Here is a small sampling of some of the blocks I made (most of which have found happy homes across the world):

1. Freedom Block Swap - for Becky, 2. Feb Block #1 for Rene - Skyscraper, 3. 3x6 Bee 1st Qtr #6, 4. Tokyo Subway Map - Block 10, 5. Twice as Nice - March 2011 - Block 1, 6. Twice as Nice March 2011 - Block 3, 7. Twice as Nice Bee - April 2011, 8. Twice as Nice Bee - May 2011 - Block 1, 9. Twice as Nice Bee - June 2011, 10. 3x6 2nd Qtr Beehive 22, 11. Scrapbuster Swap - Round 3, 12. Modern Tree for Kreated by Kari, 13. Flying Geese Block 2 for h2ogirl76, 14. Scrappy Bow Tie Block Swap, 15. Twice as Nice Block 1 for CaKath - Courthouse Steps, 16. 3x6 Bee Angel Block for 2nd Qtr 2011 - for JenniRC, 17. 3x6 Bee - Hive 21 - 3rd Qtr - for mommaof4yoopers, 18. 3x6 Bee - 3rd Qtr - Hive 18 - for Mikibubb, 19. Teal We Meet Again Swap Blocks, 20. Embroider-Bee, Round 3, Hive 3, 21. Twice as Nice Bee - String X block for auntem1, 22. Alphabet Block - 'K' - for Lauren3385 - Twice as Nice Bee, 23. Twice as Nice Bee block for Butternutlake, 24. Scrappy Triangles for bittybirdquilts, 25. Oh My Stars! Quilt Along - Fabric Selection




I have many quilt blocks ready to be sewn into quilts now, thanks to the swaps and bees...and many quilt tops still awaiting completion from 2010.  I pulled a bunch out today so I can get them finished up...one of my resolutions for next year.  Perhaps I'll give them as Christmas gifts next year!  =)

Dr. Seuss Block - Freedom Block Swap

Finished my first block...for my first bee,

If you want...take a look-see

It was very fun

To finish number one

For my new friend Wendy and her boys

For reading books or playing with toys

To all my friends in blogland out there

Have a good day...everywhere!

Bees, Bees, and More Bees!

I think my favorite thing about quilting is swapping quilt blocks with other people. I love the thought of making something for someone else...probably why most of my quilts end up as gifts for other people. :) It's also very exciting to see what kind of quilt block I'm going to get in return...I've never been disappointed. I've participated in several swaps through my local quilt group, and also swaps of fabric or projects across the country in the past, but I recently discovered online quilting bees...and I love them! I've signed up for several quilting bees and I've already started working on the blocks. I'll post them as I finish them. Here are the bees I'm participating in:

Freedom Block Swap - Round 3. Each participant sends fabric to the other participants and then each participant makes a 12.5" block and sends it back by March 15th...so you end up with a bunch of different blocks using fabrics you selected. I sent different combinations of these fabrics from the Sunkissed fabric line by Sweetwater for Moda to the other 16 people in my group:Twice as Nice Bee - each person makes two blocks per month for one year. We focus on one member each month. That person sends out fabric and instructions for the type of blocks they'd like to receive in return. The first month will be February and it will be all different types of houses...I haven't received my assignment, but I'm excited to get it because it will stretch me and my creativity...just what I want!

[3x6] Sampler Quilt Mini Bee - each person makes one 12.5" block for the others in the group, using fabrics from your own stash, and based on the other person's requested color choices. I was just assigned to a group as a fill-in for someone that couldn't participate. I chose pink, orange, brown, and white as my colors. All the blocks that I make for the others will be the same, but just with different fabrics...and they need to be done by March 15th.

Civil War Quilts 2011 - this is one to work on just for yourself. Every Saturday a new block is posted (actually a link to Barbara's site where she's discussing the 150th anniversary of the Civil War). I have completed the following 8.5" blocks:

This is Week 1 - Catch Me If You Can

This is Week 2 - North Star - I must not have followed the directions very good, because my points will be cut off if I sew this into a quilt top. I may try again.

This is Week 4 - Texas Tears - I loved making this block! It was fun and went together so quickly!

You probably notice that Week 3 is missing. It's applique and hasn't been finished yet. It's called 7 Sisters, I believe...7 stars on an 8.5" square.

If you're interested in bees...check out any of my links above...Quilting Bee Blocks lists upcoming quilting bees you can join...and they have a blog that's pretty cool, too.