On their merry way...

I wrote an exam yesterday morning. I can't tell you the relief it brings me when I finish one of those buggers! It means I have a week off from studying and can sew and cook and relax guilt-free. Bliss!

So what am I doing with all my time? We went to the art gallery yesterday afternoon, then out to dinner. With a full belly, I came home and had a deep 2.5hr nap (heaven). In the sewing department, my test block for the bee is finished, packages for bee members are at the post office and February block for Michelle is complete.

The block above is my test block. It's huge! I asked for 20"x20" blocks which I feel a little bit bad about, but it was really quick going together. If the blocks were any smaller, it wouldn't really make a lot of sense since larger blocks of solids will be included. This was a lot of fun to make. No pattern, no rules - just squares and rectangles. I just cut and sewed, cut more and sewed more trying not to worry about values and weights - a little of a challenge for me!

The block above is Michelle's bee block. She is making this pattern from Lecien. I think it's going to be so great with all of those saturated colors she chose.

Have a great week!

~Sara

Ready.

I am so very, very excited for my month in Sew Modern Bee! Donna and I began this Bee journey in May of last year so it's been quite the wait for our turns to roll around. Donna is on deck for April and I am up next in March. I've been searching high and low through the millions of quilts online for the perfect inspiration quilt (good thing we've had since last May!) and just a few weeks ago stumbled upon this beauty. The search was over. All of the fabrics are packaged up and just waiting for mailing labels. I just can't wait to see what the ladies in the Bee come up with!

~Sara

Catching Up

Wow! How I have missed this part of my life! I've been quiet on the blog for the past while and I feel like I have a good excuse. I'm doing an accounting designation and that is taking up whatever time I have left after working full time and being the mom of a busy middleschooler. I've sang the praises of this quilting bee before, but had it not been for this bee, I wouldn't have forced myself to take a bit of time out for something I LOVE and MISS dearly.

September blocks are finally finished. Almost two weeks late, but finished and ready to be mailed out. October blocks are also finished which I am relieved about. When I saw the blocks that Cilvee chose, I have to admit, I was seriously nervous but I had no reason to be. These were some of the more fun blocks I've sewn in my block sewing career! They come together quite easily and quickly.

So there. I'm caught up in the quilting bee world. Now to catch up in the studying world! Will I ever be caught up on all fronts? Probably not!

Until next time...

~Sara

Sara's August Blocks

Thank you, Alison! This was exactly what I needed for a busy August. Something I knew how to do and love doing. Can't wait to see this quilt together. As a matter of fact, I am anxious to see all of the bee quilts so far, together!

Hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful summer we're having!

~Sara

Sara's July Blocks

Finished and in the mail on time, thank you very much! My comfort zone was certainly streeeetched this time around...circles and handstitching.

I had been wanting to try my hand at circles of some sort for a while now, so this was just the push I needed. Not sure I'll rush in to my sewing space and start a king size quilt like this, but happy I tried it at least!

This Bee is fun! If you're not already in one, I recommend seeing about getting yourself involved. New fabric and techniques each month for a whole year! What's not to love?

~Sara

Sara's Late June Block

First things first, I am so sorry I am late on this one, Arianne. Life got in the way. I was hoping this Bee would get me in front of my machine a lot more, but so far that isn't the case! If it's any consolation, I have July's block half complete. It requires some hand stitching (yikes!) for which I don't have the right color floss yet. Note to self: get proper floss before weekend and finish block ON TIME. At any rate, here is my June block for Arianne...for better or worse:

I hope to be back in this special space soon!

xo,

~Sara

So long, Marianne!

I couldn't stop singing Leonard Cohen when I was making this block! Marianne, do you know that one? This is my take on the May block for the Sew Modern Bee, which is making it's way across the country to Marianne as I type.

Marianne had some crosses in her inspiration mosaic which inspired me, but I couldn't manage to get them wonky like I'd hoped. How does one achieve the wonky and still meet the required measurements?

I should also mention how much I loved this line of fabrics, especially the green and blue prints I put in the block.

I'm really quite surprised with myself that I have the May block done and in the mail and it's still April! Let's hope I can keep up this keener attitude for the duration of the Bee!

~Sara

Edited to add: Here is the answer to my question! So much easier than what I put myself through!