TRELLIS CROSSROADS

A Popular Block Indeed!!

I have to say that when I first started my journey on this quilt bee, I wasn't really prepared for what it was going to entail or for the vast amount of talent, vision and creativity that I was going to come across. On first glance through the book there were quite a few that really didn't appeal to me, in fact out of the 12 possible blocks there were only 2 that really caught my eye. I started to think that I wasn't going to enjoy this at all and maybe had made a mistake in committing myself to not one but two quilt bees!! Luckily I couldn't have been more wrong, I have learnt so much from being part of this wonderful experience about fabric choices, color combinations and block choices. My eyes have truly been opened. 

One such block that really didn't appeal to me initially was the block for September - Trellis Crossroads, made for the purpose of this book by Jessica Kelly you can see her blog and her thoughts on her block/bee experience by clicking on her name.

This block has been a popular choice in a number of quilt bees all over the world, each one looking completely different to any other, some people used batiks or brightly colored prints whilst others have favored more muted, pastel tones.

I had to make 2 of these blocks recently, one in purple and blue florals and the other in black and white. The process is relatively straight forward and the instructions - when you work out what is needed for only one person rather than twelve - are well set out.

To start with you need to cut your selected fabrics into rectangles 2 3/4" x 5" and sew them together in groups of four, they then get cut in half so you have 2 columns of the same print measuring 2 1/2" x 2 3/4", the trick is to mix them up in such a way that when stitched together the same prints don't meet at the corners.

As well as the prints or 'main' fabrics, there is a background fabric to contend with - 1 long strip and 1 square which gets cut in half! One column of printed squares is attached to either side of the background strip and the square - now cut in half to make triangles- is attached to the middle of the printed squares...... admit it, I've lost you?! I've lost myself to but as they are not my instructions to share I thoroughly recommend you buy the book..... it explains all.

I escaped with only a mild disaster.......

Once everything is attached each section needs to be squared up to  6 3/4" by lining the 45 degree line of the ruler directly in the middle of the center strip, thankfully I had my wing woman - Kerry Q on hand to talk me through the muddle.

And then all the squares came together wonderfully and the blocks went together in a jiffy

Kerry Q also had to make Trellis Crossroads for her Queen Bee this month in lovely shades of pink and grey, it always goes so much better when you have a friend to talk it through with.

TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR

Christmas Bee Round Up

WIP Wednesday was super productive not only did I manage to complete two Bee blocks, but I also got some work done on a secret project for a special little monkey! Smug smile and own back pats coming up!!

First up is the completed Triple Star block that I made for Gemma, she had very specific color choices and color placements as these blocks are intended for a particular place in her house. Although some of the pieces are really small the block itself comes together really nicely and the finished product looks really good.

Next up is my absolute favorite.....Cordelia's Garden, this time in a modern Christmas theme!! 

Kona snow was the requested background color, I got mine from the fabulous Plush Addict, if you haven't checked them out you really should, they have a fantastic range of just about everything and their service is really fast. Most of the work for this block is in making the half triangle squares, after that it is just a case of sewing all the squares together.

I just love this block so much, I know I say it a lot but I really really do, no matter what the colors or patterns of the fabric are it just looks great!

I also had a new challenge this month in the form of Ziggy Stardust, Kona white and a jewel color of my choice were the requirements for this one.

Again with this block there are a number of little pieces that make the start of it quite fiddley but they do result in such a cute little star that is the focal point for this block.

I am really happy with this little star, it is my first attempt at this block and I managed to match the points and the seams up rather well. After putting the star together the rest of block comes together in minutes as all the other pieces are larger and just various sized rectangles. 

I loved making all these blocks, I mean come on who doesn't like twinkling stars?!

Happy Quilting

Kerry xx

AROUND THE WORLD BLOG HOP.....

The Makings of An Autumn Triple Star!!

I have been tagged in the Around the Blog World by my fellow Bee member Pam, over on Sewing Wilde all the way from Western New York. If you haven't yet seen Pam's blog make sure you check it out, she has some wonderful tutorials on there and many inspirational projects to keep you entertained over these horrid cold evenings!!

As I didn't get any responses back from the people around the world I asked if I could tag, I am going to have to bully my quilting bestie Kerry Q into it, since I know she has some fab projects on the go right now....she's going to kill me, so this will probably be my last post!!

Ok, here we go

1. What are you working on?

I have a few projects on the go right now, as I always do because so many things catch my eye that I simply can not focus on one project at a time, from start to finish. I have three baby quilts on the go and another one that needs starting, a really cute advent calendar (dear Lord it's almost that time again), an idea for a macho man quilt and a multitude of Bee Blocks.

This month is the turn of the lovely Gemma, who is currently suffering from baby brain, to be Queen Bee. She chose the Triple Star as her block and sent out a fab array of reds, beiges and browns for us to use.

Once I had cut down the fabrics to the sizes and shapes that were needed, each beige square had to be sewn to a red or brown square depending on where in the star it was going, thus forming a multitude of half square triangles....

The squares then need to be trimmed down and sewn together in order to build up each section, eventually forming the points of the stars.

2. How does my work differ from others?

It is entirely made up of fabrics, colors and patterns that I like, even if I am making it for someone else!?! I have to say I am not very good at following a pattern, I do tend to start at the bit I like the most, even if it is in the middle or in fact the end of the instructions. And try as I might I simply can not move away from turquoise! So you will know it is my work because without fail there will be some turquoise in there somewhere....even if it is pink and girly!

3. Why do I do what I do?

To stop myself from going completely mad, to hide away from the rest of life which isn't always very nice! I just love to be creative and make things, I have a real disease when it comes to fabric, so really quilting is just a disguise. I enjoy the challenges quilting presents, although I don't always come off the better for it!

4. How does my creative process work?

It's very simple really, I find something that makes me go "ooooooooooooo" and I go from there, it could be a pattern or design, a color palette, a piece of fabric or collection of fabrics or a person or occasion. I think the most important thing is to be inspired by what you are doing, to have something constantly on your mind that you just can't wait to carry on with or develop further.

Usually my process starts with finding "that" fabric.....you know the one!

Happy Quilting

Kerry xx

BACK IN BUSINESS........

Quilt Bee Round Up!!

It's been an age since I have managed to get on here and write a post, life just seems to have exploded and taken over everything. I haven't been near my poor machine in weeks, I am fairly sure it has forgotten what I look like and I think I've actually been having with drawl symptoms!! 

I haven't been completely idol, see what you think.....

First up was Trellis Crossroads in black and grey with a Kona White background. The cutting instructions were really simply to follow and it actually comes together fairly quickly, which appeals to me immensely!

The trouble I had was cutting the blocks down to size! They had to be lined up on a funny angle in my opinion and I did have to redo a few of them!! But I got there in the end!

Making another appearance is the Quilt Bee favorite Stacked Windmills, in 50 Shades of Grey and a pink middle. This is still the most common block I have been asked to make in both of the Quilt Bees I am in.

Next up is Cordelia's Garden, this one has been my favorite from the very beginning, so much so that it is the block I have chosen for my month of being Queen in both of my Quilt Bees!! This one however was made for some other lucky lady....

Finally we have a Triple Star, which as it turns out is exactly what it says on the tin....

Some of these pieces were so teeny weeny, having been cut down to and inch or so, it was quite a fiddle to get that center star all lined up, but well worth the extra effort.

As the outer stars were added on it got bigger and bigger, I have to say it wasn't a block I was very taken with when I first looked through the book, but having now made it, I may just have to make a few more!!

That is a round up of all I have been up to, I look forward to sharing with you the many, many, many, far to many things I have on the go at the moment.

Happy Quilting
Kerry xx

BEE-UTIFUL STACKED WINDMILLS

Tricky Business....

This block is fast becoming a favourite in the Quilting Bee community, so far it is the most popular block to be chosen in both of my current Quilting Bees, bringing my total made to 4!! I do love making this block and each time seeing the differences that fabric choices and placements can make.

First up was "Radiant Orchid", Pantone's colour of the year and Rachel's colour choice of the month, the rest was completely up to our own imagination and creativity....pink, grey and floral what's not to love??

I had a few hiccups with the centre of this one, trying to get those blessed points to match up, hence the unpicked stitches....grrrrrrrrr

But I got there in the end. So feeling confident and some what pleased with myself I thought well why not crack on with the other one?? If I had known how much this second one was going to misbehave I would have invested in a good bottle (or 3) of Rose before I started. 

The recipient of this block sent across her own instructions and asked that we use those instead of the book, she sent very clear links to various websites, which were easy to navigate, but for some reason I just could not get on with this one.

A square within a square...simple enough concept, cut a big square, cut four smaller squares, sew them in the corners cut off the excess leaving 1/4 seam allowance. I could get this far then all sense appeared to leave me....

I managed to do this 3 times!!!! Before sense found me again

A multitude of half square triangles, colourful language, blue smoke and wasted fabric later things were starting to take shape

I played around with a couple of colours for the 'center ring', originally I had florals but it was just to much, a darker blue really changed the whole look of the block and wasn't what Isobel was after so in the end I decided on the very pale green with a subtle leaf design. This is the end result an English Summer Garden for a very worthy cause, the intended friend this quilt is going to recently lost her husband to tragic circumstance, hopefully this quilt that Isobel is putting together will go a little way to making her feel better.

Something else I really enjoy about creating the same block is fabric choice and placements, in both blocks I used Robert Kaufman Modern Bliss in grey you can buy yours here, it really is such a great fabric to work with and so very versatile as well. It lifted up the pale florals in the English Garden block, yet made the bright pink pop in Radiant Orchid! You may have noticed that I have also been using it in some of the blocks I have done for the Nautical Quilt.

As always we love to hear from you, please leave us comments or email us with your thoughts, feedback and guidance.

Happy Quilting

Kerry xx