169: the buzz and a bee

New plan.

Get motivated.

Now that one be-lazy-at-home-enjoying-family holiday is behind us, it's clear the next is rapidly approaching.  And there is A LOT to get done before then.  So my new plan is to stop wasting time and be uber-productive for the next few weeks.

We'll see how that goes.

Anyway, I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving.  We sure did.  But, now my need to get back on the Weight Watchers bandwagon is almost imperative.  At least if I plan on wearing a bikini in Hawaii this winter...

So, as you may or may not know, my sewing roots are in quilting (I've got to do a blog post on that sometime) and I've finally joined a virtual quilting bee.  I know....took me long enough.

I decided I need a smaller scale project to do just for fun.  I love the idea of doing something that's not actual work.  

Do you know how these work?  Somewhere around 12 sewists sign up for a year long commitment.  Each month it's someone's turn and they send out the fabric of their choice along with some directions for the type of block they're looking for.  Each member sews at least one block and sends it back.  And once during the year it gets to be your turn.  Love it!  And most have groups on flickr for everyone to see.

I was lucky enough to get into a bee already running: Busy Bees.  I took someone's place that had to leave.  It's a bunch of talented ladies and I'm so glad to be a part of it.

So these are my first blocks.  She wanted hexes and sent some Dolce and solid strips.  They're made up patterns that I paper-pieced.  I had a a lot of fun.  

Now we take a break for december, but I'll be back in the new year with more to share.  I'm happy to be doing a bit more quilting, and it's fun to have a specific challenge to work towards. 

I could totally see doing more of these so if you're a memeber of a cool modern bee (like say {Bee} Imaginative...) that is open to new members, please let me know!

 And on a side note, I'll be hosting the blog tour of Little Girls, Big Style by my friend Mary Abreu on Dec. 8th.  It's an awesome book that anyone sewing for a little girl should have on their resource shelf.  So if you want the chance to win a copy, stop back in a few days.

JT

 

Comments

[Lori Porten]

I love the colors you used in the blocks and I love the hexagons! I love quilting but I have trouble getting things so exact so my quilts tend to be a little more free form if you will....:)

[Lynne]

These blocks are just so perfect - I keep coming back to them and marvelling at the design, the shapes and the precision of your piecing. Just fabulous. I can't wait to see them in the flesh, I mean in the fabric!

[Tina in Boston]

These blocks look great! They are so neat and I love the colors.

[Rachael]

Well, I've put that book on my wishlist in case I miss/don't win the giveaway!

I like specific challenges, too. I sometimes feel like I can be more productive when there is a specific task...except for Christmas gifts. For some reason I am never productive on those. LOL