Saturday, November 24, 2012

Bee Finished

Well, it isn't long now until the end of the year and I'm pleased to say that I kept my bee commitments and made 24 blocks (21 for other people) in two bees this year. That's it for me, at least for now. I've got four quilts (or parts of quilts) worth of bee blocks in my sewing room and I won't sign up for any more bees until I've done something with them!

To re-cap, here are the blocks (below) that I enjoyed making for the Stash Trad Bee. The idea behind this one, started by Lynne, was to make traditional blocks from our stash of modern fabrics, using a specific background colour decided by the 'person of the month'.  There were several personnel changes throughout this bee, but I enjoyed meeting a few new people and making blocks for some great flickr & blog friends.

Stash Trad blocks by Poppyprint 2013

The Pine Tree block in the bottom right corner is the one I made as an example for my own month. I am most excited about putting this quilt together. The Pine Tree block has always been one of my absolute favourite traditional blocks and I had everyone make a single colour scrappy tree for me. It's going to be a rainbow forest when it's together....of course I want to make six more blocks for a layout of 18 blocks sashed on point.  I hope to work on that over a weekend retreat with friends in early March.

The second bee was very different. The group was put together by Lynne again and for a few of us, the concept was a real stretch!  The Free Bee meant free-piecing, improvisational quilt blocks. Some members (myself included) showed a photo for inspiration and included colour suggestions, others used inspiring quilts made by other artists/quilters as a starting point, one person chose a theme of urban landscapes and another Provencal doors & windows.  It was a lot of fun! We made a triangle block, a curvy strip block, square blocks & rectangle blocks.  

Free Bee Blocks by Poppyprint 2012

Looking at the mosaic, I guess most people chose solid or hand dyed fabrics for their month. Improv piecing is exciting (you never know what you're going to end up with!), but also not as easy as it looks. Random can be rascally. And mixing a bunch of colours together is tricky for ye of little colour theory!

So, that's it. I bee done.

And now friends, I will share with you that this is post #499 for me. Yup, it's taken me three years to get here, but my next post will make it an even 500!! That calls for a giveaway and here's a hint: I'll share something I've recently made. It's been published. It's adorable. It should arrive at the winner's home just in time to add some holiday decor. Followers will get a second entry, so come back Monday for your chance to WIN!

18 comments:

Leanne said...

You have made the most amazing bee blocks this year, the one for me is one of my most favourites. It is so nice to see them all together like this and I think your quilts will be beautiful!

♥Duff said...

what a nice mix of traditional and modern blocks as well as color choices. Kudos to you for finishing so many bee blocks & I look forward to seeing your finished forest!

Susan said...

Your on-point rainbow forest is going to be great! Good for you stretching your sewing skills this year!

Charlotte said...

gorgeous blocks!!! And wow - 499 posts!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Awesome blocks missus - I'll be back for the 500 - have a great Sunday xxx

WandaFish said...

It's lovely to see all your bee blocks together - such beautiful work!
I look forward to seeing the completed quilts, especially your rainbow forest :)

M-R Charbonneau said...

Beautiful work, Krista! Very cool to see all the blocks together!

Elsa said...

All of your bee blocks are wonderful ~ I especially like the top ones. I'm with you on the improv blocks ~ they can be difficult. I've done them, but don't always like doing them.
I've always wanted to be part of a bee but the people I know poo poo it (silly people).
How exciting to be at 500 posts!

paulette said...

You have BEEn busy!! Nothing like reaching your goal! Love it! Wow..#499 Posts!! When you first started out did you realize that you had so much to say...and I mean this in a good way!! haha Such words of wisdom!!
I'll be back for #500...with bells on!!
P

stitchinpenny said...

Love the blocks, but I am not a bee person. I would be distraught fearing that someone would be disappointed with my block.

Jo Ann said...

Those blocks are amazing! Free piecing scares me. I can not imagine free piecing for others! Way to go.

Tracey Jacobsen said...

celebrating the end of bee blocks is sweet! Woo hoo!!!
Can't wait to see what you do with your bee quilts! (I have a couple to finish myself!). :)

Kirsty @ Bonjour Quilts said...

Wow, what an impressive grand total for the year. I like the look of improv but I must admit that symmetry (or carefully planned asymmetry) are still my favourite. Some of those blocks in your first group are really calling to me. Thank you for the introduction!

dutchcomfort said...

You’ve been busy Krista!
I love this post with all the bee blocks and I guess I will shamelessly copy your idea!

Dianne said...

BEEutiful blocks Krista! I can hardly wait to see your Pin Tree quilt come together at MIR. Congrats on reaching 499 posts and if you are giving what I think you are thinking of giving someone is going to be very lucky! I hope it's ME!!

MulticoloredPieces said...

Hi, Krista. Bees can produce such interesting results. I especially like the improv pieced theme because it's more challenging, although I can see how it might be a bit more difficult to pull together. Congratulations on your 500th post! And have a happy holiday season with lots of stitching!
best, nadia

Katy Cameron said...

Those have both been fab, love the variety you've created :o)

jeifner said...

Ha! I bee done-love it :)