Blocks I have made for my Bee Groups

Here are some of the recent blocks I have made for the past several months at the request of the monthly Queen Bees:

I forgot to take the picture after I added the middle circle!!

Some of these may be repeats, but I couldn't remember what I had posted already!  You can find these blocks and more in The Modern Block Book.



Pinwheels top finally done!!

It took forever, but I finally finished the top.  This was a quilt along with Pinwheels in the Park on Flickr.  I can't wait to have it quilted and use it.  My friends always ask who the quilts are for that I make.  They keep being made for me because I love the fabrics too much.  I need to start using fabrics I am not in love with and then I can give them away. Until then, they are all MINE!!  Can anyone tell that I am an only child??

Stick a fork in me.....I am done!!!

Voo Doo doughnuts in Portland, OR

This has been me for the last few months.  There has been a lot on my plate and I kept denying that is was bothering me at all.  Until I noticed something......dust on my sewing machine.  I don't sew every day, but I sew several days a month.  I was cruising through blocks and projects and then everything just stopped.  Now, this is no new post - and one that has been shared by numerous individuals time and time again.  However, I find it very therapeutic to say it out loud.  I over committed in my private life, I was volunteered and over commited by my job and I WAY over committed myself in my sewing life. 

I came back on a high from the Sewing Summit and hit the ground running.  I also met a ton of COOL girls who had such great blogs, readership, etc.  I suddenly found myself desiring the same thing.  What I did not consider is to do one thing more means other things must decrease.  Instead, I attempted to do it all.  I began sewing what others were doing or what seemed the popular thing to do.  The dust on my machine spoke so much to me.....I stopped sewing what I wanted to make and started striving to be other people.  We all do this in so many aspects of our lives, so it isn't anything new I am talking about here.  My coworkers started asking when I would bring in more of my sewing items.  I cringed every time someone at work/friends asked me to make something (which isn't me!!).

So - I went into my craft room and threw out half the projects I had on papers and only kept the ones I really wanted to make.  I have a few more commitments to follow through on - and then I will stop committing to every thing under the sun.  I also realized all the cool people I have met and who have thousands of followers......they are wonderful people with truly awesome abilities to sew and reach people....and that is not my lot in life.  AND - that's ok.  The fact that even one person out there finds my crafting remotely interesting is like having thousands of followers :).

Since letting go and prioritizing my machine has begun to make noise and my awesome new craft room built by the hubs is being used as it should.....to bring me joy.  My job as an Oncology Social Worker has days that include cancer patients being evicted or houses foreclosed on, the horror of watching a disease alter relationships and lives and the unpredictable moments of death.  Sewing allows my mind to process the things I witness and to make peace with the things I have been unable to bring about change for my clients each day.  I find joy and smiles when I make something.  I find peace in the sound of my machine and the consistent up and down motion of my needle.  I find love in the finished products I make or in the items made by others through swaps.  AND that is what I need to be reminded of daily..... I am a pretty awesome girl with a fun hobby that includes a community of pretty awesome women across the world.  Let me remember to focus on that when life makes me feel like a voo doo doughnut (although - I would be pretty tasty...wink).



Books and Blocks Bee Button

<a href=" http://www.flickr.com/groups/1917458@N23/ " target="_blank"><img alt="Books and Blocks Bee"src=" http://i1241.photobucket.com/albums/gg501/punkrockertracey1/BlocksandBooksBee.jpg "/></a>

This is the first button I have ever made and I could NEVER have done it without the two fabulous tutorials on Ellison Lane Quilts.  If you need any type of button - she is the gal to see!!  Girls in my Bee - feel free to grab this button.  It is small enough for blog posts or for sidebars.  If you have problems with the code or it works incorrectly - let me know.  As I said - this is my first button!

On another topic - I have been missing in action for about a month.  Some of the reasons include a birthday vacation (nice!!), work is CRAZY right now, a new yoga workout buddy to attend classes with me and a little loss of my sewing mojo.  I have a post about the mojo topic coming soon.  I am really looking for some feedback and would appreciate some insight from all of you!  I will try to post that in the next few days.

Smarty Girl Bag

My mom wanted to make the Heather Bailey Smarty Girl bag and so I made one as we made hers.  I, of course, used the Outfoxed fabrics with Anna Maria Horner, because that is all that I can seem to use!!

Meal Planning Board

I have been looking all over Pinterest for a meal planner but couldn't quite find what I wanted.  So, mom and I went to JoAnn and found our own supplies and made a board.  I absolutely love it and hope the board will be useful for us!!

Books and Blocks Bee

I started one last round of Books and Blocks Bee based on the book Modern Blocks. We will take up to 9 more people and make the block/blocks of your choice for your month.  Not too much commitment as you only have to make a block a month.  Consider joining us in the fun!!
You have to request to join through Flickr.  Here is the LINK.  Let's try to get this group up and running for these ladies who would like to join.  Even if you can't make another commitment, consider mentioning this on your blog to get it filled.  Thanks!!

Solistice Star - The Ribbon Star

This block was too much fun. I finished it quickly and wanted to crank out a ton more.  I love these fabrics too.  Find more about the Solistace Stars here!

Sew.Happy.Quilt QAL

This quilt along has been a blast.  I have had such a fun time pushing myself to learn more techniques and fun blocks.  This blog introduced me to Starch and I have never had so much fun.  Plus it makes my craft room smell good!!!

In Color Order BOM

Loving this Block of the Month.  Join in the fun!!  The BOM is all around Half Square Triangles.  Here is January's block.  Want to join.... In Color order and the intro is here:

Yesterday I was too late to get into CityStitches Bee based on blocks from the Modern Blocks book that has 99 blocks made by incredible people. Well, CityStitches graciously offered to lead someone in how to lead a Bee to allow others to participate. I volunteered and there is still room. I am willing to lead up to two groups. I am posting from my IPhone so this will be a fast post. Find the group at Books and Blocks Bee you will find us. There are 8 spots left right now for the first group. Come sign up and buy the book!!

Craftsy BOM

It makes me laugh to say BOM instead of Block of the Month.  I am guessing that means I have a warped sense of humor or may be trapped in the body of a 6th grader.  Here are the two blocks I made from the Craftsy Block of the Month.  It is not too late to join in and a blast to make.  We made a Asterisk and a Wonky block.  I am additcted to the wonky block and may want to make a whole quilt with this fun block.  The materials are a gray Bella solid and Tula Pink Prince Charming.

Come join the fun on craftsy!

Japanese x and + Blocks

I joined a swap awhile back and the swap date is quickly approaching.  I have 2 - almost 3 done.  Now I finally have a rhythm down and will be attempting to complete all the blocks I plan to make and swap.  That is the only problem....how many to make and swap!!

Want to make a block yourself?  Find a tutorial on badskirt Amy's blog!!

Lilly Apron Pattern

If you like aprons and haven't made this one yet, you need to!!  I just need to stop making them for friends and make one for myself!  Here is the latest one for a friend:

My first mini quilt

I have started my first mini quilt.  I am still in the process of quilting and binding the quilt.  This could be my favorite thing I have ever made to this point.  Well, outside of aprons, bags, quilt blocks, etc. :)

You can buy the kit with different fabrics from what I used at a local store here in Dallas.  If you would like one, check out Quilt Asylum's website.