NYC Metro MOD Quilters

Block for Kim

2012-02-24T12:43:00.003-05:00

What a treat to make this cute little Hawaiian gal dance. She's on the way, Kim!

QUILT CON announced!

2012-02-23T17:38:00.000-05:00

http://www.quiltcon.com/

Are you going?

;-)

A Bee Block for Kim

2012-02-23T12:04:00.001-05:00

This was so fun!

I loved looking for fabric that would compliment my little Dutch girl.

I hope you like it Kim!

Can't wait to see these happy little faces all together!

Bee Block Catch-Up

2012-02-21T18:41:00.004-05:00

I never posted my January block, even though Maureen's had it for weeks now. Well, here it is, my first scrappy pineapple:

I've been quilting for two years, and only now have I accumulated enough scraps to start contemplating a scrap quilt. (Exciting!) I learned an important lesson from making Maureen's block: just because it's made from scraps doesn't mean you should include every color there is. This ended up being way more of a rainbow explosion than I had intended. But Maureen said she liked it, so I guess it's okay!

And here's Kim's cute little Eskimo:

The wonky log cabin was super fun to make! I was halfway through the block before I discovered the snowflake fabric in my stash. Yay! Good thing Fabric.com sent me this by mistake a few months ago!

Cheers,

Suzanne.

Block for Kim

2012-02-20T14:33:00.001-05:00

I put this in the mail to Kim last week, hopefully it arrived by now.
This is going to be such a happy quilt. Hope my little guy gets along with the others.

February NYC Mod Bee Block for Kim

2012-02-19T20:43:00.002-05:00

My log cabin block has a cowboy at the center. I wish I had some fabric in my stash/scraps that looked like bandanas, but I didn’t. I chose a bit of gingham and country floral instead. For a bit of whimsy, the outermost blue reminds me of saying, “There’s a snake in my boot!”

Name-Tag Swap updates

2012-02-18T16:13:00.002-05:00

The sign-ups have closed for our little Name-Tag Swap, and I want to get things organized so you know who to make for, but some people who signed up didn't include an email address.. So, if your name is in GREEN on the list below, PLEASE send me an email at:

jessunderquilts

yahoo

dot

com

Name-Tag swappers:

Mary B

Bernadette

David

Jen Horan

Maria G

Emily

Andrea

Victoria

Thank you!!
When I have everyone's name, I'll send out the list and we can get sewing~~

spring challenge and show and tell

2012-02-18T15:07:00.004-05:00

Here's my "spring" challenge block. I don't think I'll be able to make the meeting, but will send this in (probably with Chris) so I definitely want my name in the drawing for the collection!

Also, since I won't be at meeting I'm adding a photo of a recent baby quilt I made. It's all from my scraps (and stash) pile! Had lots of fun making it and, as you can see, it's wonky style is what inspired my challenge block.

Quilts at Grand Army Plaza

2012-02-16T09:50:00.003-05:00

We hope that you get to see these in Brooklyn's beautiful Central Library

10 Grand Army Plaza
Brooklyn, NY 11238
Opening Reception Thursday, March 1, 6 – 8 pm Dweck Center Lobby

Exhibitions February 23 – April 28

Botanical Inspirations by the Quilters’ Guild of Brooklyn Quilts with a botanic theme inspired by poems, the mind’s eye, photos, nature’s tenacity and quilters’ experiences. Grand Lobby

Released with Conviction by the Center for Employment Opportunities Photography and audio interviews that follow nine former inmates after incarceration, revealing their thoughts about reconnecting with their families, the workplace and the community-at-large. Photography by Brooklyn photographers Jeyhoun Allebaugh, Michael Scott Berman and Bryan Tarnowsk

Foyer Cases & Lobby Gallery Join us for a panel discussion in Central Library’s Dweck Center (Feb 29, Informal Reception: 6:30 pm, Discussion: 7 pm). A companion exhibition will be at Flatbush Library (Feb 29 – Apr 28).

Hans My Hedgehog and Other Illustrated Tales by John Nickle Original paintings, sketches and drawings from Nickle’s latest book, Hans My Hedgehog, as well as Never Take a Shark to the Dentist, The Ant Bully, Things That Are Most in the World and others.
Youth Wing

Crossing Continents: A Journey through Asia and Africa in Quilts by Susan Sato & Myrah Brown Green Contemporary quilts that are inspired by traditional techniques indigenous to these continents. Second Floor Balcony Cases

www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/events/exhibition Hours: M – Th 9 – 9 F 10 – 6 Sa 10 – 6 Su 1 – 5

Lucky 13 Bee, For Ellen, February

2012-02-13T15:13:00.004-05:00

Heavy Snow

Here's your block Ellen . . . hopefully my leaning trees are not too different for your great winter tree quilt . . . love this quilt design of yours.

Ellen's Lucky 13 Bee Block

2012-02-13T12:35:00.002-05:00

Here's my block for you, Ellen. This was a challenge, but fun. I always like learning a new technique... helps stretch the brain! Hope it works for you.

Lucky 13 Bee Tree for Ellen

2012-02-09T18:03:00.001-05:00

Here's my section of Ellen's growing fab forest! Very interesting challenge to create and think through how to maneuver the pieces and get the desired tree branches. The colors on the left are also a little bit crushed in this photo - even prettier in "real life."

Lucky 13 Bee 2

2012-02-09T11:25:00.003-05:00

February Tree Block for Ellen

This challenge stretched my sewing skills!

Thanks!

Would you like some scraps from the fabrics used?

February NYC Mod Bee Block - Children's Log Cabin

2012-02-08T08:02:00.001-05:00

For February's NYC Mod Bee, Kim each gave us a print of a child to work with and some brown fabric. She asked us to make a log cabin block (wonky or not) and incorporate both items, using the nationality of the child as an inspiration for the block.

I received a print of a child in a kimono, so I used my Japanese-style fabrics (Sashiko cheater cloth, kimono-inspired fabrics, etc):

I hope Kim enjoys it, and I can't wait to see the other blocks!

Susan's show info

2012-02-07T17:12:00.000-05:00

"Crossing Continents: A Journey Through Asia & Africa"

Sashiko and shibori (Japanese techniques) are incorporated in my quilts.

It's starts February 23- April 28, 2012. The opening reception is March 1st from

6-8pm at the Brooklyn Public Library, Grand Army Plaza.

Directions to the library:

www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/locations/central

Please stop by and see Susan's quilts!

March 31st Challenge block

2012-02-07T08:36:00.000-05:00

Challenge Raffle BLOCK

For the MARCH 31st meeting

We decided to make

WONKY LOG CABIN BLOCKS

SPRING COLOR PALETTE

12 1/2'' block.

If you MAKE a block,

your name will go into the hat,

and one winner will take home ALL the blocks.

;-)

See you in March!

February Meeting Recap

2012-02-06T12:30:00.001-05:00

Happy February Everyone,

Now that you have some eye candy to represent all that you missed on Saturday. Now for a bit of the business side of things.

Saturday was a wonderful day, with a packed house. Welcome to all of our new members, thanks for dropping in for all of our visitors, and good to see all of our current members again.

The meeting began with a recap of whats been going on. I will highlight a few important things for everyone.

We are a not-for-profit corporation, fully incorporated with applicable documents.
We are a tax exempt organization (NOTE: due to our current size IRS does not provide formal documentation, but we are classified and recognized as tax-exempt.)
Members are still welcome to sign up - go to the website at www.nycmetromodquilters.com.
Annual dues are $65 and can be paid online through paypal at our website or via check/moneyorder.
Membership has its priviledges. (Smiles)

In addition to our show and tell, we were very fortunate to have Meg Cox, President of the Board of Directors for The Alliance for American Quilts. She talked with us about the Quilter's S.O.S. (Save Our Stories) project. This project is a national grassroots initiative to capture the stories and culture of today's quilt makers. This project includes transcribed interviews and photographs and a downloadable, easy-to-use how-to manual. Hundreds of Q.S.O.S. interviews and transcripts are archived at the Library of Congress American Folklife Center, where they are available for research. Meg taught us the process for recording the stories.

After a lesson on the method of interviewing for the project, Victoria interviewed Kim H, for Q.S.O.S. It was wonderful. We listened to Kim and had a chance to learn more about Kim, her family, and her quilting journey. The 45 minutes flew by, and when the interview concluded we had an opportunity to follow up with additional questions.

The Alliance is also working on a Modern Quilters portion for Q.S.O.S. and we agreed that we will begin to record stories as a group. So we dropped some names in two baggies and next month, John K. will be interviewing Bernadette F. for Q.S.O.S. (remember there is a process, with obtaining a number etc.) Bernadette also offered to transcribe for Q.S.O.S. If there are any members out there with transcription skills willing to volunteer their services for a worthy cause, contact Meg Cox at the Alliance.

Thank you Meg for your time and presentation. Thank you Kim H for sharing your story with us. Thank you Victoria for illiciting the lovely nuggets of information from Kim during the interview.

For those of you that have blocks for the Cherrywood Challenge, please return them ASAP. As noted in a previous post, in order to be included we need them now. If you dropped off a block at the meeting and didn't sign the sheet, please send an email to Victoria.

Our next Meeting will be March 31, 2012. It is moved because April is Easter.

Stay tuned to the blog for information about the next meeting.

Happy Quilting.

As part of the Q.S.O.S. you have to have a Quilt as a Point of reference. This is Kim's.

Meg Cox, showing samples of the Houses that can be made for the Alliance challenge.

CHERRYWOOD challenge BLOCKS

2012-02-06T11:57:00.000-05:00

CHALLENGE BLOCKS

If anyone still has their Cherrywood blocks,

We know MORE FABRICS went out then what we got back...

You must send them to me ASAP to be included in this quilt.

Anything you send now,

will go on the back of the quilt.

The quilt was laid out and

decided upon at the end of the meeting.

Please mail them by the end of this week,

to the address listed here:

http://www.nycmetromodquilters.com/meetings/

Please also note out next meeting is

MARCH 31st.

Not April 7th.

Feburary Show & Tell: Part 2

2012-02-05T18:02:00.030-05:00

Tina's making bags for kids who are fighting cancer. You can find more information about how you can help at Craft Hope.

We all know who won show & tell. Don't let those sleepy eyes fool you, this is a very happy tiny quilter!

Yep, that's a quilt made up of fat molecules that Bernadette made!

February Show & Tell: Part 1

2012-02-05T17:41:00.013-05:00

Welcome to everyone who visited the guild for the first time at the February meeting, and to those who've been before, but brought something for show & tell for the first time. So nice to have you, and all the inspiration you brought!

Hard not to "love" this heart quilt, which is amazingly Maria's first one ever!

APRIL MEETING CHANGE

2012-02-05T14:54:00.000-05:00

PLEASE NOTE NEXT

THE APRIL MEETING IS BEING CHANGED

MARCH 31ST

(SINCE EASTER FALLS THAT FIRST WEEKEND IN APRIL)

Nametag Swap

2012-02-04T15:28:00.000-05:00

It was really great to see everyone at the meeting today. As I was looking around though, I saw so many of us still don't have nametags, or didn't remember to bring them. So I was thinking... how about a nametag swap?

Who's got the nicer nametag??

What is this?! I can't even read that!

I know it's got a lot of letters, but can someone help Bernadette out?

If you'd like to make a nametag for another guild member and have one made for you, comment on this post (make sure you're not a "no-reply" commenter!) or send an email to jessunderquilts at yahoo dot com and I'll send you someone's name. (Sign-ups close next Sunday, Feb. 12th, at midnight) Make them a nametag and bring it to the ~~April 4th~~ March 31st meeting, easy enough, right?

But what if I have a nametag already? Doesn't matter, it's fun to have more than one! None of us ever stopped at just one quilt, have we?

Here are some of the amazing nametags already on display at today's meeting:

Feel free to use these for inspiration or come up with your own design. Anything goes really--

any shape
any size (within reason)
made from fabric (but any fabrics will do)
embelish or don't
bind it, pillow case it, or raw edge with pinking shears

"Write" your partner's name legibly in the center.

pieced in fabric
written in marker/fabric pen
painted
thread painted
rubber stamped
embroidered

Make some way to wear the nametag.

attach a string to hang around the neck
add a safety pin to the back

I don't doubt the creativity of this group for a moment! I'm sure anything you make will be great.

So who's in? (Sign-ups close next Sunday, Feb. 12th, at midnight)

Cherrywood Challenge

2012-02-02T21:54:00.002-05:00

This was definitely a challenge. Trying to arrange my fabrics from light-to-dark seemed tough, given that to me, they all seem like darks. I took a photo of them in black and white, and yep, all the same tone. But I did my best. And I loved working with them! This fabric was almost like suede, unlike anything I've sewed before, a really pleasant fabric to ~~pet~~ work with.

Lucky 13 Bee Blocks

2012-02-02T16:32:00.003-05:00

I realized when I went to look at the directions for the Cherrywood Challenge (yep, I'm a little behind these days) that I never posted pictures of my Bee Blocks!

Here's my block for Chris - green, a hint of black, a pop of color & some curves. I accidentally cut my fabric wrong for the curve, so I ended up with 2 curves. This was a fun block, since I learned what NOT to do! But I still like the way the block turned out. Sometimes our "mistakes" force us to be more creative!

And here's Daniela's Christmas tree block! I thought the tiny HST's would be an issue, but they weren't so bad. However, this was the block that refused to be 12.5"! Every time I thought I was done, I would measure and it would be off. Ooops!

Eventually, the block cooperated & I was able to send it off to Daniela! I had a blast with this block! I cranked up the Christmas tunes and went to town!

Of course, now I still have to finish the block from when I was the "Queen Bee!"

MEETING SATURDAY!

2012-02-02T09:51:00.000-05:00

SEE YOU SATURDAY!

SNEAK PEAK at the group quilt using Michael Miller Cotton Couture Solids...

For the LOVE of FABRIC....

2012-02-01T16:10:00.000-05:00

Okay. I said I was on a fabric diet. I should have known that I would be in trouble. So its February 1, 63 degrees and i just got off the roller coaster ride that began my day and off I went to my favorite City quilt store. As I walked in the door, I felt the tension slipping away. I immediatly touched the fabric and felt a cool breeze come up from behind me. I lifted a few bolts of brightly colored prints and I could hear the ocean soothing my soul. Yes, I know it sounds a bit odd. But it is a euphoric feeling when you have "Fabric Love". You are instantly transported into a better, kinder, gentler state.

So, why does that happen? What is Fabric Love? Are you born with it? Does it grow on you? Do you catch it? What makes fabric different from food, shoes, clothes, drinks, drugs, cigarettes, working out? Is it because we then take that love and transform it into something else? Why yes, many of us look at it and pet it, but we also use it to create. Does that make it different? What do you think? I would love to know your thoughts.

Lucky 13 Bee February Block

2012-02-01T07:18:00.017-05:00

Winter Trees

I love the starkness of the tree branches against a winter sky. The challenge for this month’s Lucky 13 Bee 2 is to make a tree block.

General guidelines:

Block size is random, can be square or rectangle
Use a palette of cool colors such as grays, cool blues, soft purples – clear colors, values can be light or dark.
Background should be mainly solid or read as solid
Trees can be 1 or more fabrics, anything that stands out from background.
You can add a bit of another color in for whimsy.

More specific directions will be emailed to all Lucky 13 Bee quilters.

These are fun to make! Hope you enjoy making them!

Scrappy Signature Block for Maureen

2012-01-31T21:24:00.003-05:00

A scrappy sawtooth star for Maureen. Hope you like it! Signature blocks are not my specialty, but this is only the second one I've made. The first one I tried to sign in a "traditional" way, which is nothing like my actual signature--if anything, it looked like how I signed my name in the fourth grade! Whatever it looked like, it felt inauthentic. So for Maureen, I just wrote my name the way I would, the way I do for my own quilt labels. Though I resisted the urge to write it really huge in the middle of that big white space!

MEETING SATURDAY!

2012-01-30T08:53:00.000-05:00

Hope to see you all Saturday at 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Details are here

Please bring your CHERRYWOOD CHALLENGE BLOCKS to the meeting,

IF you are not able to make it

PLEASE MAIL the blocks to me ASAP

so we have them to play with. - Victoria

Bring:

one show and tell object so we can get to know you.

your lunch,

(drinks are provided)

Bring a pillow if you want... We're running out of chairs and pillows...

Perhaps that should be our next challenge! LOL!

Want to become a member?

click here!

February Cherrywood Challenge

2012-01-29T23:32:00.001-05:00

Just about ready for the meeting this Saturday. I always look forward to our meetings. The days leading up remind me of getting ready to go back to school.

So here is my Cherrywood.

Signature Block for Maureen

2012-01-29T17:38:00.003-05:00

Almost a year ago, my mom and I went to a friendship quilt exhibit in the next county. There were amazing quilts that have stood the test of time. The many photos I took that day served as inspiration for this month's block. I have lots of blue scraps, so I used 16 different patterns to make the 32 HST.

NYC Mod Bee - Signature Block (January 2012)

2012-01-29T17:21:00.000-05:00

I just completed my signature block for Maureen! I decided to "make" fabric and use one of the great tutorials on the 15 Minutes Play site. I chose the Square in a Star tutorial and had a lot of fun making it:

Scraptastic! I love all of the other blocks that have been posted on the blog, and I can't wait to start February's block. :)

February Mod Bee

2012-01-28T20:57:00.004-05:00

I've been having so much fun with the Bee blocks so far, I almost forgot it was my turn! Thanks to all the great inspiration and directions, I had a hard time deciding what I wanted.

But....I had this Alexander Henry multicultural kids fabric that just makes me smile--cute and strange all at the same time!

So I've cut out a different "kid" for each person to create a log cabin block:

12.5" block

Log cabin--wonky or straight, even or uneven, centered or off-center, number of strips, your choice

Use your kid as the starting rectangle

Include at least a small amount of the other fabric I'm sending

Scrappy, brights and odd colors

I'm not too particular on the log cabin-ness of the block, as long as it's in that general family....piece in extra bits or improv as you wish. I made a couple of blocks as examples, above.

I love combinations of different kinds of fabrics.
Let your kid's nationality inspire your choices (like Hawaiian florals for the Hawaiian girl block, western fabrics for the cowboy) OR just let color be your guide.
Please feel free to play around with this...!

P.S. I mailed this to our non-local Bee members, but will bring the rest to our meeting next Saturday! Yay!

December & January Bee Blocks

2012-01-28T20:35:00.004-05:00

Ok, I got a little behind with the holidays and then just kept forgetting to post this. I put together a wonky star with straight postage stamps for Helen for our December bee. Hope you like it!

Maureen asked for a signature block and gave us a white print fabric to use. I played with some half square triangles and a spot for my name. I really had fun pulling fabrics for this! Enjoy!

Suzanne's Starz

2012-01-28T15:25:00.002-05:00

This wonderful Star block came in the mail today. I love the way these twinkly stars fit together among the evergreens. They will be perfect in my Holiday quilt. Thanks, Suzanne!!!

Bee Block for Maureen

2012-01-28T14:40:00.002-05:00

Hope this signature block will work in your quilt, Maureen.

Lucky 13 Catch-Up

2012-01-23T14:12:00.001-05:00

I've got a backlog of Lucky 13 Bee Blocks to share with you all. First up a tree for Daniela, based on a tutorial I found here.

Next up is a Rocky Road to Kansas block for Karen. This one was a challenge for me since the majority of my scraps are red, brown and black, the three banned colours! That's what happens when you keep making quilts with the same colour palette, I guess. This was also my first time paper piecing and I really enjoyed it! I also liked the accidental fussy cutting that happened with the ducks and the dog, hopefully they aren't too childish.

And finally, a block for Chris, hopefully incorporating the greens, a curve, a hint of black and a dash of red from my scrap pile. This was my first time piecing a curve and I made use of Victoria's Waverunner Quilt tutorial to help me figure out what to do. Steam was my friend.

Now I'm ready for whatever February and Ellen throw at me!

For Chris

2012-01-23T06:16:00.005-05:00

This is the Lucky 13 Bee block for Chris. Lovely greens with a bit of black, one

hot and a gentle curve. It was a fun block to make, although a bit of a challenge

for me to keep it simple! Thanks, Chris - I hope you like it.

Ellen

Quilt happenings

2012-01-19T18:08:00.000-05:00

LANCASTER QUILT & TEXTILE
MUSEUM

82 Quilts from former Esprit Collection featured in ART OF THE QUILT

Preview Reception & Dinner March 13; Public Exhibition March 14-18, 2012

Lancaster Pennsylvania, 1.18.12:

For the very first time since

this collection made its public debut in 1990 at the Fine Arts

Museum of San Francisco, visitors will experience ALL 82

historic masterworks of American quilt making selected from

the world renowned Esprit Collection of Amish quilts. These

superb works, acknowledged masterpieces of design and

needlework, were made between 1870 and 1950 by the

Amish women in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The exhibition will be presented in the

Beaux-Arts inspired LANCASTER QUILT & TEXTILE MUSEUM, 37 North Market Street

Lancaster PA, for one week only—March 13-18, 2012.

A preview reception of this weeklong exhibit will be held

Tuesday, March 13, beginning at 5pm. The historic evening

promises a fabulous reception with hors d´oeuvres and

signature drinks in the lobby followed by guided tours of the

exhibition. Limited seating is also available for an exclusive

evening dinner with original Esprit curator, Julie Silber, one

of the world’s most respected quilt experts. Dinner begins

at 7:30pm.

“The work of Amish
quilt makers in
Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania,
between about 1870
and 1950 was one of
the finest aesthetic
forms in America."

ROBERT HUGHES, ART CRITIC &

HISTORIAN

Public exhibit admission and curatorial tours will be available at the museum Wednesday

through Sunday March 14-18, during the week that American Quilter’s Society hosts its annual show at the Lancaster County Convention Center—just one block away.

LANCASTER QUILT & TEXTILE MUSEUM exhibit hours will be 9am to 7pm Wednesday

through Saturday, and Noon to 5pm on Sunday. An eclectic array of live music will

highlight the museum’s exhibit experience during evenings and Sunday afternoon.

Thursday evening admission also includes a reception with Lancaster County’s Bed &

ART OF THE QUILT at the LANCASTER QUILT & TEXTILE MUSEUM will be presented by

WILLOW VALLEY RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES. Proceeds from this special full-

collection exhibit will benefit “SAVE LANCASTER’S QUILTS: Preservation for Today &

Tomorrow,” a campaign for the care of the museum’s quilt collection and an endowment

with the Lancaster County Community Foundation that will assist in providing a home for

the artifacts in Lancaster County. For advanced tickets and information, email

info@lancasterheritage.com or call 717.299.6440.

AMERICAN FOLK ART MUSEUM Just two days ago, the revitalized AFAM opened a new exhibition in celebration of its 50th anniversary, Jubilation/Rumination: Life, Real and Imagined. The exhibition highlights important and highly recognized artists in the Museum's collection, and there are two marvelous quilts to see.

TEXTILE STUDY GROUP EXHIBITIONS CROSSING LINES: THE MANY FACES OF FIBER has 58 pieces on view through Feb. 19, 2012; and 9 x 9 x 3: NEW VISIONS is an exhibition of 52 works of fiber art created to fit inside 9" x 9" x 3" boxes and is on view from Jan. 25 to Mar. 2, 2012.

Maureen's Bee Block

2012-01-15T14:50:00.001-05:00

A Signature Bee Block for Maureen!

I hope you like it Maureen!

Snowflake for Helen

2012-01-14T13:01:00.004-05:00

When Helen asked for "holiday" blocks, I immediately thought of snow, which is what I associate all the winter holidays with. Even if we haven't seen any yet this year (though I did see some flakes falling yesterday)! So in wishing for a little holiday snow, I made this big snowflake for her, who has a whole blizzard now with her snowballs for the Two's Company bee.

My low-contrast block is based on this quilt from The Buggy Barn--though theirs is much better, and I would love to make that whole quilt one day. In the meantime, I can't wait to see how this works with all the other lovely holiday blocks everyone has made for Helen!

Two interesting shows!

2012-01-13T10:41:00.000-05:00

Morris Museum
6 Normandy Heights Road
Morristown, NJ 07960

973.971.3700 (phone)
973.538.0154 (fax)

E-mail us: info@morrismuseum.org.

Rocky Road to Karen, or Kansas

2012-01-11T13:13:00.002-05:00

Here's your very rocky block Karen . . . hope you like it!

What an itch that paper piecing is!

I Am Iron [Wo]man!

2012-01-10T20:11:00.004-05:00

This lady from 1908 on Wikipedia has a much better iron than I currently do.

I have an equipment question that only you fine folks could help me out with!

Do you love your iron? If so, why? If not, why not? Do you have a dream iron on your wish list?

I know that Jessica digs her T-Fal, and Victoria recommends her Oliso, but what about everyone else? Do tell!

I've got a cheapie drugstore iron that's almost 10 years old, and was spitty and unreliable right out of the box, so I'm overdue for a new one, and I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Modern Quilt Show

2012-01-05T12:17:00.002-05:00

Does anyone remember the mention of a "new" show coming up this year where we could try to enter a modern quilt? I haven't seen any posting for entries, and was wondering if/how I could try to submit a quilt. Thanks for whatever info you might have.

See you all 2/5

Chris' Lucky Bee Block

2012-01-03T10:30:00.003-05:00

Here's your block, Chris.... a bit strong with my Hot "accent piece" but you didn't specify how much... I think you'll have a great collection when everyone's done. I photo-ed the block this way, but you may want to switch it to be "horizontal"... whatever works in your design scheme.

A tree for Helen

2012-01-02T18:12:00.001-05:00

I finally finished my Bee Block for Helen.

I had to make a tipsy tree!

It's going in the mail tomorrow Helen,

hope you like it.

Lucky 13 Bee, January

2012-01-02T07:51:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone!

Wow, Margaret, you are on the ball, having already made and posted a block for me! I love it!

Hopefully everyone received my packet and request . . . if not, please contact me!

This is what I asked for: 9 ½ inch block

Greens + one hot + smidge of black + gentle curve

Please use the green fabrics I have provided and add from your stash one hot color (pink, red, or orange). Can be any print or solid.

Please include 1 (or more) amorphous curve. Nothing geometric like ¼ or ½ circles.

Please return any scraps so that I can include them on the back of the quilt.

Thanks! Hope everyone starts the new year off happy and healthy!

Lucky 13 Bee 2

2012-01-01T13:03:00.002-05:00

Loved this challenge!

My first block in 2012.

Happy New Year, Chris!

December Bee Block for Helen

2011-12-31T11:21:00.003-05:00

I'm just a little bit late finishing this block. I so enjoyed doing it once the Christmas rush was behind me. I hope you like it, Helen. It will be in the mail on Tuesday. Happy New Year to everyone!!

Three Wise Men for Helen "Metallic Update"

2011-12-30T14:13:00.000-05:00

Hi L Cat.

About that metallic thread..Not a lot of fun...But I survived it. I have a Baby Lock Quest Plus, thats how i was able to get the stitches in the sky. I used a metallic needle. I see that it provided me with more success than if I did not, because it allowed the thread to feed through better.

Some of the threads fed through better. The gold wirey one was the absolute worst. (Thats my opinion). The one that I used around the kings garments worked the best. I used a zig zag stitch and shortened the stitch width and length. I played around a bit.

I will definately try metallics again. Perhaps thread gets old with age, because I cannot recall when I purchased the thread. Next I will play with the tension a bit more.

Overall, I would suggest giving it a try. Just make sure you use a metallic needle...

Happy New Year.

E

Winter trees for Daniela

2011-12-30T07:59:00.008-05:00

This is my block for the Lucky 13 Bee 2. I was inspired by the triangle tree blocks and the the 2 color blocks being shown at our last meeting. It was fun to make a slightly wonky winter scene! Daniela, I hope you like it.

Ellen

Bee Blocks

2011-12-28T23:35:00.010-05:00

This was not my first attempt at paper-piecing, but I would certainly consider myself a novice. I find it very challenging. To say the least, I’m so happy to be done, but very pleased with the result. In the process brainstorming what kind of block to make, I turned to my very limited assortment of quilt books. Carol Doak’s Simply Sensational 9-Patch Stars was a book that has been sitting on my shelf unused for years. I decided to make star #4 named ‘Arkansas.’ I thought it was super pretty, but also appropriate since Helen got the gold fabric in the Natural State (just an hour from where I live). I picked fabrics from my scraps and stash, and then I started to cut away. It didn’t take long to realize that I wouldn’t have enough of the gold fabric, since I was using it as the neutral. Thankfully, Helen was nice enough to send me a bit more. It’s amazing how much is used up in seam allowances. This block took me many hours, so I certainly cannot imagine making an entire quilt of paper-pieced blocks.

November for Jessica – A couple of 8^th grade students helped me pick the fabrics for the window panes. The simple geometry of this block is very appealing.

October for Mary – I challenged myself to not measure or use my rotary cutter on this block. I really enjoyed making it because it came together so quickly.

September for Nicole – I was late getting this block done. It gave me a chance to see what the other participants in the bee did for their blocks, so I could make mine different. This was my first Dresden Plate block, so I was a bit intimidated. I got over my apprehension and ended up really liking it...especially the scrappy look.

Lucky13 Bee Goes to Kansas for Karen

2011-12-28T17:36:00.000-05:00

Here's my "Rocky Road to Kansas" block for Karen (Dec Queen Bee). Thanks to the super-thorough "freshlemonquilts.com" demo link & copies Karen included, the piecing went very smoothly and was a lot of fun. I dug through my stash & found a small piece of green Kaffe Fassett "Short Stripes" fabric that a friend had given me, but I had not yet used. I ended up loving how it looks when cut so much that I went online and ordered 2 yards of it, so don't be surprised to see it reappear down the line. (FYI - While I do the vast majority of my fabric shopping locally, Quiltmaker magazine had an ad for Keepsake Quilting's new "UptownQuilter.com" with 15% off for first time shoppers promo code UQQM12C (expires 1/1/12), providing justification for an immediate purchase. Not that it ever takes much prompting...)

Three Wise Men for Helen

2011-12-27T08:19:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays. Helen, this one's for you. For more on what inspired me and a message for Helen, got to my blog (so I won't sap up the masses...smiles.)

David's Tree

2011-12-23T16:57:00.003-05:00

I received David's bee block just in time for Christmas. He shared this holiday story about his family's cabin in Wisconsin. "When we were kids we would go there once during the winter to cut down our tree--this (block) represents finding just the right tree...not perfect....but the 'right' one!" I do believe that could apply to most things, whether it's quilts... or friends or... you name it. Thank you, David, for this beautiful block and the lovely thought!

Quilts & Inspiration

2011-12-21T16:17:00.004-05:00

I'm no painter, but I can piece fabric like a maniac. So when one of the neighborhood blogs I work on was planning an art series based on works created for the site previously, I couldn't resist turning this gorgeous painting by Amanda Kavanagh into a quilt. The painting shows a building down the street from me that glows when the sun is setting, and I tried my best to capture that in this little quilt, and do the painting justice, as well.

NYC Mod Bee - December Hanukkah Block

2011-12-19T08:11:00.000-05:00

I just finished Helen's block for the NYC Mod Bee! She asked us to use gold, glittery fabric and make a holiday-themed block. I went with Hanukkah:

You can read more about the process HERE. By the way, the second One Yard Wonders book just got released, and one of my projects is on page 127 (called "The Jet Set"). You can read more about it HERE and enter for a chance to win a copy of the book!

Happy holidays and happy quilting!

Window blocks

2011-12-15T20:27:00.000-05:00

I have received 9 wonderful window blocks for the MOD Bee, and I wanted to share. Thank you so much for everyone who made me a block. Some came in the mail and some were added to the floor arrangement at the meeting last weekend, but as I hung them on my design wall this wee, I realized I don't know who made a couple of them.. if you know, can you please help me out? Thanks!
Helen:

David:

Mary:

Nicole (yay, I got some gnomes!):

Lisa:

Maureen? Kimberly? (sorry, lost the envelope!)

~~______?~~ (my son loves the sneeches!) Carole:

_____? :

If these are yours, please let me know!!

here's a shot of them all up on the wall (with the 3 I made). I am still waiting on 2, and hope to put it together over my winter break from school. Thank you everybody for helping me create such a neat quilt. I'll keep you updated on my progress..

Karen's December #13 Bee Block

2011-12-15T16:07:00.004-05:00

This is my block for Karen.... I know you said no red, but don't worry, that's really an orange. Hope it works in your scheme. I enjoyed doing this (reminded me how to paper piece... and why I don't do it often!)

Lucky13 block for Daniela

2011-12-14T13:47:00.001-05:00

Hello! Judging by recent posts - it looks like the Christmas spirit is going strong for NYC Metro Mod thanks to Daniela's (aka Nov Queen Bee) excellent block request and choice of fabrics. I hope you like the ornaments. Now that the block is done, perhaps it's time to add some real ornaments to the bare tree in my living room!

Lucky 13 Bee, Trees for Daniela!

2011-12-14T12:36:00.004-05:00

Had so much fun making this for you, Daniela! Hope you like it!

Winding Ways Block

2011-12-12T11:43:00.001-05:00

Well, I am working on some samples for a Winding Ways class I am teaching at the City Quilter in February.

As we found out at our last meeting - Templates can be your friend (I can't wait to get my hands on a set of the Five-Point Star Template set from EZ Quilting.) For this project I am using the Marti Michell templates to cut out the pieces - these are a gem. Easy to cut out lots of the shapes in no time at all. So I have been slicin' and dicin'.

Who would have thought sewing the blocks is WAY easier than picking out the fabric. Here are two versions I am working on - not really happy with either - but at least it is a start.

The first is an Amish inspired design

The second is a Kaffe/Westminster inspired design.

When everything is sewn I think I will have a few samples that are well planned out and one that just uses all the rejected pieces - and you know what - I bet I will like the real scrappy one. (yes scrappy is usually best!)