Test pattern quilt

And now, here is my final contribution to The Beehive.
A finished quilt made by me and 11 fabulous women.

 

Specifically: Sheridan, Amy, Karlyn, Belinda, Kat, Megan, Julie, Jo, Annabel, Tanya and Megs.

 

To appease my husband (who says "its too busy and bright to have in a bedroom ... or any other room for that matter") I have made the back of the quilt much simpler with just a strip of busy patchwork through the centre.

 

The incredible quilting has been done by Karen Terrens. She is a genius with a long-arm quilting machine!! (And she comes from such a creative family. Her mother is an incredible craftswoman and you just may have heard of her sister).

 

So, now all that's left is to snuggle up with her and enjoy my memories of this wonderful quilting bee.

 

Thanks girls! I'll miss you!!

Andi xxx

PS Why "The Test Pattern Quilt"?  

 

That's why!!

Bye bye Beehive

After 2 lovely years together, the members of the Beehive have decided not to continue with the Bee next year.

Although it has been a lovely bunch of stitchers, making such beautiful quilts together, many of us have new priorities to contend with in 2012 and the Beehive has simply had to take a back seat  :(

These are my last blocks for the Beehive.

 

They are for Megs who is making a very pretty quilt for her daughter.
I'm really looking forward to seeing this lovely quilt come together!

In fact, there are a number of Beehive quilts that are not yet completed so some beautiful surprises will still be coming via the Beehive in the coming year as quilts are completed and shared.

And my 2011 Beehive quilt is now complete. I will be posting pics very soon!!

Andi xx

Falling Bee-hind

I received my fabric parcel for May's Beehive in the first week of June.
Long story! But ... being a person who hates falling behind, I quickly put together Kat's gorgeous voile string blocks. I anticipate another super soft and snuggly voile quilt. I adore these!!

While I was at it, I made a couple of little blocks (5.5 inches) for Annabel. She is making a quilt for her little boy called "The Busy Sea at Night".

She has asked for pieced blocks, rather than applique which ... at this scale ... caused me a little anxiety. But in the end I really enjoyed making these 2 little blocks.

Now I just need to find the time and energy to get to the post-office!!

Andi x

My Beehive month - solids fever!!

I definitely have 'Solids Fever'!!!

This month is my turn to send out fabric parcels to the lovely Beehive ladies. They will be making me quilt blocks that will coordinate with my Echino wall hanging above my bed:

I have asked for blocks like the ones in this gallery. But I've asked for BIG ones .... 20 inches square!!

With one block from each group member and five made by me, I should end up with a quilt 80 inches square .... perfect for my bed!!

And before I forget, here are the blocks I made for Julie in March.

Her quilt will be amazing when it's all done!!

I'm really loving this quilting bee thing but I'm glad I'm only doing 1. Enough is enough!!

Have a stitchin' week.

Andi xx

The Beehive is back!!

Round 2 of the Beehive has kicked off with a bang.

Meg (a mad quilting librarian) has requested book shelf blocks using our own scraps. You should have a look at some of the amazing blocks offered by our other Beehivers.
Here are my offerings:

An homage to books arranged by spine colour.

and ...

I've added bookends to this one but I left one of the bookends unattached so Meg can place it where she likes on the 'shelf'.

I've posted them off today Meg. I hope you like them.
Can't wait to see how this quilt comes together.
It's going to be a ripper!!!

Andi x

My creative space (AKA the fancy shmancy binding quilt)

After my basting efforts earlier this week, I've been a busy little bee, and finished quilting and binding .... the Beehive quilt.

Thank you so much to everyone in the Bee for your gorgeous blocks. They've come together rather well, I think!!

Quilted in wavy lines.

With a thrifted sheet on the back. (I couldn't believe my luck when I found it. The colour is PERFECT!!)

Fabrics are mostly from my scrap bin and the stashes of my 12 fellow Beehivers. Truly a communal project!!

And the fancy shmancy binding? I followed Trisha's excellent tutorial on how to bind a quilt so that it looks like it has piping (but doesn't really).

Such a clever idea with a very effective end result!

I'll be trying that one again for sure!!

You can find more creative spaces over at the lovely Kirsty's.

Have a stitchin' day.

Andi x

Beehive quilt top

My fellow Beehivers have come through for my month so amazingly!!

(Please excuse the crappy photos. My new 'baby' will be with me at the end of the week and all things photographic on this blog are sure to improve).

I asked everyone in the bee to make string blocks using a gorgeous green Kaffe shot cotton through the centres and loads of my scraps everywhere else.

I also requested each person to contribute a scrap or 2 from her own stash to make it a truly communal quilt.

I'm still considering adding to the border with more scraps. (I've run out of the green and I'm not allowed to buy any more!) What do you think? It is currently 53 inches square(ish).

Either way, I'm so excited to get this one quilted and bound.
This has been my first quilting bee and I have so enjoyed the process of creating these beautiful communal quilts.

Hope you are having a great week.

Andi :-)

Beehive November block

For Meg who asked for a beachy improv mosaic feel.



Andi :-)

October Beehive Block

More Beehive action overe here.

Andi :-)

The Beehive

I've joined my first quilting bee


Here are my first blocks. They are for Mel


She asked for more traditional log cabins and I started with this one. Not so traditional.
Lucky she sent planty of fabric!!


Still not so traditional.


Getting better!


The most recognisable as a log cabin, I think.


I hope she likes them!!

This quilting bee thing is fun but I seem to put lots of pressure on myself to really get the blocks "right". Do you guys have that experience?

Have a great and crafty weekend.

Andi :-)