Hive 8 - January Block

Laura’s star block was so much fun to make, and it was great easing into the bee with a simply constructed design that has a lot of graphic impact! 

1. Name:  Liz

2. Where you live: London, Ontario

3. Tell us about your family: I’m single and child-free.  I have 5 charming nieces and nephews who keep me young at heart!

4. Tell us about your pets: I’m not a pet person, I can’t even keep house plants alive!

5. How long have you been quilting?: I made my first quilt about 12 years ago, but didn’t really get obsessed with the hobby until about 4 years ago.

6. What crafts do you do other than quilting?: I like to knit on occasion, and enjoy drawing and watercolours.  I’ve also just started learning calligraphy which is a lot of fun! 

7. Fabric line you want to buy next:  I don’t generally buy an entire line of fabric, but Carolyn Friedlander’s new Carkai collection is hard to resist.

8. Preferred quilting method (FMQ, long arm, hand, etc.): My most favourite method is hand-quilting, but I also enjoy FMQ.  I’d love to learn how to use a long arm some day.

9. Where we can find you on social media: I blog at lizzyclipsdesign.blogspot.ca, and I’m on Instagram: @lizzyclips

10. Favorite book: I love to read and there's no way I could choose just one.  A few faves are: The Great Gatsby, Anne of Green Gables, and pretty much anything by Margaret Atwood (especially the Handmaid’s Tale)

11. Favorite show to binge watch: Any British period drama. 

I hope you like the block, Laura, it’ll be on its way to you this week!

Stash Bee - Hive 7, Jan. Block

Here goes. My first blog in over 2 years.

First, the diamond block for Hive Mama, Cyndi. This block was so much fun to pull together.

 

Now, for some info about me.

1. Name:  Sherry Von Fumetti

2. Where you live:  Johnston, IA....a suburb of Des Moines

3. Tell us about your family: Married 31 years (to the real Mr. Wonderful) with 3 adult children ages 25, 25 and 24. Yes, I'm used to being busy. I had second thoughts about joining the Bee because my oldest daughter is getting married in August. It should be manageable though.

4. Tell us about your pets:  None. Had a dog for 18 years (same dog) but am hesitant to get another yet.

5. How long have you been quilting? I started quilting when my oldest children went off to college 7 years ago.

6. What crafts do you do other than quilting?  Just dabble; nothing with any regularity.  I'm sure I'll need to put my crafty hat on for wedding decorations, etc. So far, I've been recruited to make pew bows, chair sashes and spray paint black lanterns cream.

7. Fabric line you want to buy next:  It's not really a line but I'm anxious to try shot cotton solids.

8. Preferred quilting method (FMQ, long arm, hand, etc.):  I do all my own quilting on a domestic machine. It gets a little crazy with anything larger than a twin. Recently, I 'won' a frame at an auction that can be used with a domestic machine. A goal for 2016 is to start using it.

9. Where we can find you on social media:  Instagram (svonfumetti), Facebook (Sherry Von Fumetti)... I rarely post on FB, and email (sjvonfumetti@yahoo.com).

10. Favorite book:  Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt although I read the Bible most often.

11. Favorite show to binge watch: I have two...DWTS (Dancing With The Stars...received Derek Hough's book, Taking the Lead, for Christmas) and Downton Abbey.

Gatecrashing Hive 1 with the Pineapple Block

Hello, this is Deana from Hive 2.  I just had to gate crash Hive 1 this month because I fell in love with the pineapple block and had some yellows.  I hope it goes well with Alison's other pineapples.  

I am Queen Bee in February and still don't know what quilt blocks to make.  This one is tempting.

January 2016 block for Diana

Hello!
This is my first quilting bee, and I was a bit nervous to do this block for Diana as I don't have a lot of Christmasy fabrics. I think it turned out well, and I hope that she's pleased with it!

 Stash Bee Q&A

1. Name: Sarah

2. Where you live: Smack in the middle of Georgia

3. Tell us about your family:  My husband works for the military and I have two children, a girl, 9 and a boy, 6

4. Tell us about your pets: We a chihuahua/ pug (chug) dog named Sparky

5. How long have you been quilting? I started serious quilting last year. and small projects on and off for the last 20 years or so.

6. What crafts do you do other than quilting: I like to crochet as well.

7. Fabric line you want to buy next: I don't have a particular line that I'm wanting...

8. Preferred quilting method (FMQ, long arm, hand, etc.): 

I've always just done the bare necessity on my standard machine until last year when I made friends with a long arm quilter... now that's my way to go!

9. Where we can find you on social media: I'm on instagram, but I rarely post sewing projects.

10. Favorite book: I love the Outlander series. I enjoy the audio book version as I can accomplish other things while working.

11. Favorite show to binge watch: I don't really have time to binge watch TV...

Happy New Year!

I am excited for the start of another fun year with all of my fellow honey bees. First, about me:
1. Name: Jane Holbrook
2. Home: outside of Riggins, Idaho up in the Seven Devils Mtns. We built our own cabin and have a huge deer proof garden. We are very near the Salmon River and own a jetboat for fishing and sport. Because of the class five rapids and because boats are named after women, I named our boat after me, Current Girlfriend. It is also the name of my blog.
3. Family: I have 3 adult daughters that I raised solo, they are all in Boise, 150 miles away. We are all very close. I have 3 wonderful son-in-laws and 3 grandkids.  I live with my mate, Mike, whom I have known for 13 yrs.
4. Pets: a small black cat, Chai, and an old black labrador, Abby. They are good pals.
5. How long have I been quilting?: 43 years!
6. Other crafts?: Lots! I make my own greeting cards, paint and color, make herbal salves and tinctures, dye fabric with natural items, make yard art, embellish garments with beads, and sew all kinds of things...
7. Fabric line I want to buy: I love Kaffe Fassett's prints.
8. Preferred quilting method: hand quilting. I do some almost every day. I also like machine quilting, both walking foot and FMQ. I quilt all of my own quilts.
9. Social Media: I don't have a cell phone (no reception here) so facebook is it! We do have internet, so you can read my blog, Current Girlfriend.
10. Favorite Book: The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame
11. Favorite Show:  I don't binge watch, I prefer quiet, but my favorite movie is Oh Brother Where Art Thou? 

Greetings from Current Girlfriend!

Here are my blocks for Audrey. The first one didn't have a lot of contrast, but as a choice for a friend in a rough patch it is sweet, because there are phrases "paz y amor" printed on the fabric. (peace and love.) The lower one shows the five crosses more clearly.

Paz y Amor

I crashed the party in Hive 1, and made this super fun pineapple block for Alison, and one for me!

Two Cute Blocks

Jan 2016 Stashbee is done for Karyn!

I just completed my first Stashbee block for 2016.  I hope Karyn likes it.

Our Hive Momma asked us to respond to the following questions;

1. Do you have kids? If so, how many/ages -

I have three children, two daughters just got married last year and my son is a senior.

2. Do you work outside the home?  

Yes, I am a junior high math and business teacher - love those kids!

3. Do you buy fabrics because of the designer or because you fall in love with them? 

I buy whatever catches my fancy so brand and designer does not matter.  I prefer to find my own mix of coordinates and not rely on collections.

4. Please share your favorite blogs that you follow.  

I follow many blogs, but the ones I favor the most are with ladies whom I have formed a blogger friendship with over the years.  Here are their links:

Jo at Butterz
Desertsky Quilting - Susan
Granny Maud's Girl
Freemotion by the River
A Quilting Chick
Buzzin Bumble


5. How often do you get into your sewing room? Do you find certain seasons easier than others?  

I try to sew every day even if it is just for a half hour.  I go through withdrawals if I don't.

6. How long have you been sewing/quilting?  

I have been quilting for 19 years.  I ONLY quilt, no other kind of sewing.

2016, Hive4, January

This block was much easier and way more fun to complete  than my first post on a blog.  Thank you, Alison, for the instructions.  Now on to the introduction.  

1.  Name.  My name is Kim.

2.  I live in the big woods of northern Wisconsin on a lovely dirt road with a cold creek half of the week and the other half I live in our Lakehouse even further north where I work as a prosecutor for a Tribal Nation.

3.  My family consists of me, my husband of 29 years, Steve, and our adult son, Mike.

4.  We have two rescued pets--a 15 year old feral cat named Princess and a sassy three year old dog named Max. Princess is a sweet cat who purrs continuously. She's friendly and very loveable.  Max is a mutt including Malmute, German Shepherd, and yellow Lab.  Max is a homebody and does not like to leave our property.  Who has a dog that doesn't like to go?!

5. I first learned about quilting from my grandmother who was Native American. She sewed out of financial necessity and made fabulously warm, heavy wool quilts.  I have been quilting for 35 years. I used to hand quilt but discovered free motion quilting four years ago.  I confess I am a quiltaholic and a bit of a stash hog, but hey, I am so happy, why not?

6.  I am the oldest of five, including three sisters close in age.  For as long as I can remember and to this day, we get together and create homemade Valentine cards and decorate Easter eggs. We have paints, ribbons, glue guns-- you name it- and spend an entire day being wildly creative.  Fun fun.

7. I love one line of fabric better than the next, and face it, there's always a next.  I will try to limit my purchases and focus on completing projects with what I have.  When I spend time re-organizing after several projects, I am often surprised to find hidden stash piles I had forgotten. That's always a treat.

8. I use my regular sewing machine to FMQ.  

9.  I'm fairly new to social media but I do have a Pinterest page, Facebook page and a blog site I hardly know what to do with.  I learn more each day. Today I learned about Picasa.  Now I'm feeling rather smug.

10.  I love anything Louise Erdrich writes, and Barbara Kingsolver's Prodigal Summer is a particularly sumptuous read.  I also love anything Charles Frazier writes and am reading his novel, Thirteen Moons, for the second time.  I also love reading quilting blogs.  I used to say, "Who reads blogs?"  Well, I do now.  I love the idea of virtual friendships, and the inspiration is limitless. I am amazed at how special the quilting community proves to be everyday.

11.  My favorite shows to binge watch include Downton Abbey, Frontline, Girls and Game of Thrones.

I'm so glad to be part of a bee and am looking forward to working with my bee mates.

January Hive 8 star block

This block was a ton of fun, and went togther very quickly.  I'll get it in the mail this afternoon.

Stash Bee Q&A

1. Name: Jennifer

2. Where you live: Texas, in a suburb northwest of Dallas

3. Tell us about your family:  My husband and I have been married for 13 years, and have three children, aged 9, 7, and 4.

4. Tell us about your pets: 

We have three cats (Zarathustra "Z", Mab, and Thor), and a dog, Daisy.

5. How long have you been quilting? I started quilting last year.

6. What crafts do you do other than quilting: 

I knit and bake.  Knitting has taken a backseat lately, but I do have a weekly knitting group at work.

7. Fabric line you want to buy next: 

Nothing in particular, I tend to buy for specific projects rather than for stash.  I did get a jelly roll of Alison Glass Abacus, and like it so much I may get a fat quarter bundle too.

8. Preferred quilting method (FMQ, long arm, hand, etc.): 

So far I've just used my domestic machine, but I am thinking of sending the top I am working on for my husband out to a long arm quilter.  One of the local quilt shops here offers long arm classes and you can rent time on the machine, but I don't think I finish tops quickly enough to keep any skills sharp enough to do it on my own.

9. Where we can find you on social media: I'm bctex06 on flicker, but don't have an instagram or current blog.

10. Favorite book: 

That's hard.  I love to read, but don't think I have a favorite.  A recent favorite is The Magicians, by Lev Grossman. 

11. Favorite show to binge watch: 

Friends, Bones.

Hive Five January block for Aubrey

Hello everyone! Happy New Year!  I'm a first timer and really excited to be here.  Here's my January block for Audrey. I hope you like Cotton & Steel. ;) This block is deceptively easy and is absolutely going on my ever growing project list.  Can't wait to see what you do with all the blocks, Audrey!


And as for the questions...

1. Name:  Cheryl

2. Where you live: Middle Tennessee

3. Tell us about your family:  Just my husband and me for nearly 24 years

4. Tell us about your pets:  We have a cat named Sophie who makes her way into most of my quilt photos.  I'm sure you'll see her before long.

5. How long have you been quilting?  Thanks to a sweet friend who was brave enough to get me started, I've been sewing/quilting for about 4 years.

6. What crafts do you do other than quilting? I love to try new things, but my other favorites are crochet and knitting.

7. Fabric line you want to buy next:  Oh. I couldn't even begin to narrow it down. Unfortunately, it's January, and I'm back on my fabric diet. Maybe I will last until spring this time. So.Much.Stash.  

8. Preferred quilting method (FMQ, long arm, hand, etc.):  Definitely long arm at our local quilt shop.   I haven't tried hand quilting yet, but it is on my to try list. (Refer to #6)

9. Where we can find you on social media: Instagram - @wvgirlintenn  

10. Favorite book:  How about favorite authors instead?  Anything by Harlen Coben or Dee Hendersen. Lately I've been on an audio book kick.  Easier to listen while sewing. ;)

11. Favorite show to binge watch: Big Bang Theory although recently it was the Hallmark Movie Chanel.  It's amazing how one Christmas movie just rolled right into the next. ;) 

Until next time!

~Cheryl

Hive #1 - January Block

This adorable Pineapple Block is for Alison!  This was fun and easy!  I love creating scrappy looking blocks.  

2016 is my first year in Stash Bee.....I'm so looking forward to a fabulous year of creative block making!

Now....onto the questions:

1.    Name:  Laura VanVleet

2.    Where you live:  Baldwin, Michigan, USA.

3.    Tell us about your family:  My husband and I have been married for 14 years this month and between us we have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren. 

4.    Tell us about your pets:  We have a black lab named Belle, a fat cat Stan and a monster kitten Ernie, named after Hemingway as he has 6 toes.

5.    How long have you been quilting?  I created my first quilt in 1983 for my Dad, who still drags it with him wherever he goes.

6.    What crafts do you do other than quilting?  Card making, cross stitch and crochet, however quilting is my first passion.

7.    Fabric line you want to buy next:  I honestly do not know!

8.    Preferred quilting method (FMQ, long arm, hand, etc.):  I began hand quilting all of my quilts (not recommended – it takes forever!!)  Over the past several years I’ve sent them out to an experienced long arm quilter.  However, I recently purchased a mid-arm quilting machine and a Grace frame.  So far I’ve quilted a twin size quilt.  Still practicing.

9.    Where we can find you on social media: Instagram:  Laura4448 (just started using this)  Laura VanVleet on Flickr and Facebook.

10.                       Favorite book:  A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

11.                       Favorite show to binge watch:  Sherlock and NCIS

I’m having surgery later this month, so I wanted to get this one done quickly!  Also, my hubby and I are getting married in our church on our 14^th wedding anniversary on the 29^th (we flew to Las Vegas the first time !)  Afterwards, we will be visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras!  I definitely have a lot on my plate this month!

Peace,

Laura