Really Random Thursday 3.5.20

Finally getting a chance to sit down a blog a bit before I'm off again.  

I've had one kid home sick most of the week.  Fortunately they were all off Monday, he stayed home Tues and Wed, and only managed a half day today.  Current nickname: Captain Croup.

 I made two X+ blocks for one my Erie Street Quilter friends.  She's planning to make charity quilts with her blocks.

 I made a block of Elizabeth's own design for the Gridster Bee February. 

 She also asked for a coordinating envelope for the signature block.

 I included an extra center, because I did not initially follow the directions correctly. 

 For March, Marsha asked for a Drunkard's Path Variation. 

I've also been adding various things to my Etsy Shop.  If anyone is in the market for a vintage Fish Finder, this lovely will be listed soon. :)

To say my offerings are eclectic would be an understatement!

Gridster Bee Blocks for Me!!

As mentioned in my previous post, I was the Queen Bee for May in last year's Gridster Bee.

I chose a block that is a free tutorial found *here* by Gigi's Thimble, but specifically asked for either a Christmas Green or Christmas Red scrappy block.  Many of my bee mates made me more than one!

These were the first batch made by me as examples and so I could see if this is what I wanted.

It is so much fun to be Queen and have blocks trickle in through the month in the mail!

A pause in the middle to see how well they played together!

I did end up making some more blocks, at first just to even it out, but then I really wanted a bed size quilt.  My goal has long been to have a Christmas quilt for each bed in the house.  (That's 6)

I finally got the last border on and it had to sit for a day or two before I even got a chance to press it and finally I ran out to get pictures before we (finally!) got some snow here in WI.  I don't think we've had sun here for a week. 

I really debated about this border.  It looks nearly black here, but it is a dark green.  I didn't want to shop for more fabric, so decided that this was it.  I think I'm OK with it now.  It really frames the center blocks.

A fun backside shot.

Gridster Bee 2019 (a.k.a. I'm so Lame)

 I've been part of a lovely group of quilters for the past three years.  We call ourselves the Gridsters, or Gridster Bee.

I have been neglectful and didn't do any updates all of 2019.  In fact I never even posted about my own blocks. 

AND as I was putting this together, I couldn't even find pictures of the January blocks I made last year!!  They were for Carol and you can find her on IG @carolanngillen

So, I'm playing some catch-up, so to acknowledge all the blocks that were made and sent, and I'll provide links for any tops/quilts that may have been posted about.

Elizabeth of OPQ asked for houses in February. Here you can see her finished quilt.

 March was Marsha.  She wanted some flying geese going in curves. You can find pictures of her creation on IG @quilterinmotion

 April was all Americana for Nancy.  

I was the May Queen Bee, and I'll share my blocks next post.

 June's blocks were for Mary.  She got her top put together so quickly!  She was pretty specific in how the blocks needed to be made so they would come together in the right way.

These scrappy blocks were for Linda IG @quiltlady63  It was great, because I keep 1.5" squares for my leaders/enders.

 Christmas trees in August for Kelli. @kbachli  We made color fabric, then paper pieced the background.

 Simone designed these "Tipsy Twofer" Blocks.  You can find instructions on her blog. 

 Both of these blocks were for Lisa @nymblefyngers in October.  She sent me the teal polka dot fabric to use as I liked. The block is Steampunk by Jen Kingwell

 Super scrappy spider webs for Allison.  She didn't want us to sew them together so she could mix up the scrappy.

And finally in December, I made some delightful hot air balloons for Afton.  The free patterns are found on Woodberry Way. 

That wraps up last year. 
The Gridster Bee continues into 2020 with a few small changes in participants, but always with lots of fun new blocks!

The Keeping of Bees Quilt

When I sit down to write these posts, sometimes I am stunned by how much time passes between working on various projects. 
I finished the top for this quilt in July 2018!  (after receiving the blocks May 2017!)
 And didn't touch it again until February. 

Messy pile of trying to plan the backing.

Lots of supervising help here to make sure the back is done and big enough.  Cats, dogs and children!

As I was pin basting I found this mismatched corner.  I did unpin and fix it.  I was planning to enter it in a show, so couldn't have this in it!

All pinned and ready to quilt.

My new favorite way to mark straight quilting lines: A solid tracing wheel.

I found mine at a thrift store for $.50

At this point the center and the wings were done.  Time to do the bodies.

Finished quilting

Woot, and a finished quilt.  I really need to find a place to hang it.  It is too large for my quilt hanger that I have in my stairway, so I will have to find a new location in the house.  Still working on it.

Many thanks to my bee mates who helped make this possible!

Here it is hanging in the show.  No awards, which is fine, because there wouldn't be a quilt show with out quilts.