A Lovely Year of Finishes: March Goal

Does anyone else feel like February went by way too quickly?  Between work, bad weather, and being sick all last week... I really don't feel like I got much done (except buy lots of fabric... but that's a story for a different post, lol).  I have to say, I'm glad it's March, because Mid-Atlantic Mod is only a month away!!!  This will be my first quilting retreat and I'm really looking forward to having 4 solid days of quality time with my machine and other quilters :)


I am a little embarrassed that I call myself a quilter and I don't have any travel handmade products to take along with me to the retreat.  So my March Goal is to make myself an Aeroplane Bag to tote my sewing machine, and maybe a little caddy for my supplies.



I really should make it out of fabric that I already have, buuuuuut... I want it to be more durable so I'm thinking I'd like to use Charley Harper and Bark and Branch canvases.

blocks in various stages of completion

I would also like to finish my Scrapper's Delight quilt.  I have a lot of the blocks made, or in progress, so I'm close to having a finished top.  I can't say for whom I am trying to finish, because I'm not sure if she reads my blog or not... but I would like to give a little lap quilt for her office.  

Since 72x72" is way larger than a lap size, I decided to copy s.o.t.a.k. Handmade's idea and increase the block size to 15.5" (which will produce a 60x60" quilt instead).

With all the colors and pretty scraps, I can't wait to see it together.  I just hope it's not too busy for it's intended recipient :)

Scrap-bee-licious March Queen Bee

I am SO EXCITED to be Queen bee for the Scrap-Bee-Licious Bee this month :)  The hive is composed of 13 amazing ladies, and you should check out beautiful work!

Ashley @ Wasn't Quilt in a Day (IG)
Gwendellyn @ the Rainbow Revolts (IG)
Cath @ Wombat Quilts (IG)
Alyce @ Wonderland by Alyce (IG)
Nicole @ Modern Handcraft (IG)
Rachel @ Lets Begin Sewing (IG)
Nanette @ Yeah I Made That
Robin Sue @ Robin Sue Quilts
Stephanie H. @ Simple Sewendipity
Stephanie A. @ Quarter Incher (IG)
Michelle @ Factotum of Arts (IG)
Laura @ Little and Lots (IG)

So now that you've gone and checked out all of these talented ladies' blogs (and hit follow!), on to my March Block choice.  If you're like me, you have bins literally overflowing with scraps.  That's the whole point of this Bee right?  Hopefully this block will eliminate your smallish squares :)

Holy Scraps, Batman!

This month, I'd like two 12.5" Star Value Blocks by Melissa at Happy Quilting.  I've been eyeing this block for a while and was glad that nobody in the bee has picked it yet :)  Before you look at the tutorial, and get mad at me for asking you sew SO MANY tiny 2" squares, just look how pretty the blocks turn out ::wink::  Also, you can check out this post to see how the blocks will come together

For color selection, the scrappier the better!  Try to choose as much variety in fabrics and colors as you can.  The only change I'd like to make to Melissa's Tutorial, is that I would like black or charcoal instead of gray squares.  That way you can mix the lighter grays in with the Low Volume squares.  I made both of these blocks with scraps that were laying on my dining room table, I didn't even dip into the scrap bins!  I also ended up cutting down charm squares from swaps for the Low Volume and Dark pieces to make things a little easier.  

Cutting Instructions per Block (There is a great chart on the tutorial page, but I'll put it here for easy access):

• For the Star quadrants: choose 8 colors (preferably different prints) -- from the first print cut 1 2" square, from the second print cut 1 2.5" square.  Repeat for each color for a total of 8 squares of each size.
• For the Diamond Pieces: choose 4 more prints (any color, or multi-color) -- cut 1 2.5" square from each
• From a mixture of Low Volume scraps -- cut 16 2" squares, and 16 2.5" squares
• From Black or Charcoal scraps -- cut 12 2.5" squares

Helpful hint: Chain-piece these suckers! lol

If you need any scraps for variety let me know, as you can see, I have more than I know what to do with.  Also, I know the block looks like a pain, but it's really not.  The tutorial has some great tips and tricks for making assembly easy.  Thanks gals, you rock!  I can't wait to see what you come up with :)