Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas my special friends. 

I hope your day has been special and you have found peace and joy. 

Ours has been quiet as we like it, the girls open their gifts in the morning and we spend the day just relaxing.  Tomorrow (boxing day) we will venture out and see other people, turkey dinner with our closest friends.

Thank you so much for being a part of my world, I believe I have all of my blocks and will soon have a beautiful, colourful quilt to relax with.  I hope to have Lizzie's blocks mailed out this week, and I hope to have all of my must be finished pieces (including a "special project") finished before the 1st so I can mail out and get a fresh start in 2012.

What are your plans for 2012? 

I've seen the idea of another quilting bee round has been mentioned.  I would like to participate if you don't mind holding off on starting it for a bit.  I'm feeling a bit run down with my monthly commitments and need a bit of time to recharge. 

Have you some ideas for the future...maybe even a small exchange?  Or another thought, what about a charity quilt?  We can pick a charity, and everyone make a block?  Even if it's not a charity, a donation to someone's local nursing home?  Just spitballing some ideas.

Whatever works out to be, I look forward to working together.

Take care my friends, all the best in 2012!

Vivian
Yukon Territory, Canada

For Vivian from Melina

Sorry I am so late, hope you like them though!

No Kaffe in my collection either but I hope you are fine with the colorful one I chose from my stash...

I really enjoyed making these two squares for you and I hope they work out and that I followed your instructions ok!

Melina

"The Trees" and Lizzie's blocks from Elaine

I've finally turned all my lovely trees into a quilt.

Thanks to everyone in this fabulous "Bee" for your contribution to my little forest.

I love the way it turned out and apart from some wonky quilting

which I'm in the process of fixing it makes me very happy.

 Today I received a parcel from Elaine with 4 beautiful blocks to be included in Lizzie's quilt.

This also made me very happy because now I have 12 blocks and that will make a quilt.

Poor Lizzie drew the final month with this Bee

and sadly some of us are tired of making blocks or are unwell,

or too busy or just don't want to play anymore and

I'm waiting for a parcel from Teresa (on it's way) but I haven't had word from anyone else
 about more blocks coming this way.

That makes me sad because I really wanted to make a quilt for Lizzie

that shows her how much we quilters all care for each other.

Only 6 of us have contributed to this quilt so far....

if you still want to send some blocks for Lizzie's quilt

please email me and I'll wait for your blocks to arrive.

Otherwise it's going to be a lap quilt.

Hugs Sue

I'm a scoundrel no more...yippee!

I'm a scoundrel no more, and boy does that feel good!  I can post these on Monday, Sue and Vivian.

The top two blocks are for Vivian (13-3/4") and the bottom two for Lizzie (12-1/2"), by way of Sue.  I have to admit that I was totally out of my comfort zone on these blocks...and my stash.  I had no Kaffe Fassett fabrics (can you believe it?!?) and not many funky, modern, bold ones, either.  I bought the fabrics a month or more ago, but have not been in the quilt cave in so many weeks due to the big benefit concert I was buried in.  After starting antibiotics and sleeping for 2 days, I finally got into the cave today...yahoo.  I was happy to find that I still know how to drive my sewing machine...

Thank you Bee Balmer's for a fun year of exchanges...and thanks for your patience, as I was often a scoundrel.  Sometimes I think my life is not my own, but I know many of you struggle with the same thing.

Happy stitching!

Teresa  :o)

Blocks arriving for Lizzie

Today Marlene's blocks arrived for Lizzie's quilt.

  Here's a picture of the blocks I have so far.

Thanks to Kate, Marlene and Beebee

and a couple from me.

It won't be long before we have enough to sew up for our good friend Lizzie.

If you are still making blocks for Lizzie please let me know and I will wait for them,

 a few more will make a sweet little quilt for her and remember, she did make blocks for all of us.

Hearts from around the world........

Thank you all for these beautiful hearts!

I put together the heart blocks from my online quilting bees......I participated in two bees and asked for the same block from both of them.  I got all these blocks.  I used all but 1 small block and I will put it on the back.  This has been a great experience.

I received blocks from:   Australia, Colorado, Texas, Canada, New South Whales, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Washington, Missouri, Louisiana, Georgia, Utah, New Zealand and France.  I think I listed all of the places.

....and lizzie's lovely log cabins

I've had a productive day catching up...

 Here are Lizzie's log cabins....

 It was fun choosing the fabrics and setting them together...

My stash is a bit light on greys. Anyway, Sue, they will be in the post on Monday.
My apologies once again, girls, for my tardiness.

viv's blocks

Late, Oh! so late I know, but they are finished and on their way to you Viv.

 Vibrant colours! Your quilt is going to be glorious!

 This one made from all your fabrics....

I wanted to make a second, but your strips didn't stretch that far so there are a few Kaffes from my stash in this one.  I hope they are not too late to be included in the quilt, and I hope they are what you wanted.
Kate

Finally done Viv..!!!

Here you go Viv, I've finally got them finished... ..I managed to get four blocks out of the fabric you sent and a bit of Kaffe that I had and I'll put the left over fabric in the parcel. They are straight even though they don't look it, raining again today so I had to put them on the wall inside, they might be a touch oversize so I've left them for you to cut down and square up.. Hopefully I can get them in the mail tomorrow after I've been to visit Mum.... XXX

Kaffe Fassett returning home

I have blocks from Sue and Barb...yay!!!  I'll post pictures later this weekend.

LOVE THIS PROJECT!!!!

Viv

Two log cabin blocks!

I made these log cabin blocks for Lizzie.

Sue, they will be put in the mail tomorrow!

These were fun to make!  Love the way all the colors are all mixed up. 

 I  hope they are ok.

A couple of Log Cabin's for Lizzie

I'd cut these strips weeks ago all ready for Lizzie's blocks and when

I was making the blocks this morning I noticed I'd included orange too.

Well I went back to read Lizzies post from August and there it is...

ORANGE

along with yellow, red, white, aqua, grey and chocolate and any other colours you can find in her picture.

These were quick and fun.

I'm looking forward to start making up Lizzie's quilt.

Lizzie's Block

OK Everybody,

we've all had a month when blocks were made for us and now it's Lizzie's turn.

She needs some time out to care for her family right now so we can help by giving her a little care.

I know she wanted blocks just like this.

Let's see how quickly we can get this to happen.

With Lizzie's permission I'd like to ask you all to join in making her blocks for this month.

Please could we all make 2 blocks (finished size 12.5" square) 

for her from our own fabrics with this look.

The centre is to be a  2" square and PLAIN RED

The surrounding strips to be cut around about 1" - 1.5" wide in an assortment of red & white, aqua & chocolate and yellow & grey.

Please try to use prints with the same modern look that most of these fabrics have.

I'm sure we all have something that will fit in amongst our stash.

Mail the blocks to my address and I'll put it together for her.

If you need reminding of my address just ask me in the comments and I'll email it to you.

Thanks for helping out, these blocks couldn't be for a nicer blog friend.

Cheers

Sue @ Charlotte's cottage

You will all have noticed I guess, that I have been more often absent than present in the last little while. Those of you that follow my personal blog will know that I have a trillion (I know, prone to exaggeration!..) things that I try to do and the top of that list is to be there for my Mum who has Alzheimer's disease. Her condition has taken an inevitable downward spiral in the last few weeks and I find myself driving the 200km round trip several times a week to be with her and support my Dad in his desire/need to keep her home with him for as long as is humanly possible. I'm not the young thing that I like to think I am anymore and the constant driving up and down, as well as the emotional toll of watching her slip away one brain cell at a time is all consuming. This has caused me to reevaluate things in my life and put aside some hopes and plans for me. I'm not an only child but I'm the eldest and the only daughter, so I'm it basically. 


I've decided with a huge amount of regret that I can't commit to another round of the Bee, I'll finish up Viv's blocks and call it a day. I'm ok with not doing my month, truthfully, I just can't find the energy right now. I'm handing over my Civil War Bride blog to someone else too, I will keep A House in the Country and my photography blog, they're my go to life savers so I hope you'll come visit me there..
If one of you wants to take over and organise the next round let me know and I'll sort it.


I just want to say thank you to all of the wonderful, warm and caring women I've met through this bee blog. I've had two years of friendship, fun and laughter. I've travelled continents and oceans, been to places I never thought I would, I've been inside your homes and your hearts and I know, with total certainty, that you'll all be thinking of me and I hope, always be a friend....
Lizzie
xxx

they're coming! they're coming!!

 Beebee's hearts are finished...

 Quite by chance a little star shape appeared in the centre of the four hearts...

So sorry Beebee that these are so late... the truth be told I had put your fabric away so carefully that I couldn't find it for ages. Finally last Wednesday night after tearing the room apart I found the envelope!

So these little hearts will be winging their way west over the Pacific on Monday.
Viv's fabric is now put in full view so they won't suffer a similar fate! I'll be onto them tomorrow, so should be caught up again...
Best, Kate

Hi Viv

Here's your Kaffe blocks, I'll parcel them up for their long trip back home to you.

They were so much fun to make up. Thanks for the great fabrics to work with.
hugs Sue

Winging it's way to the Yukon

Hey Viv,
I had fun with your strips, thanks for sending them my way. I hope you like them!



I'm getting ready to fly out to my sister's home in British Columbia, on the 8th, my etsy shop is going on vacation too. See you ladies in a few weeks~~Elaine

Happy Labor day!

Labor Weekend

Dear bee balmers,

I have been AWE (absent without explanation) for months and it is now time to fess up. We have been dealing with the eldercare issues in Ohio on a rotating weekend basis, it feels like forever. Last weekend my father-in-law finally made the decision to move his wife to a care center, trying a week to see how she transitions to the new environment. Because of some changes, we do not need to go this weekend, and I have decided that it is now time to take back my life. I will be starting on make-up blocks tomorrow and hope to get a goodly number caught up and ready to mail.

As DD1 finally got this new hand-me-down computer to a point where I can use it, I hope to post pictures of what I finish up. I have not been in blogland since my post about Lou's father's day in June. Thank you all for being so understanding, for the messages of support, and for having my back.

Happy sewing, San-Dee

Beautiful hearts for Beebee from sweet hearts!

I have been having so much fun checking the mail these last few weeks.  I have gotten hearts from Vivian, Elaine, Melina, Sue, Lizzie, Marlene and Teresa!  Your hearts are beautiful.
I asked for similar blocks from the 15 Minute Play group I am in.  Their blocks are pretty too!

Check out what I have so far......

they are so much prettier in person.  

Now I am off to work on Vivian's block.  Her fabric is unbelievable!

Vivian's block sizes

Hi Ladies!

Apparently I forgot to mention the size of my block! First the little square I sent is 6 inch x 6 inch. My finished block size is 13 3/4 inch x 13 3/4 inch.

Take care my friends, Vivian

The check is in the mail...

...well, not really money, just lst blocks. Sue, Tara, Teresa, Marls, Melina, Kate and BeeBee. Actually BeeBee, you should get yours tomorrow, it went priority yesterday with your shop items. I have enjoyed you ladies, thank you.

Now Viv, is there any specific size you want the center...or the logs....or the block?

Lizzie, please see the questions above!

Roasting in the drought, Elaine

Please take me off the naughty list, too!

Hello, all!  So sorry to be absent for so long!  I am almost caught up with blocks,  I just need to make it to the post office!

 Melina--I'll just hold onto this until you get back to the Fort unless you'd like it sooner?

And as soon as I can figure out how to applique without a raw edge, I'll finish up these hearts.  Any suggestions?

I hate to say it, but think that I need to bow out of the next round.  My intentions are always so good, but I just don't have the time to give this that it deserves.  I can't wait to play with some Kaffe for Viv, too!

My sherbet pips quilt from January  is still missing 3 of it's blocks as well.  If you don't have time to make the blocks, I'll happily take the fabric back .


Thanks to you all for your patience!!

Tara

Bad girl no more...

The donkey tail has finally mailed her blocks to Beebee!  I am a bad girl no longer!  I've had the crazy-pieced, red-background block done for a couple of weeks, but I was stumped on the other two until this week.  I hope they all fit with everyone else's blocks for a harmonious heart party.

I made the crazy-pieced hearts all scrappy pinks because all my red bits just blended into the background and didn't make the hearts stand alone.

My creative muse finally returned to design and make the last two blocks.  The muse has been on strike, wondering where all the chocolate went!

Even though it is Sunday, I went to the post office and put the envelope in the drop box TODAY so nothing would stop them from starting their short journey to Louisiana TOMORROW.

I'm sorry they are tardy...I've been distracted, for sure, the last 4 months.

I am scared and delighted as I anticipate starting Viv's blocks!  Should be fun and s-t-r-e-t-c-h me a little...

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)

It's me time!

I hope you have fun with the fabric I chose, if you have any Kaffe Fassett in your own stash that you may want to use a smidgeon of, feel free, it'll give it some more colour and pattern to assault the senses.

Above is the fabric waiting for packaging. Aren't all those pieces just a mind blower? Lets clash all over the place.




Above is the block I made...very simple, maybe a little boring but that's where you all come in! Feel free to make a block similar....OR...make your block totally random. I'm ok with it really. I'm not looking for traditional piecing, or exactness...want to make a square and throw some stripes all the way around? Go ahead...want to turn the square into a rectangle and do something that way? Go right ahead.

My plan in the end is to have my blocks butt right up against each other, no sashing. I want it to be an explosion of colour.

Thanks ladies! And again, thank you for your patience, I was saving the last couple of blocks to mail out with my material (save a stamp, I'm thrifty that way).

Luv ya! Vivian, Yukon

Housekeeping...

The last few months have been a bit of a mess haven't they? So it's time to clean up and definitely no sweeping under the carpet...! Viv has her blocks under control and please remember that we've moved up a month so she's not late but right about on time. Truthfully Viv, I think you've done well with a bit of missing finger for so long, glad it's all healed now. I will have my fabric ready to go in the middle of September to give the month between postings.


 Okay, serious stuff now. Can you all email me and tell me if you have blocks missing and if you have, how many? We all have issues come up and life get in the way sometimes, but I feel that in all fairness to everyone, we need to finish the round with as many blocks mailed back as we possibly can. We need to put some order back in the group if we are going to go round again in any format.


I need to also know if anyone is going to opt out at the end of this round? I've had a couple of suggestions for the next go around?? I'll put them all together with a few others and a couple of my own soon and post them up. I need to get that going in the next couple of weeks so that we can work out what's going to happen?


I've been a bit of a schoolyard bully today haven't I? Just so you all know that I love this group, this blog and you all....
...please accept this bunch of flowers for yourself, from one friend to another

address list

So I've had my little envelopes waiting on my desk all week...it's cold, it's rainy, life got busy.

Today I thought I would take them to the post office during my lunch hour, get them gone so I don't have to worry anymore.

I had some free time before lunch (it's now 11:53 a.m...why not wait till the last minute to address them) so I started writing my address in the return address area.

Hmmm...where is everyone's addresses? I know I had them written down on a piece of paper from home. Uh oh...I did empty my recycle paper box under my desk yesterday (after I cleaned it of all unnecessary items). Did it go in there? Eeek.

No problem, I'll just go into gmail and locate the list. Hmmm...when was that list sent?

Can't find it.

I can find an email between Lizzie and I mentioning I couldn't find the list way back in May.

But again, no list.

Seriously where is my head!!!

If anyone can send the list in the next couple of hours I can stop on my way home after work. Otherwise, tomorrow I'll drive in and get this done.

Thanks!
Vivian

who's turn is it?

I have enjoyed making everyone's blocks.  My turn was July .It is August 18th and I only got blocks from 2 bees...I hope everyone else is ok and  can send their hearts to me too!  I sent out little notes in the mail to remind everyone. Just  gentle reminder.  I do not want to upset anyone.  Please, if you can not do the hearts, please mail my red and pink back to me if you can.  I need it for my quilt top!
hugs to everyone
beebee

Hearts for BeeBee

I hope you like those BeeBee, they were fun to make, I hope I respected your instructions...

I will mail them at the same time as Kate's winding blades: Tuesday or Wednesday.

my block for Kate

There's my block Kate, I didn't have any vintage fabrics, I found some that I thought looked a little vintage. I had trouble with my mom's sewing machine so there are little imperfections. Hope you will be able to use my piece anyways and enjoy it... Mélina

Is was easier than it looked...what took me so long?!

I finally got Kate's block done!!  I kept putting it off and putting it off because it looked difficult and I thought I needed a large chunk of uninterrupted time to work on it.  Then tonight, it went like "zip!"  The fabrics are repro's from Marcus (Judy Rothermel).  I really enjoyed making this block!  I can't wait to see what you do with them, Kate.

Now, on to Beebee's hearts!

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)

Fun with black and white

I started this project last week.  It has been a challenge but fun to do.  Let me know what you think.  I am going to put a fabric with a black and white print for the back.  It is about 43 inches square. I just wanted to share it with ya'll.