Monday 4 April 2016

Lots of Cross Blocks

     For the last three days I've been crushing on the fact that I got to stay home for three days in a row and do whatever I like.  No work. No obligations.  I spent some of the time hanging out with friends, some of the time hanging out with Dwight and some of the time reading.  The current book is Almanac of the Dead by Leslie Marmon Silko.  I'm really enjoying it.
     
     I got right to work on Friday making my Hive 8, stash bee blocks.  Liz wanted log cabin cross blocks in black and white.  This block went together quickly and I made her two.






     The first with fabric designed by Rashida Coleman of Cotton and Steel, and the second with fabric designed by  Erin McMorris.



     Liz wrote an excellent tutorial for making these blocks and she shared it on her blog Lizzyclips Designs.  Judging by the blocks showing up on the Stash Bee blog this is going to be a very striking quilt.

     Helen of Hive 6 also chose a cross block for her bee block and as I was crushing on the crosses I made one for her as well.



     Helen also has a great tutorial on her blog Midget Gem Quilts for making this block which uses a different construction method than Liz's.  With the reds and low volume scrappiness, this quilt will be another winner.

     I'll be the Queen Bee for Hive 8  next month and I've finally settled on a block.   I've got the fabric cut and I'm hoping for some sunny days this week to sew the pieces together and make the tutorial.  Oh and I almost forgot, I ended the weekend finding out that I was a lucky winner of the One Monthly Goal link up at Red Letter Quilts.  I won Machine Quilting with Style by Christa of Christa Quilts!

     I am so grateful to have had this wonderful weekend of respite.  My next week and weekend are jam packed again, with two trips to Toronto and one in the other direction to New Hamburg.  We are making preparations for my aunt to return to her apartment ( not sure exactly when that will be but it's getting closer) and my niece will be visiting  from Australia!  My American relatives will also be joining us at my sister in law's farm.  Both my kids, my daughter in law and my grandson will be there as well.

     Linking up with Main Crush Monday and Let's Bee Social.

15 comments:

Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl said...

I think I might end up crashing and making these blocks this month, too. Congratulations on selecting your block for next month; I look forward to seeing what you picked!

Paige said...

Both block designs are great! And thank you for sharing the link to the tutorials. I love black and white together, that one will be so striking.
Congrats on winning OMG!

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts said...

Those black and white blocks are amazing. It will be a beautiful quilt. Sounds like you have a lot coming up in the next week - have fun!! And congratulations on winning Christa's book! Thanks for sharing your blocks and the tutorials on MCM. :)

the zen quilter said...

Looking good, can't wait to see the finished product.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

How did you manage three days to yourself?? Lucky you! I love the black and white blocks, but I've never seen it made that way before. I've used Helen's method. I saw that you won the book. Very happy for you, but also very jealous at the same time. LOL

Tish Stemple said...

Congrats on winning over at Red Letter Quilts. I love the black and white prints in your bee blocks. I'm sure Liz will love them as well. I've never participated in a bee but it looks like fun. Three days of sewing...you must teach me how to score this.

Little Black Cat Quilting said...

Such lovely little cross blocks! I love how there are different methods to making this one, yet they all look great. Congrats on the win over at Red Letter Quilts and at scoring 3 days of sewing!

Saija said...

Nice blocks! I love all plus quilts :)

Preeti said...

Love the sharp contrast between the cross fabrics and the white background. You are absolutely right - it will make a striking quilt and I am looking forward to it.
Hugs,
Preeti.
http://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com

Ioleen said...

Love your black and white blocks. A quilt with those blocks and that one red, I think would be awesome.

Kate @ Smiles From Kate said...

Nice blocks. I love your fabrics choices, especially the black and white and red fabrics. Congratulations on your win, I have Christa's previous book Machine Quilting With Style which is a keeper.

Cut&Alter said...

These crosses are lovely - I've noticed them to in the other bee hives! Congrats on your win aswell.

Liz said...

The blocks look so great, I love the fabrics you chose! I'd never seen the house print before and I love it - anything architecture inspired is right up my alley! I'm excited to see what you've decided on for next month!!

helenjean@midgetgemquilts said...

just catching up on blog reading rather than ig reading or looking. Thank you for my plus block, very much appreciated. And, I love the shoes in the photo! The black log cabin blocks are great too. Funny how there different bees have picked same but different blocks this month. And I did pick mine at random, promise!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

It is interesting how the same block can be made so many different ways, and look so different. Love your fabric choices. Congratulations on your win.