More Busy Bees virtual quilting bee blocks. August was for Amber of One Shabby Chick.
If you’re not familiar with virtual quilting bees, they generally work as follows (at least I think this is how they work given I’ve now participated in a whopping 2 bees including this one !)
There’s an organizer for the bee that pulls together all the participants (usually 10 to 12 quilters) and coordinates the assignment of a month to each of us. The organizer also answers questions about the guidelines for the group (like pre-washing fabric, block size, etc.) All that is done via a Flickr group which they moderate.
The organizer also has the unenviable task of keeping us all on track. Searching for participants that have gone MIA and generally keeping the peace all with a very large smile on her face. My guess is it’s a lot like real like quilting bees.
When it’s your month, you select a color palette/theme for your quilt blocks. You then assemble a small package of fabric for each of the other participants. The goal is to get this in the mail before your month so the others can then work on your block during that month.
In the first bee I participated in I made one block for each month. This bee seems to be a bit different in that we’re encouraged to make more than one if we choose to. Once I start playing around with the fabrics I’ve found I rather enjoy the opportunity to take a couple of runs at a block design.
Some participants are very particular about what they’d like you to do with the fabrics and the block design. Others provide general guidelines and leave it open. And everything in between. Amber selected Orange and Aqua (guess you figured that one out already!) and said she very much liked Denyse Schmidt Drunk with Love blocks but for us to take it where we wanted.
You can see all the Busy Bee quilt blocks on Flickr.
Your blocks for Amber are wonderful Kathy. I love the colors Amber selected too!
Wonderful blocks, I love the colour combinations and selections of fabric.
These colors and blocks are fabulous! Lucky Amber!
Love the blocks. I used to do swaps and then decided I had so little sewing time I just couldn’t but these new bess of a block or two a month might be jsut the ticket!
I’d say you nailed orange and aqua! Those are great blocks, Kathy! I’ve got my first bee coming up in January and I can’t decide what to do…
i haven’t decided yet either Krista!
I LOVE them
Thanks again Kathy – and for making three too!!!
It sounds like fun! I love the color combo and block variety.
bees are so fun!
i think my favorite august block of yours is the first one. i’m a sucker for wonky logs.
happy sewing!
Love what you did with these Bee blocks! I love when the person gives you a little wiggle room to add your own flair, which should make for a very interesting quilt with less uniformity.
Nice bright colors !
Love the contrast…..my favorite is
also your first one pictured. I love how
you framed the tiny scene.
Lovely blocks, and you just reminded me that I’ve been meaning to get hold of some of the Erin McMorris Weekend bikes, thanks!
Beautiful blocks! When is it your turn and what colors are you going to pick? Is there a place to see the quilts after the blocks are assembled? I think this is a really fun idea!
i have no idea yet!
WOW! Love the orange!
Thy are all really nice, but I have to say I’m particularly fond of the center block. I like that at first it just looks like squares, but on second look some of the squares are really made of two rectangles. I love subtly messing with the viewer like that.
my favorite too
I looked at all the pictures in the Flikr group, and they were very inspiring. I’ve never been particularly drawn to orange, but I really like this combo. All your blocks look neat, but the first one is quite striking. I assume you add a lot of your own fabric to the mix. You picked some great ones. I, too, am interested to see your color choices. I’ll bet they will have me drooling!
I love the duck block – design and use of fabrics just is great. I have been using orange – a color outside my comfort zone, and finding that it plays nicely with many colors and patterns. Thank you for explaining the block exchange.
Really nice to see aqua not paired with red! (I like that combination, but you know!)
Hmm, I’m very curious about joining a bee myself – just haven’t taken that plunge yet…Thanks for the push!
how fun! love the colors and style of the blocks. I’d love to join a bee, but haven’t found one yet. how does one go about that?
There’s a blog called Quilt Bee Blocks, it looks like she has a lot of information about quilting bees and a link on the top for signing up to join a future bee
Those blocks are just wonderful!
Like the combinations and design of those blocks!
Love the color combo here. I will need to try that out in some of my designs.
These blocks are so beautiful!
I always love seeing different colour combinations together…I seem to stick to the same colours all of the time so i get great inspiration here. Thanks.
I love the slightly wonky look that is catching on now. It is so awesome!
I have always wanted to participate in one but never seem to find a swap when it is open for participants. Your blocks came out beautifully. Loving the aqua and orange.
I love this color combination! It’s fun to see how different people come up with such awesome ideas, and each so different
These are great, I love the colour combinations!
Absolutely LOVE these blocks! The orange & turquoise…yum! And all the fabrics are great together!!