2013 Finish-A-Long: Q3 List

Considering I've just received the last of my blocks in three bees, it's pretty obvious where to start my third quarter FAL list! Top priority is FAITH Circle's June quilt, where we used SewCraftyJess' "Starburst Cross" block tutorial. 

Next up, the Modern Maple blocks made by That Stash Bee.

In May, I sent Always Bee Learning Bee beemates 9 polaroid blocks collected during the *Picture-Perfect* Polaroid Swap, along with several black and white prints, and asked them to frame the blocks. I just put all the blocks up on the design wall to take a photo for this post, so what you see isn't the final layout. I'm thinking that will be a tad tricky!

Not bee blocks, but I decided to go ahead and add the Slice and Insert blocks I made during Katie & Jacquie's class. I'm thinking maybe a wall hanging with these. I hope I can get back into the improv groove, as I'd like to make a few more blocks before putting them all together.

All of these projects are ones I'm really looking forward to, so hoping this can be a successful quarter!

Linking up with Leanne/shecanquilt and the Finish-A-Long Q3 linkup.

Discovering Slice and Insert

Yes, it's Tuesday. But I'm pushing away from the table to share about my most excellent day yesterday! I had the awesome opportunity to take a workshop from Katie Pedersen and Jacquie Gering, coauthors of Quilting Modern. The workshop itself was entitled "Slice and Dice Workshop/Slice and Insert Technique and Projects" based on a chapter in their book.

I know Katie from previous classes and the SMQG, but I had never met Jacquie, though her Seattle trunk show I attended three years ago was what opened my eyes to the modern quilting movement. So it was a special treat to spend the day and learn from them both.

They brought so many awesome quilts to demonstrate techniques, it was like a mini quilt show.

And to have them present as a duo was just plain delightful.

Before long, we got down to the business of creating. I chose to work with a background of Carolina Chambray in Natural, the first time I'd used it (nice!); then a Field Study multi-colored floral and an unknown Kona green for my insert fabrics. I started with 8" background blocks, and tried to incorporate different techniques in each block. This kind of piecing requires playing with your strip placement, and for me, just staring at it a bit before I actually cut and sewed! But it was very fun, and I got plenty of affirmation, so I'm anxious to do a few more blocks and see where this goes. Here's what I have so far. (We were testing the green as a background, thus the interestingness on the design wall.)

Anyway, it was a wonderfully fun day, one I won't soon forget! If you've done some improv, I'd love to hear about it!