Saturday, September 24, 2016

Rowdy Flat Library Quilt Block 2 (The Beekeeper) and a reader makes a quilt from one of my patterns

I'm sick of renovations because one thing just leads to another. The attic space has been cleaned, repaired and new insulation installed. In the process some electrical work was done up there and as a result it was necessary to knock two holes in my bedroom wall to run electrical cable. That would not have been so bad but for the fact that there is wallpaper on the walls so this means I have to pack up my bedroom, strip the wallpaper, repair the walls, repaint and so on. I had planned on putting my sewing room back together and will do so but once that is done, all of the bedroom stuff including furniture will have to be packed up and stored in my sewing room. Oh well, I had best stop my moaning and just get on with it!

During all of the commotion I've finished block 2 of the Rowdy Flat Library Quilt designed by Susan Smith. She calls this block "The Beekeeper" because as you will see it is loaded with bees! Here is my start.


At the base of the wreath the pattern called for the quilt maker's initial but I just loved the bees sooooo much that I added a bee instead.


Susan's quilt design calls for a variety of fabrics for the bee bodies but I plan to use the same fabric for all of my bees. I like the warm honey colour and think it works well. All the little details such as the legs and antennae are done with a pen.


The flowers in the three corners were appliqued in place. The pattern calls for flower centres made up of two circles with one being smaller than the other.


I have this fabric in my stash and thought it would make perfect centres for the flowers so I cut them out and positioned them on my flowers. They really sparkled so I didn't need to go the two circle route.


I love the effect of this fabric. for the flower centres!


Finally, here is my finished block....The Beekeeper! Notice the honeycomb in the upper left corner.


I recently heard from a reader, Gretchen, that she had made a quilt from one of my patterns, Cherry Blossom. The pattern is available in my Craftsy store.


Gretchen made her Cherry Blossom quilt larger than the pattern and she added a pieced border. All I can say is WOWIE! Cherry Blossom is one of my favourite quilts and I love her version. Isn't it interesting to see how a border can change the look of a quilt? You can read about Gretchen's quilt on her blog Gretchen's Little Corner.



Gretchen added her own personal touch (I love doing that myself and am really pleased to know that Gretchen did her own thing too) by adding the pieced border!


I've procrastinated long enough. Time for me to start packing up the bedroom and think about stripping wallpaper. Until I post again, happy sewing.

Karen H

18 comments:

  1. Hi sweet lady! Im so sorry about all your house woes. One thing sure does lead to another. Rowdy Flats - what can I say!!!! It is stunning. Those circles add so much to the flowers and the bees are wonderful. I think the bee in place of your initials looks great. Such wonderful little creatures. Well done

    ReplyDelete
  2. Renovating always seems to go on longer and be more disruptive than we think it should. Hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel for you...? I love your bee block, the changes you have made are perfect. Lovely to see Gretchen's quilt - it is a lovely design.

    ReplyDelete
  3. House repair is never ending! Your block is fabulous. Love those bees and the flowers.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a spectacular block! If they are all like this, it's going to be amazing. Those flower centres are perfect, what a great find!

    Good luck with the reno!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love the bees. Your fabric for their bodies is just perfect.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I love your blocks, and you are making it so tempting to start that quilt. Gretchen is a friend, wonderful lady, and an awesome quilter. Her work is always stunning. Yours is, too! I always love your attention to detail.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Your Rowdy Flats is looking good I really like the bee fabric!
    Yes Gretchen does some beautiful work. I am gathering my fabrics for Rowdy but do not plan on starting it until I finish a few more projects. Maybe I will start on New Years Day!
    You have really been in the "construction" mode for a long time. Maybe by Thanksgiving your home will be "completed" and you can enjoy the holidays.
    I agree with LuAnn's comments on your attention to detail when fussy cutting! Learned a lot from so many bloggers on different ideas for fussy cutting.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh WOW! Just LOVE your bees and flowers!! Beautiful job!! Love Gretchen's version of your Cherry Blossoms pattern. Beautiful!! Good luck with the reno and chores it is creating.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I adore your little bees and honeycombs.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your bee block is lovely, and what fabulous fabric for your flower centre. Certainly saved making double circles!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Renovations and packing can be frustrating but it will all be worth it in the end, at least you are able to continue with your sewing. Just loving the Rowdy Flat quilt, I'm very very tempted. Such a great, those flower circles are perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love your skeleton toile fabric .... what a hoot! Yeah, renovations are the pits but once done, enjoy. Love your block.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Gretchens quilt does your pattern justice and the border adds her very own twist too!
    I keep putting off internal decorating as well lol
    I wish you well at yours and I adore all those magical bees

    ReplyDelete
  14. Your busy bees are coming along beautifully, and Gretchen's version of your quilt must make you happy - it's beautifully done.

    ReplyDelete
  15. One thing leads to another, can imagine home doesn't feel much like home at the moment! Sorry to know that, but amazing then that you still crack on and work fabrical wonders!
    Love the flowers, they look like passion flowers now!

    ReplyDelete
  16. How goes it, Karen? Is it all done now? How is your mother. Hoping you'll have a Merry Christmas.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Karen, I have been thinking of you lately-especially since I have dug out my baskets of civil war fabrics and the pattern you helped me with for my civil war hexie quilt. I am back at it-a friend of mine suggested using a clip to pinch together the area where I am hand sewing-and that has helped me allot to sew this again-still quite slow but faster than before. oh my I hope the renovations are going well-that is always so much work-we are back on our house and have hired a couple to help us since hubby can't do the work any more--so we are busy here too sorry I have been away from my blog for awhile-and I have a started a new one too just for my crafts http://hummingbirdwoodlandstudio.blogspot.com/ loving this new quilt you are working on-you are soooo amazing-hugs Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  18. I love your skeleton toile fabric .... what a hoot! Yeah, renovations are the pits but once done, enjoy. Love your block.


    โกเด้นสล็อต
    สูตรบาคาร่า
    Gclub จีคลับ


    ReplyDelete