Sew Euro-bee-an
After The Fat Quarterly Retreat Quiltova and I decided to set up our own bee for Ex-pats and Europeans. And so, Sew Euro-bee-an was formed.
I’m on duty for the first month and I’ve been pondering lots of possibilities over the last couple of weeks. I found a block I liked, but the publishers of the book that contains the block wouldn’t give me permission to use it, so finally I decided to go it on my own. I’ve had such a lot of fun. Somehow designing something always seemed a bit scary, but I took my time and had a few aha moments along the way and before I knew it I had two blocks made and more to the point I like them and I hope the other bee ladies will too!
My theme for this month is Sea Glass….those lovely smoothed pieces of glass in soft colours that you can pick up on beaches all over the world.
I’m going for a modern improvised approach – based on 1 or 1.5 inch blocks within a nine patch with other pieces in this size range sashed in randomly. I’ve used Kona Snow as the background fabric and some Kona Solids in the Poseidon range for the outer borders. My idea is that the borders should vary in width. I think batiks work really well here, but large scale or colourful prints don’t, solids and subtle patterns are good too.
I can’t wait to see what the lovely Sew Euro-bee-an ladies produce!
You might want to check out their blogs!
Di – www.quiltova.blogspot.com - (Czech Republic, but Di is a Brit like me!)
Betty – www.bettyvanos.blogspot.com (Netherlands)
Christine – www.grapes-hearts.blogspot.com (Germany)
Pippa – www.pippaspatch.com (France, another Brit!)
Elisabeth – www.sharksdinner.com (A Swissie in the UK)
Tacha – www.haniesquilts.blogspot.com (A Brit in Germany)
Floh – www.flohstiche.blogspot.com (Germany)
Nicole – www.followthewhitebunny.com (Netherlands)
Celine – www.espritpatch.com (French in the UK)
Lush – www.diegoagogo.com (An Aussie in the UK)
Annabella – www.kechquilts.blogspot.com (A Brit in Morocco)
and last but not least, Linda in the Netherlands.
Now I’m off to the Post Office with all my little bundles….sew exciting!!
Helen
August 9th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Sea glass is a lovely theme, such beautiful, muted colours.
August 9th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
They are delightful and I am sure that your bee members will love them.
August 9th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
Fabulous group you put together! And I love your blocks. I pick up sea glass whenever I find it. I find it fascinating and wonderfully tactile.
August 9th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
Wooh hoo! Our first challenge. Love the blocks Helen, glad you had fun designing it. Not sure what I can find in the right colours though!
August 9th, 2012 at 4:08 pm
I love these colours, I have been playing with them all summer.
August 9th, 2012 at 6:33 pm
Oooo what fun! And your chosen palette is GORGEOUS!!
August 9th, 2012 at 9:51 pm
Love the sea glass theme. Your blocks look both interesting in design and soothing in color. A perfect end-of-summer project!
August 9th, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Oh my goodness, we’re kickin it off. I’m super excited! My first bee ever! Thanks again for inviting me to join this fabulous group, Helen and Di! Your mosaic is really lovely, I’m looking forward to give your block a try. Waiting for the postman now
)))
August 9th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Some publishers should not bite the hand that feeds (even if you decide to share your portion!!).
Lovely colour choice, this will look lovely x
August 9th, 2012 at 10:47 pm
The publishers wouldn’t let you share? Hmm, cutting off nose to spite face methinks! Anyway, love the colours
August 10th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
Your sea glass idea in the quilt is gorgeous, Helen. I like how randomly the squares are placed too.
My dear friend Carey makes sea glass jewelry in her living room studio, and her pieces are gorgeous. She just got back from a trip where she picked pieces of sea glass off the coast of England and Scotland. If you’d like to see her work, here’s the link: http://www.etsy.com/shop/SilverLeafJewelry. Your photos reminded me of what she does.
So much creativity everywhere – you folks who bring more beauty to the world are amazing. xxoo
August 10th, 2012 at 4:29 pm
That’s a fun block. Your group sounds like a good bunch, too.
August 11th, 2012 at 8:48 am
Gorgeous, Helen! Love the colours and the block. I’m really looking forward to the start of our bee. Thanks again for inviting me!
August 11th, 2012 at 11:37 pm
Helen, do you mind if I copy/link your mosaic and your sample blocks to my blog? And my I steal your list of members, pretty please?!
August 12th, 2012 at 10:37 am
Clever name! I like the sea glass idea too. It will become such a relaxing quilt.
September 17th, 2012 at 10:52 am
[...] image source [...]