Hooray and we have been outside enjoying the wonderful weather. Just in time I discovered the perfect project to take to the playground. Hexagons!

I am busy cutting hundreds of hexagons to make a quilt for Amelie and Hanna. I can tuck a few in a bag when we head off outside and sit on the edge of the sandpit and quite happily tack a few to paper while Amelie and Hanna are playing. Bliss!



This block however is on its way to Katy as part of the Cottage Quilting Bee.



Along with this block. I think it will find a happy home judging by Katy's house! And I would die for that sofa!

I finally decided on the bird blocks for the Row Robin and they are winging their way to Tracey as I write. Can't wait to get Carrie's row!






In other news we are eating LOTS of ice cream. Somehow we decided this was a good treat for Amelie if she managed to go without nappies for the day. And with such incentives she has been pretty much dry for almost a week!

March is also the month for Nettie in the Cottage quilting bee. She sent me a lovely selection of fabrics in orange, pale blue and brown. She wanted blocks of varying size from 14" to 8" and was not fussed as to what we made although she did tell us that she was into improv blocks at the moment.

This was the first 10" block I came up with.



I added in the solid brown and the blue circles (which are Timeless Treasure from goodness knows when, they have been in my stash for donkey's years). Really the motifs on the fabric dictated this block to me. I was also inspired by these blocks by Film in the Fridge.

When cutting the squares for the block above it suddenly dawned on me to do some circles. I have made a few circle quilts and have always liked the results. They are not difficult. Partly because the way I do it is not supposed to give you results that are perfectly lined up! As you can see in this block the centre circle is a little off. But I think it makes quite an effective block.



If anyone is interested I could show you how I do it. Just leave me a comment.

The block itself ended up just a tick over 12.5" and I was really reluctant to cut it to 12.5" since that would mean the outside circles would be smaller than the inner circle. Nettie is happy with it as is. So a little bit over 12.5" it stays!

Finally I put together another 10" block from the scraps I had left over from the first two blocks.



This was a LOT of fun! I am really enjoying being a part of a quilting bee. I highly recommend it to anyone interested.

These are the fabrics that Viv, from Highway Cottage, sent me for her block in the Cottage Quilting Bee. Very different to what I usually use. In fact, I have hardly any black in my stash at all. Something that I need to remedy.

Viv printed images onto fabric using her computer printer. The image I received was fantastic quality. I think she used freezer paper to run the fabric through the printer. Something I am going to have to try. I have used freezer paper to print on brown packing paper but not to print on fabric. I am not sure how the image will handle being washed. Viv's quilt is going to be a wall hanging so that isn't an issue, but I have heard there is a solution that the fabric can be soaked in that makes it permanent. Definitely something to keep in mind for future projects.

Viv's quilt is all about Emily the Strange. I had never come across her before but have since googled her and have found out how all over the place she is! How come I never came across her before? The image I received is of Emily's four cats, Mystery, Miles, Sabbath and Neechee. Each is also represented by a symbol.



Viv told us to go wild and that we could embellish if we wanted. She also told us that the image didn't necessarily have to take centre stage. So I decided that this was the perfect opportunity to do stuff I don't usually do on a quilt block! Hopefully Viv likes it!



I added some red and black and white polka dot fabric, mounted the image on some frayed white fabric and divided the block into three sections with ric rac.



Lots of deliberately wonky embroidery stitches, some plain buttons and some stripy buttons that I embroidered with the symbols that represent the cats.

I had a lot of fun making Darci's block. I decided to make a wonky log cabin and just go with the flow.




I added some white, pink and green gingham to the fabrics Darci sent and a little bit of ric rac.
Hmmm. One minute I love it the next I think it is too much.


I had some problems with the turquoise in the flower fabric as it was quite overpowering in a block. So I didn't use it in this block. Sorry Darci. It just wasn't quite gelling with the other fabrics.


So I decided to make a more simpler block using the turquoise flower fabric.





This time I added the green stripe, pink stripe, pink and little pink leaves from my stash. I think it worked well to tone the turquoise down and keep the pink and green theme.


I hope you like the blocks Darci. They will be winging their way to Tina on Monday.

Yesterday I had a wonderful surprise when I went to collect our post. Not 1 but 3 packages for me.



First off this great book from my secret Book Exchange Partner. I have actually read this book already but in Spanish and when my Spanish was a bit rusty so I am looking forward to re-reading the book in English! I am certain there will be lots of bits that I missed! And it will be fun to compare the two. Thank you Secret Pal and thank you Carmen for organising this exchange.



Then I found this lovely little pouch from The Princess and The Monkey. It is very cute and I just love the linen and fabric accent. Amelie immediately tried to claim it as hers, but I hid it away! I am going to use this one! Thank you very much Lisa. Check out her shop here.



Finally there was Darci's fabric for the Cottage Quilting Bee. A lovely selection of pinks and greens with a little turquiose thrown in for good measure. The focus colours of the quilt are pink and green so I will have to be careful not to let the turquoise dominate the block.

I have to admit that I am a little daunted by my first quilting bee! All of our group are very creative. Check out some of the already finished blocks here, here, here, here and here.

Right best get cracking!