Freda's Hive

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I've been busy with so many things. To catch what I'm working on, check Instagram and my profile fredashive. Happy Sewing.

I've been making fun blocks with Holly Holderman's Two by Two quilt project through McCall's Quick Quilts. Previously I blogged about my Jan/Feb first blocks.

Sew far I've made 8 blocks in the series. It isn't too late to get started. The magazine is inexpensive and the project is fun and fast.

These are my Feb/March blocks

These are my April/May blocks.

And these latest two are from June/July. Yes the June/July publication is on sale.

My blocks are all kind of yellow/cherry pink/Gray combinations with the accent of green for the leaves. I'm good at keeping up sewing my blocks but not very good at posting them. I love working with the scallop design and I've been using the scallop in several quilts. Speaking of, I need to post those!

-nanette

Just an update on things I've been working on. I've been busy sewing and living. You know.

I made these potholders for my sister Teri. I used the barn block from Lori Holt's book Farm Girl Vintage.

The last thing I need is another valentine quilt but I can't resist. I used the scallops for the edge from Sunrise Studio. I can't get enough of them. I have them in all sizes now. I snapped this pic from my ironing board. You can see my cute ironing board cover using Lori Holt fabric.

I used the medium sized scallops for these houses. And Pam Kitty Morning fabric from my stash, among other fabrics.

More houses. I have more hearts I'm making, too. Can't stop I guess. So I'm now making a Home is Where the Heart Is quilt. Just mashing hearts and houses together. I'm sewing an hour or so each day. It is easier on me to not marathon sew anymore. But sewing is so good for my head. It clears out the cobwebs.

Happy Sewing.

-nanette

Holly at Lakehouse Dry Goods has created a great quilting project for 2016. The quilt is called Two by Two. McCall's Quick Quilts will be publishing blocks in each issue that will end in a beautiful and unique quilt. I really love the Lakehouse scalloped fabrics and have used them in several projects. They make such a sweet perfect curves that come together without applique or piecing. If you don't already subscribe to Quick Quilts, this might be the year to be sure to grab each issue. Click the link to get the magazine on sale right now.

I really like the idea of spreading out a nice project throughout the year that I can look forward to with each block installment. Each issue gives instructions for 2 color versions of the same block.

I think it is great that even though there is a little fussy cutting, the project is really quick and easy. And I love love to fussy cut. The instructions are simple with good diagrams. And even I can turn out a perfect block!

I'm kind of playing around with color right now. I haven't been able to decide which colors of the scallops to use so I may end up with a more scrappy color scheme for my quilt.

This is the kind of project I can carry out and stick with throughout this year. This quilt is a finisher for sure.

-nanette

Every year I order calendar tea towels to gift at Christmas from Spoonflower. When Spoonflower has their 2 for 1 fat quarter sale in November, it makes it affordable. Each calendar is then $6.00. I order the cotton poplin and a fat quarter is a complete tea towel. I trim the edges and add binding, of course, before gifting. I'm not gaining anything by telling you about this sale but you might want to think about doing this for inexpensive or last minute gifts to have on hand.

These are some towels I gave at Christmas in 2011.

I try to be more organized for Christmas every year. Time slips by so fast. Happy Gifting.
-nanette

Recently I put together an assortment of blocks from Lori's Farm Girl Vintage book, her Quilty Fun book plus some of my own pumpkin block creations. I found I had enough blocks for 2 full quilts with left overs.

I put together one quilt for myself but I hung it at the reception area of my work place to cheer up patients as they waited for the doctors. Next fall I will hang it at my house and figure out another quilt for fall at work.

The other fall quilt I put together for a great friend who has helped me through some issues and listened to me when I needed an ear. I'm very grateful to her and I thought a Thanksgiving theme fabric would be a great border for both quilts. I used Riley Blake's Thanksgiving Harvest fabric. And of course most of the blocks are scrappy with odd bits of prints from my shelves. Scrappy is my favorite.

I've also got a table runner to finish binding. I will show that one later after I watch a movie and hand stitch.

Yes, I've been gone quite a bit from my blog. But I'm still sewing and busy with my usual life.

-nanette

I wanted to sew this past weekend even if it was only for a short time. I have plenty of projects I could have dug back into but my brain and hands were wanting something else. I love strawberries and it pretty much is the season with berries shipped here from California. So what could be better than a strawberry block?

Lori Holt's Farm Girl Vintage book had arrived in the mail. And I had been reading and looking at it bedside so I thought I would make something from the new book.

I actually cut out scrappy fabric to make 7 blocks. I wanted to make something small and simple for a few people so the blocks will be made into hot pads. I am all ready to make one everyday or so this week. But my newest granddaughter, Claire, will be here for 10 days starting tonight. We will see if I can pry my hands off her. Pics to follow with all 3 granddaughters.

-nanette

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