Friday 20 April 2012

Bee a bit more adventurous...

As a lot of you will know, I'm lucky enough to be part of Brit Bee.  Now, I'm ashamed to say I've been horribly behind with my bee blocks since February.  I dont know what happened, I just, well, kind of stalled on one block.

Ceri of Inspired by Felix challenged us with paper piecing!  The request was for "food and or drink, paper pieced".  Now, I had a big advantage here as I've been nattering to Ceri on the phone a fair bit, so I had a very clear idea in my head of what she was after and what she might like...  So I really went to town and it was SO. MUCH. FUN!!!  

The Smoothies block!



Jennie of Just a Little Stitch asked us all to do a self portrait.  Massively adventurous, very challenging, but, oh dear - me? On fabric?   I dont like looking in the mirror.  Surprisingly enough I hardly have any photos of myself.   So, that was a big challenge for me to begin with! If I'd been doing anyone else I'd have been fine... but I didnt want to be the only brit bee to completely wimp out and not appear in person.  I'm not going to go into all the details, but eventually I got someone else to help me alter a photo to limit the colours, I printed the photo on fabric, and I decorated the block.  I'm a bit disappointed with myself that I didnt come up with something more creative, but after 2 whole months of worrying about it and struggling, I decided that I should stop being such an arse and just get something done.  So here it is.

the text says "her sewing went like a dream" and yes, if I could get the picture any smaller I would ;-)  



Finally (for now!)  Jo of A Life in Lists gave us some gorgeous Heather Ross fabrics and asked for blocks with the theme of "Circles".  This was another first for me, but one I've been dying to try for some time, so I really enjoyed it.

Block one, star around a circle in a circle.... think it'll pass the circle theme?!

Block Two Rapunzel and appliquéd circles.

So, with all this trying new things, expanding my skills, challenging myself, what else has been going on?


Just a healthy little reminder that I still cant do a simple quarter inch seam.....  D'oh!!!


30 comments:

  1. Oh Sarah, these blocks are stonkingly awesome!! So well worth the wait. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your self-portrait - so clever and beautiful! There's no way you should be keeping that piece of artwork miniaturised! Jxo

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  2. The smoothies block is FANTASTIC - I don't normally like picture blocks, but I am totally reinspired by this one. And your self-portrait block is fantastic! Everyone will know who it is - I love it. So impressive!

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  3. I love all these blocks and I agree with Judith, they're well worth the wait! The smoothie block is inspired and I love all that hand stitching and your paper piecing is fabulous! The portrait block is brilliant and I don't agree that you could (should) have been more creative - it's fabulous! And your circles blocks are marvellous, they're both such great ideas and are well made. *clapping and cheering at your fantastic sewing* Ignore the quarter inch seam - it wass sent to try us ;o)

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  4. And I think I lack confidence! These are brilliant - especially the self portrait, which incidentally was big enough to see!

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  5. They may be late but your blocks are incredible!! I love them all and wow - your paper piecing is incredible and the food block is a work of art of art on its own!

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  6. And it would appear that I can't spell or proof read...well, that or I'm doing an impression of a snake!

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  7. I love the star in a circle!!! Is there a tutorial for it? Or would you be willing to share your process here? It's just what I've been looking for on a couple projects coming up. I LOVE IT!

    All your blocks are wonderful. The fabric choices are great and I love the out of the box blocks you've done, they're so clever!!

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  8. You are pure genius and I love you to bits!

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  9. Love the smoothie block, and well impressed with the circles. Not sure I would want my face on fabric either! LOL

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  10. Oh they are all brilliant!!! Love the self portrait.

    PS voted for you today xxx

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  11. Cannot believe how awesome that Smoothies block is. Totally wow! The others are fab too!

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  12. Ohhh I love your blocks. So inventive. I'm sure the recipients will agree they were worth waiting a bit longer for!

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  13. Wow love those blocks!! The smoothie one is incredible! =D

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  14. Loving all your blocks, especially the PP'd one

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  15. I don't know what you were worried about because these blocks are AWESOME! So so SO amazing.
    That is all.

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  16. The blocks are wonderful! And such nice dreams you have.

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  17. I have given up on ever being able to do a really good consistent quarter inch seam! :) I just keep a sharp quick unpick nearby. And I square up blocks where I can. Your bee blocks are really great, I especially love the star/circle block. Do you have a pattern for it, or can you tell me where you got it from? I'd love to try it.

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  18. Oh my goodness, your bee blocks are gorgeous! You talented lady!
    Quarter inch seams are the bane of my life, so with you there!

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  19. Your bee blocks are gorgeous, the paper piecing is fabulous, what a great idea for a block.
    The self portrait is wonderful, it's still big enough to see, and I would be very pleased with it if it were mine.
    Love the star circle block too. I'm crap at 1/4 inch seams too!

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  20. these blocks are so gorgeous! absolutely amazing!

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  21. Bugger the 1/4" seam, look at the beautiful blocks you made!!

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  22. Really love your blocks, especially the top one. But I did lol at your seams...a conspiratorial laugh, I should add. Glad I am not the only person that happens to!

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  23. Did I mention that I love my block??? I might have done... :) but if not, I LOVE IT!!!!!!!! self portrait is way cool (enlarge it you daft thing!) and that starry circle worked out just like the plan too....had to giggle at your 1/4" seam issue though....even the mega talented aren't flawless :D xxx

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  24. The smoothies block is brilliant! I also like the ridiculously small picture of your portrait block and the circles are awesome! I agree with Kelly ;)

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  25. Wow & Gosh & Wowee. and Phwoar! Awesome stuff girl,simply awesome :-)

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  26. Oh Sarah, I love all of your blocks. The first one is amazing! Did you handstitch "Mmm... Smoothies..."? It looks so neat!

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  27. Wondered what you'd been up to...thought you'd just been faffing about like me, but no! Oh my God, those blocks are genius! Well done!

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  28. These are seriously brilliant bee blocks, wow you have done a fantastic job

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  29. These are all very stunning. Love them all but think the paper-pieced food is my favourite. Wow! Juliex

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