This is the first month for my new virtual quilting bee, Twice Around the Block VQB. We have half of the members from last year’s bee and half new members. Kim kicked off the year with some really fun fabrics by Denyse Schmidt and Heather Ross. This was my first time seeing Flea Market Fancy blue seeds in real life. Let me tell you, they are even better in person. The solid turquoise is a Moda crossweave and it is *gorgeous*! I’m off to order some right now actually!

Kim asked for blocks made from squares and rectangles. I decided to do strips of random heights and just worked myself down the block. Each piece is also a random width. I hope you like it Kim and I can’t wait to see the completed quilt.

A few months ago I bought my first (and only) quilting die for my Big Shot Sizzix die cutter. Sizzix is getting into the quilting die game now which is quite handy since I already had the cutting machine. The half square triangle seemed a good place to start because exact size really matters. It made quick work of the cutting pieces for this mini quilt.

I am always inspired by the colorful quilts made by Rita of Red Pepper Quilts so I just picked some random bright colors from my fabric stash. Initially I just had a white border, but when I was auditioning fabrics for the back, I realized the additional turquoise border would really frame out the quilt nicely.

To offset the brights on the front, I chose Kona Ash and White for the back. The binding is a wonderful Tula Nest print.

I quilted this one free motion and it measures 26″ x 30″. I’ve put it up in the shop, but if it doesn’t sell it may find it’s way on my wall in my sewing room.

ETA: I forgot to mention I now have a Facebook page for Fresh Lemons Quilts. Come on over and join if you are a Facebook user. It will keep you updated on new blog entries, shop sales, and just all around fun things I find to share!

It’s been a bit quiet on the blog and will be probably for a little while longer while I work on a custom Far, Far Away II quilt order. I just love that fabric. I am hoping to have a bit of time to create a new bag or 2 to share…we shall see! I hope everyone is busy creating for the holidays!

Two posts on the same day? Madness! But I’m so excited because the mail just came and my Heather Ross Studio Sale package arrived! I received some great pieces of fabric – most are about 15″ x 22″. And look at that art! She even wrote my name – eek! I can’t wait to get these framed and put them up in my sewing room.

And speaking of art – I actually had ANOTHER tube in the mailbox today. A print I ordered on Etsy from The Wheatfield. Aren’t the colors amazing? These are really affordable and the quality is fantastic – highly recommend!