Wanta Fanta Block requested by the March Queen
For nearly a year, I listened to friends and bloggers drone on about their Bees and Bee Blocks. Some were part of local quilt bees where the whole group made one block in a selected palette, brought them in to a meeting, and they would draw lots for the blocks.
Others, like my friend, Beth, from Cooking Up Quilts, were part of online virtual bees. Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts hosts Bee Hive Swarms on her site by organizing those quilters who sign up, and she also hosts the tutorials for 25 blocks ideal for any bee.
For those who are unfamiliar, let me give you a quick lay of the land. The Hive I'm in consists of 12 people with one of them acting as the overall organizer. Each person has the chance to be Queen one month, and choose a block from those posted on Blossom Heart's site. She or he may request certain colors or style of prints for various parts of the block, and each of the members of the hive do their best to please the reigning Queen. By the end of the month, all blocks are expected to be in the mail.
Often the blocks are mailed with other goodies or such, but it's not a requirement. I have to honestly admit I'm lucky to have gotten the past two blocks out on time so there were no extras. I'm trying very hard to do better and prioritize.
My friend, Irene, asked me what drew me to do this. There were two reasons. One, I wanted to meet other quilters, and spend some time getting to know them. Not all Hive members are bloggers, and I wouldn't have met them otherwise. Two, I wanted to stretch myself with trying new blocks. Don't let the simplicity of some of these fool you! The top block, Wanta Fanta, has paper pieced X's, and you should have heard me groaning. But guess what? They came out beautifully, even though that's not my first love. The instructions were spot on, and I experienced success. I grew as a quilter today.
Bee Hive sign ups usually happen the last few months of the year so if you're interested be on the watch. You could also organize your own hive with local quilting friends, or with online friends. Nothing says you have to start in January. You could do a summer block swap with just a handful of friends and each wind up with a throw for fall. Just an idea I might be throwing around myself.
Come on, Doxie girls.
Let's run this to the mailbox.