march quilt block and another quick project

I love being part of a quilting bee! This block is for Sarah of A Flower for You. She requested some texture. My group, A Notion or Two, has only been going three months and already I've learned so many new things.

Things like - how awesome all the people in my group are, how to do a wonky log cabin, how to "applique", and this month - Honeycomb Smocking! I saw this first on Creative Little Daisy. I looked over the tutorial and thought it didn't look that hard. And it really wasn't! I'm so glad I risked it - I think it turned out pretty great. This is something I never would have tried a few years ago. And I still dragged my feet on it - that's why it wasn't done 2 weeks ago when I first saw it!

I will say ironing and starching the pleats were probably the most difficult. But once you get into a rhythm even that's not bad. Starching is a must it makes handstitching the design so much easier.

Another thing I love about being in a quilting bee is how much I've been challenged. I wouldn't really call myself a quilter - I haven't ever done traditional quilt blocks. Most of the things I've done were strip pieced and scrappy. So it's been great to get past my apprehension to try new things and realize I actually CAN do this. Thanks ladies (and gent)! I'm loving it! Can't wait to see what the rest of the year has in store.

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We had a birthday party to attend on Saturday morning - to include in the gift, I whipped up this little headband that I think is darling. I need to make another one for the model you see here.

click on the photo to see the reverse