My favorite bee block, ever.

book block for Vicky in the Sew Buzzy Bee


This block was very hard to tuck in an envelope to send away. It is for Vicky in the Sew Buzzy Bee. Months ago, she asked all of us for our favorite children's book, fiction book, cookbook and crafting/quilting book. She then sorted that information into book "shelves" for her quilt. Vicky assigned me to craft books. I was given her favorite sewing book titles and those of other quilters in the two bees that are helping her make this quilt. I chose Patchwork Style as one of my favorites. You'll see a selvage and my initials at the bottom of the book spine. I hand embroidered some of the other titles, authors and initials and I freehand machine stitched the "i heart patchwork" piece.

I've never spent so much time on a bee block before (my embroidery is so slow) and I've never been so sad to see a block go. The fabrics she chose are impeccable. The concept is fantastic.  You might just see my interpretation of a bookshelf quilt sometime soon.
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12 comments:

  1. audreypawdreyMay 4, 2011 at 9:45 AM

    I love this block, and I can see why you would love to keep it! I want to make a book quilt, and this block is so inspirational for that future quilt. I love the details you added with the embroidery and the binding around the spines of the books.

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  2. MandaMay 4, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    This is phenomenal. I'm a librarian and can't wait to get my own bookshelf quilt done!

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  3. CarmenMay 4, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    It's beautiful! I've been contemplating a bookshelf quilt with my favorite titles.

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  4. AnonymousMay 5, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Super fantastic concept! I love it! I don't know what a bee block is - so I will have to google it and figure it out! I think this would make an awesome mini-quilt wall piece too!

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  5. quirky granola girlMay 5, 2011 at 3:44 PM

    dear birdandbicycle,
    a bee block is a quilt block made for someone else in a quilting bee. i'm in a number of virtual quilting bees, so this block is headed out to a quilter in Australia. i have buttons for each bee i'm in along the right side of my blog. if you want to see other blocks from the Sew Buzzy bee, then you can click on that button. thanks for commenting!
    QGG

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  6. AnnaMay 6, 2011 at 5:14 AM

    As said before, I think this block is fantastic!! I would have difficulties sending away something this cute too!

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  7. Amy DeCesareMay 6, 2011 at 9:11 AM

    I just found this on Flickr...wonderful! All of the embroidery is just charming. I really love the machine freemotion embroidery a lot!

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  8. melissaMay 8, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    oh wow melinda - this is AMAZING!!!!!
    what a clever idea for a quilt - i hope you do decide to make your own interpretation.

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  9. cmvMay 8, 2011 at 2:29 PM

    wow what a brilliant idea!!! and you freehand machine stitched those gorgeous loopy letters??? seriously, you are ridiculously good!

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  10. Amanda JeanMay 14, 2011 at 8:13 PM

    wow, it is super duper fantastic. i may have kept it if i were you. the i heart patchwork touch is AMAZING!

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  11. Amy FriendMay 16, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    I love this block and it has inspired me to make a book pillow for my office room...working on it now!

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  12. LexiloooMay 19, 2011 at 2:52 PM

    what a fun idea, this is just terrific! I'd love to try something like this!

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You are awesome! Thanks for leaving a comment :)