de Jong Dream House: quilts for peace

Monday, July 24, 2017

Social Quilting and the Lovely Bee Swarm

One of my goals this year has been to be social with my quilting. I have been looking for opportunities to connect with other quilters, participating in things like Quilts for Pulse and Quilts for Peace.

"49 Hearts" made for Quilts for Pulse

This quilt hangs at the Dallas Police Department in memory of the five officers lost on July 7, 2016. I made the two heart with stripes. Our neighbor and friend, who is an officer for our local country department donated the patches.

I've also met new quilty friends by participating in quilt alongs, where someone posts a pattern in steps and quilters from all over work on the same pattern together. Earlier this year, I finished Bonnie Hunter's En Provence Mystery quilt.

Currently, I'm working on Grandma's Kitchen quiltalong with Pat Sloan and Blossom Heart Quilts's Milky Way Sampler.

Locally, I made charity quilts with my church's quilting group. This quilt found a home in a Russian orphanage.

I haven't participated in any swaps yet. I always seem to hear about them too late. But, I did get into an online quilting bee this year sponsored by Blossom Heart Quilts. My "swarm" is the Lovely Bee Swarm. Here are the blocks I've made so far this year.

In addition to meeting a new group of quilters, it's been fun to dig into my stash and make blocks I might not have considered if not for this group.

In August, it's my turn to be the queen bee! I chose the Abacus block in deep purples and lavenders.

I'm so excited to receive happy mail when I get back from vacation. Before I left, I already received this block and goodies from one of my swarm members! So much pretty purple!!