Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Lets Celebrate!

Five years ago my QuiltBee blog was launched and, like so many recreational quilters who don't blog to support a business, there were lots of questions running through my mind as to whether or not I would have anything of interest to say, or for how long. But it was something that I was keen to do and I'm so glad that I did - it has been wonderful! I've met so many warm, funny, creative quilters and learned so much, but even more importantly, it has helped me develop a discipline to not only start but finish things up. Now don't get me wrong, there's still a healthy list of things that need to be finished, but I've accomplished so much more than I ever expected.





I'm incredibly humbled by the fact that you stop by regularly to see what it is that I am working on and I always look forward to your comments and suggestions. It's amazing to be a part of a generous and talented global community that check in with each other periodically to see what's up and it has helped me grow and stretch my thinking. It's also been a wonderful inspiration for me to see what you are working on.







So why don't we celebrate our online friendship with a little anniversary giveaway? I've stitched a hexie pincushion for the occasion. I'd like to say that it was my idea but you have the lovely and talented Susan at Thimblestitch to thank for that - I lifted the idea from her (I think I need to make a second one for moi!).










And, in keeping with the hexie/bee theme, a piece of this great bee fabric - I haven't cut into it yet but it will be at least a fat quarter, if not more.













Just leave me a comment by end of day Friday, October 21 and let me know what part of the quilting process you enjoy the most. The Official Cookie Tester will be pressed into service to draw the winning name on Saturday and if you are a no-reply blogger please remember to leave your email address in your comment so that I can touch base with you if your name is drawn. Thanks so much!....M

26 comments:

Nancy said...

Congratulations on five years, Marie. You have a great blog! I always look forward to seeing what you're up to -- you make such beautiful quilts. And your bee pincushion is adorable, though I don't think I could put a pin in the bee. Here's to at least another 5 years!
--Nancy. (ndmessier @ aol.com, joyforgrace.blogspot.com)

Carol Henderson said...

Congrats on your five years of blogging. My favourite part of the quilting process is planning what fabrics to use and cutting out the many pieces. Time to dream how it will look when the pieces are sewn together. Keep blogging.
Carol

The Cozy Quilter said...

Happy blogversity! What a cute pincushion! And that fabric is my favourite colour...orange! I love picking out the fabrics for a project.

Anita said...

Congratulations on 5 years of blogging Marie! I find your blog very inspiring! I really appreciated you tracking down and sharing the name of your Mother's Mary Engelbreit Yellow Nine Patch quilt pattern a while back. My favorite part of quilting is hand sewing the binding. The Bee pincushion is adorable. Keep on blogging!

paulette said...

WOW!! Congrats on your five years of blogging...I have to say I have enjoyed them all! As far as quilting I LOVE everything about it especially putting on the binding!! That means it's finished and I can start something NEW! Absolute favourite part...buying the fabric and starting something new!! Least favourite...that closet full of UFOs!!haha Wishing you more wonderful, fun-filled years of blogging!! I also love your pincushion...it would look great in one of my bowls...just sayin'...thanks for the chance!!
Paulette

Ariane said...

Happy Blogiversary! You have a great blog and I love to see what you are working on. It inspires me to get going on some of my projects. Thanks for all you share.

Chantal said...

Congratulations on your Fifth Blogiversary! I found your blog a year, or so, ago and I love to come and see what beauties' under construction and to read what's brewing.
On the quilting front, I love what I am doing; when I am piecing, I love doing it; when I'm quilting, I love quilting; when I am binding ... you get the picture. I take pleasure in all the phases except cutting! :^{ I never cut an entire quilting because it's boring. I don't really have a favourite.
It would Bee awesome to win this charming pincushion. Thanks for the chance. ;^)
scrap(dot)and(dot)quilts via gmail (dot) com

Mary said...

Congratulations on reaching your five-year anniversary. It takes considerable effort to keep a blog going and you are to be consistency and up-beat approach. My favorite part of the quilting process is piecing, preferably on a vintage machine.

Kate said...

Congratulations, Marie on 5 years of blogging - interesting blogging! Hand quilting is my favourite part of quilting. Fab giveaway that you're having.

Jane said...

Wow, I can't believe it has been 5 years already! Keep up the good work Marie. You are an inspiration to us all.

My favourite part of making a quilt is the planning stages. Finding the pattern, then going through my stash to pull out fabrics. I don't mind the cutting, but it isn't my favourite part.

That bee is adorable! Bee happy! xo

Adrienne Cleave said...

Happy Anniversary! I really enjoy reading your blog. My favourite part is stitching the binding down and seeing the finished project... yeah me, I did that!

Lisa J. said...

Happy Blogversary. I 'm so impressed that you have been blogging for 5 years. Here's to the next 5 years.

Kathy H said...

Congratulations on 5 years. Your work is beautiful. My favorite part of quilting (other than finishing of course😀) is piecing.

Kyle said...

Sew glad you've been sharing your quilting journey. It's great to be able to share ideas and keep each other motivated. One of my favorite parts of quilting is choosing the fabrics. It's so fun to play. Happy anniversary!

Quilting Babcia said...

Congratulations on your five years of blogging! It is amazing how much we learn from one another's blogs, and for those of us who live in fairly remote areas it's an important connections to other quilters. My favorite part of quilting - has got to be snuggling under a hand-stitched quilt on a chilly fall evening while stitching away on a future creation!

bettyb said...

5 YEARS! What a milestone. Love the pin cushion. You have add one of those to my Christmas list ;)

Miss Jean said...

Congratulations! The pin cushion is just adorable. Besides the creative aspect of quilting, I love the friendships that are made with other quilters, whether it is at home with your local friends or on blogs like this.

Anonymous said...

OOHHHHH happy5th from Sedona. The colors here of the desert, the red mountains, flora and fauna are enough inspiration for me--need to start a new quilt when I get home. Love picking the colors and of course the best part--seeing it finished and seeing it being used and snuggling under the warmth of a quilt and seeing someone's reaction when you give them a quilt--especially a surprise one they weren't expecting. Keep on keepin' girl, love your blog and equally love your little pin cushion. Need to know how to make it, can yousend me a link? Lindiana, yours in quilting, xox

terry said...

Congrats on 5 years of blogging. Have been a faithful follower for years. Your bee pin cushion is to die for. Best part of quilting is the "done" sigh I give when another quilt is finished.

Terry

Sandy said...

I love your blog, Marie! So many beautiful quilts, and wonderful personal stories and photos. Your bee pin cushion is adorable!
I've been busy cutting my next quilt ... inspired by your HST table runner. Very curious to know the story behind that name!
I can't decide on my favourite part of quilting ... fabric shopping, laying out the pattern & colours, seeing the pieces come together, or the quilting ... which, to quote Betty ... " makes the quilt come to life".
I know my least favourite part is ironing all the fabric after I wash it! ��
Congratulations on 5 years, Marie! We all look forward to seeing what's next!
Sandy
PS ... I made your rhubarb buttermilk cake recipe using apples and cinnamon ... delish!

Susan said...

Congratulations on you blog anniversary. I don't so meant so much anymore, but I do keep up with what everyone's doing. I love your hexies, and hearing about your baking. I'm afraid the pincushion wasn't my idea, I pinched it from Maisie and The boys! Don't put me in the draw, but I'm sure someone will be thrilled with your prize. x

Doniene said...

Congratulations! I know that I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog! I too wonder if blogging is what is for me, but I, too, love the friendships, encouraging words, and feeling connected! Thanks for sharing!

What a darling pincushion! And cute fabric too! Thanks for the chance to win!!

Blessings and hugs!

Doniene said...

Oops! My favorite part of the quilting processs...um let's see...what ever part I'm working on!!

Blessings and hugs!

Angie said...

Congratulations!! :D My favorite part of quilting is the actual sewing of the blocks. My least favorite is cutting the pattern pieces. :( Needless to say, I have a whole lot of UFOs. LOL

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary - I enjoy looking at all the choices of patterns and figuring out what fabrics to use.
Susan McC (sesjtm@yahoo.com)

Anne said...

Congratulations on 5 years of amazing projects. A job well done indeed!