pollen8

I’ve been in my own little quilting/sewing world since I started sewing again last year. but it’s hard not to notice all the wonderful blocks that come out quilting bees. not knowing how you even got into one, I talked rangsiwan into starting one with me. we asked six of our friends to join in and pollen8 was born (for a while it was pollin8, but pollen8 just looks better).
may is our first month and amanda asked for log cabin or square in square blocks. the only request was to use a grey strip of fabric in at least one of the blocks. since there are only eight of us we decided to each send in three blocks.

it was great taking a little break from the precision blocks of my “80s quilt” and just being free to improvise. no worries about seams or patterns here. just random cutting and piecing. it also helps that amanda has great taste in fabric. can you believe these are from her scraps?! this was my first time working with the heather ross gauze so I just had to show off that little frog.

I wanted each block to stand on its own, so I approached each one differently. my original plan was to gradate to the blues, but my block became pretty big without me realizing it. I like how it reads as calming compared to my other ones.

my next challenge was to only use solids. I wanted it to be graphic and modern. I hope I succeeded. I love the way the shot cottons mix with the linen.

before I mailed out my blocks I got the urge to use up what I had left for a bonus block. I think this one is my favorite. the blues and whites are so fresh and relaxing.
I already got our june package and I can’t wait to get started. I’ll admit I’m a little nervous, there were only two colors in the envelope.