The Blocks of August

I spent the weekend putting my newly acquired improv piecing skills to the test while working on my August bee blocks:

Sew Beautiful: Kati of From the Blue Chair sent each of us fabric in black, white, and a single bold color. We were asked to make improv-pieced blocks and to use the color sparingly. I haven't done a lot with black and white, so it was fun working with these striking, graphic prints. And I love the pinkish-purple accent color that I got.

Do. Good Stitches: Two more improv-pieced blocks. For these, Ara Jane asked us to use pink, yellow, brown, beige, and cream. This isn't a color palette I would have chosen on my own, but the colors surprised me by working very well together. Somehow the blocks remind me of candy or ice cream. Or maybe I'm just hungry right now.

String Me Along: Patchwork Queen sent out these gorgeous Nicey Jane strips and asked for string blocks. String blocks sure are quick, easy, and fun—especially when somebody else cuts the strips for you. : )

Modern Quilt Guild block: This isn't technically a bee block, but all of us in the Milwaukee Modern Quilt Guild were asked to make one of these for a group quilt. The design is Elizabeth Hartman's Wellington Park pattern, which can be found here (it is in the free "Modern Quilting Primer" e-book).

We could choose whatever we wanted as far as colors and prints, so I based my palette for this block on the Anna Maria Horner print in the center. I've had the dark orange and burgundy-ish prints for ages, but had never used them because the colors didn't really feel like me. But it's funny how, in the right palette, they look so fresh and modern. So, you see—you just never know when you'll find a use for that oddball print in your stash.

I'm linking up to Sew Modern Monday. Have a wonderful week!