"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: Photos of the Finished Quilt

January of 2014 has been wonderful! After coming back from my trip to Lincoln, Nebraska for the New Year, I felt refreshed and inspired to finish quilting my "Flow Zone" Quilt. I've been meaning to post photos of the finished product, but just haven't found the time to look through the images and pick my favorites. Today I am grateful for Texas Snow Days! ;-) Thank you, LISD, for canceling classes so I could check this post off my to-do list!

Here are a few of my favorite photos:

I created a pillow to match using Elizabeth Hartman's Cat Quilt Along. The cat blocks were quick and easy to make!

This Crate and Barrel Lounge Sofa was one of my Christmas presents! I think it looks a bit lonely with only one pillow, but don't worry...I've decided that this couch is going to puke spring this year! To be continued with better photos...

Well, this concludes the "Flow Zone" Block of the month! Thank you all for playing along with me! Stay warm and cozy out there! XOXOXO

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: Finished Quilt Top

Today I finished putting together the quilt top for the "Flow Zone" Block of the Month. Now, I'm just waiting on my backing fabric so I can begin quilting!

Once I had all the blocks organized in a way that I loved, I decided to use the neutral color fabric (Kona Bone) for a sashing between the blocks. I used 2 inch strips between the blocks and 3 1/2 inch strips on the outer border. Now, you don't even have to do this part if you don't like it. It's your quilt so you can do whatever is appealing to you!

Since this is the first quilt for a couple of people participating, I recommend signing up on Craftsy and enrolling in the Free Block of the Month from 2012 by Amy Gibson. Around lesson 13, she walks you through how to put the blocks together, make the quilt sandwich and tips for quilting! You can start and stop the video as much as you want. You might even get the urge to make some of the blocks for a larger quilt top.

OR email me and I'll be happy to help with any questions!

Feel free to post photos on the progress of your quilt in the Flickr group! At the end of January, I would like to have a party for all the people that participated. I'll touch base with everyone in the near future with more details.

Until then, I hope everyone is enjoying the break! Happy Holidays! :)

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: December

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thanksgiving week! The final block chosen for December by Laura is called the...

*Lady of the Lake 2*

This block tutorial is one of Macia Hohn's Blocks from the Quilter's Cache.

Click here for the tutorial.

My version is less than perfect, but hey it works for me! :-)

I'd love to see your version in the Flickr group! Thanks to everyone who has participated all year. It really has been a special way to connect with co-workers and friends from the school district!

Next post, I'll give some support for finishing this quilt as best as I know how. You might have a great resource...let me know in the comments!

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: October

Hi friends! I almost wrote that I can't believe it's the last day of September but my schedule has been so full of home, work and family business that it really actually does feel like it should be October tomorrow! Last week, our Superintendent encouraged us to embrace "flow" and strike a balance between our health, work and personal lives. So, in honor of the "flow zone" block of the month, I hope you will take your mind off of any stress and enjoy sewing this block! Thank you, Karen, for picking a beautiful block for the month of October! It's called the...

*Starflower*

Click here for the tutorial. On a side note, I didn't have the link for the tutorial when I made my block, so I challenge you to use what you learned from the August block to make it without the directions!

Here is my version:

So lovely! Don't forget to post your blocks in the Flickr group!
Click here for a link back to the other months.

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: September

Blink! September has arrived. I hope everyone enjoyed the August block: The Zigzag! This month is Jeananne's choice...

*Castle in the Air*

Here is the link from The Quilter's Cache/Marcia Hohn.

Word of advice: Don't forget to look at Page 3 for the cutting list! I didn't realize this page was included  at the end. Livin' and learnin' over here!

Regardless... I do love how my block came together.

Can't wait to see your block in the Flickr Group!

Next up...It's Karen's choice for October! :) Only 3 more to go!

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: August

This is my favorite month of the year! BIRTHDAY MONTH!!! What a coincidence that it is my turn to select a block. I went back and forth on a couple of different things but I chose the...

*Zigzag Triangle Block*

This block is based off of this tutorial by Elizabeth Hartman (love her!) for the Sew Mama Sew Blog (love this blog!). I followed the instructions, but in order to stay within our 12 1/2 inch finished block, there are 2 cutting adjustments that you want to make: (don't worry...I did the math for you even though I know you can figure it out!)

1. Cut the squares (16 squares total) so they are 4" x 4" instead of 5" x 5".

2. Once you make your triangle blocks, trim each one to a perfect 3 1/2" by 3 1/2" block.

These few modifications with give you a perfect 12 1/2" finished block! Please comment below if you have a question or hunt me down and I'll be happy to help!

Here is my finished block. I hope to see everyone's block in the Flickr group!

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: July

Carol's magical choice for July's Block of the Month is...

*Card Tricks*

Click here for the link to the directions.

Don't forget to post your quilt blocks in the Flickr group!
Also, here is a link to the previous months.

Here is my version. Can't wait to see everyone else's "Card Tricks"!

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: June

By request, I am posting June's block a little early. June's "Flow Zone" BOM is Shannon's Choice! She has picked...

*The Woven Block*

Thank you, Shannon, for selecting a wonderful block! Click here for the directions.

I love how my block came together and I can't wait to see your creation. Here is a link to the Flickr group to add a photo of your finished block for everyone to enjoy!

July is Carol's choice...stay tuned!

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: May

What a beautiful day to announce May's Block of the Month! This month was Laura's choice and she has selected a block called:

*Peace and Plenty*

Doesn't the block name just sound pretty? Click here for the directions!

Thank you Laura for selecting such an enjoyable block to make! Here is my version:

Don't forget to post your finished blocks in the Flickr group! 

Stay tuned for June's BOM-Shannon's pick! (As requested by a few people doing this BOM, I'm going to post the June directions within the next couple of days.) We have some zealous ladies out there! Love it! ;) Happy sewing!

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: April

It's time for April's Block of the Month! This month was Karen's choice, and she has selected the...

*Double Monkey Wrench*

Karen has introduced a new element to the fun...half-square triangles! Yay!

Click here for the block instructions.

I can't wait to see the photos of your magnificent blocks in the Flickr group. Don't forget that you can comment on the photos, too!

Also, the group is going to have its 1st happy hour! We will meet at JT's in Cedar Park on April 24th at 5:00. Hope you can make it!

Here's my finished April block:

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: March

Super thrilled to announce the March "Flow Zone" BOM! This month was Carol's choice and I promise she did not let us down!

I don't know if this block has a name, but it was the January block last year for the Sew, Mama, Sew's Modern Block of the Month by Alissa Haight Carlton. Check out this impressive block!

Here is my finished block. I can't wait to be impressed by everyone else's interpretation!

And...Don't forget to post your photos in the Flickr Group! Ready, set...SEW!

"Flow Zone" Block of the Month: February

I am full of pure joy today as I share with you the incredible February "Flow Zone" Block of the Month-Jeananne's Choice...

*Carrie Nation*

The instructions are found here on Quilter's Cache.

Ready, set, lock your seams! This block is just what we need to practice making those seams match perfectly. Jeananne, you did good! :)

Here's my February "Flow Zone" Block of the Month! 

I've made a group on Flickr so you can simply upload your photos to the group as soon as you finish. If you click on the link, you can see that I already put in the January blocks. Let me know if you need help or have any trouble! I can't wait to see everyone's February blocks!