New York Beauty QAL and Paper Piecing

I'm so happy to have my February NuBee blocks finished for the wonderful members of Hive 2! It feels great to be ahead of schedule for at least one thing. I really enjoyed interpreting everyones inspiration mosaic and planning out each of the blocks.

megmormel, MissLisbeth, boltonlandingquiltshop, lauralei143, alyson_olander

Hive member, Lauralei143, wants to make a scrappy quilt, so I decided to make her a scrappy version of the block. So, for the first time, thanks to the block MissLisbeth made for everyone, I did paper piecing and I really think I'm going to love it. Mainly because, while I love piecing...I dread despise cutting so the fact that there isn't precision cutting involved excites me!

For a few weeks now I've been feeling so behind in all my projects which has me going crazy.  When I say crazy, I mean C..R..A..Z..Y! That's the only possible explanation I have for joining New Beginnings Mini Quilt Swap over at the Quilting Gallery, contemplated "Swooning" several times and just this evening, since I'm so excited about paper piecing, decided to join the New York Beauty Paper Pieced QAL.

I have always admired New York Beauty blocks and always told myself "no way will I ever attempt them" but having recently tried paper piecing, I've decided to explore it further....what better way than QAL! The New York Beauty Paper Pieced QAL  doesn't start until March 5th, so that gives me time to play catch up on many projects and get familiar with paper piecing.

Next up on my list of projects to get caught up on or finished with are the blocks for the Sew.Happy.Quilt QAL with a goal to finish the quilt top on schedule and post photos in the flickr pool by March 18th.  Above is block five that I just finished. At the same time, I need to get six blocks done for the 1st quarter 3x6 Sampler Quilt Mini Bee.  Also, I'll be getting underway with the New Beginnings Mini Quilt Swap. In preparation of the NYB QAL I've decided to do some paper piecing for my mini quilt and with a mailing deadline of March 19th....eeks, I need to get cracking!