Sewn Together January Blocks

I am so late with these blocks I can't believe it. I am usually ahead of schedule on all of my bee commitments and I have only fallen behind once before this. I am embarrassed but finally, this weekend, I was able to catch up on Paula's blocks in the Sewn Together Bee. What makes it even worse is that I am one of the Bee Mamas and so is Paula. Sigh.

Paula asked us to make a Spiderweb Block from Elizabeth Hartman's tutorial found on Sew Mama Sew. I don't know why but the first time I sat down to make this block I was a little intimidated and I think that's why I put it to the side and finally came back to it after I completed the rest of my January Bee commitments. Usually I churn out my bee blocks early on in the month. I try and attack them as soon as I get them in the mail. They're so much fun but also I don't want to leave people hanging. But these blocks caused a creative block. Seriously. Maybe it was the way the tutorial was written. Honestly, at first I didn't grasp that the black fabric Paula sent was supposed to be the foundation piece and I think I let that get the best of me. Luckily, one thing I have learned by participating in bees, is to ask questions first and then build your block. (Also read directions multiple times, not just two before starting!) I asked about the foundation piece on our bee message board on Flickr and learned that we were supposed to use the black fabric as the foundation piece so finally this weekend I found the time (and mustered up the courage) and attacked these blocks. And you know what? They are soooooo much easier than I anticipated. Seriously, I feel like a complete idiot for letting these silly little blocks get the best of me. I mean I've attempted much more complex blocks.

Now that all is said and done I am embarrassed that I put these blocks off. They were so easy and it's a gorgeous pattern. I also love Paula's fabric choices. I mean the black, green and grays are amazing! Really! So Paula, I apologize but your blocks are on their way home to you. Hope you enjoy them. I can't wait to see the finished product!