Lanelle had a big surprise for us at our recent JSS Bee gathering. She brought out a bag and began walking around the room, handing out blocks to each of us.
I especially love the look on Cindy’s face. I think she was shocked with her good fortune of the day. She had already hijacked Susan’s giveaway winnings (see the Aug 28th blog) and now she was just certain that Lanelle was giving us all a gift. Either that or she was just blown away with the workmanship on the block she was handed. All of our jaws dropped to the floor to think that Lanelle had pieced such blocks.
But Lanelle, as evidenced by the wiping of her brow, assured us that her blood, sweat and tears had gone into these blocks.
Look at the face on that little racoon! Incredible piecing. Unbelievable blocks.
And they just kept coming……
What? Lanelle made all these and kept them a secret? Lanelle, where have you been hiding these?
Cute chipmunk.
Soon our looks of shock and awe turned into disbelief. Our Lanelle made these?
And our Lanelle could keep up the pretense no longer. She finally confessed that they were all made by a former JSSer, Vicki! Vicki moved away from Texas to……… North Carolina? South Carolina? One of those states on the east coast. Not sure which one. She left us several years ago never to be heard from again. Well, last week she was in town visiting and, although she was unable to come to the Bee and visit that day, she sent the blocks with Lanelle. And Lanelle tried to pass them off as her own. That trickster Lanelle!
Aren’t these blocks amazing? Unbelievable detail in each and every one…..
We were all amazed at how exquisite each one was. And can I just say…. nice nails on the models too…..
I purposely didn’t include these in the show ‘n tell blog yesterday. I thought these special blocks deserved their very own day.
And you absolutely have to see each and every one. Blurry pictures included.
Aren’t they just spectacular?
It took us the rest of the day to pick up our jaws from the floor.
This quilt is going to be a show-stopper for sure.
I hope that someone is sending the link to the blog to Vicki. Because I have something to tell her. Vicki, you are absolutely forbidden from sending any quilt blocks to JSS Bee ever again!……..
Aren’t the skunks incredible?
……. unless you hand carry the blocks to Bee yourself. We miss you, Vicki and would sure love to see you!
We’re all hoping that if you come and rub shoulders with us, some of that amazing paper piecing talent will rub off. Thanks for sharing through that crafty Lanelle.
Texas hugs all the way to one of those Carolinas,
Barb
Just Sayin' Sew 
I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now and have admired and been amazed at the talent of your bee group. These blocks from a former member have blown me away. They are gorgeous.
All I have to say is …. WOW! Just when you think the one you are looking at is the MOST beautiful thing ever, you scroll down and “voila” there is another one even more beautiful. WOW!
Wow those are truely amazing! She has a great sense of colors choice as well as PP technique. What is going to happen with the blocks??
I hope that Vicki reads the blog and informs us all of her plans for these blocks. And we’d better see a picture from her of the finished quilt!
O M G !!!! Those are incredible! Wow!
Vicki and I are sitting side by side right now in Colorado…just enjoyed your blog. Loved the picture of LaNelle being the tricker that we know and love. Glad you all got to see in person these AWESOME blocks that are so unbelieveable!!! Here’s Vicki…..
Thank you all for your magical words!! I’m floating on air right now. I was in a BOM for 4 years with Linda Hibbert of Silver Linings Originals. She is the most amazing designer I have ever worked on. Few matched points and incredible detail.. She also sent the fabric pack each month so she gets all the credit for the wonderful colors. Thanks again, vicki
LaNelle – we’ll discuss the the legal ramifications including royalities. vicki
Such a shame that Lanelle had those blocks counted. We could have slipped a few out and they would have never been missed! Maybe not…
Keep the blogs coming. They are the highlight of my day!
This is a great blog, Barb. Vicki has a rare talent that has inspired all you quilters, I’m sure. Thanks for posting this one!
All I can say is wow! Those are incredible blocks. Sorry to have missed seeing them in person.
Wow these blocks are amazing, glad she mentioned the designer so I can go find her right now!
Liz
I thought I had seen the most beautiful things ever on this blog. It just doesn’t stop! Wow! Those pieces will be beautiful as a quilt, but would also make beautiful framed pictures as well. You gals are amazing!
Wow and double Wow!!! The blocks are wonderful Vicki! So the question is: when do we get to see the finished quilt??? AND you again???
Peggy
I am in awe, thank you for sharing these. Do you have info on patterns or are they originals? You mentioned paper piecing, I assume that was the technique used to create them. The detail was amazing.
amazing … beautiful
Those are AMAZING!! Did she design them, too? I am doing my first simple paper piecing project now but I loooove it! I want to take a class on designing paper piecing blocks/patterns. Do such things exist? Will Vicki fly to Maine to teach me?? 🙂 thank you for sharing such gorgeous inspiring blocks!