does cutting count?

Steiger wants to live outside these days.  Since it has been pretty nice, and I have been home this week with him, and I know what's coming this summer (big belly in 100 degree plus weather) -- we have spent many hours.
I should probably set up my sewing machine... but I haven't yet, just my small cutting board, and a little table.

May is my month for VIBees, but, like always, I had trouble deciding what to do for my theme.  I had originally thought I was going to do this block...

But I decided that I wanted my Bee friends to still like me at the end... and they might not after all those set-in seams.

So then I pulled this pile of fabric.

I've been collecting Tanya Whelan for quite some time, with it always in the back of my mind to make for a little girl I might have one day.  But it didn't seem quite right for my "petals" theme.  

Then I remembered a Dresden I had made for Jessica, and went a new direction with my fabric.

I went with a pink, fuschia, chartreuse, and aqua palette -- inspired by Jessica's Dresden, this picture from design-seeds, and this gorgeous hot pink peony I picked up at Costco last week.

My bee friends will be getting a stack of charm squares, and a nice big piece of white background.

I was happy with my change, but I still loved the Tanya Whelan fabric.  I just think it needs to be half-square triangles (that's what I've always envisioned.)  So that's what I'm doing.  Lots of cutting, and sewing has commenced on a second "if it's a girl quilt" -- but this one will be made entirely by Mama.  

The irony here is that I think we're having boy #2.