August Block of the Month

[Linda N.]

As I was looking at the August block pattern, I was so happy I had not done the July block yet. You see, I decided to change my colors for the August block to the July block colors I had chosen. I just finished getting all the pieces ironed down and I'm ready to start satin stitching. I think I'll have to wait for the cooler morning temperatures; 82 indoors is just too warm for my comfort level. I'm really enjoying this project.

[Linda N.]

Really made progress today and then when I put the vase and large leaves in place, I wasn't sure I was happy with my choice so now it sits until I can look at it with fresh eyes. The stems for the baby's breath will definately not be fabric!

[Linda N.]

Sue challenged us last month with the teeny circles, and we all came up with different ways of getting the job done. This month the challenge is that baby's breath!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois, where it is in the 60s now, and promising to be not too bad of a day. Now tomorrow.....

[Linda N.]

Hi Everyone --
It seems that for nearly all of us, the heat is a real bummer! That's a good reason to stay indoors and do some more stitching... that's my plan, at least! I can hardly believe what I see you all doing -- your creativity inspires me. Each month, you come up with ideas that I wish I had thought of -- like using seed pearls for the baby's breath. Now, why didn't I think of that?!! I can hardly wait for the end of the year - I want to see these spectacular blocks made into quilts; they will be amazing! I just finished a killer applique quilt (as in it nearly killed me) and am now taking a break and making some pieced quilts that have been on my "wish list" for a while. Do you all work on multiple quilts at once? or just one at a time? I tend to work in parallel -- many projects going on at once, but usually I'm focused on 2-3 at a time.

Okay - back to sewing... and staying cool!
Sue Garman

[Linda N.]

Hey Lynn: hot is an understatement right? Mowed my backyard yesterday early in the morning, watered the plants they do demand it, poor things, the rest of the lawn is brown w a little green mixed in until the next rainfall in Houston, perhaps later this week. I finished the August block a little while ago, well all EXCEPT the darn BB, I penciled in where the stems are to go, will do those in a bit, then on to Michaels and trying to figure out whether to use seed beads or embroidery thread w french knots, am thinking beads will be faster.
I'm with you, strange indeed about carrying these pearl in their purses, well if I'd done this than now they'd be gone, as I had my purse stolen a week ago last Tuesday right from my desk in my office, definitely was a crime of opportunity, as I had my guard down, getting ready for the Dean to come back to work the next day, and myself getting ready to be gone for the next 3 days, so ladies, my pearls would now be history if I'd had them in my purse, something to keep in mind. :cry:
Heidi

Yes, it's hot in Houston and am happy to be working on August block. Although the garden still demands at least a little water and I don't have an automatic system, so it requires I walk around and talk to my plants now and then to apraise their water needs. By then I'm sweating and ready to go inside!

I have my vase fabric - as usual a bright print for center - and polka dots for rest of vase.

Also considering doing a machine stitch for the bb stems....those tiny stems don't give me alot of satisfaction. ha

Happy sewing ladies!
Lynn

PS: You ladies with the pears in your purses - I don't know what to say about that, except it's very strange for 2 of you to be doing it. :?: :? :shock:

[Linda N.]

Hi Everyone --
Do you all work on multiple quilts at once? or just one at a time? I tend to work in parallel -- many projects going on at once, but usually I'm focused on 2-3 at a time.

Okay - back to sewing... and staying cool!
Sue Garman

Sue, yes I do have many project going but am usually working on a couple of applique projects seriously and then as you said have to take a break and do some easy piecing and use those beautiful fabrics calling me - never a boring moment in the quilting world for sure. Right now I am trying to decide on the baby breath - might decide I don't even want it - NOT. I don't give up easily. :shock:

Hot and humid in Arkansas as well. But this too shall pass.

The girls at my guilt club love all these beautiful blocks that you designed and I have finished. Yippee!

Bonny

[Lynn K.]

Finished my August block except for the BB too. It was fun choosing colors. But have an Artist's Way reunion to go to this afternoon so must stop!

Plants are drooping..........gotta water.

Yes, I have this quilt, my g-son's transportation quilt (see my personal blog), and am now working on learning to machine quilt (I think!) and just started some blocks for the Ovarian Cancer Teal project.

So, I guess that qualifies for multiple quilts!

[Lynn K.]

Sue

I usually work on 2 or 3 projects at the time, both applique and piecing.

But I have so many going, they keep coming up for air and work now and then, when the BOM shows on on the 1st, that is what I mostly work on till it is finished, then back to some of the other projects.

Margarita in Auburn, CA

[Lynn K.]

I, too, have several different things going on in my quilt world.

[Patti P.]

Yes Sue I have at least 3-4 projects going at the same time. I used to feel like a WIP (work in progress) was like a credit card debt. I shouldn't start a new one before the old one was finished. But I work so slowly and need to switch from applique or art quilt to traditional piecing just to remind myself that I can produce passable work. I battle with being dissatisfied with my workmanship and need to walk away sometimes. That's one reason why more than 1 project. The other is the excitement to try the latest technique.

[Patti P.]

Yes, Sue I also have at least one other project that I work on, had to stop the neutral colored star quilt from Alex A. book "Simply Stars..." that I started last year, but had to put it down as as the more than 50 pinwheel blocks for the second border wore me down, picked it up again a few days ago, but then it was time to work on our August BOM that is nearly finished, I have been sewing on bugle beads this afternoon, they add a very nice third dimension to it. Love your designs, Heidi

[Patti P.]

Well, I always liked to work on 1 project at a time, because I like to see the end result quickly. But a block of the month teaches me patience. I am working on my first hand work quilt, (redwork) for a Christmas present and now after Carol Doak's class in Eureka, MT, I am inspired to keep going and make a quilt from her book that we used in class. So, I have 3 now. The Christmas one is the priority and also keeping up with the bom. Don't want to get behind again!
Terri

[Patti P.]

One or two projects at a time for me...any more than that stresses me out!!

[Patti P.]

I'm nearing the end of the August block. I made my large leaves quite dark, and my vase is black, so I'm not too happy about that, but I'm NOT doing it over!! I did my BB stems with brown satin stitch. Haven't decided yet about the small stems. I may do them in very, very tiny satin stitch as well. Also haven't decided about French knots or beads. BTW, I went ahead and cut out the long cutout in the large leaves before appliqueing them on. It worked out very well. I'm using glue to hold the turnunder and machine appliqueing. I'll post it when it's finished.

Nancy in NC

[Patti P.]

This is the first year that I have had multiple projects on the burner. I am doing 3 BOMs, one in 2 different color ways, and one that has filler blocks, that I am doing in two different color ways. Plus I have the blocks from two quilt shop hops done and ready to be set. Plus I did a 6" block sampler quilt from Eleanor Burns' "Victory Quilts" that is waiting to be quilted. Another quilt on my Grace frame waiting for the weather to cool down for me to complete quilting. Plus, I need to do a baby quilt for a new great nephew. WHEW! I just wore myself out talking about it!

Maggie in E. Central Illinois, where it didn't get as hot as predicted, but is promising hot tomorrow!