August, really?

August is here. That’s crazy. Summer is buzzing by and we are trying to cram as much as possible into these last few weeks.

With the new month, I am looking at what I want to create and complete for August. The list is long, maybe too long?

The main goal is to finish the vintage nine patch quilt. I have the quilt top and backing ready to go. I ordered batting on-line because I don’t feel like the 75 miles (round trip) to Jo-Anns. I won’t buy batting at the local store, it’s too expensive. Anyway, it should be here this week and then I can get the quilt pin basted and start quilting it. That is the goal I am submitting for August for ALYOF.

I also have a project that came my way via the New Quilt Bloggers Bloghop. Fabri-Quilt has sponsored an activity for the group. We are each to work with a set of solids and create a block that is of our own design.

IMG_20150803_3649These are the fat eighths that I received this week. I have been cutting and sewing mock ups and so far don’t have exactly what I want. It needs to be original. What exactly does that mean? I can’t really think of a block that hasn’t been used in some way by someone else. Truly, there are only so many ways I can visualize HST’s, squares, triangles and rectangles. So, I am trying to take a regular block and put my own spin on it. That is about as original as my brain gets.  At any rate, this is certainly forcing me to work beyond my comfort zone. In addition to making the block, we will all be writing tutorials for the blocks. That part will be fun and I am really curious to see everyone’s block tutorials. Could be a fun project to make a selection of the blocks and come up with a sampler quilt or wall hanging. Stay tuned for more on this.

IMG_20150803_3646Next on the list, as always, is my RSC15 row quilt.  Last month I veered from the Classic Stitches block but this month I plan to go back to Mari’s monthly block. She wrote up an easy block for this month and the color is indigo, black or gray. I need to look at the quilt so far and choose either indigo or gray, either of which I have plenty of scraps to choose from.

Lastly, if I get around to it, I am going to start making two twin quilts for the beds up at Downieville.  Ray saw me looking at comforters on-line and raised those eyebrows of his – like, really? You are always looking for a reason to sew and you want to buy two comforters?  I shook my head and came back to reality. I painted the room a pale sage green. There are cute curtains (that I thrifted) with a floral pattern of green and violet on a tan background. (Sorry, I don’t have a picture for some reason.) I was at the store last week and they had  a deal where if you bought the end of the bolt, it was 40% off. The tan bolt (I think it was a Bella Solid) was perfect so I bought the remaining six yards. Then I bought a piece of violet and a print.

IMG_20150804_3653It is a good starting point. I don’t know exactly the design yet, but I do know I want it to be big, oversized blocks. I started a board on Pinterest for inspiration. I think with big chunky blocks, both quilts will come together reasonably fast. My hope for this month is to settle on a design and get the pieces cut.

The bedroom will look much better with normal bedding. Right now there is a hodge-podge of linens that I had stashed away. Not exactly pretty. I really love this little hummingbird print. It is called “Windsor Woods”.

IMG_20150804_3654Somewhere in all of this, I need to start working on Etsy items. The holiday season will be here soon. I hope to have plenty of items posted by fall. Last year I was new to the game (actually, I still am!)  I didn’t have enough items listed and sold out quickly. Hope to boost the quantity this year.

Lots of the list. I better get to work!

Linking to Sew Cute Tuesday, Freemotion by the River and Let’s Bee Social. Links to all of these sites are available at the top of the page, under Link Ups.

 

 

 

 

15 thoughts on “August, really?

  1. Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

    You do have a bit planned for August, and I look forward to seeing your progress. 🙂

    I hope you don’t spend too much time worrying about making a “new” block. For instance, you could make 4 smaller 6.5-inch unfinished blocks using traditional blocks and sew them together to make a 12.5 inch finished block and it would be unique and new.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Yvonne! I’m feeling better about this whole thing. It is just new for me. Which is a good thing!

      Take care,
      Bernie

      Reply
  2. Tish

    May August be the month of productivity 🙂 I just got my fabric for the block hop and haven’t been brave enough to open it yet. It’s safer in the package right now. I love that humming bird fabric, what a great find.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Ha ha Tish – I hope you are ready to face that bundle of color soon. It is really a pretty set of fabrics. I am pretty excited to see what blocks the group comes up with. 🙂

      Reply
  3. JanineMarie

    Oh, these will be fun projects to watch. I love the assortment of fat eighths you got. I agree that designing a block is daunting, but your plan to start with a regular block sounds good. Maybe you could slice it and insert something or use half of it and add part of another block. Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with. The hummingbird fabric is so pretty. Bravo to your husband for pretty much telling you to go buy fabric!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi Janine,
      Yes, it is sort of like Ray was encouraging a bit of fabric shopping!! I hadn’t even thought of it that way. 🙂 I keep looking at all of these for the twin size quilts. Large blocks, oversize patchwork, huge stripes? Something simple like that. It will be fun. Kind of nuts to just buy three huge pieces but I can supplement it and there was actually plenty of the violet and the hummingbird fabric on the bolt, should I need to get more.

      Hope all is well with you.

      B.

      Reply
  4. Diana @ Red Delicious Life

    It’s funny, I just made a similar post about how busy August is going to be. I’m also participating in the Fabri-Quilt blog hop and have been drafting out various blocks. Now I need to test them out. Good luck, I know you’ll do great! And Yvonn’e idea is a great one.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Diana, all of these blocks will be great. It is a fun group to work with for sure! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. I am off to read about your busy August too.

      Take care,
      B.

      Reply
  5. Julie Stocker

    I’m also in shock we’ve turned another page on the calendar. August is one of those big months of mile markers. You seem to have a handle on most of it–better than I do right now. I was making mental notes going through your list. My fabric arrived for this too, but I’m still in the percolating stage of ideas. I try not to get too upset anticipating deadlines. It will come to us both. Good luck with your ideas!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      This time of year always goes by so fast. School starts and all that comes with it, then it seems like we just cruise into the holidays. Kind of funny. But for now, I have my list of August sewing and I am good to go! My batting didn’t show up today so I made pieces for Etsy. Gotta be flexible!

      Take care,
      Bernie

      Reply
  6. Mari

    Love your fabric choices for the bedroom! Whatever you do will make some sweet quilts. I like the solids, too. For an original block, could you take a traditional block and emphasize different parts of it with different value choices? That could give it a very different look and make a “new” block. Seems to me that a few authors have made a lot of money doing just that recently! Good luck! I’m looking forward to seeing what you come up with! 🙂

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Deb. The fire that was close to us is all out and they are cleaning up. However there is a massive one 45,000 acres!!) that is about two hours from here. Tons of people evacuated. It’s awful. Praying that this year ends the drought. Four years is long enough.

      B.

      Reply
  7. Linda

    I read this post yesterday and have been thinking about it but just now commenting on it (I know you’re tapping your foot waiting for my comments – lol!) I love, love, love the fabrics you’ve picked for your bedroom quilts and that your husband expected you to make them, or as JanineMarie said, pretty much told you to go buy fabric.
    The Fabri-Quilt project looks so interesting. I wouldn’t have a clue how to write a pattern. I’m still struggling just trying to read them. 🙂 The fat eighths are gorgeous colors.
    Has your son seen your Downieville retreat yet? I think you guys need to add some rooms and turn it into a quilters’ retreat center – lol!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi:
      I do look forward to your comments! I think the colors for the twin quilts will be great. I probably need another fabric with green and tan in the print. I am thinking (at the moment anyways) of doing an oversized rail fence pattern. Maybe with 12″ blocks? I think that could be fun. But I keep looking around and changing my mind. So, we shall see. I am making good progress quilting the double nine patch so I may have time later this month to actually play with the twin quilts.

      Have a great day Linda.
      B.

      Reply

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