July that was ... and my OMG

July was a month that I would rather not dwell on .... so apart from my Bee Blocks:

a quatrefoil block for Patty in the Stash Bee - this is the third time I have made this block this year but I love it ... this quilt in the colours she chose is going to be sensational!

a double star block for Kirsty in the Bee Hive, actually this was for August but because of holidays we were given instructions early and I got to it because .....

 the July Queen in the Bee Hive had also chosen this block!!!

This block was designed by Christa Quilts and the tutorial can be found here.  Contrary to what you may think this block comes together easily and pretty quickly.  I was really surprised but it uses the fast flying geese method which I had never used before and it's great!

and my books (top left - easy read picked from a book swap shelf, top right recommendation from Ruth at Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner which made it onto my book worm list, bottom left seen on a friend's IG feed, bottom right booked picked for initial book club meeting):

I am going to move swiftly on to August!!

To that end I am going to state my OMG intention and link it up to Red Letter Quilts:

My OMG for August is to make 5 blocks for my Summer Sampler quilt.

It was only because I had linked up for the first time in July that my first block was made. Admittedly it was just under the wire but I would never have sat up that late and done it otherwise and it's got me eager to get some more made!

Bring on August - more sunny days, family staying and lots of sewing!! x

OMG: my first link up ....

By the skin of my teeth I have achieved my July goal which was to pull fabrics and complete one block for the Summer Sampler ......  I am linking up over at Red Letter Quilts as a finish!

I know, I know Block 12 is being released tomorrow but I had so much trouble deciding on fabrics.

I finally made a selection:

The solids are Kona Cotton from a FQ bundle I won from Sew Fresh Quilts at the end of last year - it feels great to be cutting into them at last!  The prints are all Art Gallery Fabrics (apart from the bottom orange which may not make it in) that I got at the CHSI show at the NEC earlier this year.  The background is Kona Silver.

And the all important block:

This was Block 10 and is called Parallel Block.  It is a paper pieced block designed by Holly deGroot of Bijou Lovely Designs.  It was a really nice block to make and shortening my stitch length down to 1.5 really helped the paper rip easily and cleanly when it came round to that.  It's not a true reflection of the colour because it's dark here and it was taken under strip lighting.  I love the nice clean lines of this, unlike my studio table at the end!!

So, goal achieved for July but I really need to get on with this now.  I am going to try to do each week's block + a catch up block - maybe that should be by OMG for August! x

One Monthly Goal ......

For the first time this month I am going to link up to Red Letter Quilts - OMG (One Monthly Goal).  Whilst I do set goals quarterly for the Finish Along, I like that these goals don't necessarily have to be about a finish.  So my goal for July is to start The Summer Sampler!  Yes, you heard that right START it, when in fact we're on Week 8 already.  In fact I have to go right back to basics because I haven't chosen my fabrics yet.  Oh the indecision!!!

I bought the pattern in May and thought I would wait a couple of weeks and see how other people's blocks were coming along.  I liked so many that actually that just confused me.  Then I thought that I would get some solids and that would naturally lead to fabric selection.  The solids, as seen below were bought at Quilts UK in the middle of  May - so that plan didn't work either.

Kona cotton in graphite, silver and white

Hopefully, having clearly stated my intentions here, I will achieve a fabric selection and completed at least one block.  I have to say that I might start with Week 8's because it looks great and uses a technique I have not seen before.  Fingers crossed the goal will be achieved.

For the last two month I have taken part in #BraveQuilter hosted by Julie and Pink Doxies and have learnt how to sew a curve and use a pantograph on my longarm quilting machine.  Well I was delighted to receive an e-mail from her saying that I had won the hand dyed fabrics this month for linking up - hooray!  The linky party is taking a break for the summer months but will be back in autumn and I already have a few ideas for how to continuing being brave!

Also linking up to Let's Bee Social with Lorna. x