This month's block takes me back to the days of my childhood and the joys of flying a kite.  It has been a rather rough summer here in our part of the world with smoke so thick it was unhealthy for almost two months.  We have had some clearing and the last few days blue skies have reigned  once more.  It is like a great weight has been lifted off our little town.  Perhaps these smoke filled days had me thinking back to clear summer days and the carefree afternoons of summers past...and flying kites with my brothers and friends down at the beach.  So let me introduce you to Fun with Mr Snowman-Block Four of the current Sew Along.  Click on the photo for the pattern-remember each block is free until the release of the next block-and be sure to read this post to the end to hear about a special limited time offer.  

We have a new stitch to add to our hand embroidery this month, the Stem Stitch and I have made a video tutorial if you need a reminder or do not know this stitch.  It is a pretty easy stitch to master.  Video Tutorials
As you sew this months block I would like to remind you that I find slowing down as you sew really helps accuracy, especially when you have bulky seams to go over, which will happen as you sew the Flying Geese units into the block.  Another helpful tip is to starch your fabric before cutting out the pieces.  With this quilt I am using Mary Ellen's Best Press; I found that if I purchase the refill bottles instead of the spray bottles my budget is happier and I do not have to worry about bugs being drawn to my starched fabric.
I have been doing a second version of my blocks and changed things up a bit to give a slightly different look...in this version by changing the fabric used for the corners of the square a star pops out instead.  Always fun to see how I can change the look of a block this way.

Now for the special offer:  Bloc Loc has given me a coupon code to share with you that is good for the month of September. You get 15% off of your ruler purchase. This month I am using the 2" x 4" Flying Geese Ruler, another one I will use in this quilt is the 1" x 2" Flying Geese ruler.  I also use  the 6.5" Half-square Triangle Ruler a good bit-though if you are limited and want to try one of these I highly recommend one of the Flying Geese rulers-they make trimming them a breeze.   (The discount is good on any ruler purchase not just those I am using for this quilt.)
I know these rulers are pricey, so I am glad I can offer you this discount as I believe these rulers are worth the investment.
After adding items to your cart enter SEPT15 in special instructions at checkout and you will be given the 15% discount.
https://shop.blocloc.com/Flying-Geese-Square-Up-Rulers_c7.htm
 
Disclaimer:  I am not benefiting in any way from Bloc Loc-I use and love these rulers and they were kind enough to give me this special offer to share with you when I contacted them.
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I hope you have fun with your snowman block this month.  September is one of my favorite months-and one special reason is that I went into labor on Labor Day for the birth of our firstborn...so to those of you in the USA, Happy Labor Day!!
​Until next month....
Happy Quilting!

This really is such a happy block I hope you have fun making yours as well.  I just cannot get enough of this one.  I mention in the pattern that the plaid I am using for my cream color came out rather wonky-the more I look at it the more I am enjoying it's wonkiness though, but I share a suggestion if wonky plaids are not your thing.

You can get your copy of Block 3 in my store-free for the month of August-by clicking below.
Block 3 
To download the block you will need to add it to your shopping cart, fill out the information requested and then check out...you will then be able to download your pattern and will recieve an email confirmation with the link to dowload it as well.  
Then come and join us over on my Facebook Sew Along Page and see the blocks that others are making and share a photo of yours as well if you like.  It is fun to see quilters of all skill levels sharing their work!
You will also find all of the previous blocks available in this quilt here as well, both individually and as a set.  
We Can Build a Snowman with all current blocks

On a side note, we have had a very smoke filled July and August is looks like it is shaping up to be more of the same.  Below is our usual view alongside the current conditions. The smoke is a constant reminder to pray for relief from the fires (rain and cooler temperatures would be wonderful!) and for the safety of the firefighters who are just amazing.

To get away from it we have been making short trips north and love being greeted by blue sky again.  We stopped to have lunch along a mountain lake the other day and had a very persistent Golden Mantle Ground Squirrel join us.  I did end up "baiting" him for these photos because it was the only way to get him to leave my food alone.

    Whatever your August brings you I hope you find time to enjoy the world around you, wherever that may be. And Happy Quilting!

After a wonderful week at the coast with two of our kids I am back in the quilt studio (really just a small bedroom, but I like to call it that.)  I was glad to see another 12" inch block, but my hedgehogs will still need to be pretty small for this one.  I think it took me longer to choose my fabrics for this block than to actually sew it. 
I was not familiar with Brigitte Heitland and enjoyed exploring her blog a bit.  Modern quilts are growing on me.  You can find her pattern for block 4 on her blog linked here.  Brigittte also included paper piecing patterns for this block, which I was tempted to use, but just printed them instead to save for later.

Since I am using directional fabrics for this block I decided the best thing to do was lay out all of my pieces to make sure things were turned the direction I wanted them to be.

I decided to start with the easy nine-patch used for the center of the block.
I joined the squares into rows, pressing towards the dark squares in each row.