It can't be!

 Oh my, it can't possibly have been since May that I sent you my last blog post, can it?

I do apologize for the very looooong gap! In my defense, May was a super busy month, and then summer really hasn't been all that relaxing, with visits from company, a couple of quick trips to Canada to visit parents, celebrating 3 birthdays, gardening, helping one of our kids pack up and move, as well as a myriad of other little time-stealers that kept summer from being the relaxing, have- all- the- time- in- the- world- to- quilt, kind of time that I envisioned. But I have decided that I am going to take some time now to have some fun before summer is over! This is my new motto~ Ha!

I am trying to think back on the last project I shared with you all, and I can't remember that far back! So I will just share my most recent projects, and hope that you haven't already seen them ( well, unless you are in my FB group or follow me on Instagram. Then you have definitely seen some hints ;) ).

{ please note that my post contains affiliate links~ if you purchase something through my links, I will receive a small compensation, but it will not change your cost in any way!}

I am sewing along with the Bee Vintage sewalong hosted by Lori Holt of Bee In My Bonnet right now. 

The schedule is pretty crazy, with 3 new blocks every week, but so far I am keeping up. It helps that the blocks are all pretty simple and straightforward and there is not much to embroider. Another factor that makes this one quick for me is that instead of hand appliqueing, I am using fusible web! These are some of my blocks so far, and this afternoon I am planning on making the cottage block, which is the one I have been eyeing since the beginning! 

I might just have to make an  ENTIRE quilt with just these cute cottages! 

If you would like to make this quilt, Lori keeps the instructions on her blog forever, so you can always "sew along" at your own pace. The templates can be found here(click).

I have really been enjoying my Accuquilt fabric cutter and *may* have added just a few more dies since we last spoke :D. This fox die just HAD to come and live at my house, and I'm so glad I jumped right on that because it SOLD OUT! But no worries, Accuquilt has added more , so if you want one, put in an order ASAP ( you can use this link here:http://shrsl.com/46b74 ).

 This is the quilt I am currently working on and I love it so much, with all those naughty little colorful foxes! 

Another quilt I am working on is this one: 

I took advantage of my Accuquilt again to help me cut out all those pinwheel and square pieces ( there were a LOT!). I also used some Lori Holt templates to make that panel in the middle. It is super fun to combine pieces from a variety of sources to make my own unique designs!

In my FB group I hosted a little short sewalong and we made a Hexie coaster using EPP ( English Paper Piecing, for those who don't know, is the method where you sew your fabric around a paper shape, and then sew those shapes together to make a larger shape, after which you remove the papers). It was a fun way to introduce EPP to some folks that wanted to try it. 

This Fall I have been invited to sew along with Fat Quarter Shop on a pattern that is secret for now, but will be revealed in October. They generously allowed me a budget and these are the fabrics I chose to make my quilt:

 I will be sharing some sneak peeks between now and October, so watch for those. The fabrics I chose are adorable and available through this link  ( click).

Oh, and finally, even though I have had the pattern for a  few years now, I finally started on a jelly roll rug! I bought a GIANT bias maker ( click for the link) and am in the process of sewing my strips, after which I will start the construction of the actual rug. I can totally see where they would be addictive to make! One thing that I am trying is using fusible batting, and I'm hoping that will really simplify the construction! 

Alright, I think I have remembered all the most important parts....enjoy these last few weeks of summer, and I will try and stay in touch a little more regularly from here on in!

Happy creating!

Monique