Designer Mystery 2012 Sampler Blocks

And just like, autumn is here. It was a dry, hot summer. I think the Portland metropolitan area broke the record for most days over 90 degrees -- I think it was 29 days in the summer of 2015, but I don't know how many days we had this summer.

One of my goals for 2019 was to make up at least one of the quilts kits on my shelf. Thus for the month of August, I focused on the Designer Mystery Block of the Month kit from 2012. Yes, I am almost six years late. I just finished the 12th and last block yesterday morning, so here is all twelve blocks, in no particular order. The putting together of the quilt will have to wait, as next weekend is busy with my only nephew's wedding!

Strawberry Fields (it took) Forever

Seriously, this took forever; it was a BOM from Fat Quarter Shop from 2011! No joke. And I just finished quilting it on the longarm in November (sadly the longarm has since found a new home), and put the binding on last week.

When I joined the BOM, I didn't have the foresight to also order the finishing kit before it sold out. That's okay, as I enjoyed coming up with my own setting. The quilt finished at about 84" x 84" which is a decent size. The all-over quilting is from a pantograph pattern called "Lida," a very quick but pleasingly textured design.

As 2016 is winding down, I find it interesting to take note of how my aesthetics have changed. Had this quilt not been lingering for five years, I probably would not have chosen to make it today. But still, I like it.

Projects for 2013

We really hit the ground running for the new year, so I didn't have time to do a retrospective of 2012.  Rather than dwell on that now, I thought I'd organize my thoughts about sewing commitments and projects for 2013.  Making my mental list, I'm going to say the theme for 2013 is "ambition."

This year, I'm involved in two sewing bees, Stash Bee and Simply Solids Modern: A Modern {Bee}.  I've really enjoyed Stash Bee, and Simply Solids looks to be just as fun, based on the first block assignment for February.

In addition to quilting bees, I love the idea of Block of the Month clubs.  It's like getting a little present every month.  Of course, I've bemoaned in the past how far behind I am on Fat Quarter Shop's Designer Mystery Block of the Month, but forget that, I'm still tempted to sign up for 2013.

I also signed up for not one, but two, online BOMs.  Both clubs are pretty ubiquitous, which speaks for the popularity of the designers.  First off is Sugar Block Club from Stitchery Dickory Dock.  I think what really got me was the little button for the club and the blocks on the button -- so cute.  Next, is Don't Call Me Betsy's Lucky Stars club.

So between these two bees and three BOMs, I think I'm well committed for now. The way I thought I would handle it is to devote one weekend per month powering through these blocks. I'll let you know if that works out.

BUT, it doesn't end there.  There are a bunch of very cool free sewing bees going on right now too.  Very tempting.  If you haven't seen them, there is one from Gen-X Quilters called Sister's Ten Modern Block of the Month.   The second one is from Open Gates Quilts called Blogger Girls Block of the Month.  Finally, Riley Blake Designs is introducing a video BOM on January 14th, called "Things we Love."

My 8-year-old recently picked up on my constant lamentation, "I wish there were 30 hours in a day!"