According to some folks in Houston, Texas, the lazy, hazy, crazy days - day - of summer is this Saturday, August 12th.  That's the day of a 5K race... or lazy stroll.  Houston in August.  It will be hot and humid.

[Image from 1Canoe2 Instagram.]

Saturday is also National Sewing Machine Day – which would make it the perfect day for making Block 23 of the Blockheads.  Except it seems like everybody wants the pattern now so they can make it right away!  Are you like that?

UPDATE:  Some "national calendars" have National Sewing Machine Day observed on June 13th while others have it on August 12th.  Since I think every day should be Sewing Machine Day... we're going to . celebrate both!

Today is Lisa Bongean’s day – though I'm sure you'd never have guessed that after looking at these 1-1/2” finished four-patches.

The block above is Tammy’s version of Winnecone Star. The orange fabric is from Harvest Hill by Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles, and the background and star fabrics are from Oak Grove Lane by Kathy Schmitz. (Harvest Hill will be in shops in October and Oak Grove Lane will be there in November.)

CLICK HERE for the link to Lisa's blog and Block 23 - Winnecone Star.

This is my blue Reproduction version – fabrics are from Rachel Remembered by Betsy Chutchian, Alice's Scrapbag by Barbara Brackman and Snowberry by 3 Sisters.

My Fig Tree & Co. block uses fabrics from the Farmhouse and Chestnut Street collections.

Question of the Week ~ What is your favorite brand of rulers?  Why do you prefer that one?

While I am sure that I have at least one ruler in my “collection” from every manufacturer e.v.e.r., my favorite rulers are the Olfa Frosted. I have at least one in every size they make – and multiples of a few of them. (They don’t make that many sizes so that’s not as bad as it sounds.)

They are my favorite because they have thin, black lines, minimal markings and the “frosted” finished on the underside seems to reduce glare. Basically, they’re not all cluttered up with extra-stuff that I don’t need or want. Numbers in circles, numbers reminding me of 1/8” markings… it all just gets in the way to me.

I have to tell you that when the rulers were introduced, my first reaction was “yeah, whatever…” But I filled out a questionnaire from the nice folks at Olfa at Quilt Market and a few weeks later, I received their new Quick-Change Rotary Cutter (another “yeah, whatever…” product reaction…) and a 6” x 12” Frosted Ruler. Since I had them, I might as well try them, right?

Hooked. Both were instantly my favorites. Extras purchased. “Old favorites” relegated to drawers and eventually, donation bins. While I will still enjoy trying new rulers and have added a few “non Olfa Frosted” to rulers I use frequently, these are my favorite.

Not because they’re the best but because they’re the rulers that work best for me and my idiosyncrasies.

Just in case you missed it - CLICK HERE for the link to Lisa's blog and Block 23 - Winnecone Star.

Don't forget that there is a Blockheads Archive with links to all of the published blocks and blog posts.

That's it for today, August 9.  Be sure to visit Jo, Lynne, Betsy and Jan to see their blocks and what other good things they might have made:

• Lynne’s Blog / Facebook / Website
• Betsy’s Blog / Facebook / Instagram
• Jo’s Blog / Instagram
• Jan’s Blog / Website
• Lisa’s Blog / Website / Instagram

Don’t miss seeing the blocks being posted to #modablockheads on Instagram and Facebook. If you're not already a member, you can also join the fun in the Moda Blockheads Facebook group.  It's a busy group with folks sharing tips, suggestions and support.

Happy Blockhead Wednesday!