Fun in the Sun!

I needed a second block for the A Time For All Seasons BOM hosted by Sew Incredibly Crazy and Friends.  The June blocks were all applique and I had decided in February {at the beginning of the BOM} I would do only pieced blocks, as they were offering one pieced and one applique block each month.  






I could have simply made a second sail boat block...






But since I had modified Carol's block, I wanted to capture the sun portion of her block shown below.

I came across this free pattern from AQS.  The pattern makes a 16-1/4" finished block... obviously too big since all of the blocks are 10-1/2 inch unfinished.  






So I tried to do some math and make it 10-1/2"  While it is ok... (I tried to convince myself of that for a minute  second or two)  

Oh, no it is NOT ok!  All of the snowball block points are seriously cut off... Ugh.   I absolutely was not happy with it (my quilting math skills to reduce a block size is lacking).  

So I tried again and made it 1/2 size (8"+) and added some blue sky as borders to get it to the 10-1/2 inches.

The points don't overlap like the pattern picture shows, but it is MUCH better!  One I can accept and live with and look at.

Last week while camping near the Great Sand Dunes National Park we were enjoying an evening campfire and the sunset...  It's like my sun block!

The view in the other direction was just as stunning...

And then you look at the picnic table... LOL!

This was the result of our hike to Zapata Falls in the Zapata Falls Recreation area south of the Sand Dunes...

The description of the area from a visitor's guide...

Drive 2.8 miles up the bumpy gravel road.

THAT was an understatement!

BuMpY!  It took us 30 minutes to go that short distance... It was like driving in a dry creek lined with river rock!

Once we were settled in to our campsite we took the short 1/2 mile hike to the creek.  Again, the description from the visitor's guide.  "You must hike through the water into the cave to view the falls.  Watch for falling rocks.  Water is cold, and may be swift and deep in early summer."

This is the picture from the visitor's guide...

This is what we saw from inside the cave...

 There was no way we were going to get where those people in the first picture were standing... 

So, here's our selfie - we were looking AT the fall.  It was loud and it was wet and it was COLD!  I can't believe that I actually scaled the rock wall and crossed a rushing mountain creek.  It wasn't something I really WANTED to do, but I didn't want to be a baby about it.  Dave went before me and made sure that I was safe every step of the way.  My hero!

After a very brief discussion, we then had to get back across the creek and down stream... hopefully without falling!

Mission accomplished!  Here is a shot of the "high water mark" on our jeans.

I had rolled my pants up above my knees, yet they still ended up soaked.  Oh well.  It is a memory in our minds and an adventure we will be able to recall for years... every time I look at the completed A Time For All Seasons quilt.

Here's a review of all the blocks I have done so far...  I will have make a few more extra blocks... and I missed the May bonus block of the May Pole Dance. **sad face**  For now, I may go back and make a second pinwheel block.

I am ready for the July blocks!  I'm thinking picnic, fireworks... maybe a star block or a flag?  I am excited to see what they come up with!

What comes to your mind when you think of July?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Quilt Happy!

Melva

Melva Loves Scraps - Home of the Quilters Through The Generations series

Linking with:

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie
Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy
UFO Busting at Tish’s Wonderland

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

What I Made Monday at Pretty Piney
Main Crush Monday at Cookin’ Up Quilts
Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Colour & Inspiration at Clever Chameleon Quilting
Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication
WOW at Esther's Quilt Blog
Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter
Magic Crafts at Ulrikes Smaating (1st Wed of month)
Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie
Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty