Miss Kringle is done...yeah!

These past few days, I've been stitching solely on the center block to Erin Russek's Block of the Month for 2013, "Jingle". The center is a 30"x30" medallion pattern, titled "Miss Kringle" which she sales to accompany the free blocks every month that she posts on her blog, One Piece At A Time.  I love her designs...and have download them the past two years...but have not sewn them. This year, I had all of the fabric colors in my stash...and ran out of excuses not to stitch! Hugs! So, I'm doing it!

  Here's the applique pieces...before I started putting down all of the leaves.

  And, instead of the suggested bias stems...I'm doing embroidery work (stemstitch). The single applique blocks of the month have embroidery stems...so, I'm thinking this will coordinate better than bias would (plus it's faster!). Hugs! I do love Erin's patterns...they have large applique pieces that are easy to work with. No "slender points" (which are only good for fusible work), these shapes are "designed" for hand applique. Thank you Erin! If you have been looking for a hand applique challenge...that is truly manageable...I strongly recommend her patterns. Of course, working on this full-size applique project...(the first large scale applique that I've tackled in fifteen years!!)... has not stopped me from also signing up for another huge applique quilt endeavor over at HGTV Message Board group either this year...geez! But, at least for Erin's quilt...she is doing one applique block and then one pieced block for every other month. So, I should get a bit of a breather at least every other month! (Plus...my muze agreeded yesterday to crochet a baby blanket for my sister-in-law's nephew's new baby, to be delivered some time next month. She is getting the yarn...I'm doing the handwork. My muze is always getting me in deeper! Does yours?)  

Jingle BOM

Do you download Block of the Month patterns? I do...sometimes. And there are a couple of Erin Russek's that I've been wanting to do....and keep finding excuses to begin. THEN, this year, she announced "Jingle" and I just had to really, really just HAD to do this quilt. There is a huge and glorious center medallion (see photo above), and it will be surrounded by eight pieced blocks and eight applique blocks.

  The center is a purchased pattern for the 30" medallion...called Mrs. Kringle. Very reasonably priced, and a pdf download so you can start NOW! The surrounding blocks are free each month. Here are some of the pieces being prepared.  

And here are the pieces that I've finished getting ready to stitch down. Let me know if you are also working on this quilt, as I'd like to follow your progress too! Hugs! 

HGTV BOM July

Wow, can hardly believe that I have caught up on this Block of the Month challenge. Here's the block for July!

Funky Chicken - BOM - July

Got my funky chicken block done this evening. Was supposed to can tomatoes...but we got a huge wind and rain storm (thunder is still rolling in the sky)...so I was afraid that the electricity might go off and did not want to be in the middle all those tomatoes when that happened. With an electric stove...that would have been a real shame to lose all those tomatoes. Okay, that's my story...and I'm sticking to it! And, a nap in the middle of a storm was just a really good idea that I didn't want to miss out on! Tomatoes will be on the agenda for tomorrow...seriously, they will!

HGTV BOM June

Woot! Woot! Got June block done before the clock struck midnight! And, now tomorrow I'm on to July! 

HGTV BOM - May

Finally, got the block done for May for the HGTV Block of the Month. Actually, (embarrassingly) this is the second time I pieced the block. The first was cut wrong and did not go together at all. This one is better, but not perfect...and will become a pillow. Nine of the twelve blocks will go into a bed quilt, and three will be pillows. So, this will become the first of those pillows. Now, if I can get the June block finished today, I'll be caught up!

HGTV BOM - April Complete

Here is one of my monthly Block of the Month items...completed for April. We are on Block #4; and this will be a large quilt once completed as each block has been about 22 inches square.

HGTV BOM-March

Got the March block finished yesterday...just under the wire! Also, wanted to thank ya'll for such a warm reception to thepost yesterday about the Sketch Books. From the number of ordersreceived last night...seems that I'm not the only personwho needs to get their Design Ideas and Project IdeasOrganized! Ha!

 Hugs!!

Funky Chicken - March

My Funky Chick block for the HGTV Block of the Month is complete for March. We are using the BOM Patterns over at FatCat.com as our challenge.  The button eye makes him look a little wild..and the background too...but that just fine with me!

February Funky Chicken

Finished my Funky Chicken block #2...so on track with this Block of the Month series by FatCat Patterns.These are fun...and certainly are Funky! Still need to find some time to blanket stitch the edges...but at least the fusible applique part is done!

Another Great BOM!!!

Just trust me...go check out this blog!

http://erinrussek.typepad.com/one-piece-at-a-time/

 She has a new BOM started...Mimi's Bloomers! Wonderful applique quilt...looks like it could be a great Redwork Project too!

AND, if you are quick...her BOM for last year, My Tweets are available until the end of the month. Check the side bar for downloads.

Both of her BOMs require purchase of the center medallion pattern...but the price is right!. Or just use the other blocks...and create your own center!

Hugs!

Seriously...I Need Professional Help!

Today...I was just reading some posts over on HGTV...and followed a link...and it landed me at The Raspberry Rabbits...and they have a Block of the Month starting...called Harrington and Hannah...and...it is a gorgeous quilt...and it has felt pieces in it...and they kit the quilt top...and it is priced right...and...well...um....uh....I'm sorta...I'm seriously ...considering starting their BOM and getting their felt kit! Oh Lordy...I need help!  There has to be a 12-step program out there somewhere for folks like me...but, I'm afraid to search for it...cause there's no telling where that might lead me!!!

Let's Applique!

Country Cottages Mystery Block of the Month has started over at ShabbyFabrics. Go check it out, and don't miss out on the free pattern downloads and gorgeous designs you can purchase too! Here is my start of the first month's block...still needs my snow and snowman!

Raggedy Ann Embroidery Blocks

Kaaren of The Painted Quilt has been offering a block of the month Raggedy Ann quilt for the past few months.

 If you have not been over at her blog to check it out...really, you should! The blocks are wonderful!

 She just posted the last in the series...so you can go and download all twelve embroidery blocks. Her embroidery designs are stupendous...and the patterns are very well done. They are all in pdf format downloads...just click...scroll down...wait a few moments and then download!