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There are a load of really cool Block-of-the-Month quilt challenges every year. And Erin Russek always has a quilt that I must do.

Here is the first month's free block...just click on the link.

http://erinrussek.typepad.com/...-pieced-block-1.html

But, you know me...always wanting to do...and always finding it hard to fit another thing in my schedule. (Surely I'm not alone in this...right?)

But, this year...I just could not pass on her Jingle quilt. It's basically a huge 30x30 medallion...(the hard part of the quilt I think)...done in applique. Then huge open blocks of fabric (no piecing...yeah!) and 16 additional 9" blocks...8 are pieced, and 8 are applique.

The piecing should be quick...it's the applique that will take some time.

But, for the past two days...I've been working hard...and have all of my pieces cut, basted, starched, and ready to sew to the background. Hope to have my center done in a few days. Then it's downhill! Hopefully!!

So, is anyone else working on this quilt? I'd love to know...and have some company!

Hugs,

Here is the center medallion of the quilt.

I love the fabric she is using. I will have to see if I can find out on her site what it is.

I so look forward to her use of bright colors.
She is very talented.

So cute but, that would take me 100 years to do.
You go girl!

Joobee,

I too love her fabric choices. But, for this project I decided to go with what's in my stash. The blocks are basically green, red, gold shades with a neutral background.

Really after that, the setting triangles and border could be whatever you wanted.

So, we'll see how this turns out!

Chanlady...I don't think I have 100 years...so, I'm stitching fast!

i love it, but there's no time left in my day for that right now...

Define "working on", lol! I love this quilt and have the patterns ready to go but have not started yet. There is a Flckr group and prizes if you finish this months block before the next one is posted. I had full intentions of qualifying for the prizes each month but I am already behind.

I think the fabric she uses is from a Nancy Halvorson collection.

I learned to applique from her website.

Well Brandy, we are almost in the same boat! I too am behind, and will not get this month's block finished...this month. However, I am about 60% done on the center medallion...then am jumping on the blocks.

I'm late to this party...but, want very much to do this quilt. So, I'm sewing every spare second to try and catch up!

I never win anything much...so have no hope at any prizes. But, I'd still like to at least be caught up and perhaps post some photos.

So, come on...jump in and let's just set a goal to simply get to the same finish line on time with the rest of the pack!

Hugs

Kathy, Kathy, Kathy...my dear enabling friend! So I went to the link and, Oh, isn't that just cute! So I downloaded the first block...no guarentee's when I will get to it...

Thank you my friend!

axel

No, I'm not but looking at the first pieced block, wish I had found it sooner. TFS

Colleen,

The center of mine is almost done. It has taken about a week...working 3-4 hours each day. But, I figure that since it is a medallion quilt...the center is got to be the most time consuming...at 30" square.

So, by next week...it should all be down hill! Just 8 applique blocks (one per month) and 8 pieced blocks (can do those easily enough...hey, it's only ONE block per month). Even I can keep that schedule (hope I don't end up eating crow on that statement). Hugs.

If you want my center pattern when I'm done...just let me know and I'll mail it to you.

Hugs,

Kathy, what a lovely offer. If you don't mind, I would like to take you up on it. I am kind of into branching out this year and trying more of the traditional side of our quilting passion...BOMs seem managable to me...although I seem to have found myself in 4 of them! Anyhoo, thanks bunches and no hurry!

I just bought the center medallion today. I do not know when I will fit it into my schedule but I will try.

Ha Colleen! I'm so with you! I sign up for "multiples". Last year, I had two BOMs here at HGTV and six CQ Round-robins at CQI going at the same time. Finally, something had to give...and I totally got behind on my "sane" projects because they were for me.

I do not like to get behind on round-robins...since they are for someone else.

I just finished telling someone that I stitch like a Top G-UN pilot. Going Mac4 with my hair on fire!

Hugs, and I'll get the center medallion pattern too you real soon.

Carolyn, glad to know I'll have some company...let me know when you get started. Are you going with the colors in the original design or something different?

Got my Block One Applique finished. I thought that the redbirds might be difficult, but they were not at all. I am still struggling to get "round" berries however!

It is gorgeous! I have mine printed and that is as far as I got. I really want to do these with a turned edge so I haven't started yet. That might mean I never do start, lol! Maybe I should give myself permision to use fusible and just do it. It would still be pretty, just not as distinguished in my book. I am goofy that way!

Shaw, when did this start? I found the pattern for the big center medallion. Where is the pattern for the red birds applique? Am I too late for that?

Kathy... I haven't started nor do I know when I will. I have shingles right now and my eyes have been swollen. No sewing going on here right now. I hope this doesn't stick around long as it is really disrupting my sewing time. I do plan on sticking close to the coloring that is shown. I like it that much. Your blocks look great!

Carolyn, I so hope those shingles run their course fast! It's no fun being sick...and those can be painful too. Sending healing hugs your way!!

Linda, all of the smaller blocks are on Erin's blog...One Piece At A Time...at blogger. You might have to scroll back a few posts to get them as they post once a month.

I got my 2nd block done...took about an hour! So, now...I'll be going to the third block...which is the second applique one. It is the "March" block...and hey...I might just catch up to finish it this month!! Woot! Woot!

Here is the pieced block...don't look too close, the points are not perfect I'm sure...but it will look good in the quilt none-the-less. The poinsettia fabric in the center star will be the last outside border fabric for the quilt...so, I'm going to try to pull it into each of the pieced blocks.

Shaw I just went to where she post the first pieced block and on the right hand side she has an applique tutorial. It shows about half way through that how she does her circles. She puts batting in side them. It might give you the help you need to get better circles.

I took a class from Mimi Dietrich, and she used the plastic (or metal) washers that you find in hardware stores to get the round shape. Baste around the washer, pull it tight, press (starch if needed), release the basteing, pull out the washer and voila'. HTH

Well, the batting would be something that doesn't have to be removed.

Washers? That's pretty ingenious!

I switched from one layer of freezer paper to three layers...kind of like cardboard...and am pulling my gathers, and then popping the cardboard out. It's helping...but, still the little circles look kind of empty and "deflated"...so, may change to some kind of heavy interfacing that I could leave in.

By the time I finish this quilt...I should have great little circles...cause I would have tried multiple techniques! Hugs!

Thanks for the ideas!

I want to do them,I am downloading them and saving for future use. I love her work. She makes it look so easy.

Your blocks look good ShawKl

Very cute Kathy! I am downloading the patterns for future use!

Okay...I can't entice anyone to work on this with me now? Here's block #3 all done. And, that means that I'm all caught up! Waiting for April to be published...

That is so pretty Kathy! Congratulations on being caught up. I love your background.

Well, I was totally NOT going to do this. But every time she posts more about, I just love it! So I downloaded all the blocks, bought the center medallion and will see what I have in my stash. I think I have a ton of red & green from something else, so I shouldn't have to buy the yardage for that. And I still have a lot of small scraps that I could use for the blocks.

I probably won't get to start on it for a bit, but once I do, I'm going to try to catch up. We'll see. I especially like seeing yours Kathy as I will make most of it from stash too.

It really is pretty, isn't it?

Woot! Woot!

Welcome to the fun KMD! I knew if I beat y'all about the head and shoulders enough...someone had to come out and play with me!

I love all of Erin's patterns because they ARE so easy to work up. I have two other quilts of hers, but not the right stash colors to do them justice yet. This year, I really lucked out...with enough greens, reds, and neutral background to do this quilt. I have about 3 yards of a poinsettia print that I've been "saving" for just the right quilt...it's a Hoffman, and I just didn't want to chop it up...so it is my border. Another green will be my setting triangles around the center square.

That's not "exactly" what Erin's will look like...but, I'm gonna be very happy with the result I'm thinking!

I'll keep posting finished blocks...and perhaps, we can get Colleen moving too! Hugs!

Hey, it just dawned on me...I did not post a photo of MY center! I posted the pattern image...but not mine...and IT is done too! So, here it is...see, no tiny pieces (well except those dang circle berries)...and no sharp little in's and out's to fiddle with. Seriously, a really great pattern for any skill level...even beginners!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Shawkl,

I've just spent some time on her blog and I really like her method of using the starch and glue basting. I think I'll give it a try. Her methods seem straight forward and very easy. It's been a while since I've done any significant applique. I'm looking forward to this - I think all I'm going to need is the neutral background for the applique blocks.

Llynn, Millie is teaching applique at our midmonth meetings, this Wednesday it will be using glue for the basting - come on over, I will save you a seat - we are doing Mimi's Baltimore Album for beginners

Kathy...GORGEOUS!!!

Marlene, I so wish I could. But 4:45 am comes mighty early. Things at work are very hinky right now too. I cannot afford to not be perfect.

Kathy how do you get the other blocks I cant them

So, I went on-line this morning and ordered my white background fabric (well, not all white, but I like it and it will work nicely). When I comes, I'll start slowly then get rolling when I'm finished what I already have on the machine.

Looking forward to doing this.

J Lu-If you follow each post, usually at the bottom there are links on how to get to the others. Thankfully, there are only 3 so far and you have to purchase the center medallion. $10 for a PDF download.

J-Lu and others...

If you look on the left side of Erin's blog...there is a list of her main tags. Click the "Jingle" one and you'll get all of her posts on the quilt. At the bottom of each one, will be a link to that month's block...

Here is a link that will take you to those posts too:

http://erinrussek.typepad.com/...t-a-time/jingle-bom/

The center is a purchased pattern. Look in her Pattern Spot button location for it. She has other patterns and centers for previous year medallion quilts there too. If you want to go back...you can get her patterns for the previous years on her blog as well.

Thanks for the help KMD!

Hugs,

I got block 1 and 2 I can't find 3.

She has posted two applique blocks, and one pieced block...that's the three.