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Merry Merry Snowmen Sew Along!!

Pattern designed by Anne Sutton, of Bunny Hill Designs

Merry Merry Snowmen - Size 62 x 66 inches

During the sew along, you will all have a time frame to complete each block. Completed means -- complete -- It does not mean applying fusible to your pieces and ironing them down only. It means adding the stitches around your pieces that anchor them to the blocks. Please play fair.

You will be uploading a photo of your completed block on a pre-selected day here on the forum so we can share with the other members not in the sew along. A Flickr Group has been started for our blocks and you all will be able to upload your photos there as well. Just follow this link to our group and as you upload your photo, you will be added to the group. http://www.flickr.com/groups/merrymerrysnowmen/

Everyone who finishes their blocks by the schedule will be put in to a drawing to win a prize. First name drawn will win the current prize. Some of the prizes have been listed and others will be listed as I know what they will be. I have a few sponsors and un-sponsored monthly prizes will come from the prize kitty.

You can not win the prize more than once in a 3 month period. We still expect you to work on your blocks for the next 2 current months though and share photos just as you had been doing.

At the end when all blocks are finished, everyone will then have a time frame to get their blocks in to quilt top form. A winner will be drawn from all who post their photo by the specified time.

After that everyone will have a time frame to get their quilt finished and bound. Everyone who completes this will be put in a drawing for a much nicer prize and the name drawn will win.

A 12th and final prize will be given to the name drawn from all eligible entries of those who took part 100%. 100% means that you made each block and uploaded a photo of it by each deadline. You were never late and you finished your quilt by the end time permitted.

Here is the schedule I have set up in order for us to have our quilts finished and ready to use for Christmas 2013.

I will start a brand new thread for each installment. PLEASE do not upload any other photos but the current block we are working on. Thank you.

March 1 - March 26 --- Photos of BLOCK #1 are due to post on March 26th by 7 a.m. Eastern time. Prize will be a 25.00 gift certificate from The Fat Quarter Shop. www.fatquartershop.com

March 26 - April 20 --- Photos of BLOCK #2 are due to post on April 20th by 7 a.m. Eastern time. Prize will be a 50.00 gift certificate from Stitch and Frame. www.stitch-n-frame.net

April 20 - May 15 --- Photos of BLOCK #3 are due to post on May 15th by 7 a.m. Eastern time. Prize will be a 50.00 gift certificate from Bunny Hill Designs. http://www.bunnyhilldesigns.com

May 15 - June 8 --- Photos of BLOCK #4 are due to post on June 8th by 7 a.m. Eastern time. Prize will be a 50.00 gift certificate from Stitch and Frame. www.stitch-n-frame.net

June 8 - July 2 --- Photos of BLOCK #5 are due to post on July 2nd by 7 a.m. Eastern time

July 2 - July 26 --- Photos of BLOCK #6 are due to post on July 26th by 7 a.m. Eastern time. Quilts Like Crazy in Wake Forest, NC is our prize sponsor this round. She is gifting (2) 15.00 gift certificates! 2 winners this round! http://quiltslikecrazy.com

July 26 - August 20 --- Photos of BLOCK #7 are due to post on August 20th by 7 a.m. Eastern time. Prize will be a 25.00 gift certificate from The Fat Quarter Shop. www.fatquartershop.com

August 20 - September 14 --- Photos of BLOCK #8 are due to post on September 14th by 7 a.m. Eastern time

September 14 - October 8 --- Photos of BLOCK #9 are due to post on October 8th by 7 a.m. Eastern time. Prize will be a 25.00 gift certificate from The Fat Quarter Shop.
www.fatquartershop.com

October 8 - November 5 --- Photos of completed quilt tops are to be posted on November 5th by 7 a.m. Eastern time. All sashing and borders have been applied and it is ready for quilting!

November 5 - December 7 --- Photos of finished quilts WITH binding are to be posted on December 7th by 7 a.m. Eastern time

Then --- ENJOY your brand new Christmas quilt!

IF you cannot upload photos to the forum you can email me a photo of your block and I can upload it for you. IF you need to do this do not wait until the last minute to email me the photo. ALL emailed photos should be in my inbox the day before they are due. This gives me time to re-size and get them posted on time.

Participants:

1. Mo.star
2. califshrimp
3. warmbuns
4. Kentucky Sunshine
5. elainetoo (Nancy)
6. yhtac
7. Mountain laurel
8. SCLady (Libby)
9. ddquilts (Dolores)
10. MyJack
11. wenonah (Jackie)
12. quiltaholic (Thearica)
13. headielamar (Lisa)
14. J Lu (Jan)
15. paus4quilts (Pauline)
16. Brandyquilter
17. crazy'boutquilts
18. shequilts (Sheila)
19. Meme Quilts (Mary)
20. mi. debbie (Debbie)
21. amiko (Darlene)
22. gremgramma
23. ivy_cottage81 (Karen)
24. mw8930 - (marj)
25. Gracie/Ohio
26. Shawkl (Kathy)
27. zeydrago
28. Ely (Elizabeth)
29. sprmom

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

and the fun begins

In regards to someones question as to the method required to do your blocks...

These are your quilts... so all decisions are yours... There are no right or wrong answers...

The only thing you must comply with in order to be eligible for prizes is to complete your block each time frame and upload a photo of it by the time posted. And please remember, finished means completely finished... Your pieces must be stitched down to your block either by blanket stitch or a form of needleturn applique or a machine zig zag stitch. You cannot simply fuse your pieces down to the background and call it done in order to be eligible for prizes.

We are going to do the blocks in the order they are numbered on the pattern. if you look below the color photos of each block you will find their number.

Please do not discuss future blocks on the current thread or upload photos of future blocks until that appropriate thread has been posted.

Thanks so much.

Glad to see the order, etc. That way IF, and that is a BIG IF, we have time we can work ahead! LOL. Last night I started the 10-4 1/2 inch blocks, and traced the applique pieces for block 1 on wonder under. Didn't cut them, as I was waiting to hear if block one was our first. I guess we can now really GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

READY, SET, SEW!!!
amiko

On my way to BEE Association NC/SC gathering for weekend, so will not get to working on mine until Monday.

Ladies, start your machines! I might even get to work on mine today. Me sewing table is covered with fabrics auditioning for this quilt. I am having fun with this! Thanks Quitaholic!

Oh yea!!! I have my freezer paper patterns ironed to my white fabric, my 10 4 1/2" blocks are done and I have sewed the background of block one. Now to start on the embroidery and applique. This is going to be so much fun!!!

I rec my pattern, embellishments and thread, I have been sorting thru fqs this morning.

Am I the only one that is scared to death of this project? *sigh*

Relax, paus, you like to do small quilts and this is nothing but nine smaller quilts. *sigh* Keep in mind why you wanted to do this!!!

I did order some fabrics for this and today was notified that one of them was out of stock so there's been a slight delay. Fortunately, they are for later blocks so everything is OK.

Gosh, Meme and DD, you're really going on this already!!!!

Thanx, again, Q!!!!

OMG I want to start on it now but have my 3 1/2 yr. old DGS with me untill my DD comes home from work. Then look out I'm going to town : )

Have fun and thanks Q.
Debbie

I was wanting to get a head start because this is our weekend to have 4 DGK's. I thought I can at least cut out the white snowmen and maybe mark some of the embroidery on them while the kids are there. We have them every other weekend so I try to keep handwork that I can pick up and work on. I have one DGD that just turned 4 and she likes to crawl up in my lap and watch when I'm doing handwork. This should be a good weekend to snuggle up with her and work on this. It is snowing outside right now but it is 36 and not sticking. PERFECT SNOW!!

Paus - I'm nervous too. We will just bite the bullet and go for it! Hope I can keep up.

I am the queen of procrastination!

Marj

I am very nervous also. My first time doing applique. I had to get a tiny start as I am going out of town twice before the first block is due. I soooooo want to complete each block in the alloted time.

Ooooohhhhh, good. I'm not alone. I'm nervous because I've never done this large of a quilt with so much applique. So if I keep remembering that it is only nine smaller quilts, maybe I can get through it.

And time is my biggest obstacle. Ohhhh, I have the time but since August, I have been sooooo bad about keeping things on track. I'm hoping this will revive my 'get it done' button somewhat.

I have Aidan this weekend...so cutting and stitching will have to wait until at least Monday. But, I plan on making a nice cup of tea...and sitting down with the pattern to read over everything!
Hugs! Y'all stay warm!

ahhh come on now... don't be nervous... These quilts are for you so just have fun.

I want to get started, but I have a couple projects I need to finish up. I worked all day on one and I think it will take another day or 2. I planning to start on Monday. I'm having a hard time deciding on my fabric.

Hello gals,
I have not been on here in so long. I have missed you sisters. I have been adjusting to life in Florida.
Are you providing the pattern or do we buy them from our LQS? Sorry for my silliness. I am just bit rusty. Can't wait to get sewing again. My soul has missed it.

Zeydrajo - Quiltaholic ordered the patterns for us and mailed them to each of us.

I hope to get started on mine by Monday. I have one other project I have to get done first.

With several irons in the fire.. still had to get started on this fun project. So block one background and part of the snowman done yesterday.

Can already see from some of the parts that this will be a mix of needleturn and raw-edge.

Correction to my comment on the first thread about this project. I used the term 'reverse applique'.. I meant back basting.. big difference.

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

Hi Zeydrago!! It has been a long time and no see girlfriend! If you would like to play along just send me a pm and I will send you the specifics.

I'm still waiting on the mail...and it'll be Tuesday here before it runs because of labor day.

Thank you for checking in Trish... I was wondering if you had received yet.

Cathy... Have you received?

Good Morning, Haven't received anything yet. I get more anxious as I wait...Hope I haven't taken on more than I can handle!! Will let you know when it is here..

I spent the day picking out fabrics for piecing the first block. I also traced my pattern onto my freezer paper. I hope I can get this done on lazy sunday afternoons because it looks like that will be the only time I get to work on it.

I am going to try to do my 10 blocks and my little snowmen in the corners of those 10 blocks next. I will try to be ready to do the applique and embroidery during spring break while we are at the beach with DD and 2 DGS's.

Linda - Sounds like I'm doing it sort of like you. I cut out all the background pieces last night. Sewed the first 3 blocks together tonight. Did the snowmen cornered guys also.

I've now "wonder undered" the applique on block 1 and trying to figure the best way for me to applique it. Any suggestions for a newbie?

Another question - should we do the quilting before the embroidery? I know the buttons have to be last but wasn't sure about the rest.

I would think the embroidery would be done as you work your blocks.. That is how I will do mine.

I use machine blanket stitch and sometimes, if the pieces are too small, I do hand blanket stitch.

Linda.. Be sure to have block #1 done in time to post a photo for the prize giveaway..

It's noon...and I have not even had breakfast yet! Went to town with my sister, and now...have groceries to unload and put away...Easter basket stuff to hide...and make my bed!

I had planned on a nice restful day of stitching on my first block...but, that does not look promising!

Hugs!

I have been working on mine a little. I decided to use fusible for my applique with a zigzag stitch. I like the test pieces and love that it will be faster. My fist time using this technique.

Well.....I've got my pattern book together. LOL!! I need to get sewing. I have selected most of my fabrics.....I hope I can keep up and my micro organizing doesn't get me off track.

Marj

...waiting and watching for gorgeous progress pix...

Yesterday I did some domestic sewing, repairing things I've been ignoring for too long and are taking up space on my sewing table. Two-fold purpose....get the dang things fixed and make room on the table for what I have gotten myself involved in.

I did manage to get some fabrics pulled for this, also, so that's a start.

Marj, like your book. Looks kinda similar to what I have, only mine is blue. lollll

I finished piecing the foundation block this morning for the first block. I appliqued little snowman body down with needleturn applique and I must say I was very proud of my work.

Now I just need to place my applique pieces on the foundation.

I got the main part of block one done with the embroidery. Working on the peeking snowman block right now. Fabric cut for the sq in a sq and side bars. Fun project, hard to put down.

Warm Buns - that's the actual fabric right? Looks great.

Nice looking block Linda. I can't wait to see your needleturn.

Linda - beautiful block!

Marj

Ewwwww,are those the fabrics from the pattern? They look real nice.

Just finished setting up my appliques for printing on the fusible and the program crashed. Allll gone!!!!

I thought we we not showing our block yet? It's beautiful Linda

I stole the idea of others and put together a pattern book for this but have not gotten anything done beyond that. Yours looks good so far Linda.

I found some time this afternoon/night to work on my first block. It is almost done...still needs the little cupcake sign and the arms embroidered. Should have a pic for y'all tomorrow I'm hoping.

Linda your colors are nice and can't wait to see what that cake plate will look like. These so look like the quilt model...did you decide to get a kit? If now, you are spot on with your choices!

You can show your block anytime you want but when you show your "finished" block, please note that it is "finished" so I can mark you as "shown" for the prize pool.

Yeah my bad I went back and read your direction again. Duh! That always helps. Mine is in transit. I can tell if I'm loving it yet. I remade it 3 times so far. I'm trying to use my stash. I hate the fabric I bought for it after I got the pattern. Arg!

Finished. Think I'll probably redo the sign with red thread - to bring that color into the block.. waiting til I get a couple others done.

Those are nice colors. I like them. I'm close, but have to do the embroidery. Going out of town for a few days tomorrow and trying to get block 1 & 2 ready, so I can do the hand work on the trip.

I found buttons I'm ordering for the nose and eyes, so those can't go on until after quilting.

Yes, I am terrible at picking out colors so I ordered the fat quarter bundle that goes with the pattern. I also love the yli silk thread kit that goes with the pattern. I have cut the squares for all the squares that have a little snowman in the corner and I have 6 of the bodies needleturned so that when I get ready to sew the blocks together they will be ready.

Elainetoo - that is gorgeous! I'm so glad I'm doing mine in blues.

I pulled my fabrics last night and need to pick up two more. So, I'll do that today. And hopefully I'll get to work on my block tonight.

Marj