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Thanks Paus4 for the info about changing names on Flicker.
Once I read your post it was real easy to do.
I like the folds in the cupcake paper.
Sheila

i'm so excited... i just got my pattern in the mail... i'm not going to be participating in the sew a long with you all.. as there is no way i'd be able to keep up with everything i have going on in the next few months.. but i'll be following your progress and taking notes.. you all have such great ideas..

You will have to show us your photo for the appropriate installment as we show ours.

Still gathering fabrics here, gonna go start tracing...hoping I will have enough fabrics to begin by tomorrow afternoon...I've ended up ordering red and white as well...LOL...who knew silver and white was outta season these days!

Working on block(s)number 2. Thinking I should have started with raw edge... might end up switching.

I am so happy I did raw edge applique. I feel so free! I finding this to be a very fun project.

Buns - I'm pretty much done with my block, just need to embroider the carrots on the snowmen and do the sign. I hope to post my pic by this weekend.

Marj

BTW - me and the brim of that hat.......we're not friends.

Marj

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mw8930,

Glad my notes helped you, shequilts. And thank you for the nice comments on my block. This quilt is so far out of my usual I'll take all the pats I can get.

I go back and look at the photos on the Flicker group and am so excited. All the blocks are done so nicely.

BTW, I came across that other group on Flicker that is doing the same pattern. Their's look nice also.

There's only a couple more days left for this block, how's everyone else doing????? I, also, have started on the second block. There sure are a bunch of little pieces, aren't there?

Love all the variety...plan on starting mine tonight or tomorrow...it will be slow going...I was all set to do needleturn...now I'm wondering if I should fuse and do a blanket stitch...grrrrr...decisions...decisions

The hat didn't give me too much worry...but those reindeer antlers are not any fun. I might just remove mine and re-do before posting the second block photo...but, not today.

I'm so glad to be doing hand-applique on this quilt however, it will be gorgeous when completed.

Ya'll know that I'm not a great fan of fusible applique unless it's done in shadow. And, I absolutely detest raw-edge. Both of these look really good when completed...until they are washed a dozen times...then they look awful (IMHO). I would much rather put the extra time and effort into the quilt to begin with...and know that it will last years longer.

Okay, just my opinion...and your's might differ. That's fine with me...we are all entitled to have one.

Hugs,

Kathy, that is why I thought needle turn to begin with as it will be for Caleb,and loved and drug around and washed...and drug around and washed...lol...I'd love for him to give it to his son or daughter one day....so thanks for reminding me that I do need to make sure it lasts...might have to dig through my sewing room and find my lightweight one sided fusible, and do the stitch, slit and turn method...and see how it turns out...but I am concerned about some of the small fiddly bits with this method...

quote:

Originally posted by mw8930:
BTW - me and the brim of that hat.......we're not friends.

Marj

I cut my hat out in one piece and put a "ribbon band" on it. I think it looks good.
amiko

That's the same thing I did with my hat, amiko. Much easier.

Whenever I use fusible on quilts or wearables, they are always stitched. I've got sweatshirts that are 10 years old, yes, 10 yo, that are now begining to show wear. I use up a lot of thread with the zigzag but I get lots of wear, too.

Paus4quilts...if you like fusible, that's great! And, I'm glad that you have not had any release issues with it. Of course the stitching around the edges keeps that from happening a lot too. I do have some small fusible projects that have lasted...but have others that are just a mess. And, the funny thing is...I used heavy fusible on all of them. There is only one type out here in the middle of no-whare...Heat'n'Bond. I like the heavy version...but will use the lite for shadow work.

My stitching around the edges is now only by hand...as my machine work just ends up looking clunky and bulky. It takes me much longer to actually do a fusible because I am doing the edge stitching by hand (which is why my Funky Chicken blocks are still not finished).

So, standard hand applique is actually faster for me than fusible.

However, I wish I were better at the machine stitching part...cause mine really looks bad. If I was, perhaps I'd do more of that type. Perhaps y'all machine gals have some tips?

But, still... even if I was better...I'd probably not consider it for this pattern because of all the small pieces. I'd still be too worried that I could not get it to look good enough. But, I'd use it for applique projects like the Jingle BOM where the pieces are larger and don't have tinsy slivers of points and such. I have the tendency to "eat" little pieces of fabric in my feed-dogs too!

Again, just my opinion...not meaning to step on any toes...

Understand completely. I just did an applique today, not this quilt, and I'm looking at it and looking at it and going...'drats. Do I or don't I do it over because of one corner?'

I remember when I first started doing appliques, it was bibs for my brand new DGS #1. Lordy!!!!! Several bibs later my DS commented that the bibs were really starting to look very nice. Practice, practice and a lot of tongue twisting. lolllll

I have never been good at hand sewing, short stubby fingers, so I substituted and pursued machine applique. I'll get really good someday. I hope.

I finally picked out my fabric today. I will get this done over the weekend.

quote:

Originally posted by amiko:

I cut my hat out in one piece and put a "ribbon band" on it. I think it looks good.
amiko

Ah, great idea.. why didn't I think of that!

HI LADIES
SHAWKL I AM WITH YOU I DON'T LIKE FUSIBLE AND NOT GOOD AT IT. I LOVE NEEDLE TURN APPLIQUE.
I WILL DO A BALTIMORE ALBUM ONE DAY.
I HAVE TO PICK THE FABRIC THIS WEEDKEN AND STAR MY.
HUGS ELY

I'll have to remember that "ribbon band" for the rest of the snowmen. I did the first one needle turn, but I may do the ribbon for the rest. If it works out really well, I may even change the first one. Thanks for the idea!

quote:

Originally posted by Meme quilts:
I'll have to remember that "ribbon band" for the rest of the snowmen. I did the first one needle turn, but I may do the ribbon for the rest. If it works out really well, I may even change the first one. Thanks for the idea!

Do you remember me talking about iron-on thread on an earlier thread? That is what I used on my snowman hats. This thread comes 1/4 inch wide all you do is iron it on. I am using it in my other blocks as well. They also sell hot-ribbon that you can use. I really like them as embellishments.
amiko

I got my base done last night, now onto the applique part. I was going to do machine applique but after reading the comments here and remembering what happened to a machine applique quilt I did for my son, I have decided I will give needle turn applique a try. I do not have very much experience with it but I love hand sewing so I think I will be ok. This quilt won't be given away and will only come out a few months out of the year, but I would like to last for many, many years to come.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by amiko:
They also sell hot-ribbon that you can use.

I've seen that hot-ribbon, what a great idea. Thanks amiko for the ribbon suggestion. I may try this on the rest of my snowmen.

Marj

I've not seen that ribbon or thread around here. I looked last night and the only black ribbon I have is 1/8 inch. So if I use ribbon, I'll have to go shopping and see what I can find.

You can make your own fusible ribbon. Just trim a piece of fusible webbing to the width of the ribbon...by how ever long you want it.

Iron that to the back side of your satin ribbon (or any kind that can be ironed).

Peel off the paper from the fusible...and iron the ribbon to your hat...or wherever you want to put it.

Sounds like a good idea. I had never heard or seen the iron on ribbon. I'm working on the embroidery of block 2 right now. So far, except for the tiny pieces, my machine stitching on the applique hasn't been too hard. It is my first real applique.

If you have thin ribbon, or a piece of fabric, you can just take a dab of glue on a toothpick to rub across the ribbon and attach it that way. I did stitch mine on, also.

not going to make this months challenge, I had arthroscopic knee surgery on Wednesday. not allow to use the foot for 2 weeks, and am not good using my other foot on the machine, but will catch back up in April.

Sprmom, feel better! Sorry you have to be patient, it is harder than it sounds. So follow Drs orders and do not cheat on them! The quilt will wait, as will we.

Finished!! Not sure how this picture will post
but I am finally finished my first quilt block that wasn't a rag quilt!! I will now try to post on flickr, Cathy

ouchie sprmom!! Get well soon!

Cathy... your block looks great!

3 more days for Block #1!

Arthroscoptic suregery is fine but it still takes time to heal. Do well, be well, Sprmom.

yhtac, very nice block.

For those of us that need a little organizational help with this quilt, I found this tonight in my Internet wanderings.

http://latetocreate.com/2012/0...merry-merry-snowmen/

sprmom - take care, heal fast.

yhtac... love all the blues..

I was able to get organazied with the pattern and cut out freezer paper yesterday. Thanks for the well wishes, this is second surgery on this knee in 10 months....hoping they fixed it for good this time!

Today and tomorrow to finish your block #1...

My weekend did not go as planned. I will not be finished with the first block in time.

I was able to cut some squares today, spent about 30 mins on my leg and my knee is sore, tomorrow I will try sewing and see what I can do!

sprmom, the block isn't that important. Your leg is what is important. This is a second go around you said, and it's gonna take a bit more to heal than the first time. Just guess how I know.

Q I e-mail the picture of my block to you. Im so happy I finish it on time. It really going to be fun! Its snowing in Mo. so it fits right in. Thank you Q!

Dear Q,

Here is my finished block!

Deb

Come on ladies! Ya'll can do it!

There have been a few people we have not heard from since we ordered the patterns. I hope they are just busy on their blocks trying to finish and that is why they haven't posted.

Please remember to post your finished block here on this thread to be in the drawings each time.

Finished Block #1 and has shown photo!

1. Mo.star
2. califshrimp
3. warmbuns
4. Kentucky Sunshine
5. elainetoo
6. yhtac
7. Mountain laurel
8. SCLady
9. ddquilts
10. MyJack
11. wenonah
12. quiltaholic
13. headielamar
14. J Lu
15. paus4quilts
16. Brandyquilter
17. crazy'boutquilts
18. shequilts
19. Meme Quilts
20. mi. debbie
21. amiko
22. gremgramma
23. ivy_cottage81
24. mw8930
25. Gracie/Ohio
26. Shawkl
27. zeydrago
28. Elizabeth Ahsanullah
29. sprmom

I am not going to make a deadline. I am still having a lot of trouble with these shingles. They itch so bad, I think they are going to drive me crazy. Feels like something is crawling on me. They are all healed up. My eye is better. No swelling but still bothers me a little. I have another Dr.s appt. tomorrow. I will do the blocks but it will be sometime before I can shop and get the fabric that I want. Love seeing all of the ones that are finished. Congrats ladies!

quote:

Today and tomorrow to finish your block #1... Smile

~ I saw this post this morning and thought I had plenty of time.

Then came back and saw I needed to be done by 4 AM my time! LOL that isn't much of a 'tomorrow'. No worries, I will pay better attention next month.

DH got a 'quick' dinner and I kept stitching! Just put the last stitches in for Block 1. The eyes and nose are going to be buttons, so they are not stitched on until after it is quilted. My appliques are wool. whew! I made it!

Finished Q.

Well...I procrastinated, and pulled an all nighter last night and got my block finished...not 100% happy, but I had to dig out stash as my fabrics I ordered still haven't arrived. So it may end up being redone...or maybe not...LOL...you can't really tell but my snowman fabric is sparkly like frosted snow, and my fingers are sore as heck,it's like ruber to sew through

I love all the blocks, and Caleb is going to be so happy when he receives this as an early Christmas present!

Three more good ones....how neat!!!! And they all are great.

All the blocks are looking so good. I got mine done in time. YeeHa!! Here it is, Block 1 - if your still up, don't laugh.

Marj

Congrats. You made it!!!!

I sure don't see any reason to be laughing. It's a very nice block.

OMG...LOL...well...I'm jealous of some of the embroidery,I struggled with the letters, and that was try # 3 :| and after looking at everyones gorgeous blocks...I just saw a big boo on my part...my snowmen have the wrong head...so it will have to be redone or all my corner snowmen will have to be changed to match this one...leave it to me...and I also struggled with that fiddly hat and the scallop on the cake plate, it was too small my first try...thinking I shoulda fused and blanket stitched then used fray stop after it was complete...has anyone tried that for highly washed applique?

Just goes to show you when you procrastinate and leave it to the last minute that mistakes happen and heads will roll... or was that a design opportunity

I really enjoy the personal touches everyone has added!