Jayne - glad you are joining in!

Toolgranny - thanks for that link! I fell in love with several blocks and was impressed there were so many different styles.

Yesterday I was looking at the upcoming classes offered at the LQS and googled one of the instructors to see how "famous"
she is:). I saved this article to post for those of you working on the Baltimore Album, thinking you might enjoy the article and pictures of her work. I think this is a perfect place to post it for you to see her beautiful applique work.

Kate - I have decided to do a BOM PP and was thinking of posting asking again if anyone wanted to join me - what is the best protocol? Post on this thread? A separate thread for PP BOM - a separate thread for regular piecing BOM? I think it is a great idea to have the added pressure to post our blocks ~LOL~

Your block is pretty - I love it in batiks. I also found a demo on how some batiks are made - I'll post that separately.

Here is a link that might be useful: Judy Shapiro's Baltimore Album

I think we can group all BOM quilts in one place. The method or style doesn't matter as much in this case as the length of the project. So let's all join in here and keep each other on track. Please, post pictures as often as you want! I know I would love to see them whether it's paper piecing, machine applique, hand applique or piecing. One block a month - we can do this!

Kate

You all are inspiring! I'm not ready to tackle a BA, but I can't wait to see what you do! I would think that batiks would be grand to use for hand applique; often very tightly woven fabric is used in the making of batiks.

Teresa

I have decided to join into the BOM. I will doing Paper Piecing from Peggy Martin's "Quick-Strip Paper Piecing". I am attempting to do the quilt - or version- on the cover. I would love it if anyone wants to join me. I have provided a link to the book.


I made one block on New Years Day for a 2010 B'day Gal so I can't post a picture (or it won't be a surprise). I actually got the book from the library to make her block, then decided to buy the book. I loved her block so much, it determined my color scheme for my BOM and the talk here about doing a BOM has given me the incentive. I did find that I didn't really use the strip method - I started to, but fell into my very limited way of PP after the second seam. I am going to try to use her method on a complete block. If anyone has experience with this strip PP method, I'd love your input.

Here is a link that might be useful: Book

Those pp blocks are beautiful! Are you going to use those colors? I like the vibrant blues and brights they show on the cover. I may have to put that one on my list for 2011.

Kate

Hey Teresa, I meant to say this in the last post:

This isn't just for Baltimore Album quilts. Any block of the month project will do just fine. So if you want to join in there are lots of options. The more the merrier!

Kate, I'll join. For some reason, I've been into Chocolate for a few months and started this Chocolate Stars BOM in August. Only made the first 3 blocks then it got put on the back burner for more important things. Some of these blocks will be a challenge, and maybe that'll be the word for me this year as I find myself pushing toward things I've sidestepped in the past.

SharonG/FL

Here is a link that might be useful: Fat Cat Pattern - Chocolate Stars

Sharon, those star are scrumptious! Milk chocolate, dark chocolate and some caramel too! Yummy!

I've been working on my BA this afternoon. I'm deviating a little from the traditional BA by having a large 30" block in the center. I found the pattern in a mag (McCall's Qltng, I think) Robert Callaham's "Everlasting". I'll put more traditioal blocks around it. I do plan on finishing the center block this month, but there are 272 pcs of applique on it! Nothing like starting off with a big bite!
After checking my scanner, DS informs me I need a new one. Go figure! He couldn't have discovered that BEFORE Santa came?! Hopefully by the end of the month I'll have one.
I still owe someone (?who?) a pic of my tonal quilt. I won't forget to.
Took a supper break, now it's back to needle & thread...

~Cindy

Kate, love your BA block! The fabrics you chose are awesome.

I am participating in a BOM at my LQS. Actually two, one block a month for 12 months and a two block a month for six months.

Rebecca

Rebecca - WOW! You are going to be busy! We would love to see pictures!

Kate, you know I'm IN, just need to find the time ... I think that next weekend I will be in a place to advise on my progress. I do like this block that you've posted here; the colors are glorious. I think you are going to find that hand applique is relaxing, once you're ready to just sit and sew. Just keep at it; your subsequent blocks are likely to become more complex and intricate and your skills are going to get better and better with practice.

You're on your way, kiddo. Way to go!

Odessa

Okay I'm in. I think I've found my pattern and will use hand dyed fabrics - so I can make more if I run out. I won't tell you which pattern yet as I might change my mind a few times before I actually start cutting. I'll make a BA type on white background, with cool colors of purples and blues, green leaves. If this works, I'll post a picture of first block at end of the month. Mine might not be 12 blocks as design calls for 9. But, I can ignore that and make 3 duplicates in different colors if I want.

So, it looks like we have 3 BOM groups for Show and Tell:

Hand Applique BOM - very impressive group & plans :)

Sharon is doing Machine Piecing while eating chocolate bon bons (I should join her group!)

And me in the Paper Piecing Group - who has not started or found the right black yet - but I picked out the pattern and have a vision :)

Which group do you fall into Rebecca? You busy gal!

Like Kate stated - please join! She is going to keep us on track!

Hey, I want bon bons too! We can be the BonBon BOMBAs!

Kate

You are too funny!!!
That would make me the BonBon BOMPP
& Sharon the BonBon BOMMP
Looks like we are official now - we've got names!

Maybe we just call ourselves BonBonBOM!

BonBonBOM has a nice ring to it :)

Put me in the BOM!

Rebecca

Kate your block is gorgeous!!!!!
I started collecting the Choc Stars, but I have a brown sofa and cinnamon love seat with beige carpet.
I need some color LOL!!!
I have also been collecting the Nancy Rink BOM.
I'm in, just have to make up my mind! I really like the choc stars.
Rosa

Here is a link that might be useful: GalacticExplosion

That Galactic Explosion in red would give you lots of color! It's beautiful!

I have finished the 1st. block for my 12 days of christmas.
Blocks are designed by Marchia Hohn from Quilterscache.
Block #1.
Needle turn applique. Batiks on natural muslin.[IMG]http://i183.photobucket.com/albums/x223/nanajaynecarol/100_1543.jpg[/IMG]

Lovely block. (this link might help) Looks like a good BOM .

Here is a link that might be useful:

Jayne - that block is so pretty - that looks like so much work & tedious!

Jayne, that is a lovely partridge in a pear wreath! you've done a very nice job. Way to go. I'm anxious to see the rest of what you will be working on.

I have completed 2 months of the Bom-PP project I selected from the book Peggy Martin's "Quick - Strip Paper Piecing". The strip PP method -chain piecing- is not working for me. I really tried. Her book is good for a beginner who has PP before - I've taken 2 classes with 2 different instructors, so I am by no means more than a beginner w/some experience. This is a big project - 14 star & pinwheel shaped blocks, 12 stepping stones blocks, sashing, flying geese PP & 6" star borders. I've actually done flying geese curved PP-so this one should be easier. I'm posting my pictures - if any of you experienced PPers have tips, suggestions - or criticism - I am listening. This is a learning process for me. The paper is still attached to the backs of the blocks, so I cannot press the blocks flat yet.

Simple Star & Stargaze

MRG - I think your blocks are just beautiful. LOVE the colors and the way they seem to explode off the black background! I can't help you with PP hints as I am not familiar with Peggy Martin's book or her method. I would simply recommend you keep at it. Take each step slow and easy. Think everything through before you cut, stitch, or press. All will come out well, and you're doing a beautiful job.

I have also decided on my project now, too. Unfortunately, I am at work and can't begin to tell you what it is supposed to look like, but I believe it will be stunning ... at least I hope so.

TTFN,

Odessa

I think your blocks are lovily, like the colors. PP is not my thing but I do appreciate how nice it turns out. It sounds like you have a real big project going and I am sure you will do it just fine. Looking forward to seeing more blocks. TFS Jayne

I'm not sure why you aren't pressing them flat. I press each seam as I go and have never let the paper stop me from pressing. I do sometimes remove it from a seam allowance for less bulk when I press.

Those are lovely and I think you're doing great.

Thank you ladies.
Toolgranny - she says in her book that the block becomes bulky from the paper, and will not press flat - and I just reread it - she removes the paper before that time. See what I learned!!! For the most part, the blocks are all pressed well at each seam, but the seams sewing the 4 quadrants are not laying flat because of the paper. On the next block I cut off the 1/4 seam allowance at the beginning, so I don't have to deal with it. When I learned to PP, it was on teeney tiny pointy pcs, so no seam allowance. The pic shows it folded back.

WOW - beautiful! I like the blocks and the colors. When I was going through a forgotten drawer of patterns recently I came across a PP pattern I purchased in 1999!!! I loved it and thought I would use it to learn PP... but I didn't. It totally intimidated me and I just stuck it in a drawer. Now I'm kind of inspired to pull it out and give it a try. (What??? ANOTHER project?!?! LOL, can you have too many?)

Kate

No, Kate, you can NEVER have too many projects!

Okay, so here is a link to the BA-BOM I'm planning to do. Have to order the first five blocks, but just need to remember to keep up with checking for the new blocks each month. I think it's going to be quite pretty. Now, to find the time .......

Here is a link that might be useful: Southern Gentleman BOM

odessa - a very striking quilt. What colors have you chosen?
You are planning hand applique, am I correct?

Odessa,that's one of my favorite websites for patterns. I saw that one but not sure I could do it. It will be lovely. Anxious to see your first block.

I was at the Road to California show yesterday in Ontario and this year's "trend" are the BA quilts. They are everywhere and quite lovely. Makes me want to hide mine in a dark room when I'm done. The quilting on them is amazing. There were very few pieced, traditional quilts there. Guess we're all getting a bit arty!

Odessa, I just sent you an email.

Lola

mrg-yes, I am planning on hand applique. I'm thinking of black, cream and tan/beige, I think, perhaps with a little crimson thrown in for zip.

Lola, got your e-mail; thank you! I really am excited about this BOM. Thanks everyone for your suggestions and encouragement. I'll post something when it's done.

Toolgranny, I was at Road on Thursday as well! That's where I bought this cute Susan Branch fabric and felted wool to make the new Bunny Hill free BOM "Snowbound". Really love the fabric and the pattern. Machine stitched and hand embroidered.

Here is a link that might be useful: Snowbound pattern

Real cute snowman! Great job. Is this going to become a quilt or a wall hanging? Jayne

This is Block #1 of the Bountiful Baskets BOM that I am participating in at the LQS. I am not a fan of baskets or the civil war fabrics, but it is perfect gift for my Mother for next Christmas.

The other BOM starts next month and will run for 6 months.

Rebecca

Here is a link that might be useful: Bountiful Baskets

Jayne, I'm planning on making the whole snowman quilt, the Bunny Hill patterns are always so cute. I do have a monthly wallhanging I want to make as well. I may just start with February on that one, so I can hang it up at the beginning of the month!

Rebecca, Your mother will love it. It looks like more then 12mo. worth of work though.
new2quilting, can't wait to see the rest of them.
Jayne

I finished another of my PP blocks - this is good American Idol activity!

New2quilting - Really cute snowman - I like your machine applique - that is the stitch I am starting to favor.

Rebecca - that's alot of baskets to make, but it will make a lovely quilt for your Mother.

Kate, since you are the author of all this, why not post a new thread at end of the month and we'll all post our blocks there, whether pieced or appliqued. You've already made one so you can re-post your block and we'll follow. I have mine done now and that's a start for me. But, it will be "cleaner" if we have a new thread each month don't you think?

Ok. I'll do it at the end of the month.

Kate

Why not just post a "february BOM" block thread next (and one for each month)? I love seeing people's blocks as they make them, it's kind of inspiration and a kick in the butt, and a reward when you get one done that you can post it. I wouldn't want to wait for the end of the month for everyone to post. This post pretty much has people's January blocks.

I didn't mean the end of February, I meant the end of January. Sorry if that was confusing.

Originally my idea was that we would just continue this thread, posting new blocks as we completed them, so that we could scroll back and see the progression of each project. I still like that plan but if we want to do a new post each month I'm OK with that too.

You can always post a new block to the thread, whether you complete one each month, 2 or none. This is a no pressure BOM.

So, to clean it up:
* I'll post a new thread in a couple days for "BOM 2010-January".
* And I'll post one at the same time for "BOM 2010-February".
* As we said from the beginning, it doesn't matter what type of Block of the Month you are doing: any method or style is OK. You can start with January or join in any time; there's no reason we can't continue this right along into next year with people starting and finishing projects all along the way.

If you've completed a block in January, add it to that thread. When you complete one for February, post it in that thread. Towards the end of February I'll do one for March and so on.

A suggestion: when you add a picture of your new block, include a second photo that shows all of your completed blocks. That way we'll be able to see the progression without pulling up old threads.

Does that work for everyone?

Kate

I think you should link all previous months' thread in your first post for the new month. For example, the cooking forum has a "cookalong + ingredient", (after much heated debate), one person links all the previous cookalongs in the new thread naming the new ingredient. That way, all the previous discussion, questions, help, etc is easily available via links within the new thread - ours would be monthly. For example,in your 1st April BOM post you'd write the standard short blurb about the BOM - than within the body of the post you would link to the previous completed months:
BOM-Jan-2010
BOM-Feb-2010
BOM-Mar-2010
That way we wouldn't lose the progression & history, but only the current BOM would be in the new thread.
It would be faster for those who have slower connections where 6 pictures (July) in multiple posts may not open. I'm on FIOS - so this is not my problem.
Look at the Cooking Forum as an example - it is organized and nice to have it all in one place.
Kate - Thanks for organizing this BOM - you have definitely inspired me and I like reading what others are doing!
I appreciate your Techno-Twinkieness :)

I will definitely add the links.