MONTH 1 -- Show Progress Here

[Kaoru S.]

[FONT=Calibri]I realized the triangles are different for border 1 and 3. I chose triangles from the border 3 pattern for both borders and very happy with them. They look like the true triangles like paper pieced version, but ¼” space above the triangles gives distinction to the corner baskets.[/FONT]

[Monique G.]

Inspired by Helens posts, I decided to tackle the centre a little different than the pattern. I love "Le Panier De Fleur" (The Flower Basket) by Sue Nickels instead. It's been quite a challenge! The picture didn't really come out the colours I used which were mostly shades of white and beige.

[soniasimone]

Beautiful!

[Pamela U.]

It’s beautiful

[Helen W.]

[QUOTE=mgratrix;n891998]Inspired by Helens posts, I decided to tackle the centre a little different than the pattern. I love "Le Panier De Fleur" (The Flower Basket) by Sue Nickels instead. It's been quite a challenge! The picture didn't really come out the colours I used which were mostly shades of white and beige. [/QUOTE]

Monique, Your center flower arrangement and vase is fabulous. What a difference the color palette makes in the mood.
Beautifully serene and elegant. Can't wait to see your progress.Are you planning on using Sue Nichol's
multitude of leaves in the border or going more with Irene's pattern? Both would look good. If you saw
my post In Defense of the color brown, you know I love using earth tones in a lot of my quilts.
HelenW

[Monique G.]

Thanks Helen. . . I will look for it. Not sure yet what I'm going to do, but you sure have inspired me with your creative spirit.

[AmericanQuilter]

[AmericanQuilter]

I am not really happy with my center. I used a gray tone fabric thinking it would look great but the colors just don’t pop against it. Wish I had used white or cream background.

[soniasimone]

It’s frustrating not to be happy with a decision once it’s sewn, but for what it’s worth I think it’s gorgeous

[Barbara B.]

I wouldn’t worry about it now. Later you could hand embroider around the shapes to define them more or quilt the background with very light gray thread. As it grows, I think you will notice it less. It looks fine to me.

[Mary K.]

[Mary K.]

It took me two months to finish Block 1 and I feel like I’ve learned so much!

[Barbara B.]

It will be faster from here!

[Anita S.]

Embellished Month 1, loving the process!

[candygarrido]

I finally finished applique for block 1. Whew!

[Rhonda57]

Block is complete!!!

[Dorothy P.]

Finally finished block 1. Lots of fun learning new techniques. Barbara you are a fabulous teacher.

[Barbara B.]

Thank you so much, Dorothy.

[James D.]

I’m a little behind but here is my month 1. I call it Garden Party Down Under After Dark

[Helen W.]

James, I love the black background and the cute name. So fitting. Last year I did my Color My World in flannel and black background and loved the way it turned out. HelenW

[jptousley]

Love your black background, especially with the blues and purples!

[bpalluzi]

Hi Everyone: I have finally finished the January Block. I love how it came out, but it was a lot of work. I did however discover that applique is can be very useful in fixing/hiding mistakes. I decided to do needle turned applique. I had only done raw edge applique and since I like to use the BOMs to learn, I decided to try it. It looks great once it is done. I need a bit more practice though.

So now on to February's block. I guess it is fortuitous that I am so late starting February since I now have the corrected pattern.

I also want to add that the videos are fantastic. I have watched them all multiple times. I really learned a lot from them. Thanks for all your hard work Barbara. I also read your blogs multiple times as I do each step. All the resources you provide are wondeful.

[Barbara B.]

[QUOTE=bpalluzi;n892449]Hi Everyone: I have finally finished the January Block. I love how it came out, but it was a lot of work. I did however discover that applique is can be very useful in fixing/hiding mistakes. I decided to do needle turned applique. I had only done raw edge applique and since I like to use the BOMs to learn, I decided to try it. It looks great once it is done. I need a bit more practice though.

So now on to February's block. I guess it is fortuitous that I am so late starting February since I now have the corrected pattern.

I also want to add that the videos are fantastic. I have watched them all multiple times. I really learned a lot from them. Thanks for all your hard work Barbara. I also read your blogs multiple times as I do each step. All the resources you provide are wondeful.[/QUOTE]

Thank you so much! Your post just made my day. And gives me a boost as I start to prep to make the Month 4 Video/Blog.

Ladies - -I have made so many of the pieces to appliqué - - BUT I am feeling overwhelmed. Where do I start?

[soniasimone]

Very first thing I recommend is to watch Barbara's video for the month you're doing! It will help you know where there might be something a little tricky or not-so-obvious in the pattern, especially in how pieces overlap.

Then I'd follow Irene's suggestions for how to proceed. Glue down your stems, then leaves, then flowers, then the vases. Irene does all the glueing at once, but I like to sew the stems and leaves, then go back to the flowers and vase.

Take it one step at a time, and the overwhelm will pass! I find myself less overwhelmed when I don't cut too many pieces out before I'm ready to glue them down.