Blocks finished!

Our Craft Forum  ran a BOM for 2012.  We chose a 12" block, forwarded our choice, and these choices were offered each month, with most months having a choice of three.  After thinking about the final quilt, and purchasing sufficient fabric, this BOM made a welcome monthly break to other projects throughout the year.  Officially October was the last month ... but due to demand we were offered the October block in September, which will allow us [or those of us who are motivated] to complete our quilt in time for Christmas.

My blocks will become a table cover; I have the completed picture securely in my mind ... though a recipient has not as yet emerged.

For September I chose a simple block ... Pinwheel, and was rewarded quickly with a pretty block.

As I set for myself that each block have three colours, or four if no 'suitable' 3-colour block was in the chosen ones.  The last set contained three blocks, two with just 2 colours, and only 1 using 3.  Without reading further I printed out the block, gathered my fabrics together, and began cutting.

It was at this stage I realised this block, Bird of Paradise, had some Paper Piecing!!  Paper Piecing and I have not become friends, though last year I did make a pot holder just to see if it was within my abilities.  That the potholder didn't turn out quite the original size, that didn't matter ... a pot holder is a piece of adjustment.

I printed out the template; twice as suggested.  Mmmm ... first effort was sadly wrong!  Second effort wasn't much better, but I perservered.  No, I am not an expert on Paper Piecing ... I think it is the fact that I was working what seemed to be mirror-wise [a little like Alice through the Looking Glass!], and my logical mind found this difficult.

But ... I do not like to be beaten, and am happy to say all the blocks are now complete ... All that is left now is to join the blocks, and make an appliqued outer border.

Our Craft Forum BOM

Two months have passed.  I forgot to post a photo of April's block ... Brasstown Star

The block I chose for May was Beacon Lights, which gave the option of regular piecing, or paper piecing.  I chose regular piecing even though I had to add seams to the pattern pieces. 

It wasn't until I had completed the block, and measured it, that I was happy in the realisation I had worked out the sum correctly!

My camera isn't picking up the colours all that well.  The spotty fabric is actually a rather rich cream, and the flowery fabric has pretty mauve flowers on a greyish background. 

Balkan Puzzle

For the second block for Our Craft Forum's 2012 BOM I chose Balkan Puzzle, which was interesting to stitch.  

My chosen colours are actually more towards purple though for some obscure reason my camera is not taking photos true to colour.  A little adjustment helps!     

More Blocks

So far this year I seem to be concentrating on BOM's, and although they take a year to complete there is none of that must rush and complete this before I begin something else.

In our Craft Forum I have joined a non-swap, but almost a swap, in that we do at least one block a month [chosen by those of us in this 'swap'] and post a photo before the end of the month.  Upon joining we forwarded some 'goodies' and at the end of the BOM those who posted photos are in the draw for the goodies ... divided into a few prizes.  This 'swap' not only saves on postage, it gives the member the opportunity to complete a quilt in her chosen colours.  We can add borders as desired.

As well I was rather taken with the Asian Teapot BOM. 

This is an applique BOM.  I am trying not to purchase new fabric for this BOM, but ... sadly ... on a trip to the fabric shop I broke that resolution.  Though, I hasten to add, a girl can not have too much fabric!!