Hey, everyone, how is your week going? My Wednesday was a lot better than the earlier part of the week, that's for sure. I finally said "No" to a commitment that has been making me unhappy and stressing me out, and I feel as if the weight of the world has been lifted off my shoulders. Between caring for sweet Baby E, lovely Grandpa, and working two part time jobs in town, somethin' had to give. One of the part time jobs is over, and I am sitting here asking myself why I didn't do it sooner. Do any of you do that? Hang on in a situation that is miserable, or at best, going nowhere? Why do we do that?
Spent the latter half of the afternoon in the studio stitching. You can see my progress on the Kiss Me blocks--nine done, seven to go. Didn't work on Dresden plates, but they are sitting there, encouraging me.
The red and aqua block on the far right is the first block of the latest Designer Mystery BOM, sponsored by the Fatquartershop. Instead of receiving all the blocks and letting the project sit ignored all year, I decided to do something radically different and actually construct the thing the same month I received it.
Here it is before cutting:
Pretty fabrics, and the most adorable little mini charm pack of 2 1/2 inch squares! I am sure Moda has given it a too-cute-for-words name, Petit Fours? Truffle? Amuse Bouche? No instructions on how to use it, but it is sweet all the same.
So here is the finished block:
Oh yes, I do like this. And I am vowing right now, in front of God and everyone, that I WILL keep up with this BOM.
So here is an unsolved mystery:
Why is there so much fabric left over? This is not typical of FQS BOMs. Usually they have the amount of needed fabric figured out down to a thread. Will we use the leftovers for a scrappy border? Any guesses?
Radically different!! Ha! Ha! I loved that. I wonder if they want you to make two blocks???
Posted by: Audrey | June 21, 2012 at 05:42 AM
I love the block of the month. Love the colors. With a job loss this just wasn't in the cards for me. I'll look forward to seeing the finished quilt.
Posted by: Brenda | June 21, 2012 at 05:52 AM
I've found in the last several years of BOMs...they're giving more and more each year. Drastically different from the first year (Peace on Earth) when you're right...there was barely any leftovers.
Posted by: Dianne | June 21, 2012 at 05:54 AM
Nicole, I haven't signed up for this BOM from the FQS yet, but my experience in the past has been that I have enough fabric in every block kit to make and additional block and then some. That is one of the things I love so much about their BOMs. Hugs...
Posted by: Nancy | June 21, 2012 at 06:08 AM
I have last year's FQSDMBOM but haven't started it yet, so I can't address the amounts of fabric in its kits, but I do know I had a lot of fabric left over from the 2009 FQSDMBOM!
Hmmm! Maybe I should change my strategy and do last year's and this year's blocks as they come in. That would be like killing 2 birds with one stone. Or in one month or something.
Posted by: Gretchen | June 21, 2012 at 06:48 AM
I've never had fabric left over with a BOM block. Sometimes it seems like there isn't quite enough, but I usually make it unless I make a mistake :-S
Posted by: Jocleyn | June 21, 2012 at 07:11 AM
Can't believe that I cannot even spell my own name!!!
Posted by: Jocelyn | June 21, 2012 at 07:16 AM
Good progress on the Kiss Me blocks, and REALLY nice BOM block!
Posted by: sillysally | June 21, 2012 at 07:23 AM
Yes...not sure why I hang on (or commit to) work/volunteer things that don't make me happy...guess I like feeling a bit overcommitted (so sad!) Love the BOM fabric/block...if you don't want to stress about the leftover fabric, you could 'donate' it to me! ;-)
Posted by: Jane | June 21, 2012 at 07:28 AM
My experience with FQ Shop has always been that they are always very generous with the fabric in their BOM kits. How refreshing!
Posted by: Nancy, Near Philadelphia | June 21, 2012 at 07:54 AM
My FQS BOM should be in my mailbox - just have to get to the post office! I'm going to try to do it the month it comes to! I noticed the 2010 BOM from FQS had a lot of fabric - I appreciated that because it allowed me to fussy cut a lot of stuff. They are a great shop! I did a BOM with another shop - all solids - they barely sent enough fabric and charged twice as much! They are off my list for any shopping.
Posted by: SuzK | June 21, 2012 at 08:58 AM
this is my first time doing her block of the month love the fabric
Posted by: terry | June 21, 2012 at 09:08 AM
I did the pattern testing for this BOM, and Kimberly wanted to be sure there was at least 5" left each way after block pieces were cut out. This allows for mistakes...You could definitely make charm squares and make a Schnibbles or two from the left-overs by the end of the year.
Your left overs do look like a lot, though!
Posted by: sherri | June 21, 2012 at 09:21 AM
The FQS Christmas Kate Spain BOM that I finished last year had enough fabric to make two blocks, I kid you not!
That's the happiest looking Design wall, I'm guessing it matches the happy look on your face. Grandpa's practically a full time job on all his own, with no days off, I'm glad you decided to scale back on your jobs.
Posted by: Thelma | June 21, 2012 at 09:49 AM
I have always had more than enough fabric with their BOMs. I am definitely not complaining, because I generally save it if I make a mistake... Other places, I have had to buy "oops kits" because sometimes, I would make a intake and then I couldn't find the fabric any more...
That is why I only do BOMs (generally) from fqs!
Posted by: Kim West | June 21, 2012 at 09:50 AM
Intake-mistake. Darn auto correct on my iPad!
Posted by: Kim West | June 21, 2012 at 09:50 AM
Your design wall looks so "happy" :) Love the Kiss me blocks! I too am doing the FQS Vintage Modern BOM. My first block is also on my design wall and I just love taking a peek at it while I sew. It is so pretty. This is only my second BOM and you are right I had lots of fabric left over, but for $11.00 a block I am sure glad I do, it'll make the cost a little more doable if I can make a second project out of my leftovers. :0) I like Sherri's suggestion to make a Schnibbles patern.
Posted by: Chris | June 21, 2012 at 10:04 AM
I've been considering the mystery BOM from FQS, but haven't signed up yet. Looks like you get plenty of fabric, so you wouldn't have to worry about mistakes. Tell me about your design wall? I need one badly, just haven't been able to get the hubby to make one for me!
Posted by: Deb A | June 21, 2012 at 10:57 AM
Good for you doing the block the same month you received it! We do surprise ourselves sometimes, don't we?
Posted by: Elaine S. | June 21, 2012 at 11:32 AM
lol, maybe they heard you quit that part-time job and figured you had more time to sew? it COULD happen... ;p
Posted by: ina | June 21, 2012 at 11:49 AM
I had leftover too but not as much as you.
It's nice that they give extra just in case of an oopsie! I vowed to keep up with mine on a monthly basis too....I'll be checking back to be sure :)
Peggy in NJ
Posted by: Peggy | June 21, 2012 at 02:36 PM
I've heard they were generous with their BOM fabric. I'm hoping that's not wrong because I have their 2009 or 2010 BOM in my sewing room - completely unstarted. If I'd known they were skimpy, I would have purchased some extra bits for those cutting errors I'm sure to make!
Love what I see on your design wall!
Posted by: Jackie | June 21, 2012 at 04:02 PM
Good for you for giving yourself permission to leave a job that was making you miserable. Well done!
I still love your huge design board that gives you room to have these many blocks happily in view!
My thought is the extra fabric will be used in other blocks or perhaps for a scrappy border of your own design? Wishing you well on keeping up with this BOM!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | June 22, 2012 at 05:55 AM
I still have some of last years blocks to piece from the FQS BOM. One thing I did this time was check the previous months left overs and use those before cutting into the new pieces, I now have enough big pieces left over to make something delicious to go with the finished quilt. Which I'm still totally in love with.
Being in Canada I'm still waiting for my this years block one and finished kit, I hope it's not held up at the border for too long...
Posted by: Wendy | June 22, 2012 at 06:51 AM
I wonder if you are going to use the leftover fabric later. I did a civil war BOM a year or two ago (No, it's not finished) and I had fabric that carried over to another block or two.
Love your vacation pictures - Baby E is adorable. Glad Grandpa is doing okay after his tumbles. Maybe having the walker will help!
Posted by: Sherry | July 03, 2012 at 06:27 PM