Hi, OremGrammy! I know what you mean about quilting being a link to sanity! Are you wanting directions for the 2012 block of the month or the mystery train ride? Or both?
If you look on the Home page under Blocks of the Month or Week, you will see the links to the two threads. The 2012 BOM will have a set of directions listed under each month's name. You will have to scroll down to find each month. Not sure about the train ride.

SulaBug,

The closer the end of the month gets....I get anixous for the following month's block...really I cannot be the only one that is ready for a new challenge can I be? I am so happy you started this BOM way back in January :)
Thank You :)
Judy in Phx, AZ

Judy,
Thank you for your kind words & no I don't believe that you are the only one waiting for the next month's block to be revealed!! :D I can hardly wait myself for the 1st & the new posting. I know that everyone will love this August block, just as much as all of the rest of them. I was asked earlier for a clue, so here goes: Hmm.........what shall I tell everyone? :D First, it is a paper pieced block again. Second, it has three templates to be paper pieced. How does this sound so far? I hope this sounds very interesting to everyone participating. That's all for now, keep watching for August 1st when it will be posted!!
:D :D :D :D

I hope I can do this one. I've never done paper piecing before, but plan on going to a workshop on it through our quilting guild next month. It's toward the end of the month though. I guess I should invest in some freezer paper?

Never mind about the freezer paper. I went and watched a tutorial on paper piecing and it called for plain paper.

I want to encourage anyone who is skeptical about trying paper piecing to give it a whirl. Paper piecing like any other quilting technique takes some practice and study{watching several different tutorials}. Many beginner quilters have mentioned that they actually found paper piecing easier than regular piecing. Especially with making geometric designs. These are some of the main points that were most helpful to me as I have been learning to paper piece.

Paper - The best I have found so far is to just use the regular copy paper we all use in our printers. The lower grades of copy paper work the best.

Small Stitches - Also you want to use small stitches. This perforates the paper making it very easy to tear away.

Crease - Normally I just fold back the paper once and crease with my finger nail. It then tears away very easily.

Draw in your 1/4 inch seam - If the 1/4 in outline is not drawn in on the pattern then make sure to draw it. This helps a lot to align your separate Paper pieced units.

Use a pin- Several tutorials on the web will show you to stick a straight pin down in the corners of each of your pieces to help match up your seams.

Fabric - The problem I run into most often Is I cut my squares or angles of fabrics too small for the section it is to cover as I am always trying to minimize waste of fabric use. This often gets me into trouble with Paper Piecing. What I have had most success with is measuring the section and then I cut a square or rectangle a half inch larger on all sides to use.

Use a light - Also I find it very helpful to hold the section I am working on up to the light and let the fabric lay over the section I'm working on to ensure it completely covers the area. This also helps me gauge where to lay my fabric for my quarter inch seam.

All of these things I shared are also mentioned in the numerous tutorials available on YouTube and also in the Tutorial Section of this Quilting Board. I would also suggest to make a practice square first using scraps of fabrics. Then once you have made the square and figured out the lay of the pattern and sewing it together. Then use your selected fabric and make the square for your project. Tuck away all of your practice squares as you go along and when you have enough to make a small quilt you can stitch them together and donate it to the homeless or other organization. Just a thought.

Passing on what has been shared with me on this quilting board. :) :) :) :) :)

Im still waiting on Patrice to get the ok for the QAYG challenge. This is a link to my Facebook Albums I have been sharing with others as I have been learning the technique. http://www.facebook.com/media/albums...00000998974673

Have a great day....everyone. Good thing I have so many projects going.. or I would be nagging Sulabug for more clues... Like possible fabrics... Hmm Florals...More Patriotics? Hmm we can only guess.... :) :) :)

I won't be here at the beginning of the month for my BOM's so I'll be trying to catch up after I get back from vacation, and I'll be anxious to see what everyone has done.

Jenniky...your tips on PP are great. Two years ago I didn't even know what paper piecing was....now I've already taught a class at my quilt club. I love to paper piece. Just one more tip...take your time, its not going anywhere, and better to do it correctly the first time, because they are buggers to rip out. If I blow it, I just start over. But fortunately, haven't done that lately.

See you when I get back.

It's time for another clue for the August Block!! :D Think warm color's for August. This should give you a good idea, I hope!!
:D :D :D :D

Thank you Jenniky for the refresher tips ..... I really like the points and angles achieved with pp... the finished look of a pp block is so nice. August is near.. :)

Judy in Phx, AZ