I'm enlarging to 12" blocks. It was a pain to enlarge on my copier at work, but it worked OK on 11 x 17 paper. I had a few cut off edges here and there, but I'll be able to work with it.

Working on a test block (actually test block #2 - #1 was a debacle ;-)) So I'll post soon...

I am making a 10" block. I increased the applique design by 150%. I know Lesley is doing a 10" block and increased the design by 142%. My thinking was as follows: The size of the applique design for the 7" block is 6", leaving 1/2" all around each block of the background. If I increased the applique design 150% (from 6" to 9"), I would still have only 1/2" of the background around each block. If I only increased it by 142%, I would have more background, and I'd rather have the larger applique. As far as I know, my thinking is sound. I have made several blocks and they fit like I thought they would.

I think a lot of us are using batiks, but I also plan on including some of my other fabric, depending on what looks good. I have to say, if you're going to hand applique, the batiks are wonderful to work with.

I think that its fine to do your own "take" on the project. Thats what makes it so much fun..we all have different ideas and they ALL turn out great!

Fire, I got my Razzle Dazzle thread at the local quilt shops here & in Albuquerque. Patti got hers online - I'll let her tell you where.

I am putting it in the bobbin and quilting from the back side. The technique is that you quilt from the front using invisible thread (or water-soluable thread), then put your bobbin with the RD in it and turn the piece over. The quilting you did is a guide for where you now stitch. It takes a few tries to get it right. I still can't seem to get the thread exactly on the line, but I'm getting closer with each try.

I am making my AOTH with regular fabrics. I am making a test block in 12" size, it is almost finished. My quilt will be 10" blocks so it will fit my bed. From my stash, there could be enough make every piece out of a different fabric. I used to buy lots of 6" block sets which really gives many choices for applique. As far as enlarging the blocks, the ones with many pieces could be made 15" to 18" without loosing the integrity of the design.

i am trying to do mine scrappy out of my stash but if i see a FQ that i like will probably buy it.

I did one of the blocks as a 12" block and used it for my row robin quilt. It's beautiful at 12" and a lot easier to work with than the smaller ones. After I scanned the block I wanted, I printed it at 200%. Worked great. Of course, on my home printer I could only print one-half of the block, but that was all I needed to be able to transfer it to the fabric.

Oh man...I just want to pull my hair out...I'm a "perfectionist"???? Well, maybe..maybe not. I just want the pieces to look decent. For the last 2 nights I have been working on Block #14...everything is fine on my little 7" block except for the stupid petal in the center of the flower!!! Its an easy piece...why oh why can't I get the sides balanced to look the same???? DRAT!!!!! I've put them on and taken them off 2 times already!! OK..I'm through ranting now...I'll get them done tonight LOL.

Patti, if you put back the outline as you add the earlier petals, you woud have something to follow:

I know Lesley....I did that, but for some reason I'm having trouble with that one little bit on the flowers. I'll get them on tonight and just leave whatever happens...GRRRRR! You know you can only do something over 3 times...(wasn't that the Jane rule??)

Thats a good idea about those little hearts...they are so small that I'm thinking I'm going to do them in something other than the Razzle Dazzle...I have some metallic thread that I use for Embroidery..Yelmet I think...I may try that for those teeny hearts.

BTW...I love your block! Funny..you went from light to dark..I went from dark to light with the full petal showing being my lightest color.- Mine is probably wrong.... :roll: , but it looks ok..