Cathy, I looks like a simple enough pattern I am sure you can do it fine. I do quite a bit of fusing and always machine stitch using either button hole applique or narrow zig zag (2.0w 4.5 or 5.l). My technique is to trace the pattern onto the paperbacking of the fuseable (remember to reverse pattern if it is important for direction, to do this I either trace it on computer paper with a black marker, or use the marker on the pattern itself, and then trace the fuseable from the back side of the pattern.). After the pattern pieces are on the fusable I cut them out leaving a narrow edge around the pattern, then fuse to the fabric. Next step is to cut the various pieces out on the line of the pattern. Rather the putting them directly onto the background fabric I take the placement guide and put it under my teflon sheet and fuse the pattern pieces on to the sheet following the guide pattern. When I am satisfied they look right I remove them and the fuse them to the backgound making sure they are centered. If you don't have a teflon sheet (worth getting if you do a lot of fusing) the paper from the fusable web minus the web works great. I think that parchment paper would work also but can't remember it I have used that or not. I hope this is of some help. It really isn't that difficult and I know you will enjoy it once you get started.Jayne

I just finished my 3rd birdhouse last night. When I showed them to my quilting buddies, they tried to talk me out of sending them in to the lotto (guess they really liked them:) Must admit to having a whole lot of fun w/this project. What I am doing is starting another batch of blocks. Mine ended up being birdhouses in the different seasons (not sure why, it just happened that way) When I do this next group, I'll do 4 & insert each block into the panes of an old window frame I have. I just need to alter the size slightly to fit the openings. My mom made one that is 4 snowmen & it is so darn cute!! If mine turns out half as good I'll be quite happy:) Going to put my lotto blocks in the mail this weekend so the temptation to keep them is gone!

Boy, toolgranny, that's a breathtaking quilt! Kate, what an interesting technique. I do most of my appliqué by starch turning from the right side, over freezer paper (or a plastic template) to the wrong side and then pulling off the paper (template). I'll give this new technique a try as soon as I get my stems stitched down. Thanks for the inspiration. magothyrivergirl, thanks for linking to that interesting object. Not the least what I had imagined but more elegant and, I can see, effective. Isn't the internet a wonder!? Anyone, anywhere can find such an interesting and unusual object. And just maybe this sheds some light on your equally interesting screen name. ;>

Her BOMs are cute. The flickr site shows how they look in different fabrics, which is fun to see. I just finished the top for 2010's Bunny Hill snowbound (needs ironing and quilting!). The snowmen are all wool felt, all machine appliques and hand embroidered. It will get more buttons and embellishments after quilting. I chose to do a standard sashing instead of the Irish Chain in the pattern. I'm still working on the Tisket Tasket BOM of hers from 2009! I have through July done, will by very happy when I finally get that one done! I choose not to do this year's (partially because I had two unfinished UFO BOMs), and to me the background was too busy, but I saved the patterns in case I ever need a cute squirrel!