'Australis' by Valerie Giles

Talk about swooning! I'm all in a flutter over how Valerie Giles has created her very own 'Australis'. Not only is Valerie's the first to be made, but she's gone ahead and improved the pattern with a background that simply inspires. Look at the details in her leaves. I just love the dappled nature of her background selection and frankly couldn't have done it better myself. I should mention too that my pattern 'Australis' is for the creation of the bird. This incredible background is all down to Valerie's own flair and style, I had nothing to do with it! So far this image is of the project sewn together, ready to be layered and quilted. I can't wait to see the 'final' result as this wall hanging is already perfect in my eyes!

It makes my day when quilters as talented as Valerie make my patterns and I'm doubly lucky when they share their work over in my Group. It's truly an inspiration to us all and a huge motivation for anyone looking on and learning. 

'Australis' is one of two bonus projects I'm releasing to paid members of my BOM 2018 program. It's an art quilt project and I know many members were pleasantly surprised when it was released because it is so different to the usual 'bonus' offerings. I love trying new things and experimenting with techniques, so to see Valerie create the pattern and then take it one step further with a stunning background is just my jam. I'm over the moon, can you tell?

Thank you for allowing me to share your work with readers beyond our Group,Valerie.

Morning Glory: Making Part 9

Yes, we really are up to Part 9 and isn't this quilt coming together beautifully?! We're well on the home stretch now and the finished top is very nearly in sight. This month it's time to create the setting triangle blocks according to the quilt layout in your pattern. You'll make all 4 sides and add in the applique petal pieces put aside earlier. When you sew in the triangles, take care not to stretch the fabric which is tempting to do as it's on the bias and will give easily.

These previously set aside blocks come alive when they're set in with the triangles, I am really loving the dark blue background of my own colour scheme. Usually by this stage of construction I think about what other fabrics I could have used, but this range has been gorgeous from the get go. And, somehow, it keeps growing on me. It was love at first sight and I still love it now. This is a new fabric experience for me!

And now I'm stitching the left and right sides of each of the four sides. I can't wait to move past this step. This quilt top is quickly nearing completion and I can hardly believe it..

BOM 2018, My Biggest Year Ever! 

Morning Glory is my current paid BOM. It's an applique and pieced quilt. 

You can start this BOM today! 

Simply click the quilt image to learn more.

To see some of the breathtaking examples that are taking shape, simply visit my Free BOM Group on Facebook where progress images are being shown all the time. It's a massive inspiration and I warn you, it's addictive!

WOW: Running Out Of Walls!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I love Wednesdays because I have the whole day set aside just to work on WIPs and make some progress on those designs I know I want to see finished... err, in my lifetime. I used to have a 'schedule' but I'm over that now. I find I get so much more done when I work on what I feel like doing rather than what I should be doing, so although I don't have any finishes to show for my Wednesdays yet, I am plodding along nicely across several projects.

Today I'm working on some new designs I'm keeping under wraps, so I thought I would show you to view from my sewing room. Above is my design wall with Morning Glory blocks sitting around patiently waiting for me. Outside my room, I have started spreading to the corridor walls as I'm out of space for hanging up my designs. My family can't understand why I need to keep spreading my creativity through the house like this, but little do they know, I haven't even started! Today I intend to take over the whole dining room table with my Brother Scan n Cut machine... I don't need another sewing studio, I need a whole other house!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Making Clamshells for Shelly!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I've fallen into a nice new routine. Each Tuesday I take a Tai Chi class and afterwards I drive to a fabric store right around the corner. I first popped in to find a button one week, but then I started making it a somewhat regular thing to browse the new fabric arrivals and now I find myself in there every single Tuesday without fail. Then, once I've made my purchase, I pop into a cafe across the road for a post fabric coffee. Suffice to say, I love Tuesdays.
My only 'rule' is that I'm only allowed to buy fabric for an active WIP project. As I dedicate each Wednesday to WIPs, this is actually working really well. Yesterday I went in looking for fabrics to finish my Shelly quilt top. I really love my Shelly quilt and am making my own up in a colour scheme very similar to the one below. This was my first colour arrangement and it has just 'stuck' with me. I have used up all the black and white prints from my stash, so I am actively collecting minimum cuts of black and white print fabrics as and when I see them. Yesterday I picked up 12 new prints and I think I might nearly have enough now.

So today I am making clamshells. So easy, so satisfying and the best bit is, I'll end up with this gorgeous quilt for my efforts. It's going to be a fabulous day!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Book of the Week: Cat Lady Embroidery

I'm making plans to get back into the practice of regular hand embroidery in 2019. It's something I've neglected for over 20 years and I'm itching to enjoy the satisfaction of slow 'thread painting' in the winter months. As part of my preparation plans, I'm thinking about what skills I want to focus in on for the years ahead. And in my world, this means more books.

I know, I know, I just spent 5 years clearing out over 400 titles from my huge collection. And I must say, those books I parted with served me very well. But each had served it's time. It wasn't required anymore for I already knew everything in it or had exceeded what it offered. In a very real sense, I outgrew most of my craft and DIY books. And that's a good thing. So now I'm re-gathering my creative interests to move into areas as yet uncharted. And again, this means more books. Books that challenge me, inspire me and take me somewhere new.

So as I shop my new library, I'll be sharing what I've chosen in case you're looking for a new adventure too.

My first new book is this Cat Lady Embroidery. How gorgeous are these feline faces? I think I'm going to have to make ALL of them! It seems a good ease back into hand stitching and lots of fun too. These will be super cute badges that I'm already planning to turn into magnets for my fridge. And why not?

Now, for some thread shopping..

'Secret Garden' by Rohini Pellizzon

What a riot of colour! This applique masterpiece is made by Rohini Pellizzon and the details are mesmerizing! From the yellow roses to the romantic red blooms hiding a ginger cat, every inch of this quilt is superb and the eye dances around these colour combinations in total joy. 

I love it!  The punchy pink takes this design to another level and it's a pleasure to just sit back and drink it all in. I love the magenta and blue used to anchor the bright yellow roses and balance the violet hued blooms. What a stunner.

I wasn't as happy with my own Secret Garden quilt top as I should have been, mainly because I picked a dull green background which I now regret. So for me to see other Secret Garden quilts is a real motivation to get mine 'fixed'. With my own quilt, I'm going to have to quilt it with bright white thread to 'lift' the background colour, but for now, I'll just enjoy all the drop stitch gorgeous Secret Garden's that come my way. 

If you'd like to read more about Secret Garden, you can check out the Secret Garden post archive right here on this blog by clicking the image below.

'Secret Garden' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

--------------------------- Open Quilt Gallery--------------------------- 

Thanks to Rohini Pellizzon for sharing her finished quilt with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. It's new and I hope you'll join us by adding your own quilt there. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Click here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

WOW: Sewing Up

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Today I've decided to spend my WOW time finishing up my Stash Busting Stars quilt top. I've changed this pattern since releasing it because I wanted to make it bigger and use up even more fabric. Basically I've added sashing between the blocks. I actually had this Moda roll in my stash that matched the existing star blocks so perfectly that I felt I had to use it up. Otherwise I wouldn't have bothered changing a thing, I really love the look of the original pattern. But the whole point is stash busting after all and it was too good an opportunity to miss. This will be a 'useful' quilt and I want it to be versatile, so the bigger the better.

I'm stitching the sashing in between rows. I have a print out of the picture I showed last time I blogged about this quilt - it's sitting there to remind me what order I want to star blocks in. I can't actually remember without my photo 'guide'. Although it's patchy and purposefully mismatched, there is an art to balancing the 'mismatch' and I fiddled around quite a bit with the blocks until they were arranged 'just so'. Anyhow, I'm really pleased to be seriously underway with a WOW today and can't wait to show you more progress as and when I get there.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

BOM 2018: 'Australis' Art Wall Hanging

Let your fabric fancies take flight with this fabulous art wall hanging. Yes, it's the first of two bonus projects for the wonderful members taking part in the paid BOM 2018 program. Large or small? What size will YOU select? Go to the Members Only Download area to download your new feathered friend full pattern right now!

This pattern is a bonus exclusive, it's not for sale.

WOW: Morning Glory Progress

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Today I'm working on my BOM quilt 'Morning Glory'. As you can see, my design wall is taken up with MG and I'm rather keen right now to get the top completed. It's been hanging around a few weeks and it's about time I pulled it all together. All that mess below my design wall is my next project, waiting in the 'queue'!

Phew, sometimes I look at my creative queues and think I need to slow down and commit to one project at a time and progress in an orderly line. I tried that a few years ago and realized I was just kidding myself. I never do anything in a progressing straight line and my project Must Do's are no exception. Rather than fight my natural inclinations, I'm simply going along with them now. I feel more motivated this way. 

Usually I reserve Wednesdays for WIPs that aren't BOMs as I usually work on BOMs all the time. But right now, I'm so excited about upcoming projects that I feel I need some clear space. Also, I know that if I take down Morning Glory, it will be months before I return it. So, I'm breaking my own rules to get ahead of my own schedule.

I love Wednesdays because they force me to stop, take a look at what I'm doing and 'recap' for this blog post. It's kept me accountable for many years and it helps remind me just how fast a week flies by. Without these WIP stops, I have no idea if I would have achieved as much since I started blogging. It's definitely a habit I want to keep for as long as I'm quilting. 

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Morning Glory: Making Part 8

This month's making is very similar to last month's Part 7.

You will breeze through the steps..

If you haven't already, you can view last month's step by step by visiting the Morning Glory archive right here on this blog: click here now to see all tutorial posts on this quilt. 

Prepare all your fabrics according to the Templates. You already know by now, but I like to repeat myself: please make sure that you print and accurately construct your pattern sheet before cutting into any fabric.

 I created the 'blades' first, alternating the fabrics as per the pattern

 Then I started on the quarter circles

turning the top fabric edge and using small dots of basting glue to hold it all together as I layered each shape on top of the other, building 'upwards'. Remember as you work and build your applique, to continue checking it against the pattern sheet to ensure that it isn't 'growing'. I always pin my design into position as I work, just to make sure..

 this is what the back looks like

and this is the gorgeous front

I am loving this quilt more and more with each block I make.. I can't believe we're so close to the finish line now..

BOM 2018, My Biggest Year Ever! 

Morning Glory is my current paid BOM. It's an applique and pieced quilt. 

You can start this BOM today! 

Simply click the quilt image to learn more.

To see some of the breathtaking examples that are taking shape, simply visit my Free BOM Group on Facebook where progress images are being shown all the time. It's a massive inspiration and I warn you, it's addictive!

WOW: Winter Play

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I have a list of things to do that is as long as my arm, but sometimes you've just got to pull out your 'hexi play box' and have a day off. Winters down my way are usually mild affairs but this year has been properly cold and I've been making the most of being indoors rugged up against the rain, howling wind and gloomy outdoors. And of course, I've been designing my socks off!

This is my hexi box. It's a re-purposed beauty lotion gift box and it's the perfect size for me to cart around. In it, I hexi cut and then stash scraps that I have fallen in love with. At the moment I am gathering hexi flowers. When I have a few hundred, I will create a useful  throw about the house quilt. It's a simple piecing project that will come together with lots of pretty scraps leftover from meaningful projects.

This gorgeous peony fabric is a leftover from some bed-linen I made my DD. The women in this family are all fabric mad. And somehow, even though I protest and say I won't or can't, I find that I'm always sewing up some project for my DDs.  Come to think of it, now that I am looking at these peony print hexi flowers, I think I will set these aside to create a European pillow case to match the bedding or maybe a chair cushion .. it seems too nice not to pair it back up with the original project. I will have to check with my DD and let you know what happens. Whatever happens, it's the perfect day for an easy WIP and this is what mine looks like today..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'Little Hazel' by Louise Thomassin Kahr

This is 'Little Hazel' by Louise Thomassin Kahr 

of Ayers Cliff, Quebec, Canada 

Something that's interested me for a long time is the way a single pattern like Hazel and little Hazel can look so different depending on the fabrics used. Here is a pattern that can look downright reproduction when made in dusty hues or thoroughly modern when worked in simple, clean tones.

Louise has made hers beautifully and of course, I love it.

How fabulous is this pallette? When I first designed Hazel and Little Hazel, I loved the idea of a restricted pallette - limiting myself to 3 or 4 colours and in those options, I has a scheme very similar to this one, so I'm extra lucky that I get to enjoy seeing my vision 'made up' in this way.

Stunning.

If you'd like to read more about Hazel and Little Hazel, you can check out the Hazel post archive right here on this blog by clicking the image below.

'Hazels' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

 

--------------------------- Open Quilt Gallery--------------------------- 

Thanks to Louise Thomassin Kahr for sharing her finished quilt with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. It's new and I hope you'll join us by adding your own quilt there. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Clear here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

'12 Days of Christmas' by Glenda Jean Hepburn

  12 Days of Christmas by Glenda Jean Hepburn  

How about some 'Christmas in July' fun and festivities? 

We all need a dedicated Christmas quilt, don't we? 

This one belongs to Glenda Jean, a Moderator in my BOM Group and you can see how she has made it her own special occasion quilt. It's beautiful. I love the shining dove and star! And I especially love how she has added her own candles to each side of the tree - a wonderful addition. Perfect!

If you'd like to read more about '12 Days Of Christmas', you can check out the quilt post archive right here on this blog by clicking the image below. 

'12 Days of Christmas' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

--------------------- Open Quilt Gallery---------------------

Thanks to Glenda for sharing her finished quilt pics with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Clear here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom' by Sobana Sundar

  On My Window Flowers Bloom by Sobana Sundar  

What a week for this popular floral wall hanging! Two in a single week, wow! Keep them coming everyone, I can't get enough of your creative talent. This beauty is by Sobana Sundar. Isn't it great? I'm noticing a trend for blue sky backgrounds and as they all look so wonderful, I can understand why!

I love how the blue sky background draws the eye to the front vase blooms. The use of white to enhance the blooms is a gorgeous touch and the lightly spotted white blooms look positively ethereal on either side of the extravagant purple head. The red blooms above are perfectly graduated and the wood frame with green pops. It's gorgeous!

If you'd like to read more about On My Window, Flowers Bloom, you can check out the OMWFB post archive right here on this blog by clicking the image below. 

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

--------------------- Open Quilt Gallery---------------------

Thanks to Sobana for sharing her finished quilt pics with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Clear here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

WOW: Bringing in Sunshine

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

It's so cold and wintry down my way; the winds are howling and it's been raining non stop. 

I'm very grateful to be warm and cosy inside, doing what I love.

Yesterday I went back to Darn Cheap Fabrics to pick up some more Outback Wife bargain fabrics. They're selling them for $9 a metre which seems unbelievable considering I used to see them available for $40 a metre. I decided that I wanted a 'craft' carry around bag and, as it's something I can get done in a single day, it seems more likely that I will actually sit down to sew it. I was going to start it today, but I'm still looking online for handles and possibly even a bag frame to use. I will show you more once I have decided on a plan of action.

With Australis and Cherish about to launch, I thought it was time to reward myself with another bunch of flowers and I couldn't pass up on these Californian Poppies from the supermarket- they're my dose of sunshine on these gloomy days. How perfect and cheerful is this shade of orange? 

I have to admit, these flowers and my dose of bargain fabric shopping made braving the cold worthwhile and I'm feeling really good as I set to work on my WIPS.. I hope you're day is as productive as mine will be!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom' by Pat Bandura

  Pat has created a beautiful 'On My Window, Flower's Bloom'  

The blue sky background is a winner: the flowers shine out against their background and the shading glows. Look at those full, luscious blooms; it's a beauty worthy of prime position. 

The use of colour in Pat's wall hanging is simply superb. I love her shaded purple heads (look at that mottled one at the base of the vase!) and the red and yellow heads are also full of beautiful detail. 

If you'd like to read more about On My Window, Flowers Bloom, you can check out the OMWFB post archive right here on this blog by clicking the image below. 

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

--------------------- Open Quilt Gallery---------------------

Thanks to Pat for sharing her finished quilt pics with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Clear here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

'Blueberry Hill' by Nancy Arseneault

Nancy has used my 'Diamond Hill' pattern and created her own marvelous version she has named 'Blueberry Hill'. Isn't it gorgeous? Nancy came up with this striking 'cheddar and periwinkle' color scheme after being inspired by a box of Kleenex!

I just love knowing these little quirky details and when Nancy sent me that info in an email, it put a huge grin on my face. I'm really rather keen on cheddar yellow since I explored Georgian colour schemes back in 2013 for my 1790 coverlet 'Love Entwined'. Seeing it in use on an actual quilt is an eye opener, it's striking and fresh. I love it.

Thanks for submitting your quilt to the Open Gallery for everyone to enjoy Nancy, I hope we'll get to see even more pics of this stunning quilt in the future.

If you'd like to read more about Diamond Hill, you can check out the Diamond Hill post archive right here on this blog by clicking the image below. 

'Diamond Hill' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

------------------------ Open Quilt Gallery------------------------ 

Thanks to Nancy for sharing her finished quilt pics with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Clear here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

Meet 'Juliette': My Fabulous New Quilt Is Launched!

I'm so happy to share my latest quilt with you. Juliette is a quilt I sketched into existence years ago- I had a Mediterranean colourscheme in mind: crisp whites and radiant blues twirling around a quilt top framed by red baskets. When I checked my Quilty To Do List, I realized that Juliette was next on the list and I was delighted. It feels wonderful to release new designs that have been patiently waiting for me to get around to making them.

I know we all have lots of fabric at our disposal. There are so many ranges being released so thick and fast it makes my head spin. Somehow I end up with lots of bits and pieces from several collections knocking about together in 'themes' in various boxes around my studio. This is the perfect quilt for those half and half stashes. The applique is large and easy and the blocks come together quicker than expected. The end result is impressive and seeing your favourite prints put to use will be completely satisfying.

The finished size is 77 x 77 inches.

This is a really interesting design: it's based on octagon tiles. The sashing between the blocks that create so much depth and interest actually comes together when the blocks are pieced alongside each other. This is because the sashing is part of the block. And this design detail can create a stunning impact according to your fabric choices.

Speaking of fabrics, there's lots of room for showcasing your favourite gorgeous prints in the fussy cut boxes of the centre and in the triangles of Border 4. It looks fabulous with a dark background yet also works in a low contrast pallette.

As you can see, I've had a lot of fun playing between colour schemes and love how the attitude of each quilt top completely changes depending on the fabric in use. I love this bright breezy scheme above but can also see myself loving the modern black and white stash  mix up below. 

Juliette 

Complete PDF Pattern

$19.95 USD

What you need to know:

Payment is securely completed via PayPal

You don't need a PayPal account to pay as PayPal also securely processes Credit Card payments 

Pattern downloads are INSTANT and followed up with a live link to your email inbox

Check your email for the follow up email (and check your spam / junk folders if you can't see it)

The pattern will download to your computer directly

You REQUIRE an UPDATED PDF Reader in order to open and print the PDF Pattern

Note:

When you receive your download, be sure to SAVE it to your computer.

If you print it directly from the browser download screen, it will not be backed up to your computer. 

Click here to read my tutorial on printing my PDF patterns at home

WOW: Queen's Garden (Current Free BOM) Progress..

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays 

  This is Glenda Jean Hepburn's 'Queen's Garden' quilt top progress  

Here's a WIP going places! Today I'm proud to show you Glenda's progress on my Free BOM pattern, 'Queen's Garden'. Isn't is stunning? I am growing more and more in love with this design with each block and top I see made up. Gorgeous!

In an ideal world I'd make all my quilts. Of course, in that world I'd have staff making up all my designs around the clock and domestic help at home too. A woman can dream, can't she? In real life, there simply isn't enough time for me to keep up with myself. 

As it is, it would take me 10 years to catch up with my current quilt design output at my current rate of completion; stark facts indeed! So, I'm really lucky that I have such generous and thoughtful friends who keep me supplied with real time progress pics. Often they're actually ahead of time. It's extraordinary to me that Glenda finds the time to make my designs. I don't want you to think I'm some kind of task master - I do tell her not to keep making my quilts, but she's an unstoppable force. 

As a Group Moderator she simply can't help herself. Whenever I release a pattern, I warn her not to try and attempt getting it done. After all, this is a feat that I can't even manage, so I certainly don't expect anyone else to. Yet, she somehow manages to squeeze them all in! How? I don't know. I can never find enough hours in the day. I keep asking her how she does it and she won't tell me the secret. All we can do is admire her skills and eye for colour. 

Look at this beautiful use of colour: using colours that I know I wouldn't and yet I am so in love with this pallette, it positively shines! I overthink all my fabric choices and drive myself crazy with indecision so it's refreshing to see everyone else somehow manage to bypass this issue I suffer from! I'm in awe of your talent Glenda! 

As for me, I'm busy working behind the scenes.. creating more WIPs!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Love Entwined by Faith Mcleod (WIP)

Faith Mcleod has created an outstanding Love Entwined quilt; the applique is beautifully crafted in beige tones that create a sophisticated quilt of low contrasts; this allows the pinks, purples and blues to shine as subtle highlights. 

This pallette is intriguing, holding our attention and inviting us to look deeper into each block - what a beauty!

This quilt is still an unfinished quilt top, Faith has assured us that she will add images of the finished and quilted top once it's been quilted. I cannot wait..

------------------------------------------- LE Quilt Gallery------------------------------------------- 

Thanks to Faith Mcleod for sharing her finished quilt pics with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. It's new and I hope you'll join us by adding your own quilt there. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Clear here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.