Juliette by Glenda Jean Hepburn

Juliette by Glenda Jean Hepburn

Yes, she's done it again. No, I can't believe it either. And if you do find out where Glenda finds all the extra hours to make so many gorgeous quilts, please let me know. I have asked her, but she won't spill the beans. And if you think she's the only one, you'd be wrong. Jenny Henry also creates a unbelievable number of quilts each year. And you know what else? They're both Moderators of my Online Quilt Group ..and it staggers me how they get it all done? I suppose we'll just have to accept that we've got the most talented and productive Quilt Group in the world in our little community. I'm quite speechless.

As for Juliette, look at the bold, bright colours Glenda has selected to use on this dark background - it's just superb.

'Juliette' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

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

Thanks to Glenda Jean Hepburn 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.

Queen's Garden by Roseanne Bullock

Queen's Garden by Roseanne Bullock of Adelaide, Australia

Talk about a quilt that pops! Oooh this vibrant red fabric on a dark background is stunning! 

What a statement, I love every last inch of it. 

'Queen's Garden' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

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

Thanks to Roseanne Bullock 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.

Queen's Garden by Maxine

This is Queen's Garden by Maxine of Seattle, USA

This newest addition to the Open Gallery has made my morning - what a stunner. I love Maxine's use of purples to tie this selection of fabrics together on the light background. Beautiful!

'Queen's Garden' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

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

Thanks to Maxine 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.

'Juliette' by Lennea Wolfe

Juliette by Lennea Wolfe 

of Olympia, Washington State, USA

What a knockout! That's the first thing that came into my mind when I set eyes on this stunner! I am completely in love with the striking colour scheme - how simple and effective!

Here's what she told us about her quilt:

Raw edge applique with free motion quilting done on my Tiara. As soon as I saw Juliette, I knew I had to use these fabrics leftover from a project several years ago. I much prefer how they look here as Esther’s Juliette is the perfect companion for them.

Yes Lennea, this is the perfect was to use up much loved scraps as Juliette has been designed to let fabrics shine and show themselves off. 

'Juliette' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

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

Thanks to Lennea Wolfe 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: Spending the Day in Bed!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm spending my much loved weekly and always anticipated Work In Progress Wednesday in bed. 

I'm all spent. I've had back to back birthdays in my household and it's my own birthday next week. I'm battling a head cold and want to be up on my feet and actually able to enjoy my special day, so I'm taking it easy. Today will be all about endless cups of herbal tea, chicken soup and a huge stack of magazines and books to keep me occupied between recuperative naps. 

See you on the other side of this sniffling chill - not only will I be a year older, I'll also have a special reveal to share. But for now, some tea..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'Shelly' by Karen Richardson

Karen Richardson

sent through this pic of Shelly hanging on display.

Isn't it a beauty? Now, from what I remember from comments over in my Group, Karen made this quilt in memory of her brother and it includes his Hawaiian shirts in the fabric selection. This really touched me. As a quilter, I know that every quilt has a story and when you learn and hear about the stories behind the wonderful quilts being made, it make you feel good. It makes you feel connected to other people who are living their lives just as you are: full of hopes, happiness, ideas and sometimes sadness. 

Quilts really do become a part of the 'fabric' of our lives and working with fabric to make something tangible out of an idea or memory always touches my heart. I love every inch of this quilt.

A memorial is a beautiful reason for a quilt and I'm honored you picked Shelly when you decided to make yours Karen. Thank you so much for sharing it with us all. 

'Shelly' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

 

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

Thanks to Karen Richardson 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.

'Queen's Garden' by Diane Bertrand

Diane Bertrand in Canada has sent through pics of her utterly gorgeous Queen's Garden quilt. Isn't it just a stunner?! The top was finished this month and I can't wait to see it done and quilted, I can already tell it will be incredible!

 Fabulous fabric choices Diane, they shine!

Thanks so much for sending through your progress pics, they just made my day! It's lots of fun seeing how each and every quilter adds their own touch to my patterns and setting my eyes on them and being able to share them here on the blog is motivation indeed!

I know there are hundreds of Queen's Garden quilts out there..

How is your Queen's Garden coming along? 

'Queen's Garden' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

 

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

Thanks to Diane Bertrand 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.

'Love Always' by Dottie Cincis

Love Always by Dottie Cincis of Southern California

Dottie Cincis of Southern California has created a jaw dropping Love Always in this beautiful colour pallette. Dottie tells us it's 'machine appliqued on an old 1970 Singer sewing machine using a zig zag stitch. Home machine quilted by Irene Chang. This is my favorite quilt I’ve ever made. It will be given to my daughter after I’ve had it in my home for a while (it’s going to be very hard to part with!)'

Well Dottie, I quilted my best quilts on a 1950s Elna so I can attest that old machines are the best machines and certainly no barrier to making incredible quilts. Wow, yours is a true beauty and I know your daughter will cherish it. Although, you may be tempted to make another. I'm personally making 3 x!

'Love Always' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

 

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

Thanks to Dottie Cincis 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.

'Queen's Garden' by Glenda Jean Hepburn

Be still my beating heart! Oh Glenda, you've done it again! 

Isn't this just drop stitch gorgeous? Glenda's Queen's Garden is a riot of colour and sunshine. The dark background just makes all these vibrant blocks zing into a happy, blooming scene. I love how all these blocks have come together and I love it when a quilt is so happy, it's infectious.

Every inch is fabulous, it just brightens my day.

'Queen's Garden' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

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

Thanks to Glenda Jean Hepburn 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: Mess Making

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I can't show you what I'm working on today as it's sample piecing for the new BOM. But I can tell you this, it's not to wait until the big reveal!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Getting Ready for BOM 2019

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I try to set each Wednesday aside in order to complete some WIPs. It makes me feel good to know that I have a day devoted to actually completing the things I start. And I start many things. And it would take many lifetimes to complete the catalogue of ideas in my mind. But today my mind and attention is turning to 2019. It's nearly time to announce the BOM for next year and I'm thinking about how I want to spend it in terms of fabric, techniques and direction. 

I've started buying a bunch of flowers to celebrate each new pattern I complete and this is the latest bunch. These flowers in their cheerful yellow, orange and blue remind me of my blog. A good sign I think. I can't wait to share my ideas for the year ahead, it's the most exciting WIP in my mental stash.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

My Stash Busting Stars Top

Remember my Stash Busting Stars quilt? I love that pattern. And as soon as I started cutting up the fabrics I had set aside from my stash, I saw I had too much of it. And I really wanted to use it all up (without bothering to make another quilt) so I added bits in. I added a sashing between the blocks and corners on the blocks and an extra border. Just because. 

For me, patterns are a 'guide', even when I intend to make the design 'as is', I rarely do. I don't think this pattern actually needs any adjustment, but I did decide to modify it as I went along in order to make it bigger and use up the extra fabric.I love this range and I knew I wouldn't be using the fabric for anything else so I couldn't stand to waste it. It's a stash buster for sure.

Some people just don't like stash busters, but I love them. They're the perfect way to test new skills, try new blocks and later, practice your quilting on. I think a quick stash busting quilt at least once a year is just the thing to use up a few fabrics from the mountain and try out some new threads too.

This beauty been on my wall all week and you know what? My DH is confused by it - he sees a mash up of colours and fabrics that don't make sense to his sensibilities... but I must admit that I LOVE IT! My DDs love it too although several guests to my house have agreed with my husband.

Some people just don't understand or see the beauty of quilts in the same way that I do. I mention this to remind any unappreciated quilter's out there that we're a special bunch and not everyone is going to 'get it' and that's fine. For me, everyone ooohs and aahhhs over my applique pieces and walks straight past my patchwork quilts without so much as a second glance.

And talking about all this reminds me of the time when I had a quilt on the machine for domestic machine quilting. A non quilting friend came around and was curious to see my quilting stitches. After admiring the top for a few seconds, she remarked 'oh that's great, I got one just like it from Ezi Buy'. For those of you who don't know, Ezi Buy is a kind of home living catalog and they sell commercially quilted bed coverlets - you know the room decor ones? I just thought that was the funniest thing. Imagine toiling away for hundreds of hours over a mere quilt when I could have simply shopped one for $89.95! Hahaha!

Anyhow, this beauty is complete now and I'll be taking it down and rolling it up ready for basting and quilting some other time as I'll be too busy to get it completed this year and will have to reconsider my quilting options in the new year as I'm developing quite a queue.

Phew! Another WIP just about done. I'm delighted. See you tomorrow for WOW.

WOW: Yarn Time

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I have hundreds of quilt WIPs but every year I like to complete at least one yarny WIP. My next yarn project will be made up with this merino blend from Peru. How gorgeous are these colours? As soon as I set eyes on it, I knew it would be perfect for a winter scarf. Although I prefer to crochet these days, this yarn demands to be knitted owing to the threads wrapping around the fibres. I'm thinking something super basic - I don't think any stitch variation would work with a yarn this busy so I'm hoping to get it stitched up as quickly and easily as possible. 

What's Your Latest Yarn Project 

& 
How Long Did It Take You To Finish? 

An InLinkz Link-up

Book Of The Week: Making Needle Felted Animals

It's time for me to learn something completely new and just play. 

Do you ever get that feeling? Sure, quilting is my first love but I like being an absolute beginner sometimes and just about now, I would like to learn how to make felted animals. 

True to my love for textiles, I'll still be working with a fabric of a kind and with my hands, but this is a challenge I really hope I can rise to. The idea of being able to craft a whole farmyard of gorgeous little creatures is just too tempting. 

Have you ever needle felted an animal?

Morning Glory: My Quilt Top

Well I'm so happy and excited with my Morning Glory that I just have to show it to you even though the early morning lighting isn't too great. But lighting aside, you can see that the top is sewn together. Isn't it fabulous? I'm in LOVE! I can't wait to show you more..

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!

Morning Glory: Sew Time!

 With all my blocks and parts prepped, today I'm finally sewing down my quilt top

 Here's my border fabric waiting..

And I cannot wait to see the top put together!

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!

Morning Glory: Notes on Part 8

This is my Part 8 corner triangle block. 

I just love this block, it's a stunning way to make your favourite fabrics shine. 

I mentioned it in the pattern but it's worth repeating that when it's time to work with this block, be sure to STARCH your background fabric before you cut it. This helps keep your cutting line neat.

This is my background before I cut it in two to create the corner triangles. I cut mine out after I had added the second applique motif. Here, the progress of just one fan is shown. There is a tendency for these corner triangle blocks to pull themselves out of shape, so be sure to double measure them against the pattern for accuracy, have the fabric starched and take double time when sewing them into position to make sure you aren't pulling them along the bias. 

 I just love starched blocks ready and waiting to be sewn into position. It's an exciting stage of the quilt top blocks development and I can't wait to show you more..

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!

Cups Galore

Well, I'd rather be quilting! I decided to make a 'spring clean' of my whole Last Quarter Cleaning task and took out my cabinet of cups to wash them (they were a bit dusty) and reorganize the saucers and cake plates. I have lots of extra cups in storage so I'm thinking of rotating them and bringing a new stack in and packing these away. And I suppose now is as good a time as any to get that done.

I'm happy to report that I have discovered some forgotten gems and am loving picking and choosing. Now I just have to get them back into the cabinet - all organised and easy to access.

I think I'm starting to get into this whole 'organisation' thing as it doesn't feel as bad today as it did yesterday. I mean, cleaning is just so boring. But I'm trying to remain motivated. After all, I'm tidying up so that I can return to quilting. And I'll be able to enjoy new cups of coffee as a reward for my hours of toil.  New pretty cups to excite my morning ritual is definitely something to look forward to right now..

What I'm Making This Month: October

I don't turn on my TV very much nowadays, but when I do - it's usually to Chromcast a sewing tutorial! My DDs have been asking for several travel organizers each, made from their favorite Fassett and Tula Pink fabrics. They're completely uninspired by shop bought offerings and want to enjoy their love for fabric in a practical way. 

In the past, I spent HOURS drafting and redrafting bags just like this one, so I know how much work is involved in getting it done, making it nice and sewing it right. Those creations of 15 years ago are now thoroughly worn out and in the intervening years, my DDs simply purchased replacement bags when needed because it suited their lifestyle. But they've grown up a bit now and have a desire to make these kind of one off items. I guess they've come full circle: homemade' is no longer the unfashionable option it once was! But for me personally, I'd rather be quilting and don't have much patience for drafting 'practical' patterns anymore. Luckily for all of us, I don't have to.  

Today I'll simply be following an online class tutorial which includes the pattern to make it. And my DDs will be joining me for some weekend sewing. It'll be our own private workshop at home, in our own time with as much pausing and rewinding as we please. It's going to be fabulous. 

Whenever I think about how much technology annoys me, I remind myself how lucky I am to be alive during this revolution. Just 10 years ago, this wouldn't have even been possible. Today, we're sewing what we really want in fabrics we really love at a time and place that suits us. Perfect.

WOW: Finding My Stuff Again

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

This week I'm getting my house back in order. It looks like a creative workshop setting instead of a home and it's time to sort it all out. I really don't enjoy tidying up and cleaning but I must admit that one of the advantages of tidying up is finding my stuff again. This glue pen has been missing for months and it's been a real shame as it's one of my favourites to use when I'm working on turning applique in my living room as part of my 'footstool creative station'. I even went online to but a new one before this one re-appeared again.

It's a small victory in my uphill battle of taming the creative mess that has taken over the house. Have you purchased multiples of  a quilting or craft item.. simply because you couldn't find the first one at home? I probably shouldn't admit that this has happened to me a few times before! Anyway, back to work, I have lots more to get on with doing.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Charming the Cups

Well, by now you already know that I am elbow deep in 'last quarter cleaning'!

All this sorting out and arranging is really tiring. I need a nap to recover from all this disorganization and I've only just woken up. Today I'm tackling my cabinet of cups which are so sweet and charming but so hopelessly stacked and neglected that they keep swaying side to side, threatening to topple over. And again, my family have staged a cup intervention and now I have to sort all my mess out. I don't know how I ended up with so many cups. I suppose I just like pretty things. I kept meaning to sort them out later and never got around to it. Yes, they do look like a neglected mess. It's a bother to dig them out and find the right saucers - which defeats the purpose of having them, so today I'm making this cabinet user friendly again. 

I don't collect things for the sake of it (except maybe fabric??), I use all these cups. As I don't drink tea, I drink coffee from them. Usually you get served a latte in a glass, but I serve lattes in teacups just because they're so pretty. I adjusted my coffee machine to make the perfect teacup sized coffee and it's bliss. And a coffee somehow tastes better from a fine bone teacup. I have no idea why this is, but when I am out and about and taking a coffee in a cafe, well, it's just not the same. Speaking of coffee, I think I need one right now before I get started.

Ok, here I go..