WOW: Will the Circle Be Unbroken?

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Today, as you join WOW for this week, I'm in Europe for my mother's funeral.

I took no sewing with me on my long flight, which is something I went back and forth on as I packed. Would it help to occupy me on the 24 hour flight? Probably. But in the end, I left it behind. I didn't feel any desire for it. Instead, I spent those long hours thinking about the projects in my life, and their meaning. Although there is so much sadness, life goes on. The stitches I have sewn, the hours I have committed and the energy I have put into ideas takes on a new significance as I consider what it means to leave behind a legacy. My own work, which I have poured so much of myself into, will be left to my own family and, in that realization, will represent me in my own absence when that time comes. It adds a poignancy to my own WIPs that represent so many years of my life. WOW each week is all about moving forward and getting things accomplished. So it seems fitting somehow, to be thinking about the value and importance of creating during this time of grief and mourning. 

I've been so touched by your kind and supportive messages, thank you for taking the time to think of me during my sadness. Your thoughts and prayers really do make a difference and I'm so grateful to you all for taking those moments out of your day to help strengthen me during this time of loss and change. Although there is such a feeling of shock and pain, I'm comforted by the kindness of those around me and blessed by the promise that life is not temporary - death is. 

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

My Sad News

I'm completely heartbroken. My mother has unexpectedly passed away. 

I'm lost for words. 

------- 

I never expected as I prepared for this week, that I would be faced with the death of my mother. Or that I would be packing to board a long flight home one final time. Or that my next blog post would be my own healing hearts request. How quickly things can change.

If you'd like to send me a healing heart, I have no preferences, only gratitude. 

PO BOX 50

Doncaster East Victoria 3109

AUSTRALIA 

WOW: Playing With Nelke

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I have plenty of WIPs waiting around for my attention, but that doesn't stop me going back and updating past patterns, like Nelke. I love this wall hanging, but the birdy looks lonely and I have always felt the corners needed something. So I popped a Love Entwined double border bow in there and all of a sudden, it feels 'finished' to me. As for the birdy, I made a mate for it - did you see it on Instagram? I snapped it at the time, I was so happy with it. Such small changes, but they feel like such an improvement to me! I'll be updating this pattern with the new changes for anyone who wants it and the update will be available to everyone for free, so if you feel as I have, you can make tweaks too.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Love Entwined by Ineke Waijers-Persons

Many of you will instantly recognize this exuberant Love Entwined by Ineke Waijers-Persons, Tilburg, The Netherlands. What a stunner! I was lucky enough to see stages of Ineke's quilt progress whilst it was being made because she was generous enough to share pics over in my BOM Group. Now, Ineke's sharing finished images over in the LE Gallery and what can I say? Each is as gorgeous as the next!

Here's what Ineke had to say about her Love Entwined:

"The quilt is called “Send in the clowns”.  I have made some changes to give the quilt a circus theme, there are acrobats, clowns, circus animals, the circus director is there too. I have used Kaffe Fassett fabrics, some silks, cottons, satins, crushed velvet, embroidery, beads.

Searched a long time on the internet to find suitable circus fabrics. Made my own silhouette figures for the elephants and circus artists. Everything that reminded me of the circus has found its place on this quilt. Most of it is appliquéd by machine, I used a small blanket stitch, often with the help of a magnifier glass. At one stage started thinking about the quilting and decided I would let it be done professionally.

It is machine quilted by Elly Prins, who outlined everything and some overall pattern between the applications. Think it is my lifetime achievement this quilt ! Love it too bits, it is now proudly hanging in my living room from ceiling to floor and oh my god it is not a wallflower."

How many times can I even say WOW? I'm speechless, in the best possible way. Seeing Love Entwined made in a unique and stunning style is a real delight! Thanks Ineke, for sharing your beautiful work with all of us!

What about you? Are you making Love Entwined? Have you joined the Love Entwined BOM Group? Go ahead and join us as we share friendship, quilting tips and creativity.