Hearts Desire Part 5

Guess What?

Block 5 is (finally) launched

Mr. Toshiba is back in action– I’m not 100% satisfied with his recovery, but the fine tuning is next week’s problem. He got back on his feet long enough to allow me to launch Part 5. Let’s just say – I love Warranties…

Back to Hearts Desire. Yes, we’re nearly at the end. I do feel like a strict task master each month with this BOM which refuses to slow down. But I do feel it’s worth it, and hopefully next month, when the last block is launched and the end is in sight, you will too.

 

You didn’t think Hearts Desire would get easier as the months passed by, did you??

 

This month is all about the main border surrounding the inner square and, being a Hearts Desire, it’s a flourishing border with just enough room to show off your beautiful quilting when you reach that stage.

There are: 4 flower heads, 4 baskets and a picket row of leaves to fence it in. The border itself is rippled. Now that Block 5 is here, the strongest sense of direction has arrived and you can finally get a real sense of how your finished quilt will look. Yes, there is 1 month yet to go, but this month moves everything towards the design’s final placement.

Looking through the BOM Blocks so many of you have listed in the Yahoo Group is nothing short of breathtaking. I love browsing through your unique colour palettes and although I am always saying it – it’s true, I do live a little through each and every interpretation that is being quilted. I love seeing quilters make designs their own, and I definitely feel this when viewing the photos posted in the group.

 

A note on this month’s pattern: please read the pattern carefully before starting. I have included a layout guide and I have gone ahead and reversed some key pages for you to save you the additional trouble. This means that you are ready to print without requiring a photocopier yourselves, but please do measure your blocks against the pattern.

 

While gluing the pages together, it is easy to lose 1/8th of an inch and over 12 pages this adds up!

Be accurate and double check your measurements at the end.

 

 

 You can find  my BOM on my website or in my YahooGroup

How I Mitre Corners

Draw a line on both borders

 Fold and press the edges with an iron

 Position the pressed edge on top of the 2nd mitred line,

then apply a tiny amount of Elmer’s Glue along

the inside edge and press flat

Leave open a 1/4 of an inch from the edge. The pin indicates where 1/4 inch is .You leave this 1/4 inch open to attach the centre of the quilt top later on (blocks)

Stitch the seam with a slightly smaller stitch making sure that the tension does not stretch or warp during stitching

Cut away the excess fabric making sure

that you leave a 1/2 inch seam allowance

Gently release the glue by tugging the seam open and press flat

Turn to the right side and check that everything is positioned correctly and is nice and flat

For those of you making Block 5 of my BOM Hearts Desire, continue reading: We are now referring to the curvy applique detail which was added to the base border and was left pinned back during mitre-ing. I purposefully did not mitre the applique with the seam because it creates too much bulk if you do. For absolute precision, I prefer to mitre overlay appliqué separately.

Follow the pics below for a visual on how I do this

Notice how the applique is pinned back? Now that you have mitred the border fabric, go ahead and mitre the applique too

Remember to leave a 1/4 inch seam allowance just as you did with with backgrounbd border fabric- you will need it when adding the centre quilt

Mitre the background border fabric

Mitre the applique 'overlay' next and when both are neatly mitred, then you are able to position the applique basket over the mitred seam. And your corners will all look something like this.

WOW: WIPs On Wednesdays

My WIP this week is no grand affair: it’s a repair. Yesterday evening, very late and I decided to bind some of my patterns together after my photocopier DIED. But I accidentally insert a photocopier transparency instead of a plastic transparency (distracted by the above) cover sheet and wham!

The piercing blades came down and became fused in the too thin plastic. The effect is like trying to hole punch fabric.

Disaster! No amount of wiggling helped.

And now on top of every other project that needs to get done, I have a binding machine that needs to be fixed. Why didn’t I pay more attention? Luckily, very luckily my DH pulled the machine apart and patiently unscrewed everything…and there were a lot of ‘covers’ and screws and bits that I was convinced would never go back.

I had an instant headache watching my beloved binding machine go to pieces. But then –and this is the most impressive part – it came back together. Perfectly. And it binds better than it ever did. And I can’t remember any other appliance ever successfully coming back together this easily. It feels too good to be true.

The binding machine has been rescued from my carelessness. From broken to brilliant in under one hour. I am so lucky to have a DH who knows how to fix things.

See, I tear myself away from quilting to make biscuits every once in a while and my DH repairs all my mistakes. Ahhh, just the way I like it.

Block 5 Will Not Be Launched On The 15th

Hello Everyone,

Mr. Toshiba, my photocopier died today. Without warning, he just snapped and that’s it, all my day’s plans over. My bright, shiny scanner, PDF converter and printer as well as old fashioned photocopier. The machine designed to streamline all my electronic tools into one smooth unit has stopped working.
This means that this month’s BOM Block 5 of Hearts Desire will not be launched tomorrow, the 15th of June. My DH has already called the technician who will look in on the machine tomorrow. I expect to launch the block on Thursday the 16th or Friday 17th of June, by the end of this week.

I know this is frustrating, but it really can’t be helped. I apologize for any inconvenience, but I simply won’t release patterns unless I am 100% certain that they are spot on when they reach you.

I convert my original patterns firstly by scanning them in, then I PDF convert them. Then, once I have created the pattern into one file and added the instructions, I ‘launch’ it online via my website and print of off from the online source. It’s a triple checking process against my originals. Even 5mm out is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in a pattern.

Hopefully tomorrow will prove a better day!

WOW: WIPs On Wednesdays

It’s still raining. I won’t complain as it is much needed in my garden. The camellias have stated blooming, it’s a wonderful light spot in the garden at the moment. With rain on the glass and the goings on outside cold and shivery – the WIP that comes to my mind is this: The Carriage.

This is a tapestry I started 20 years ago. Yes, 20 years ago. I still haven’t finished it. It was stretched over a tapestry rack, but I have taken to brief stints of hoop work by the window.

This winter I won’t be crocheting, I will be trying to get this done. It’s one of those things you can’t rush. Alas, it’s also one of those WIPs you can no longer purchase matching thread colors for, so I am always looking for tones when I pass an embroidery shop.

I hope to finish it this winter, quilty WIPs notwithstanding.

a Rainy Tuesday

Comment Update: I thought I had my commenting ability back - but for unknown reasons, I am still unable to blog on some blogs - and not others. I am visiting blogs and I love strolling through WOW entries, and I will keep on commenting when I can. If I dont comment, it's because I can't. I will persevere until it sorts itself out.

It’s been raining today and I have been pottering around my things. I’m getting over an annoying bug and haven’t had the motivation to really do anything except the basics, so I definitely haven’t been productive.

I thought, I may as well do a few stints of tidying up my studio so that when I do feel better, I will be ready to get stuck in.

Then I found this. Tucked away under some rather beautiful fabric. It’s my Easter Table Decorations. I purchased these 2 little crates in January and thought, wonderful for Easter –to brighten the table during cake and coffees. Except of course, we didn’t enjoy them at Easter because by Easter I had completely forgotten of their existence…and there’s no way I would have found them in the nick of time, because they were stashed near a project which is still a WIP.

 Another reason to sort my things out. I think I will have to create a decoration box. A place to put all the wrapping paper, ribbons, gift boxes and such that goes missing whenever we have to actually wrap something. Sounds so easy, doesn’t it? Now I just have to actually do it.

It is just me, or is your stash so serious

you find things you forgot you purchased???

WOW: WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm sure many of you have heard of Sharon Shamber - she's an extraordinarily talented quilter. I am a member of her network, and once a week I like to take the time to sit down and watch one of her videos with a cup of coffee and get inspired.

I domestic machine quilt freehand, so before getting stuck into quilting work I like to warm up on a cushion, or a table runner or failing having any of those lying about waiting to be quilted...I sketch.

This image is of my quilting sketchy journal. It's also stuffed with recipes and I think there's a long lost invitation in there somewhere too. It's one of those journals that eats important slips of paper and refuses to cough them up when you're frantically looking for them!

I do love quilting and I love how ideas just flow out when I am doodling quilting lines. This is all good news of course, because it means I will soon be quilting something bigger - which means I will be finishing something soon. Ahhhh, I love those days. For today though, my Work In Progress is quilting ideas - pulling in inspiration, mapping out sketches and letting my pen run free.

What's happening in your wednesday?

Thank You For Commenting

Thanks to Everyone who took the time to comment on my last post. It's a relief to know that Blogger is having issues as I sometimes feel like these things only happen to me.

I can't leave comments on blogs - otherwise, it's business as usual on this blog and tomorrow is WOW again. This sure is motivation for me to keep busy!

Monday Madness

Did you take time to browse through WOW last wednesday? Well, I was delighted with it. 19 bloggers took part and I really enjoyed visiting each and everyone to see what they were up to. Thursday and Friday I got back into my own workload and hopefully I will be able to start sharing finished WIPs soon...ish....maybe.

Apologies to those who I was not able to comment on directly, something strange is going on and I am unable to post comments on other blogs at the moment. I was able to post a few and then my sign in fell out - and it never re-accepts it. This only happens via other blogs when I try to sign into the comments section with blogger...and it doesn't effect my actual blogging. Very strange and I can't understand why.

Blogging can be so maddening! I dont know what to do about it, I am hoping it will resolve itself as it's definitely something to do with blogger.

Today, trying to resolve this blogger thing has driven me to baking! Well, yes, I had been putting it off as I've been too busy quilting to do any baking and it's so easy to just buy some nice biscuits. Except, when I read the ingredients listings on biscuits nowadays - it drives me back into the kitchen.

I know it's easier to buy them but I can't ignore how much artificial junk is in them and I like to always have homemade biscuits in the house, for my DH.

Today I have gone the way of Too Simple with this easy easy easy recipe: (makes 25 - 30 teaspoon sized biscuits)

1 cup butter

2 cups flour

1/2 cup white sugar

1 teaspoon cornflour / cornstarch

Simply mix all together ( I put it all together in the kitchen wizz), pop in the fridge for 30 minutes. Then, spoon off some mixture and bake for 10-15mins at 180c or until golden.

These simple failproof recipes are the best. For the jam variety I made a dip with a spoon and filled it with home made jam, for the almond variety I just sprinkled some slivered almonds on top and pressed down.

You can spice it  / modify so easily and it turns out perfect all the time.

Now that the biscuit jar is full, I have quilting work to do, and hopefully I will be commenting again soon...

WOW: WIPs On Wednesdays

My WOW (WIP On Wednesday) this week is a quilt top

It’s an art quilt. I love the curved piecing, the shape really interests me. It’s super bright – this photo doesn’t do it justice, and it’s from my hand dyed stash. I love using my hand dyes. The idea with this WIP (it doesn’t have a name yet) was to create a central design with an original stencil of mine.

I have actually made the stencil…and cut it out…and mislaid it. I’m sure I saw it during the last tidy, so I have hung the quilt up (well, draped it over a ledge) to remind me, to get it done.

Another similar art quilt idea I actually finished was Upstream (this fish quilt, right) and this art quilt also used my own hand dyes and I stenciled the fish over the colour waves to create a design. I then stitched over the stenciled fish.

This is the feeling I get with this current quilt top. You can’t see much now, but with a lot of my art quilts, it comes together at different points, this top isn’t there yet. I’ll be glad when it’s finished.



With this type of quilt top, I really have to wait for the momentum to pick up again, it isn't something I feel I can force. (Excellent WIP Excuse #5)

What's your Wednesday WIP?

Join in, it's easy:



WIPs on Wednesdays

Those of you who are familiar with my blog will know that I used to post a (sort of regular) “Esther’s Occasional Quote For The Day”. I received an email last week asking me what had happened to my occasional quotes?? Well, nothing happened to them. Except that I have been somewhat sidetracked by my WIPs. You know how it is – blogging is a great resource, it allows you take a look into other quilter’s online journals. I do think of my own blog as an online journal…it helps me keep track of my work and lets me share what I think and do with a wide range of people.

Blogging also takes a lot of time and it’s a balance to decide between doing work and taking time out to share the work you are doing.

Something else has also struck me recently – there are so many readers out there doing their own thing. I have a modest following (498 and counting….this is wonderful) and I’d love to know at a glimpse, what you’re all doing! I know there’s a good range of interests out there – so I’m fairly confident that one thing we all have in common are Works In Progress (WIPs).

So from now on, Wednesdays on this blog

will be WIPs on Wednesdays.

What does that mean? I’m inviting you all to create a blog post regarding whatever it is you’re doing…that is, your WIP …and link to it on this blog every Wednesday. That way we can all get a snapshot of what everyone else’s WIPs are looking like. There are lots of interesting things out there, let’s share!

Ok, I know it’s Tuesday- I’m just eager to spread the word and hopefully inspire as many of you as possible to join in. Starting tomorrow…

<a href="http://www.estheraliu.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img alt="WIPs on Wednesdays" src="http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l501/estheraliu/WOW280.jpg"/></a>

Try Stenciling For Free

Have you tried stenciling yet?

I have to admit, I do love stenciling. It's a rewarding technique that allows you to be creative and in control. Once you have mastered the process, it will change the way you look at quilt designing - I have always enjoyed turning my sketches into a design and knowing that it's completely my own.

Stenciling can be including a single stenciled block in your next quilt or creating a whole cloth masterpiece.

If you've ever thought about stenciling...but wasn't sure, why not give it a go? I am offering my Tulip Delight Table Runner Pattern for free via my website. Why not print it out and see if it suits you?

Visit my website to download this free pattern  

Why not  visit my Original Stencil Quilt Gallery to see how creative and diverse stenciling can be?

The snap shots above are taken from my gallery, click on an image below to link directly to it

My Production Process

OR...

How I Create Multiple Blocks

Having looked over the 4 blocks in Block 4, you may be feeling daunted with the task ahead of you.

I’d like to take a moment now and share with you what I think is the most time effective way to create multiple blocks.

I spend the most time actually selecting fabrics, so if you have your fabrics chosen - the time saving right there shouldn't be underestimated!

I look at the block, pull out some fabrics that I think would work and I start there.

I first dissect the pattern in easy shapes. So, for instance, I think leaves are an easy shape - I usually start with them, and I trace and number all the leaves.

I then decide on light and darkness contrasts in the leaf (or shape) and immediately sort the shapes by colour choice.

Then I cut them out and position / iron them onto fabric with freezer paper.

Then I trace all the stems, and so on.

Basically I create production lines based on shapes – all the leaves, all the stems, etc.

I multiply freezer paper sheets x 4, staple the sheets together and then cut 4x of everything in one cutting.

My routine starts off with spending a day on just leaves and stems and getting them cut out and assembled.

Lastly, I will tackle the flowers. I mark my pattern piece with dotted lines to determine which areas will over ‘over’ and which areas will be ‘under’ so I don’t have to think which is an under tucked shaped or a top lying shape.

Then I sort the shapes by numbers: fabric 1, fabric 2. Fabric 3, etc and put these shapes into envelopes. I stitch a swatch of the fabric on the envelope for easy viewing.

I always photocopy the block and colour in or number each segment,. That way when it comes to assembling, I can glance at my block and glance at my envelopes and know very quickly, what belongs where.  As I cut in multiples of 4, as I am cutting the fabric I position numbers straight into envelopes.

Everything is done in this kind of assembly line.

Once everything is cut out and prepared into x4’s, then I place a base pattern of the block on my light box. Over this I place my background fabric. Then I start putting the block together like a puzzle. I use light dabs of Roxanne Glue and I start with the stems and thorns first, then the vase and blooms last. The visibility is so clear that there is no guessing, everything simply slots into place.

This stage is the most satisfying as all the pieces come out of their envelopes come together.

Basically, it takes preparation and attention to detail along the way. You don’t want to waste time during the last stage of putting the puzzle together to decide to re-do a leaf or bloom because it isn’t up to standard.

Once you have positioned and glued the pieces into place, you can then hand or machine stitch into place. When this is completed, I usually add embellishments or embroidery if needed.

If I’m productive enough, creating all 4 blocks takes me a week, working 6-8 hours a day. Obviously I get distracted, have to cook, you know, the usual housewife /mother stuff I get to around here. I am one of those people, when something has to be done, I get really focused and don’t want to stop until it is completed. The great thing about this process is that whether you have a day to work nonstop or whether you work in small consistent segments, this method of producing the block lends itself well.

 

Of course, if you do it differently and it works for you, I’d love to hear how you do it.

Flowers For Me

Introducing: Hearts Desire: Block 4

This month I’ve purposefully included some sharp points to my design, since life is not always a sun dappled garden of needle- turned circles.

Those little thorns do creep into the stem and I feel that, as in life, the thorny details needed to be represented.

I do always try to think: bigger the thorn, more beautiful the rose

This month my desire is Flowers For Me... and for me alone. For that reason this bloom is not a rose of any identifiable genus, but a flower from some other long forgotten time, blooming in only my garden.

OK! Onto Details….

Isn’t it sad to think our journey together will be finished in just 2 months? I know, I know, you’re all thinking arghh, enough applique already! But can a quilter have too much of a good thing?

This month sees us making 8 sashings to add to our 4 remaining background squares, which when done - we will go on to applique.

There are no further clues about placement this month – that will come together next month. This month concludes the four remaining blocks.

But where each block goes? Nobody will know for sure this month….We are all well versed on our raw edge and needle turn applique by now – you might think that this month is the last final applique hurdle before a breezy ending as we approach the last 2 months.

Well, let me tell you now – I don’t think anyone will guess what’s coming up next month, so if you’re having thoughts of resting or putting aside your applique – resist – because when next month comes, you’re going to be eager to finish your quilt  and invigorated when you see what’s in store to finish this design off.

We are nearly approaching the end of this heartfelt and emotionally charged applique quilt: so many of you have truly made this design your own with personalized fabrics and added small but significant changes that tell your own unique story.

I love looking through the albums as each of you complete your blocks. I know how wonderful this month’s block will look as the next 4 weeks pass….

So, until next month BOM wise,

keep up if you can – it’ll be worth the finish!

Golden Rabbit Door Hanging

I’ve been a part of this Festival since its very first year and once again I have to start by saying a big Thank You Amy!

 

Introducing...

Golden Rabbit

(although, I know - he really is a hare)

This applique wall hanging was my Easter 2011 project. As well as my free BOMs, I like to share whatever little projects I make throughout the year. I know we all have mountains of fabric out there, so the more designs and uses to bring it out of the pile and into the open, the better!

Golden Rabbit is a stash busting applique piece. Basically, I wanted to create something versatile and fun. It’s an Easter Kitchen door hanging in my house, but it could easily be a wall-hanging, a table runner or a cushion. And I think he could even be incorporated into a quilt block.

   I make so many large quilts that it’s nice to relax and have some fun with smaller projects every now and then. This piece felt like playing around, I had a great time deciding on the fabrics, the backgrounds and his eyes (which are cut from a print).

I know this wall hanging will get so much use, especially as I love to have cherished family items that come out each year during special occasions.
 

As for Mr. Hare himself, well I just scribbled him into life in one of my journals….and whenever I look though that particular journal, his eyes were always looking at me. I knew I had to make him!

This little applique piece was an enjoyable afternoon – because that’s all it took to make up – a few lazy hours. I hope you’ve enjoyed looking at him here as much as I enjoyed bringing him alive.

Thank you for stopping by my blog,

enjoy the rest of the festival!

What is your favorite photo / image program?

I am looking for a program which I can download from my camera into, and once stored in that program, allows me to easily move, categorize and print images. I have been using Windows Image and also have the software which comes with Sony Cameras PMB as well as FINEPIX and I don’t like any of them. They all have their strengths, but none do the lot.

I am thinking of buying one to do everything – I mean really, who has time to juggle their photos around (like I presently do??) to get full use out of features required across other software functions.

I am after a program for your computer – not online storage like Picassa or Photobucket, etc.

I know most of you reading this post are more computer savvy than I am, so if you are using an image software program that you love, would you please let me know?