Blogger's Quilt Festival

Thanks to Amy

for once again hosting this wonderful festival!

I've been taking part in this festival since Amy started it, and I always think, "what a great idea!" and love spending an afternoon in a comfy chair with a cup of coffee and visiting so many wonderful blogs and reading all the stories behind your quilts and projects, welcome to my blog!

Peony is the very first block from my quilt "Forget Me Not" which is an applique wall quilt designed to celebrate and enjoy the beauty of flowers. I have selected and designed applique flowers that have a special meaning and significance to me- and which I know I'll love looking at for years to come once the quilt is finished.

Peony is a special block for me as it's one of my favourite flowers. I've turn edge appliqued this block, which was time intensive but definitely worth the extra effort. The fabric used is from my own hand dyed stash and the petals have been highlighted and heat set with white pencil.

I will be writing "Peony" in the name scroll when I come to the end of my quilt. There is also a frame to come around this block, and perhaps some embroidered details too. I know that a member of my Yahoo BOM group added a little ant (apparently peonies require ants to bloom?) so this seems a nice touch to consider!

I am really enjoying making each block for this quilt and cant wait to see my quilt on the wall where it can be enjoyed all year. Each month there are 2x applique floral designs to choose from. Well, of course I couldn't resist and am making 2x at the same time (one is a light yellow background and the other is a dark charcoal background). Most quilters taking part in the mystery are making 1x of the quilt, so each month they select 1x block.

What I really love about this design option is that each month you have a choice and this also means that no two Forget Me Not Quilts will be the same!

The Mystery BOM so far:

1. Instructions
2. Peony & Sunflower
3. Calla Lily & Cosmos
4. Wild Rose and Lilac & Jacob's Ladder
5. Forget Me Not & Poppy
6. Morning Glory & Sweet pea
7. Crown of Thorns & Magnolia
8. Violet and Pansy & Hibiscus
9. Tulip & Snow Drop

half way through and the mystery continues...

Next free block released on November 15th!

These are blocks from my free 2012 Mystery BOM

Forget Me Not

Yes, anyone can join in:

You can download this month's block via my website or my Yahoo Bom Group 



WOW: Quilting Retreat

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm back from a quilting retreat this last weekend. It was wonderful. I really had a chance to catch up on some neglected quilting without any of my usual distractions at home (like sorting through my studio shelves, below) and of course, the company was lovely too.

Something which I couldn't wait to share when I got home was this 'quiz' from the retreat

Seeing I'm so into flowers and running a Mystery Flower BOM,

it's a sure thing I'd know them all ....right??

Well not quite, I only managed 3 or 4 !

Have a look and see how many you know...

I'll post the answers up in a few days

and today? more shelf work and general sorting through the sewing room

How's your wednesday?

WOW: Healing Hearts

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Something I've long loved about quilting is how personal and personable it can be at the same time. I can spend hours sewing alone having a wonderful time...and yet my quilting experience wouldn't be complete with my friendship groups, my online groups and the assistance and friendship that quilting and quilter's so easily lend themselves to.

Healing Hearts are something we've probably all made. I love everything about them. Just recently I've had a few requests from new quilters for a 'pattern' for a Healing Heart.

Of course, a Healing Heart can mean many things to different groups; the size and design can be altered to suit specific needs. I know there are a lot of patterns out there for this very thing, so go with what suits you.

My own pattern is quick and easy. In my Yahoo Bom Group we create 6.5 inch blocks as a standard (so the recipient has equal sized blocks) and we usually sign our hearts too.

I've drawn up a block pattern which is a good starting point. I like turn edge applique and a double heart in the centre, but of course it's up to you how and where you affix your own heart and if you like a skinny or rounded heart. I also like to add corners. Again, it's up to you. Go with what feels right.

Healing Hearts are a way for us to show support and encouragement to fellow members who are having a difficult time or experiencing hardships. These 'quilt hugs' are a way for us to show that we care and are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.

You can download my Healing Hearts pattern via my Yahoo Bom Group or via my Website.

What's your WIP today?

Tulip and Snowdrop

Suprised it's already October and suprised it's already time for Part 9

But here we are, and whatever else is going on, it always feels nice to launch the new monthly block

I've opted for gentle pinks again: I fussy cut for colour graduation from my hand dyes. I always knew hand dying an entire rainbow spectrum would come in useful one day and I love digging into the stash too! Just recently I've realised that I'm avoiding the use of 'prints' in my quilts. Of course I still love prints and will always have a place for them, but now I think twice before using them in my quilts...

edge turn applique

so easy and so satisfying

and there's room for a flying spotted friend or two...

You've got a good spectrum of colours for you tulip,

I went for pinks and greens to go on my yellow background

and like every month, preperation is key

fussy cutting tones from my pink hand dyes

Snowdrop was always going on my dark background quilt

Crisp clear colours that shout spring, sure it could have worked on the yellow background, but I love the promise it holds against a cold winter night sky

 the vibrant spring greens really had to stand out against the black

 and like last month, I've made 1x edge turn applique block and 1x raw edge applique

 raw edge applique with silver embroidery floss for snow flakes

There's always lots of block action, advice, tips and images over in my Yahoo Bom Group, so if you're making the mystery, join us!

 

These are blocks from Part 9

of my free 2012 Mystery BOM Forget Me Not

Yes, anyone can join in:

You can download this month's block via my website or my Yahoo Bom Group 

FMN: Part 9 is launched

Forget Me Not

Free Mystery BOM

Yes, we're up to Part 9 in the Mystery already!

Can't wait to see what you make with your blocks this month!

This month: Tulip and Snowdrop

 

Which will you choose??

 

See you over in my Yahoo Bom Group!!

 

 

These are blocks from Part 9

of my free 2012 Mystery BOM Forget Me Not

 

Yes, anyone can join in:

You can download this month's block via my website or my Yahoo Bom Group 

WOW: Gleaming Wednesday

WOW = WIPs On Wednesday

As I can't comfortably sew at the moment,  I've been spending extra time admiring Pinterest. There's lots of interesting information on there, even odd little tips to make you excited about housework, which seems impossible, but happens to be true.

Did you know for instance, that cream of Tartar mixed with water makes everything metal or plated sparkly and brilliant? I didn't. So impossibly easy, I thought I'd give it a try..

So I tested it out on our toaster

and yes, it looks like I'll be making my kitchen sparkle today.With thanks to Kim who's original blog post was pinned to supply us with this great tip.

What's your WIP today?



WOW = October 2012

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

It's wednesday again and it's October already.

For me, it feels as though October has come in too fast. I haven't been doing much on the WIP front lately and am desiring some serious sewing time as soon as my rib allows me to sit for long enough. I'm feeling very mindful that there's only 3 months left of the year...and still a lot I'd like to get done.

In my household, it's a busy day today as we prepare and enjoy the start of our 'birthday season', so of course there's lots of roses about.

 

Who needs an excuse to admire roses? Not me..

What's happening in your wednesday ?

WOW = BOM Blocks

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

This week I've been catching up on my own BOM blocks.

Hibiscus, Violet & Pansy

I still can't do much quilting for very long at the moment, but I am slowly getting there.

Pop over into my Yahoo BOM Group

to see the great progress being made on this block by talented members!

Add your own WOW below!

WOW: Getting Sea Air

WOW = WIPs On Wednesday

Here I am, wind swept!

Today I'm resting at home. Yesterday we spent the day at Venus Bay. It was a long drive but I really needed the sea air. My rib has been really hurting this week and I just needed to get out of the house!

It was windy and there was certainly plenty of sea air to take in...so hopefully it will aid my recovery.

I can't sit comfortably for any length of time so I haven't even been in my sewing room (which still has shelves in need of fixing) and I've missed out on my usual quilting friendship groups too. I can't believe how long it's taking to feel better...:( Definitely looking forward to some WIP browsing.

Add your WOW !

Free Monthly Flower Block, 8

Forget Me Not: Part 8 is Launched!

This month you will choose between Violet & Pansy or Hibiscus. Of course, you may be like several of my Yahoo Bom Group members who are adventurous enough to be making both each month. I am too, because I have 2x DD's and it's hard to choose just one design each month....even for me.

Regardless of whatever else is going on, I'm always still really excited to launch each month's new block. And I'm always suprised with how quickly they get made. If you're not a member of my Yahoo Bom Group - join up and see for yourself how many talented quilters are making these blocks each month, it's inspiring!

My Violet & Pansy block this month is bright and contrasted - I wanted a vibrant block. Of course, violets and pansies come in various shades from the bright to the pastel and delicate, so you can select your own colours to suit your background. I know many of you are looking at the blocks you've made so far and thinking about the tone, colour balance and overall 'look' as you put your blocks beside each other and try to envision what the finished quilt top will look like...luckily you have much scope to adapt these blocks to suit your own style.

There's quite a bit of fussy cutting for me this month

I decided to stashbust this month and found the perfect yellow in this scrap piece. So I will be taking the yellow from here for my Hibiscus block. It's such a lovely yellow.

And I really like the green I settled on for the leaves as well.

The 'green' each month is becoming as important a choice as the flower heads.

Actually, I've found that in the making and then in looking over everyone elses blocks each month, green is such an important ongoing colour in the overall quilt look. Apart from the various shades of green being used, a strong green can tone down some bright flowers and a lighter green can really pick up some pastel flowers so that they don't appear drab.

We're reaching an exciting part in the mystery, where you have enough blocks so far to get a feel for your quilt top...but really no idea as to what's coming next!

Love it!

These are blocks from Part 8

of my free 2012 Mystery BOM Forget Me Not

Yes, anyone can join in:

You can download this month's block via my website or my Yahoo Bom Group 

WOW: Another Bear Finds A Home

WOW = WIPs On Wednesday

It feels really good today, knowing that this cute bear is on his way to his new home.

I don't like keeping my bears boxed up and it always feels so nice to send them on to a home where they're wanted. And one less boxed bear is more WIP space for me. No I haven't tidied my studio up yet because of my cracked rib, so I've been catching up on my reading.

How's your wednesday?

Here I Go Again

Things have been very quiet in my world these last 2 weeks, as unfortunately I have lapsed back into the flu. I'm feeling awful and this time around it's much worse as I discovered yesterday that I have a cracked rib!

I've never had a broken bone before, so this has come as a big shock. I've been in a lot of pain, but was really suprised to hear that I'd cracked a rib. I don't know how or when it happened - which seems impossible, but I really haven't injured or hurt myself. My Dr. thinks it happened when I coughed too severely during my new bout of flu...which I can't believe is possible....but must be!

So it's rugged up, drinking tea and more rest for me. I am so sick and tired of resting. It really hasn't been my month! Hopefully I'll be on the mend...again...soon.

WOW: Much Ado About Nothing

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Last night we awoke to a thunderous bang! What was that? We all shouted as we ran about the house trying to work out what was going on. Well, it was my fabric mountain. My shelf collapsed under the weight of all my fabric (and a few other tools stashed there) and toppled over. Hmm. I was meaning to fix that slight lean. Everything is in a heaped up mess.  

So that's that. I've been putting it off. But now it's just gone too far. It looks like I'll be spending the next week or so going through everything, sorting it out and ...well....having a much needed clear out.

I will post some photos as soon as I find my camera (which I keep and charge in my sewing studio) and which I know is nestled beneath a box I need my DH to move for me.

WOW: Quilting Daisy WIP

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

It's about time I finished something. I've been feeling a bit tired, uninspired and generally unwell since getting over the flu, so I need something a little lighthearted to get back into my WIP mountain.

Predictably, all my outstanding WIPs have a fair bit to be done on them before I reach the final stage. So I've started a new WIP. I know I really shouldn't start anything new, but  I need the motivation. This is a beautiful table runner I picked up in Budapest. I didn't have much time at the market there (which was lucky or who knows how much I'd have brought home with me!), but I did find this daisy linen piece which I think is sooo lovely.

The edges are beautiful uniform crochet and the embroidery is charming.

Just the thing for my table. Not too strenuous and lots of payoff for an afternoon's work...

I'm thinking of easing myself back into my WIPs with a bit of pleasurable quilting.

Quilting the free space. Should be quick and easy...ish.

Watch this space....

 

How's your WIP ?