Hazel & Little Hazel are (finally) Launched!

  Hazel & Little Hazel  

Little Hazel: 62 x 62 inches

Who loves piecing?! These blocks are stunning as they show off your favourite fabric; flowing in and out of each block beautifully. It's a strong visual design waiting for your own mix of gorgeous fabrics to make it shine. 

Hazel and it’s simplified version Little Hazel is a pieced quilt made up of blocks that challenge and inspire. Overall, the design is harmonious, especially when restricted to 4 or less fabrics. But, on closer inspection, there is much activity. 

The design moves the eye around a central compass that expands out into interconnecting pathways that course and then return back into the centre. This is how I imaged the design when I sketched it and when coloured in just three of four tones, you can really see this connectivity between the blocks. In my example, you see the blue fabric streaming through as a theme. 

I’ve always considered Hazel to be a quilt of travel and journey, so perhaps the blue is a fitting tribute to water or sky or both, depending on what fabrics you personally opt for.

Hazel: 88 x 105 inches

Back in 2016, I released Hazel & Little Hazel as my free yearly BOM. Both BOMs finished in 2016, however the pattern is for both sizes is now finally available for sale. When you purchase either Hazel or Little Hazel, you get access to both patterns (so there's no need to buy both if you are undecided!).

Hazel & Little Hazel Full 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

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Rails Blocks Done!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I've been offline for the last 3 days because of NBN cable work on our street (again!) and it feels like a lifetime. Times like these, I wonder if the internet has taken over my life! Anyhow, I didn't waste a single minute. I finished my Rails blocks and, as you can see, got myself all nicely organised with the different fabric arrangements. 

Eventually I had to stash them in sets so I wouldn't confuse myself when it comes to stitching them down. They're gorgeous, I love each one in it's own way. And I'm really happy I went with the Crystal Valley fabric range because in previous BOMs, I have suffered fabric regret. But not this time, I really love how all the blocks are looking. 

It took me the whole week to get them done because I can't sit in my sewing chair for more than 15 minutes at a time. It's super frustrating. When the pain gets too much, I have to stop. In those downtime hours I've been catching up with reading my magazine subscriptions. I am getting better, and the pain is definitely less that it was a month ago, but I still can't get in my car or walk any stairs. I'm hoping that will improve this week as I work towards stretching and moving more.

Still, progress IS progress, isn't it!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'One Block Wonder' Stitch Along Info

For those of you taking part in the 'One Block Wonder' Stitch Along, I am republishing the 'Tickled Pink' pattern post (below) for your info. Don't forget to view the step by step guide to making the Tickled Pink block, it's perfect for beginners and is the ideal balance of pieced and applique.

Yes, this quilt really is a one block wonder, it's drop stitch gorgeous, isn't it?

And after piecing the head of the block, the stem and leaves offer a little bit of applique

 It's the perfect way to show off your favorite fabrics

 and you only need 16 x to make a stunning quilt.

You can buy the pattern as a PDF pattern below this post. Those of you taking part, don't forget to stop by my Facebook BOM Group to show off your beautiful blocks, I can't wait to enjoy your fabric choices. I know you're about to have a wonderful weekend full of stitches and colour, enjoy :) 

Tickled Pink is a one block beauty - you simply decide what size block you want to make and then make it, sixteen times. Voila! Isn't it striking? I love the satisfaction of a perfectly pieced block and a touch of applique for the stems and leaves adds a nice finishing touch too. The finished quilt size is either 68 x 68 inches, or 84 x 84 inches, depending on whether you want to make 16 x 16 inch blocks or 20 x 20 inch blocks.

Tickled Pink is available as a digital pattern, in PDF format for easy home printing in A4. Once payment through Paypal has processed, your download is instantly sent to your email in-box.
(Be sure to check your spam and junk folders if it doesn't arrive within 3 minutes.)

Tickled Pink

Digital Pattern Download

$12.95 USD 

Here are all my posts connected to Tickled Pink, be sure to checkout how I constructed my block, and if you go ahead and make Tickled Pink yourself, feel free to add your own blog post specific URLs to the linky archive below for other quilter's to enjoy:

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Working on Morning Glory

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Today I'm still sewing up my Rails blocks for my Morning Glory quilt. Although I have plans to make ALL my BOM 2018 quilts, Morning Glory is the quilt top I have made the most progress on. 

These blocks above are my Morning Glory set aside blocks. I think they are absolutely gorgeous. I know this quilt is going to be a real beauty. Even as I make the rails blocks, I just love how everything looks and interlocks together. 

I have stopped and started several times with my Love Always quilt because there's so much cutting out to do (and I'm making 3 x at once). So I thought I could use some help by way of buying a Brother Scan N Cut machine which looks like it could be a great help for me. Buuuut I have been ummming and ahhh-ing over this potential purchase for 2 months now. I just feel like $699 AUD is a lot of money to pay for such a device. I mean, seriously, will it do the housework too? I feel like I  really need it.. but then again, do I? So I'm still on the fence..

As for me, I'm feeling much better and much more 'human' after a few weeks of terrible pain. I have to thank you all for thinking of me and sending me good thoughts. I know it makes a real difference as I have definitely had moments in an otherwise painful day when I felt suddenly stronger and better and I know it's because you were thinking of me, so thank you so much. I've finally turned that corner. I'm still a bit achy but getting better each day.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Morning Glory: Part 5, the Rails Block

Part 5 is all about making 20 x Rails Blocks

There are several variations of colour arrangements required to make them slot in around the quilt (if you are following my colorway) so don't get confused when preparing your pieces.

 For each block, sew together TEMPLATES 5A, 5B & 5C  to create a trio ‘unit’.

 this is what the back of the trio unit looks like

 Each set of three TEMPLATES, sewn together is a unit, there are four units per blocks. Sew two units together first (above), them  join both halves together to create a single block.

 Like this

 and this is the back

and sewn together

 and the completed front

Importantly for this block, there are  4 x colour placements, so follow the images in the pattern and make the blocks  accordingly.

Gorgeous, huh? 

1 down, 19 left to do..

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!

'On My Window Flowers Bloom' Now Available!

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom' an applique wall hanging. Finished Size 38 x 48 inches.

  This gorgeous wall hanging is now available in my pattern shop!  

Yes, I've finally added OMWFB to my pattern shop. I know many of you have been requesting this pattern since I released it last year. At that time it was offered for free. Since the free period expired and the pattern was taken down, I hadn't actually gotten around to adding it to my pattern shop. Until now. I know all you new members to my Group have been pining for this pattern. You can now purchase and download this pattern any time you like. 

For those of you who missed it the first time around, be sure to join my Facebook BOM Group so that you don't miss any more freebies when they happen and yes, this colouring shown has been created with Kaffe Fassett fabrics. Doesn't it just shine? I LOVE IT! There are quite a few OMWFB projects on the go out there and if you spot them on our Facebook Group, you will be sure to swoon. They are completely fabulous.

'On My Windows Flowers Bloom' 
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: Feeling Sorry For Myself

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Well, I'm going stir crazy. It's been 2 weeks since I injured myself and although I'm getting better, the getting is slow going. Some days I feel almost back to normal, but then the following day the pain and discomfort is double. I still can't get into my car and I'm just so over feeling this way.

There have been some positives - my paperwork and design folios have finally been organized (this was long overdue) and I'm catching up on bits here and there. But, the painkillers I take make it hard for me to focus for more than a few hours a day, so even that becomes too much.

I'm still working on my case of random fabric squares that I'm joining up to be a purposeful mis-mash quilt.

Last week some gorgeous new Fassett fabrics arrived, but I've been feeling so tired, I haven't even unpacked the parcel properly. I'm looking forward to turning a corner, the sooner the better.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'Oma's Blues' I still Love You!

These are detail pics from my mainly applique quilt 'Oma's Blues'

I say 'mainly' applique; however, although there are some pieces blocks in the border (above) - I actually ended up applique-ing those too. I mean, why not? I love applique!

I had a visitor around to visit me today and they asked to see it in person. Of course, I was happy to show off this beauty. As it's been stored rolled up, I hadn't seen it in 2 years and seeing it fresh again today, well it took my breath away! Yes, I still love it! 

Several quilting groups have selected Oma's Blues are are meeting up once a month to make the blocks together over a chat and endless cups of tea and coffee. How perfect does that sound?

I can't wait to see their results as the months tick by..

 This quilt was inspired by all things Delft and the most natural colourway for it simply had to be blue and white, but I've seen some variations including a warm autumnal shaded one and a multi colour one and they are both breathtaking!

 Thanks for taking this trip with me down memory lane. Sometimes I forget just how much I've done, and it feels so nice to be reminded that these beauties do actually exist and are admired all over the world.

If you're interested in making Oma's Blues, I have a Facebook Group set aside for this quilt specifically. It's the perfect place for you to arrange to meet up with people and share your blocks on a regular basis if you are connecting online.

Of course, you can join my regular Facebook Group too where every one of my quilts - including 'Oma's Blues' is being made and is most welcome.

You can find all my Oma's Blues posts archived here on this blog so that if you are making my quilt, you can follow what I did, step by step.

Oma's Blues

Blog Post Archive

WOW: Still Hobbling Around

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Thank you so much for your well wishes and good thoughts for my speedy recovery. It's been 10 days now and I really am feeling better, pain wise. But I'm still sore and hobbling around. It's so boring to be in so much pain. It's boring to talk about and it's boring to listen to, so I apolagize for that. It's been my main preoccupation and I've been super frustrated too, because not only do I have so much to do (and am keen to get on with it all), but I'm just not the kind of person who like to do..well, 'nothing'.

I tried all sorts of things to keep my mind active, a bit of crochet, some reading, some designing, but everything just made me feel sick. Since my back has been 'out' of alignment, I've been having headaches and can't stand too much screen time, so even my favourite Pinterest boards don't interest me! It feels like such a waste of 'down time'..

But anyhow, I finally settled on some hand stitching. I have a box of HST scraps that I've started putting together into mini blocks (above). It's all very random. I make these every now and again. This is the project I take with me when I'm going to a sewing bee as it's basic and I don't have to concentrate whilst I'm chatting away. One day I will end up with a fantastic multi fabric HST block quilt that contains scraps from ALL my quilt projects and stash remnants and this idea really pleases me.

So for now I rest, stretch, sew some blocks and repeat. Hopefully I'll be back on my feet by the next WOW, I have so much I want to share with you..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'Diamond Hill' Now Available!

Diamond Hill is an applique quilt, finished size: 72 x 72 inches

I'm delighted to finally add Diamond Hill to my online PDF pattern store.

Diamond Hill was my free BOM for 2017 and it was hugely popular. You've probably seen images of blocks being made or completed floating around in my Groups on Facebook, and each is as gorgeous as the next. This is simply a design that lets your fabrics shine. Whether you want to go bold and bright with a dark background as above, or go dreamy and low contrast, all fabric choices I have seen have made perfectly fabulous quilts. 

If you missed out on this stunning BOM back in 2017, it's now available to to download as a digital pattern in PDF. 

'Diamond Hill' 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: Ouch! My Sitting Down WOW!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Well, this is me today. I can't show you my face as I'm grimacing and have Einstein wild hair.

Definitely not fit for the camera. Why? I have pinched a nerve in my lower back and oh boy, do I feel it!

It's all I can do to sit wrapped up and stay cosy. I'm taking anti inflammatories and getting up to walk every hour for as long as I can before the pain is too severe and I have to sit down again.

I am so frustrated. I have so much to do, but am stuck sitting down. I'm really sorry to have missed an opportunity to see a Love Entwined Quilt hanging on display this past weekend at a local quilt show because I couldn't even sit in the car, let alone walk into the venue. I'm not catching up online much either as I feel sick after 20 minutes of looking at a screen. So I'm spending this time reading books and drawing sketches. I'm trying to see the positives of this injury imposed slow down.What else can I do? Hopefully I'll design some extra quilts during my downtime. 

The worst bit? The way I sustained my injury: sneezing whilst I was bending over.

Honestly, it's so ridiculous I can't even believe it. 

Please send me all your positive healing thoughts, I need as many as I can get!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

BOM 2018: My 'Love Always' Background Options

I'm so excited about my Love Always quilts. I'm making three of them and just one will have a dark background. I thought plain black was just too dark and dramatic for me, so I opted for charcoal. My plan is to have one dark background, one light background and one classic red and white version. For the dark background, I'm currently looking at three backgrounds.

This basic grey by Moda is gorgeous. Actually I love the whole grunge range.  I always think grunge is the perfect background in any colour, I love the subtle variation when you look at the whole length of fabric, so I was delighted to discover that Moda do a grunge in grey. It's a proper grey and it's gorgeous. I can definitely see my Fassett brights popping on the background.

But then..

I saw this grey grunge in polka dots. Now, I'm rather partial to polka dots and this fabric just called out to me. I couldn't ignore it. So I'm trying to decide between the two. The dots are gorgeous and will definitely add an exquisite element of fun to my Love Always blocks, which I think will work really well with the Fassett fabrics I'll be using in my applique.They're both grunge, but the shades of grey are very different.

And I still have my Fassett background, below. I originally purchased this because I saw a talented quilter in the Queen's Garden BOM Group, Sylvi Sealy, making up blocks with this background and I could see how well it would work for my dark background Love Always.

It's called 'charcoal' and photographs much darker than it appears in real life. In these pics, it's looking more realistic - it's a kind of teal shade with charcoal dots. 

Overall, the look is definitely blue greenish.

and I just don't like it!

It's a gorgeous print for something else, but I don't like it with my Love Always blocks.

I feel it would make my quilt look very teal-ish, which isn't the look I'm aiming for.

Although, now I have quite a lot of it, 

so I might just go ahead and design a teal inspired quilt in order to use it up!

So it's a choice between my polka dot or plain grunge. 

And honestly, I am completely divided on which would work better.

My next step is to create my first Love Always block and audition it against the backgrounds and make my final decision then. I really love them both!

Love Always 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.