Forget Me Not: Peony Block Up Close

You asked for it...so here it is...details!

Here are some close ups from my Peony Block

This applique design is 1 option of 2

from this month's Mystery BOM

Forget Me Not, Part 2

There are still more details and embellishments to come. As I work through my 12 blocks in this Mystery BOM,  I will be creating each one to this 'finished' stage. When all 12 are finished, I will view the quilt as a whole before deciding on how to complete the blocks. By 'completing' I mean extra embellished stitches, embroidery and whatnot. I think there will be room for a few ladybugs or hidden things here and there...but can't say for sure until they are all lined up next to each other.

This is just how I work, if you have a vision for your own block - go for it!

This is also why my scrolls are being left blank, I'm still deciding how to script inside...and if I do it by hand, I want to do all the writing in one day so that my script doesn't change. You know, details, this quilt is all about details. Each month is about bringing 1x flower block to life and really taking care in whichever applique method you have chosen.

The applique method I used in this block is the Applique Freezer Paper Method, however instead of freezer paper, I used "Floriani Stitch N Wash Fusible, Water Soluble Tearaway"

To see a tutorial of the Applique Freezer Paper Method, it's right here on my blog,

click here to see it pop up in a new window. 

The peony petals have been enhanced and highlighted with pencil. See the pattern for brand info. It's such a simple touch which really gives the head depth. Simple and effective.

The Peony is an applique block from PART 2 of

Forget Me Not, my 2012 Mystery BOM

No, it's not too late to join in...go ahead and get in on the mystery!

Forget Me Not ...Part 2... is Lauched!

And this month in the mystery,

you will be choosing between two applique designs.

Peony

or

Sun & Corn Flower

You can only choose 1

Which will it be???

I know, I know, today's close up of the purple-ish stem was to throw you off the scent.

Those leaves and stems belong to the Peony. More close ups of both blocks tomorrow.

Have you decided on which applique method

you'll be using for this quilt?

If you'd like to view my Applique Freezer Paper Method,

click here and it will open up for you in a new window.

Part 2 is launched: available on my website & Yahoo Group only

Forget Me Not

is my current free mystery BOM

WOW: Sneaky Peek...what is it???

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Well, a funny thing happened to me this morning.

I sat down to work on my WIP and I was so absorbed in my work that when my DD just walked in the door a few minutes ago, she couldn't believe I hadn't moved! 5 hours. That's what happened!

Too busy WIPPing to post about the WIP!

Completely lost in my work. Oh, the satisfaction! So, what's got my undivided attention this morning?? Only Part 2 of Forget Me Not, so here's a sneaky peek. You're all ready for Part 2 aren't you? It's launched tomorrow.

What do you think it is?

Any guesses what the first applique block might be??

Monday Already?

There's no time like the present time (or in my case, there's no minute like the last minute) to get things done. So today I decided that I better 'convert' the last of the remaining items from my personal patterns and turn them into something that other people can understand and use.

It feels like I have been preparing for Forget Me Not for months, which I suppose I actually have! Now that we are in Part 2 of the Mystery BOM this month, it's dawned on me that as I am making two at once, I had better get organised... I still have some other quilts and WIPs I'd like to finish this year as well. Hmm, that's the plan anyway.

So, who's ready to start the applique in Part 2 this month??

Forget Me Not

is my current Free Mystery BOM

WOW: Secret Quilter's Business

WOW= WIPs On Wednesday

This morning finds me burning the midnight oil (or should that be early morning oil?). 

My DD snapped a picture of me working away before breakfast to get it done in time. But I can't complain as I do love these quilting traditions. Well, I am on secret quilty business, but I can share a tiny bit of it here. More will be revealed in a few months. I think my last group quilt was a wedding quilt. I always love the special feeling that comes from 'secretly' making these...

Making freezer paper circles is fast and easy. I am becoming a pro at these after making 25...

Looking pretty...and glad to send this quilt to it's next quilter.

Now, time to get back to the BOM, Forget Me Not

Happy News:

I am a semi finalist for AQS, Paducah with my quilt Hearts Desire! So all of you in the US and visiting Paducah can have a close look at last years BOM close up!

How's your WOW this week?

Forget Me Not: Part 1 is launched

Joining the mystery
?

Forget Me Not: Part 1 is launched. You can download Part 1 over at my wesbite or in my BOM Yahoo Group. You won't get my blocks anywhere else. There will be no repeats with this pattern. So if you're joining us, join up!

Forget Me Not: Descisions, Descisions...



this is still an elegant option and I did think seriously about beige / taupe

Today I've been making much ado about fabrics (again).

Like most quilters, I know what I instinctively love and believe in following your strongest colour feelings. With Forget Me Not however, I've really had to double think all my choices and potential options.

With so much energy being invested in the applique, I want to be sure, really sure, that the block background fabric enhances and highlights the floral applique.

Love the red background but it fights with the foliage for attention!

Some fabrics drain colour away from the floral/foliage pallette I will be using, others harmonise too well, which means that the applique won't stand out.

The floral and foliage fabrics are assorted scraps and stash fabrics that I know I will be fussy cutting and using in small amounts for colour realism. I dont know exactly which applique fabrics I will definitely use, that will depend on the individual flower pattern, but the colours below are a good indication.



Dusty pink is so romantic and maybe a bit too complimentary
I want a striking contrast

I lined them up against the potential backgrounds I had chosen.

Then to confuse myself even more, I consulted colour theory. Apparently an excellent background for floaral applique is dark block colours as they draw the eye to colour (of the applique).

That made sense. So I tried out my colours on a dark red background I had my heart set on. And it did stand out, but it was also fighting for attention. Red as a background option, gone.

Here's my Forget Me Not Background

1. Spring

Yes I went for the provincial charming yellow, it's a little differnt from my usual choice, but I really love it's vividness, it feels alive already. Flower colours across the yellow from the Curio range really stand out nicely. I'm happy with this choice.

Yes. love it, it glows!

And... yes, I will be making 2 x quilts at the same time. I have 2 DDs you see, and of course I want to create all of my block floral patterns. I simply couldn't chose just the one per month like you will have to!

My second choice is below.

I couldnt part with my polka dots, well my DD couldnt, but the red block background didnt work with the flowers, so I went with polka dot frames, a dark block background and...just to make a statement, have gone for dark plain borders and sashing also. The polka dot frames will stand out with bright applique being the focus. Perfect. Well, it;s my DDs choice and now I'm sticking to it.

They both decided that there was too much red in my life...and you know, they may be right about that!

With the dark block background, the flowers are really going to stand out. And so are the polka dots!

OK, now I'm set!

Have you chosen the background yet?



WOW: Ready for Forget Me Not??

WOW = WIPs On Wednesday

A whole week since my last post? It's flown by! Just as I was getting into the swing of this whole new mystery, I stopped for a few days to celebrate my DHs birthday. Of course, I am not complaining, I needed a break from my ooohing and aahhing over my selection of fabrics. Beige is the most versatile, but I love the red too, and the yellow just has a certain charm about it. We've already discussed this, I know...

This morning I have been going through my stash (above) and looking at prints (colours actually) to fussy cut to get colour grading in my applique. I was thinking that there is a lot of scope for colouring in certain applique parts in this mystery and I am very excited about it. I am so looking forward to sharing the pattern with you.

But enough about that, it is after all, a mystery. And all mysteries must start at the beginning.
And you will know what the beginning is just as soon as I have had my morning coffee and typed it up.

So I will also post a little later.

Anyone who has been thinking about joining in on this mystery, the time to join the Yahoo Group is now. This mystery will run for 12 months and there will be no repeats or catch ups.

Ready???