WOW: Back on my Feet

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

The weather down my way has been scorching hot and then suddenly cool and I've been inside most of the time getting over a cold. The weather has knocked me about as much as my cold has, but I'm finally getting better today and back on my feet.

Whenever I'm sick, I eat a lot cabbage - it never fails to pick me up. Do you have a 'go to' favourite food when you're feeling under the weather?

Today is the third Wednesday I've been eagerly expecting a fabric package arrival. All my other orders have been delivered, now I just wait for my Secret Garden fabric. I am so eager to make a start and show off my first block here on my blog that I am getting impatient - I make do with seeing everyone else's blocks over in the Group and they are gorgeous and all so different too, it really makes me even more impatient as I'm so keen to get stuck in myself.

Today is also time for Part 2 of Diamond Hill, you can download it via my Facebook BOM Group or directly here, right now by clicking the image below.

What's Your WOW? 

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Sweetly Does It..

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm waiting for my Secret Garden fabric to arrive. I think I was waiting for Secret Garden fabric last week too - well, that fabric arrived and I wasn't happy with it. I had expected a cream tone but in real life it was a muted dull grey so I've set it aside. As there's 6 metres of it, and I can't stand the waste, I think I will use it as a 'canvas' for some fabric painting murals I have in mind, so at least it's not a total loss. Right now I'm waiting for the Jardin Gris range by Robyn Pandolph and I can't wait. I just have a good feeling about it, I know it's a perfect match for my vision.

But, if you know me, you'll already know that I also have another perfect vision for Secret Garden ..with a dark background. I had thought about making two, but there aren't enough hours in the day! I know it's hard for some of you who are struggling the Mystery aspect of the fabric selection. My advice is to choose fabrics that work well together - and whether you opt for high contrasting shades or a selection of gently harmonious shades - if your palette 'works' together, then you'll be fine. Don't overthink it like I do. I usually end up deciding on the first idea anyhow.

Whilst I wait for my Secret Garden fabric to arrive, I'm making the most of my time and trying to get my Sweet 2016 wall hanging closer to completed. I was so torn over my Sweet 2016 backgrounds! I had so many great contenders..and the one I loved most was a bold yellow and black statement background - but I didn't have enough. So I have reverted to the soft floral background above and I think it's the most harmonious. Hopefully I'll stitch it down before I change my mind again..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Fussing Over Secret Garden Fabrics

Well I've been driving myself (and everyone at home) nuts with my fabric indecision. It was getting out of hand. The problem is I love everything in it's own special way and couldn't decide between a bright Fassett theme, a rich old gold antique theme or a light cream theme. The cream background I originally ordered online arrived yesterday - and is far too grey and dull to work. I ordered 6 metres of it, so I suppose it will come in handy for something - perhaps fabric painting.

But back to Secret Garden matters. Today I was browsing the Fat Quarter Shop and they got me with their 24 hour 'Flash Sale', and I only just snuck my order in. As of now, there's only 3 hours left, so if these fabrics take your fancy, get in quick!

This is the green I'm going to use, it's my background so I purchased 6 metres of it. If there had been a cream in the range, I probably would have coordinated 3 x metres of each and mixed the background up a bit, but there isn't, so I'm sticking with a single main background. And I love green and now I don't have to think about it and I'm relieved!

I also purchased this half yard bundle below and these are the fabrics I am going to use as my 'various applique' fabrics to use on blocks.

This beautiful range has slotted right into my vision for Secret Garden and I'm super excited to make a start and show off my first block. 

This fabric range is Jardin Gris by Robyn Pandolph

WOW: Secret Garden is Launched!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Who's got the key to get into the garden?

Secret Garden has launched and I am over the moon about it! Or perhaps over the garden wall about it is more fitting. Either way, I've got my eye on the front door as I'm expecting a fabric delivery with a lovely new background for me to begin my masterpiece.

I love all my quilts, but oh, I'm so in love with this one. 

I can't wait to show you more as I make my own Part 1 block as soon as my important delivery arrives! And of course, there's always the thrill of seeing how everyone else will make their own too. That never fails to encourage and cheer me on.

It's not too late to join this beautiful mystery BOM and although my plain pic above hasn't done this block much justice yet, just wait until you see it finished!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'Diamond Hill' Part 1

Diamond Hill debuted as my free BOM for 2017 on January 15th and already finished blocks are showing up over in my Facebook BOM Group. WOW! Look at this gorgeous block by Jenny Henry, what a beauty! Jenny has generously allowed me to share this image here for everyone not on Facebook to enjoy. Isn't it a stunner?

Last year when I released Hazel as the 2016 free BOM, I thought it was the bees knees, I just loved everything about that quilt (even though it was pieced!) and I still do. This year, I wondered if Diamond Hill would grab my heart in the same way...well, it has!

Thanks so much for letting me share your Diamond Hill progress with everyone Jenny, I can't wait to see what you do with this quilt as the months roll on.

Diamond Hill is my Current Free BOM for 2017

It runs from Jan - July 2017

You can take part in this BOM by joining my Facebook BOM Group (which is free)

Or by downloading the pattern directly from my blog on the 15th of each month

WOW: Fancy Pillows

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm making good on my resolution to start using up my stash fabrics. Until now I thought I would simply commit to having the best dressed table in town: tablecloths, linen rings, vase runners and table runners are all on my list. But lately I've been frustrated with the quality of bed linens and in particular, European pillowcases. I've been everywhere, to all the major shops and each time I've been frustrated. So I've had enough! I went through the stash and found a fabric which matched my bedding perfectly and simply went ahead and sewed my own!

It's liberating. I should have taken up this attitude years ago. I have so much beautiful fabric, and better quality than you can purchase in most instances (especially when it comes to bedding and home-wares) so I'm feeling rather pleased with myself. One made, three to go.

And also, I'm impatiently waiting for some new fabric to arrive for Secret Garden, the BOM starts next Wednesday and I want to have my first block all finished to show you by then. I'm really excited about this BOM and decided to treat myself to some new fabric because I didn't have anything suitable in the stash for the kind of background I'm after. But more of that next week.

Have you signed up yet?

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Love Entwined by Mary Chartier

Mary Chartier of Connecticut, USA has created a majestic Love Entwined with a dark background and bright fabrics. What a story this fabric combination creates! There's something so alluring about a dark background and the use of colour really makes the quilt flow as the eye keeps moving, keen to take in all the wonderful detail.

​

Every LE is as unique as it's maker, thank you Mary for sharing your wonderful quilt with us. 

Don't forget, when you've finished your own LE quilt or project, there's a special spot waiting for you in our LE gallery. It's still early days yet with many of us taking our time to complete this heirloom beauty, so the gallery will always be around. 

And if you're still working on LE, as many of us are, we have an LE Facebook Group dedicated to supporting each other. It's free to join, see you there!

Secret Garden: My New Mystery BOM

“If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden.” 

― Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

There comes a time as a quilter, when you step back from something you have designed and say to yourself, yes this is something very special. Secret Garden is one of those quilts.

I've been designing Secret Garden for three years. First came the outline - for in my head I had a clear vision of how this garden would be arranged. And then came the flowers, tucked in by beautiful pieced blocks that enhanced their curved lines and foliage. And little by little, I worked on each block and then set it aside. I knew that in it's own time, it would 'come together'. For this reason, I never set out to work on the design or pattern specifically, I let those moments call me at the right time and frame of mind. 

Bit by bit, these moments collected themselves and I knew with each sketch which belonged to Secret Garden and which belonged to other projects. Then, quite by surprise, I realized my Secret Garden quilt was complete. 

And today, I'm delighted to launch it as a Mystery BOM!

Will you join me on this adventure?

The journey starts February 1st, 2017
The BOM runs for 12 months
The finished quilt size is 80 x 80 inches

The image shown above is of the first block. Yes, it's a mystery but I wanted to set the tone and let you know what to expect, style wise. This is a quilt for applique lovers who don't mind complementary piecing to frame and enhance their beautiful applique blocks. 

I will be making this quilt as we go through the Mystery and will be sharing my fabric choices, tips and techniques right here on my blog. When you join the BOM, you'll receive your block on or before the 1st of each month, delivered via email.

WOW: A Shining Start To 2017

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm so happy to have started 2017 with my new free BOM Diamond Hill! It feels like a good start to the year, and it's only going to get better.

Today I'm drawing up blocks for another very special BOM project which will start February 1st. It's called Secret Garden and if you'd like to know more, come back on Friday when I reveal all!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Diamond Hill: Colour Ideas

You know me, indecisive to distraction. And whilst I always encourage everyone else to try different colorways, it's better for me to just stick with the first original idea because too many choices leave me battling non stop second guessing. But, in the interests of Diamond Hill, I did try it out a few different colour ways just to see how it would look. And what happened? Indecision! I started out with pink and green because I have so much pink and green fabric.

But then I realized I don't have any dark background quilts and I think Diamond Hill looks stunning with a black background, don't you?

But let's not forget about blues! DH just sings with a navy background and shades of blue blended in

But faded, soft muted tones look so charming too,

but maybe not as charming as dusty pink and muted brown

And you know, every colouring in session needs a wild card - because  I don't know how I ended up with enough peachy salmon to make a quilt, but I did..

'Diamond Hill' is my current FREE BOM

It's running right now and you can download Part 1 today

See my previous post to download right here via my blog

OR simply join my Facebook BOM Group (it's free)

New Free BOM: Diamond Hill is Launched!

Welcome to Diamond Hill: a quartet of field bouquets surrounded by diamonds and framed with tumbling vines. Feel the breeze rustle through the leaves and sway the petals under a sun dappled sky. Can you feel it too? Diamond Hill is everything that is both lovely and simple. 

I’ve created  floral applique and framed it with classic piecing which offers so much potential for personalization. Will you make the diamonds shimmer in contrasting shades? Or tone them down to blend into a gently shaded scheme? There’s plenty of movement to keep everything interesting whether you decide to go with the flow ..or go over the top!

In this quilt you’ll find a satisfying balance of both applique and piecing which will keep you busy for seven months. I’ve opted for the hopelessly romantic theme of cream, pink and green because, why not? Of course, the pattern lends itself to many styles based on your fabric choices, so let your imagination run away with you. I can’t wait to see what you do with your own Diamond Hill. As always, if you’re not already a member, be sure to join my BOM  Facebook Group to share your own thoughts and ideas as you make your own blocks. I’m excited about the months ahead and can’t wait to show off all my blocks and ideas with you.

For those of you who don't want to go on Facebook, 
you can click the image above to download the PDF file right now.

Nearly Time To Reveal My New FREE 2017 BOM!

WOW: Sorting Out My Sketchbooks

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm sorting out my design sketchbooks. With a new BOM coming on the 15th, I like to put my notes in order and move on, design wise. The image above is not the new BOM, it's just a random page as I glue down my design ideas. Here's what I designed when I thought up Gracie:

and after I release each pattern, I come back and glue in the actual finished quilt. Sometimes they are the same, sometimes they have evolved into something quite different. 

I've received lots of emails asking if I will release another BOM this year? - yes!

For now, all I will say is this: this year there will be something for everyone. First up will be the Free BOM which will be released, as always on the 15th of the month. So stay tuned. It's only next week :)

Are You Ready For My New Free BOM?

An InLinkz Link-up

Stash Busting the 2017 Way

January just continues to be super hectic! Today was my 42nd Wedding Anniversary, so we all celebrated with a family lunch. Unfortunately, today's lunch (just like Christmas and New Year's) happened during a stinking heatwave so we all stayed indoors and kept cool with the air con on.

My New Year's fabric resolution is to make a new tablecloth for every family occasion. That should give me 10 this year. And today was a good time to put my plans into action. I've been trying to make this cut of fabric into a tablecloth for years, and even thought I would create a table runner as a compromise when there wasn't enough to cover the table completely.

But then I found this speckled gold which perfectly matches the shades in the print so added it to the sides. There was just enough and I had less than an inch left over, so I'm very happy with my make-do cover. Now I'm keeping an eye out for the dusty dark teal that shows up throughout the print for some napkin rings and place settings for hot pots, and I'll be done.

I'm also planning on making at least 4 table runners this year, to run the whole length of the table during the week when I don't have a tablecloth down. With so much beautiful fabric on my shelves, I can't believe I haven't got around to doing this already.

Although I will mainly be stash busting, for our next family event I have my heart set on making a tablecloth from a fabric print with large fish on it. I'm after a Kaffee Fassett style and am sure I have seen such a fabric in his range in the past, so I've been looking for it online and hope to get it done before the end of February. 

As for the rest of my day, it was lovely.

There were flowers (of course, I always love an excuse to receive flowers!) and a trifle. I don't really understand trifles, basically they are cakes soaked in jelly topped in cream. Nevertheless, this one was delicious. And my DH and I even got a custom heart design to celebrate our Anniversary!

Delicious...

I like to change over all the quilts in my house each January, but I've been so hot and bothered this month so far, that I haven't given my yearly switch over much thought. Perhaps it will have to become a bi-annual thing!

WOW: Out With The Old, In With The New

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

This is me on Christmas morning, ironing my festive stenciled tablecloth. For those of you who wondered what an adaption of Red December looked like in a tablecloth - here it is. These are the exact same pattern motifs arranged over the space. I love this tablecloth, but I ruined it by adding a red fabric trim one year to the edges and then threw it in the washing machine - the red fabric bled and now my favorite tablecloth is tinted pink. I tried many formulas to save it, but it wouldn't budge. Whilst I was ironing it I realized that it would be for the last time - the fabric fibres are now distressed from all the dye removal solutions I tried and it's lost it's lustre. It's time to let it go. Mind you, the actual stencil paint I used didn't move at all - even after a last ditch attempt at bleaching. I'm seriously impressed. So for those of you feeling nervous at stencils, don't be. They last. As long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions, they last as long as commercially printed fabric. So, I'll be making another tablecloth sometime this year and I'll be stenciling it again too.

As it's now 2017, and I am so glad to welcome in a New Year, I've been thinking about WIP priorities. It looks like my WIPs for 2017 are all going to be about releasing new projects rather than finishing old ones. I certainly don't need any more WIPs, but I don't think that will stop me, I'm on a creative streak and will just go wherever my creative mood takes me! I hope that this year you'll join me on those adventures, I can't wait to share my new projects with you..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Phew!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Phew, it's over! Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas but when it's scorching hot and there's so much going on, it's easy to lose track of things - like time for instance. I had no idea it was Wednesday today. I only just realized a few moments before blogging this post which is why it's so late. Perhaps I shouldn't admit that I've lost track of the days, but it's true.

How was your Christmas?

Ours was hot. We had turkey and were hoping right until the last minute to do everything inside, but a forecast of 36c meant that we decided to cook everything outside on the BBQ. It was the only way to go. In my household, Christmas is always hectic, for right after the day itself it's straight into preparations for my youngest DD's birthday and it's a super busy time all round. The stinking heat just makes everything seem harder. Mind you, we have air conditioning so I shouldn't complain, but we do all feel fatigued and I can't wait for this hot spell to pass.

Hope you're all having a beautifully calm, family focused break. As for me, I'm grateful that my DH stocked up well before Christmas which means we don't have to venture out into the crazy sales and rush that's going on right now.

It's the last Wednesday for the year! 

What are you up to today?

An InLinkz Link-up

A Very Hot Christmas Eve

The wafers are made and resting (below), and the dough for our once a year 'mlinci' is finally done too. I'll post the full recipes later in the week. 

Today I've been cleaning and setting the table for what will be a scorching Christmas Day - 36c!
Today was also 36c although our outside house thermometer, which is always more accurate that the news report, reached a reading of 38c. Yes, it's going to be a very hot Christmas!

There are some dishes we only make and eat at Christmas which I always look forward to making with my DDs in the week leading up to the day, but this year we scaled back our cooking plans at the last minute to just the essentials. We have air conditioning and it's fine inside our house, but I find the weather makes cakes and other baked goods misbehave. So we're keeping it as low key as we can this Christmas.

With the temperature soaring, we've decided to bake our Turkey on the BBQ rather than indoors, and will keep our oven working to a minimum.

Now I'm off to water the poinsettias before bed, I don't want them expiring before Christmas Day lunch !

WOW: Christmas Baking

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Wow, what a year it's been! I'm surprised that it's Christmas time already and even more surprised that it's Christmas baking time. It just doesn't feel like December to me. Oh well, there's no doubt it is and I just have to mentally catch up to start 2017 feeling like it really is a New Year.

Many years ago, we moved to gift free Christmases as we realized that we had everything we needed and wanted. In the years since, Christmas time has been free of any shopping frenzy and we usually spend the week leading up to Christmas together at home, baking and talking about the year ahead.

Some years, it's simply too hot to bake in Australia and other years, like this year, we're doing more assembling than 'baking' itself. Today I'll be making Wafers with my youngest DD who finished work yesterday, my other DD finishes work on Friday so she'll just enjoy our wafers and miss out on our kitchen gathering this year. We'll be talking lots of photos for her and no doubt I'll post the recipe here once we've finished. The yearly recipe cycle is an important one on my blog because no matter how many times I write my recipes out, or how many times my DDs watch and join me in making it, they always want the recipe again. Now, they just check out my blog! Are you ready for Christmas? Is it just me or does the Festive Season feel different this year?

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Peach Biscuits for Christmas

***This is a re-post from 2010***

I first posted this recipe in 2008, it's one of those recipes that's just always been in the family, always impresses and is a real treasure to share. And I always re-post this blog entry in the week before Christmas each year, as about now is the time when people start calling me for the recipe! There are a few versions around, but they all end up at the same place: an almost too cute to eat peach. Perfect with tea and delightful in the afternoon....or anytime. It's fun to make with children and a wonderful classic to introduce into your 'what to bring?' repertoire. With December fast upon us, if you haven't made a peach before...why not try one now?

I'm always being asked about this recipe and make a point of making them at Easter and Christmas. They have a very special place in my family and have become a family favourite. I have tried a few different versions in all the years I've been making them and they were all delicious (except for the shortbread version which completely crumbled - what was I thinking??) but this recipe below is the staple I keep returning to. 

Feel free to experiment and make it your own. You have extra liberty with the filling - my favourite is firmly nuts, leftover crushed biscuit and condensed milk with a splash of rum. But I've enjoyed nutells mixed into crushed nuts, a paste of dried raisins and rum and even lindt chocolate balls softened in the microwave and then squashed between the two sides. You can really do anything as long as it holds and keeps. Another nice touch is to add a sprig of stem to the peaches (break off a piece of pretzel) and add mint leaves immediately before serving. 

I was planning on making an extra large batch this year, but it's been too hot down my way. It's over 41c today and Christmas day is forecast for 37c with hot days all between - the worst weather for biscuit making, so it looks like I'll be giving my baking a miss this year. Still, for those of you able to bake and interested in trying out this traditional, charming biscuit - here it is:

click the read more tab below to view the full recipe and instructions.

My Sweet Bee Background!

I'm still going on with my new background idea. I will be removing the aqua border as it just doesn't work. I added an extra 1.5 inches to my background measurement, but after stitching lines, it shrunk more than I expected and I am now running short for the border.

Can you even believe it? Such basic mistakes! What am I doing?!

 So it looks like I will have to mix up my borders between the black and yellow. 

 Like so:

With Christmas next week, I was hoping to get this wall hanging done, but I no longer think this will be possible. For one thing, I'm not 100% about my background yet! I think I will pause for now and watch and see what everyone over in the Sweet 2016 Group is opting for on their backgrounds...I need some perspective!