WOW: Sorting Out My Magazine Stash

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Just after I started blogging, I gave up all my magazine subscriptions. That was back when blogging was enjoying it's 'golden' phase and blogs were so up to date, informative and interesting that I had no need for magazines. I ended up with only two magazine subscriptions in my home and they were both gardening publications.

But since I started volunteer teaching young sewers to sew generally (rather than quilting specifically) two years ago, I have slowly eased back into my former magazine habit. It's been useful and interesting at times, but my interest has started to wane again. Right now I have 14 quilt related magazine subscriptions, 8 sewing subscriptions, 3 home and garden subscriptions and it's all too much. There seems to be magazines all over my house and I'm over it.

So today I'm sorting through my 'donate' stash and my 'keep' stash and well, I got a bit distracted and started flicking through them. These are the magazines for 2018 from January to May alone. It's too much and I'm running out of space. So it's time for a sort out..

Am I odd ..or do you stash magazine subscriptions too?

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'Love Entwined' by Barbara Baker

Barbara Baker of Canada has graciously allowed me to share these images of her 'Love Entwined' quilt with you all. Be prepared to swoon, it's utterly beautiful. She has called her quilt 'Love and Friendship' and has left off the swag border (the double bows) because she doesn't like swags. Fair enough! I must say, it doesn't detract one jot from this incredible work. The colours are a dream, so gentle yet so enticing. I love it when gentleness demands attention and Barbara has managed to create just the right balance.

The workmanship is incredible too. You won't be surprised to hear that this quilt just won "Excellence in Workmanship for Applique" at the Awards Ceremony of the Canadian Quilter's Association.

 Fabulous fussy cutting on the berry stems and the borderie perse is gorgeous too

 Aren't these colours just a dream?

And it looks like Barbara sailed through the most difficult block of the quilt (above) with those tiny swirling leaves. They look perfect!

 I'm sure you're also drinking in these details just as I am..

I'm in love. Thank you Barbara for allowing me to share your incredible talent and work with everyone here on my blog. 

You know, when I design a quilt, it's always a pleasure. But when I get to see that quilt made up, the pleasure is doubled. It really makes my day when quilters all over the world take the time to send me pics of their finished works. Thank you so much for taking the time to upload your images in the Group and for letting me use them. 

To see more incredible Love Entwined Quilts and projects, visit the LE Gallery, click here now

'Queen's Garden' by Jenny Henry

WOW! You might already know and admire Jenny Henry, she's a Moderator in my Facebook BOM Group and has delighted most of us with her stunning quilts. Jenny is prolific and whatever she makes is swoon worthy. Somehow, Jenny has an eye for fabrics. I say 'somehow' because it's a marvel to me that her choices are always so good. I can't boast of the same talent, so I just admire Jenny and give credit where it's due.

How fabulous is her Queen's Garden?

I think this combination of fabrics simply sparkle. I love it. 

Now the Queen's Garden BOM is not actually finished and all these Parts are not yet available. But as a Moderator, getting patterns ahead of time is a perk and I do encourage all the Moderators to show off their work, even when it's ahead of schedule, because it's so inspiring to see.

Now, Jenny Henry has her own blog, click here to visit

And the other thing is, if you type 'Jenny Henry" in my search bar, multiple posts will come up of Jenny's quilts that I have shown off over the years. Like I said, Jenny is prolific and inspiring. I genuinely wonder how she gets so much work done. I don't know how she does it, I'm just glad she does. Thanks for allowing me to show off your work Jenny, it makes my day when I can see my designs created by such a talented quilter.

Queen's Garden is my current free BOM

Yes, it's completely free.

We are currently up to Part 6

Jenny has finished her Queen's Garden quilt because she is a Moderator and gets patterns early. 

The complete pattern is not available, it is being released in parts. 

You can download all missed parts and catch up right now, it's not too late to join.

Parts are downloaded from my BOM Group on Facebook (image above).

There is also a dedicated 'Queens Garden BOM Group' if you'd like to join a group only focusing on this specific quilt. 

Morning Glory: Part 6

This month it's time for the quilt's namesake block: the trumpeting morning glory block.

It's a beautiful and hopeful block that marks the four directional points around the frame.

Here's how I made mine:

As usual there's a production line. You know I love my applique production lines..

 

I've chosen to break down my morning glory head into two parts, a larger 'windmill' shape background and smaller pieces to insert between the spaces.

Here I'm pinning my larger windmill shape into position

And adding the in between pieces neatly and carefully. 

I am actually glue basting tiny dots of glue on the overlap area to hold it all in position. 

 As I add each shape, I double check the pieces against the pattern shape to make sure it hasn't grown.

 Somehow this leaf has grown, so I will pull back the turn edge and wiggle it smaller, back into shape with the pattern outline.

 And here are my 4 Morning Glory blocks ready and set aside

 I stitched the red applique shape just for a bit of texture and I'm very happy with it.

Finished and set aside!

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!

WOW: Making Hearts

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Today I've dedicated the whole day to making Healing Hearts.

These are blocks that quilters and sewers send out to others in the community who are going through a trying time or difficulty; it's our way of sending a hug. Although small, it's such a comforting gesture to receive a heart that's been sent with love (and via the post too!) when you're feeling down. 

I don't know about you, but I've just realized that I don't get much 'heartfelt' mail these days. Somehow email and Facebook messages have taken over. But you know, there are times in life when only a posted item will do.

The last time I handled healing hearts was when my mum unexpectedly died. That was two years ago. Honestly, I'm still somewhat in shock over the whole thing. I haven't even thought of hearts since then, it's all been too painful. In fact I still have all the healing hearts that were sent to me in a special box. When I'm ready, I'll sew them up in a special memory project.

Last week I realized I was out of my own hearts to send out to others. I added it to my list of things to do and waited until the right moment. You see, I like to make Healing Hearts when I'm in a good mood, I really think it makes a difference to stitch them up when you're feeling grateful, inspired and hopeful. 

So it's me, my hearts, a big mug of coffee and some beautiful music as I prepare my own stash of stitched up 'hugs'. It's cold down my way and it's the perfect day to cosy up and create.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up