WOW: Pansy Production Line

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

It feels so good to be playing with applique again and I have lots to get through - because I'm making 2 x Hold Onto Your Heart quilts, I have 24 x pansy heads to make! First up, I'm working on the subtle quilt heads and after that, I'll run riot with some Kaffe Fassett prints for my bright version. There's nothing like cutting up some KFC to lift the mood after a grim week.

For my subtle heads, I'm heading towards darker pansies. I was really surprised to learn that a black pansy exists. As pansies represent thoughts, I liked the idea of moving into dark shades to represent strong ideas and definitive thoughts and it makes sense on my subtle quilt because I don't want my pansies washing out into the background, I want them to stand out. As you can see in the pic above, I'm still playing around with how to balance the streak of yellow. I'll be experimenting today.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

HOYH: Magic Applique Mirrors

Do you have one of these mirrors? I love them for helping me pick my fussy cuts and for finding potential in fabric prints - and you know how much I like playing with fabric. Well, this mirror method is addictive.

I have a few of these mirrors in my stash, this is just the one I pulled out today. I find that they're each as good as the other and I don't have a preference.

When it comes to picking out fabric for fussy cutting, the mirror method really helps. Especially for me, because sometimes I just love a fabric because it's beautiful and I have a hard time letting it go.. even though it won't work in the design. The mirror shows me the NO before I make any cutting commitments.

Nope, this fabric doesn't want to be used in my centre star.. NEXT!

 Oooh I like this potential star design, it's looks so folky - bit it doesn't feel right for HOYH.

This one below creates a kind of wild flower motif which is so lovely.. but again, doesn't 'feel' right

You can see I really loved this print because I refused to give up on it!

I tried it several ways

And each way changed the mood and feel of the strar

Nope, I didn't like this option either..

but I couldn't stop trying to get this fabric in the centre..

Until I stumbled across this beige foliage mix. 

Although the fussy cutting is so subtle, I do love the effect. 

And that grey that I was determined to get into the star found it's home in another layer.

Yep, sometimes you've just got to let the quilt tell you what it wants. 

HOYH definitely has it's own mind and I'm loving each step in the learning curve as I get there.

And the Applique Mirror is a real help and must have for fabric enthusiasts like me!

HOYH: Settled On My Heartfelt Centre

This is my heartfelt centre in the soft beige color scheme. I love it, it's really speaking to me. 

Originally I had my heart set on a true monochromatic scheme of greys but when my selected fabrics arrived, there were a lot of muted browns throughout the range which were nice and subtle, but too low contrast for me. Immediately I realized that this wasn't going to be a true monochromatic after all, that I would have to introduce some extra shades and make the grey work as a complimentary rather than a shaded scheme and you know what? That's fine. I always say that a plan is a good idea.. but I let the quilt guide me. And Hold Onto Your Heart is really calling the shots here.

My first 'background' fabric selection was this subtle yellow check. It's a soft yellow that calls out the very slight yellow shading in the grey print above. This grey floral is my contrast fabric in the quilt and I love how the yellow enhanced it so gently. I knew the quilt would shimmer and keep the eye moving with this kind of colour balance. I purchased enough for the whole quilt background and then some, I was set.

Or so I thought.

Look at this grey toned muted floral, isn't it a dream?

With my spotted grunge in the Heartfelt Centre, the fabric tones shifted just a bit .. and I now feel that this floral is a better match for the quilt background than the yellow.. which now feels a bit boring.

Yes, it's another fabric change. But what else is new? I know better than to fight the quilt, it will have it's way with my fabric selections, I just have to learn to listen. 

 And this is my back. 

Now it's time for me to head on over to the Group and get inspired by all the lovely centres coming together over there.

 'Hold Onto Your Heart' is a paid BOM 

It's a breathtaking quilt full of meaningful symbols and beauty. The floral border is a triumph which offers an additional  pieced option - making it versatile for all skill levels. Perfect for lovers and enthusiasts of applique. 

You can start this BOM today! 

Be sure to visit my Online Quilt 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: Summer Cold

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Well, I'm trying! Right now, a disgusting summer virus has me down, big time. It started with what I thought was a little sniffle last week. But a few days later I was in bed, sniffling and coughing and feeling miserable. Last week I was about to launch a new BOM and was packing my suitcase for a getaway with my DD the following day. I had it all planned out perfectly. Ha! Talk about best laid plans..

Instead, the BOM has been delayed and our little getaway had to be cancelled. It was such a shame too, as she had taken time off work and I was really looking forward to our little creative break. Oh well, I really can't complain. I have been feeling better in the last day or so. I feel strong enough for a few hours each day and check my emails and see what my Group members have been creating (this is the highlight of my sick bed days) before I go back to bed.

I have all the supplements, Sambucol and chicken soup anyone could wish for, now I just have to wait for this tide to pass. You've probably already noticed that I'm a terrible patient. I have no tolerance for any kind of sickness and am as cranky as I sound.

What's Your Favourite Cold or Flu Remedy?

An InLinkz Link-up

HOYH: Part 2 is Launched

This month our attention turns to the Pansy flower. Is any garden complete without a bed of pansies eagerly lifting up their little faces

The pansy got its name from the French word pensée which means "thought" and has historically been regarded as a token of love and remembrance. For this reason, the pansy appears in many embroidered garments and tapestries as a symbolic motif of love and thoughtfulness. It’s said that each pansy has it’s own face and considering the many shades and markings available in this species, I think it must be true!

When I was a little girl, we called pansies ‘cat’s faces’ which I haven't been able to track down to any origin, in German the pansy is called ‘stepmother’ whilst in Italy it’s known as ‘little flame’. I think each of these names somehow fit!

This flower comes in an impressive array of colours across the spectrum including true black which is very unusual in flowering species. It’s also an edible flower which contains many calming and anti inflammatory properties alongside beneficial nutrients and has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries as an ingredient in healing tonics.

I know you're going to give some serious thought to how you want your own pansies to look.. I can't wait to see them spring up over in the Group!

I'll be posting pics of my own pansies in the next few days.. 

Members, Part 2 is now waiting for you over in the Members Only Area. 

Head over there to download it.

'Hold Onto Your Heart' is a paid BOM 

It's a breathtaking quilt full of meaningful symbols and beauty. The floral border is a triumph which offers an additional  pieced option - making it versatile for all skill levels. Perfect for lovers and enthusiasts of applique. 

You can start this BOM today! 

Be sure to visit my Online Quilt Group on Facebook where progress images are being shown all the time. It's a massive inspiration and I warn you, it's addictive!