WOW: My Final Background?!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Sweet 2016 has just three months left before it's finished. It feels like I started this tempting wall quilt just yesterday..and now it's time to start thinking about how to quilt it. But first, I have to choose a background. My problem? I love each of the backgrounds I've auditioned - the light ones, the dark ones, the printed ones, the floral ones, the plain ones. They all seem to pull the quilt into a different direction in terms of mood and style - the problem is that each direction is just so pretty, I simply can't decide!

Yesterday I was looking for pinks to make my DD's wedding quilt - and look what I found! This is a fabric I've been hanging onto for ...7 years? Possibly 10. I have always loved this fabric - but could never find a project suitable enough to use it in. You see, I really never wanted to cut into the fabulous plates, I wanted to show them off. At the moment I'm thinking I have found my background, but I will do a final test and pin all my finished trays on top and decide for sure before cutting into this precious stash item. Fingers crossed!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Sweet 2016, Part 9: Rosette Cake

This month is a whole lot of fun, we’re making a Rosette Cake—a gorgeous decoration style that uses piped swirls to resemble lines of roses. Our rose swirls are made from yo-yo’s and are topped with tiny ribbon roses for that finishing touch. My ribbon skills aren't quite up to making these little finishing roses, so I purchased mine. They can be purchased inexpensively at any craft store. I actually bought mine off ebay for $2

When making your yo-yo’s be mindful of the 4 sizes used throughout the cake. There are three large yo-yo sizes and 12 mini yo-yo’s that slot in-between. Trace the cake background as a plain, simple shape. Then, make your yo-yo’s. When completed, add them on top of the cake background base. The mini yo-yo’s will be tucked in between the larger ones, so don’t worry about overlapping, it’s fine. I’ve indicated an X where 3 ribbon roses belong on top of yo-yo’s that can’t otherwise be seen.

Will you opt for lovely pink like I have? Or perhaps two shades of chocolate? Creamy white or lemon? I can’t wait to see!

Here's how I made mine:

First I cut out my cake background, then I set about making all the yo-yo's according to the sizes listed in the pattern. 

Once all my yo-yo's were complete, I popped them into place. You can see that my yo-yo's all fit nicely into the cake: if you keep to the yo-yo sizes listed, yours will too. The only yo-yo's you need to squeeze in are the mini yo-yo's in light pink. They get slotted in between the larger yo-yo's and the ones surrounding the centre yo-yo are almost invisible - but each one will still get it's finishing rose.

Now it's time for the finishing touch - ribbon roses. You can buy these in several sizes at many craft and haberdashery shops. Of course, if you're handy with ribbon work, you can always make your ribbon roses ;) As for me, I'm not so handy with ribbon and I found these on Ebay for an inexpensive $2

too cute !

I sewed these all in. You know how much I love gluing things in place to save time when I can, but there's a limit to glue and these ribbons need to be stitched down. 

Remember that all the yo-yo's need a mini ribbon rose - even the yo-yo's you can barely see around the centre large yo-yo (below). The centre top rose is a bit squashed but it still works and looks better than if it wasn't there.

This is where we are up to, quilt wise:

Just 3 more blocks to go!

'Sweet 2016' is my current Mystery Applique BOM

It's just $3.95 per month

Delivered digitally, to your email inbox each month

And don't forget to join my Sweet 2016 BOM Group over on Facebook too!

Understanding the pattern release schedule: anyone can join Sweet 2016 at any time and when they do, they will receive a new block each month from that point onward. The day they receive each new block will depend on the date they signed up and made their first payment. Everyone who starts Sweet 2016, starts at the beginning, Part 1. Specific blocks cannot be purchased out of turn. 

Whenever you choose to start this BOM, be sure to keep us updated on your progress by sharing your work over in our Sweet 2016 BOM Facebook Group, see you there!

Sweet 2016, Part 8: Linzer Torte

September's cake dome, Part 8,  is a celebration of home baked beauties. Starting with the lovely Linzer torte (a raspberry filled pie which could just as easily be a cherry or apple variation), we also have a mini chocolate lined pie crust filled with plums or berries, a strawberry shortcake biscuit peeking out from behind and an almond cake for one drizzled with chocolate, topped with an irresistible strawberry.

Here's how I made mine:

As always, it's a matter of preparation and prepping of each individual piece based on the pattern. Even though it's my pattern, I still mark out all the shapes to keep in control of what's going on. The image you see below is a reversed copy of the pattern which allows me to use fusible directly instead of creating templates and flipping them over. 

After I've selected my fabrics and ironed down my fusible which acts as the template, I line up all the fabric shapes in groups for placement over the pattern accurately. 

Pinning everything in place over the pattern to make sure my pieces don't 'grow'

Gluing the layers down

with the pie filling added, looks like this

 As it happens, I made two pies and this is the first one I made, the fabric I used matches the Raspberry Charlotte fabric from the earlier block which I really liked, but I decided to donate this applique motif for a cushion for a friend who simply loves Linzer Torte! I made the final one you see in the finished images from slightly darker fabrics, which I prefer on my wall hanging.

This was originally a plum tart, but when I found a scrap of fabric printed with berries, I couldn't resist and changed my tart to a custard and berry one. And, why not? Make and change each delicacy to suit you ..and your stash!

The biscuit peeking through is a strawberry shortcake biscuit. These were everywhere when my DD was a little girl, over 30 years ago now, and I popped one in just for fun :)

And this is where we are up to, quilt wise.

'Sweet 2016' is my current Mystery Applique BOM

It's just $3.95 per month

Delivered digitally, to your email inbox each month

And don't forget to join my Sweet 2016 BOM Group over on Facebook too!

Understanding the pattern release schedule: anyone can join Sweet 2016 at any time and when they do, they will receive a new block each month from that point onward. The day they receive each new block will depend on the date they signed up and made their first payment. Everyone who starts Sweet 2016, starts at the beginning, Part 1. Specific blocks cannot be purchased out of turn.

Whenever you choose to start this BOM, be sure to keep us updated on your progress by sharing your work over in our Sweet 2016 BOM Facebook Group, see you there!

WOW: Mid October..Already?!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

One of these mornings I'm going to wake up to find out it's Christmas Day, just like that. Well, that's how days feel to me right now. I'm in a complete fog and my feet have barely touched the ground I've been so busy. It's just been one of those years I think.

So, because I don't have anything better to do, I decided to make a tablecloth. Because, why not? Of course I have many other things I should be doing, but we have a tradition of making a new tablecloths every birthday (I don't know how this started) and I was all out of ideas. Then I found this fabric in my stash and it's far too lovely to just be sitting on a shelf. As you can see from the above pic which has flowers on the table, Lily Rose on the wall and these roses spread out for us to enjoy - the women of this house are somewhat flower crazy! 

I stitching two halves together to cover my enormous table and then over locked the hems and voila - a new tablecloth. We all love it. Over the top? Of course!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Love Entwined, by Bunny

I was over the moon when I found out that Bunny had completed her LE.. but that was nothing compared to how I felt when I actually saw her finished quilt - WOW! Bunny has created a wonderful Love Entwined Quilt - made in harmonious fabric tones that shine. I am head over heels with this beauty and besotted with all the lovely details you'll be able to see for yourself in the close up images. Of course, we all know and love Bunny as the talented quilter that she is whilst also being known to many of us as one of our tireless Moderators over in the BOM Group. How she finds the time to continue creating beautiful quilts in such quick succession I don't know, but I'm sure glad she does!

Head over to the Love Entwined Gallery to see gorgeous images of Bunny's beautiful quilt for yourself. The images are far too large for blogger to handle, so see them in style over in the gallery by clicking here now 

Bunny, I'm in love with your Love Entwined and your progress reminds me to get on with finishing my own masterpiece! Thank you for sharing your incredible work for all of us to enjoy.

WOW: What A Week!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Well, September was quite the whirlwind! As well as the wedding and passing away of the newlywed's beloved dog, my other DD had her birthday on Sunday and I managed to strain a muscle in my back - so with all my good plans and intentions, I've been in bed, taking Voltaren and resting up instead. Hopefully the rest of the year will carry on with a much calmer note for me - I have plans and would like to make a start on them as soon as possible. Hopefully I won't be straining anything else and can get back to 'work'. I feel all out of sorts having been away from my fabric! It's been quite the week and I'm looking forward to getting back to my old self.

We're still waiting on the professional photos from the wedding, but here is a sneaky peak to prove that the dress in question really did make it to the mountain top :) I can't wait to share more with you..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Goodbye Loki

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm so sad and missing this gorgeous doggy face today. You see, my daughter's much loved English Mastiff died yesterday whilst she is still away on her honeymoon. Without warning she suddenly grew weak and became breathless. Despite getting her to a vet and then two animal hospitals, there was nothing they could do to save her. She died whilst they were taking x-rays of her chest. It's come as a shock to learn that she had a heart murmur which wasn't detected despite a lot of care and attention from vets for her other issue which was arthritis in her knee joint. As she was only 4 years old, her death is completely unexpected and of course, the timing couldn't have been worse. So for us, it's been a sad way to end a beautiful month for our family.

I love all animals, but Loki was extra special. Until recently we always had large dogs - Mastiffs, Newfoundland's and Rottweilers. We've loved them all. When our last Mastiff died 18 years ago, we decided that we had passed those prime years of caring for such high maintenance dogs ourselves, but of course we still has a soft sport for them as a breed. When my DD decided on an English Mastiff as her pet, I was looking forward to enjoying that special company again...but with much less work on my end!  Loki was unusual for two reasons - she was often mistaken for a male because of her extra large size and dark muzzle and she also had an unusually gentle nature. Mastiff's are known as being gentle anyway, but she was without a doubt the most sweetly natured and gentle dog I have ever met. She was a real treasure and we already miss her. 

With so much going on, my DD is coming home tomorrow from her honeymoon and it's my other DD's birthday on Sunday, I simply haven't been online at all. If you have emailed me or tried to contact me via Facebook - I apologize, I simply haven't even been online to check. I will be catching up on emails for the rest of the week and hope to get back on track before Monday.

Who's Your Most Missed Pet?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Dressed to Impress..Just!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

What a week it's been! Thank you everyone for all those good thoughts you sent my way last week - it was an eleventh hour dash and I got over the finish line ....just. I know your positivity made all the difference. I got a second gust of energy just when I needed it and stitched my last stitch (the inside hanging ribbons) at the stroke of midnight and then my DD beaded until 2.30am. At 3.30 am we were driving to the airport.

This photo was taken at 11.30pm, it was the final fitting and you can see from our faces that we are tired, elated and relieved - all at once. All I kept thinking was, oh dear, it's close!

I can't wait to share more dress details and return to blogging once my feet return to the ground.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Burning the Midnight Oil

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I now have 48 hours left to finish my DDs wedding dress. Luckily for me, I don't just believe in miracles, I rely on them. So far, I'm still working on the most complicated bodice of my entire sewing life. Please send plenty of positive thoughts my way, I need all the help I can get.

You'll find me behind my sewing machine...

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Behind the Seams

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

The wedding is in 10 days and the dress isn't done. Am I busy today? Yes!

Here I am stitching up English coutil for a fitting whilst my DD tries out her new advanced foil snow jacket (she's getting married in the snow on a mountain top) and needs to stay warm in between dress shots! But first, she'll need a dress to stand in! It's been one thing after another with this dress and we only just purchased the last of the actual dress material on the weekend. So today, it's more work on the bodice which I'm boning. The lace has been been a big hassle with issues regarding the sleeves. I haven't had a moment to blog about it. My DD has been waiting around and kindly launching patterns for me by drawing them up on the computer while she waits, so it hasn't been unproductive but now we've entered the zone, She will be getting on a plane on the 15th of this month, so let's just say - I'm busy! Can't wait to share all the details with you soon...

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Stash Busting Stars - How I Make The Blocks

Once you know how, you'll be putting your stars together in no time at all. I sometimes hand sew them together in front of the TV, I love how easy they are.And of course, they're perfect for EPP too. 

Here's how I make mine

 Create TEMPLATE A and sew in TEMPLATE B

 and then TEMPLATE B REVERSED

 Like so

 open the Y seam nicely

 now insert TEMPLATE C

so you end up with a diamond 'unit'

here are three 'units' waiting to be sewn together

 Next, create 'unit 2' which consists of TEMPLATE C & D

and then, sew the 'units' together, creating your block

As you can see, I like to use fusible for my shapes, it make assembling easier, especially as I usually put my stars together away from my sewing studio - I like to do it outside in the garden or bring it with me when we get away for weekends. It's also perfect for EPP. 

 and it's ideal for fussy cutting and showing off beautiful details

I'm completely in love with this quilt, it's so versatile. From fussy cutting an exquisite top to using up fabrics in a stash busting mission - it just works. And if you ever get bored, you can turn your diamonds inside out for a hexagon centre - I bet you weren't expecting that?!