Diamond Hill: Part 6 is Launched

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

Members of my BOM Group over on Facebook have access to Part 6 of Diamond Hill via the 'FILES' area of our Group. For those of you not on Facebook, you can download Part 6 right here and right now by clicking the Diamond Hill Part 6 button above. The download (in PDF format) will automatically begin downloading.

WOW: Scallops, Scallops Everywhere..

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I adore scallops (or do you call them clamshells?) I've always thought and referred to them as scallops and now I can't get out of the habit. Anyhow, I have a whole stash of gorgeous black and white and grey fabrics that I decided to just start scalloping and stacking up to make a new quilt top.

It's a gorgeous way to stash bust and I'm loving every minute of it. Right now, it's not too demanding on my eyes or mind either which is just what I need. I have a wonderful I pattern designed for scallops and I'm using my Template from that pattern, the only problem is I can't show it to you as I don't know where it is - I simply cannot find it! It's called Shelly and when I come across it, I will be putting all these scallops to use. The only thing I know is the number of scallops I need because I wrote it on my template! For now I will just keep making scallops until Shelly shows up.

Last week I was all excited about Koi Garden and planned on releasing it but then I came down with a 2 day vertigo attack. I'm still not 100% after that and am taking it easy. It means my exciting art quilt plans for Koi Garden have to wait until I feel well enough to tackle it. My vertigo attacks and ear aches are really keeping me mostly away from my screen. I don't have the nerves to sit behind a computer for long enough to do anything with it.

So, it's all about the simple scallops for me today..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Winter Creativity

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

This is a partial image of my wall hanging Dream Fountain. Most of you will recognize it as it's become something of a 'mascot' to represent my work. I use it here on my blog and over on my website and also on my creative cards and what not, it's an intriguing piece and not a week goes by without someone asking for the pattern. And that got me thinking. You see, autumn and winter are very creative seasons for me, it's usually when I get the most done. And right now I'm in a flurry of designing and creating and sampling.

In fact, I'm hardly online these days at all, I'm off in my studio working whilst the daylight is still strong. And just yesterday I found my folio containing all my water garden themed wall hangings and there's a sister design to Dream Fountain in there that I haven't made yet. As soon as I saw it, I remembered the plans I had for it - the same fabrics and colours as Dream Fountain and carrying on in the same theme. Looking at it with fresh eyes, my enthusiasm and passion for another wall hanging has been renewed. And now I have to admit, I have started another adventure. I know this is WOW and I know I have WIPS and I know I have set aside the second half of this year to complete my very own Love Entwined masterpiece. But inspiration has called out to me.. and I must respond.. I'll show you my progress on Friday.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Back to Bed!

WOW =  WIPs On Wednesdays

It's been cold, wet and windy down my way which is the perfect time to get some serious WIP progress done. As you can see from the leaves of my backyard tree here, the colours right now are burnished and beautiful. It's a perfect time for getting inspired and creative. And you know, I had plans for this week, but they were not to be. I've been back in bed with a cold and a frightening attack of what I found out was vertigo - apparently brought on by my cold, although I've never experienced anything like it before.  I only have myself to blame - I went outside for a walk and forgot to put cotton in my ears and came down with a chill. I'm afraid that's all it takes, I'm one of these people who needs to be rugged up and plugged against cold winds at all times. However, I thought I knew better, so when I set out without the cotton in my pockets where it usually is, I simply decided to keep on anyway, instead of turning back. That'll teach me!

So today I'm sitting up in bed, eating warm soup and feeling so annoyed with myself.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Love Entwined: By Patricia Henderson McLaughlin

Here's what Patricia Henderson McLaughlin shared over on Facebook today:

"My quilt guild's quilt show (Hill Country Quilt Guild in Kerrville, TX) is this weekend & my LE won 2nd place in the Kit/BOM category. I machine quilted it on my domestic sewing machine. A labor of love for me & I'm so proud of my work. Again, thank you Esther Aliu for a beautiful pattern.If you're in the Kerrville, TX area, please come by & see the beautiful quilts!"

It makes my day when quilter's share the progress of their quilt updates, thanks so much Patricia for sharing your good news with us all.

If you're making LE yourself, don't forget to share it with us all - it's too special not to show off! And if you're making LE, we now have a dedicated Group over on Facebook where you can share info and updates as you quilt along..

WOW: Linky Fun For Everyone

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

This week I did the most important seasonal thing possible for my WIP pile: I resisted the urge to start knitting an afghan. I love knitting and crochet and have lots of ideas for a crazy, colourful yarn eater afghan for the corner of my lounge room. My favorite chair is in a cold spot and my existing ripple afghan has been keeping that chair warm for 5? 6? 7? years now. I feel like it's time for a new one. And given that it's so cold down my way, the temptation to put away my applique prep board and start knitting is very strong. It doesn't help either that Anne Marieke, one of my Group Moderator's has just hooked up some gorgeous crochet blocks that have my fingers twitching. You can see her blocks by clicking here. 

But I cannot start yet another WIP.  Even if it is impossibly warm and cozy at this chilly and gloomy time of year. I'll just have to rely on my quilt blocks to cheer me up and keep me warm. I don't need the distraction. Or an excuse to buy yarn. I'll just have to make do with a warm cup of coffee and a browse through my favourite knitting blogs for those feelings of cosy inspiration and satisfaction.

Speaking of blogs, if you haven't added your blog to my Creative Blog Directory, then you really should. It's simply a linky blog list to link creative blogs according to interest - to help us all find and enjoy them. It's free to link up your own blog so be sure to stop by and let your favorite creative bloggers know too. 

As for me? I have a quilt block to finish..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Bloggers, Let's Connect & Create !

I've gone ahead and started another blog! 

It's actually a blog for other bloggers to join 

It's called 'Creative Bloggers' and it's now open. 

You simply add you own blog to the creative linky list the best describes your blog. If your particular interest isn't there yet, simply let me know (via the comments on the page) and it can be added. Sounds simple? It is. The site is completely free and it's purpose is to list creative based blogs only. It will be moderated to keep out spammers and inappropriate content, but that's it.

Sometimes it's hard to imagine my creative schedule before blogging. When I started out, I had no idea how much it would become part of my daily routine. Now I just snap images as I work without even thinking about it - I just assume I'll be blogging it.

I've been doing it so long now that I can keep my screen time to a productive minimum without feeling like a slave to the computer.  There's something so satisfying about having a record of work practices at the click of a button.

I did think I would outgrow blogging, but it hasn't happened yet and I doubt it will. In addition to my own blogging habits, there are hundred's of blogs I love to visit each week on a whole range of topics - from gardening to painting to rug making. It really has become a kind of worldwide 'meet up' of creative people sharing what they love.

Blogging has had a huge impact on my creative process - it's kept me accountable to WIPs, reminded me of my progress and most important, it's been the reason why I've met so many wonderful new friends. So, to celebrate creative blogging spaces  I've started up a Blogger's Linky Site devoted to Creative Bloggers. 

So if you're a blogger interesting in finding other creative bloggers, or if you're a keen reader looking for inspiration, go ahead and visit Creative Bloggers!

www.creative-bloggers.com

WOW: Blooming Wednesday Again?!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

How do Wednesdays keep coming around without feeling like it's been 7 days in between? I can't believe it's been a whole week since my last WOW and yet here I am. On Sunday, I rolled out of bed for Mother's Day which was very nice as I didn't have to do a thing. I've been battling a nasty cold and ulcer for the last 2 weeks and have been generally under the weather, but managed to get up for lunch on Sunday and just generally take it easy. All the flowers in the house have been an inspiration and I love having them around, but they always make me a bit sad because it's cold down my way and with the heating on, they simply won't last! My DD's always complain that -I- complain about this, but I can't help it. I like seeing flowers in the garden! And on quilts :)

Otherwise, I've been working on my DD's wedding wall hanging - prepping all the pieces so I can just WOW them into position one lovely afternoon (and make it all look so quick and easy!). People always ask me how I get my applique done so quick? There is no quick, I just prep at every available opportunity and it somehow comes together.

I also unwound Lily Rose this past weekend and had a little 'changing of the quilts' on my walls. I missed Lily Rose and like having her back up on my walls (behind me in this pic). Now I just have to buy a different mounting system so I don't have to look at the hanging stick. It's something I've been meaning to do for a while but never find the time. Anyway, speaking of time, I have applique prep to get on with!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Diamond Hill: Part 5 is Launched

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

Members of my BOM Group over on Facebook have access to Part 5 of Diamond Hill via the 'FILES' area of our Group. For those of you not on Facebook, you can download Part 5 right here and right now by clicking the Diamond Hill Part 5 button above. The download (in PDF format) will automatically begin downloading.

WOW: Back to Block 3

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

There are already stunning examples of Block 4 of Secret Garden being shown over in the Group as marvelous progress shots, but I am still playing with Block 3. I don't mind. I went enthusiastically into stitching my peeking cat face. A bit too enthusiastically as you can see from the buckling around the cat ear! I will fix that up today and also get my vase finished which will see my block finally done.

I'm so addicted to applique, I could just keep on like this each month indefinitely. But that is not the plan - next month Secret Garden takes a different turn and I can't wait to share the next step of the mystery with you. But for today, it's all about finishing Block 3.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'Mia May' Three Other Ways

Once I design a quilt, I just can't stop swatching all the options!

Here are three completely different colorways for Mia May:

Stone Pink

Antique Pink

Aqua Newsprint

OK, now I have to step away from the computer and get some actual quilting done...