WOW: Christmas Rum Raisins

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Yes, I said Christmas!

This morning I noticed our Rum Jar was empty. 'No big deal' I thought, 'I've got plenty of time to make another one in time for Christmas'. And then I realised. It is Christmas (well, yes, nearly!) and I don't have plenty of time.

My birthday is usually a kind of tipping point. I start thinking about Christmas after my birthday. Well, it was a tipping point, this year the Christmas stock reached my local shops at the end of September, so it never really feels like the Christmas season has 'arrived' instead it comes early and waits around whilst I'm doing the october birthday shopping. And then because I get used to seeing goods everywhere, I almost forget about preparing for it.

So before I even had my first coffee of the day, I filled the jar with a mix of raisins, sultanas and currants (luckily we had some deep in the pantry) and added just enough rum to cover the fruit.

And I'll give it a shake every few days to help it mellow and mature a little faster (it's usually a January task and I let it sit all year), and if there are any more warm days (which I'm sure there will be) I'll try to remember to leave it on the window ledge for a few hours too. Hopefully that will make up for my missed time...and my traditional christmas baking won't have to go without out drunken raisins.

When baked in cakes and biscuits, you can't taste the rum in the end product - it simply tastes rich and warm and aromatic. Of course, it's also really good over vanilla ice cream and the thick syrup that congeals in the jar is something of an elixir to drizzle over crepes. I'll definitely make a full batch in January again as this half jar will only get us over the festive season.

Where has the year gone?

Do you have any Christmas WIPs ?

Happy Birthday to Me!

Well, I celebrated my birthday this past Sunday! Yes, it's already been a year since I last wrote a birthday post. The years are passing by faster as I get older, that's for certain.

I had a quiet family celebration, it was a beautiful day.

Of course there was an extravagant birthday cake

thanks to my youngest DD

delicious

and there was plenty of the nicest gift you can give: flowers!

A wedding bouquet of flowers

a vase of flowers

flowers outside a box

flowers inside a box

funeral casket flowers

(don't worry, it's not from a real funeral, my DD is in training)

and a garden plucked fragrant rose!

Along with my floral mystery BOM Forget Me Not,

it feels like it's really been a year for flowers in my household!

WOW: Block Tinkering

WOW = WIPS On Wednesdays

I've been arranging and re-arranging my quilt positions. I'm making 2x of Forget Me Not and although I've already decided on where I'll have each block, I have to keep checking and re-arranging just to make sure.

One block which has really been bothering me lately is Morning Glory.

Every time I looked at this block I wanted to change something. I purposely choose 4 instead of the usual focus of 3 in terms of symmetry - that wasn't what was bothering me. I looked over a few Morning Glory images and realised that it was the position that needed fixing. I think the Morning Glories are the wrong way up (well, maybe not the 'wrong way') but I must admit that after some unpicking and re-positioning....

I'm much happier now, with the Morning Glories

tumbling down

instead of trumpeting up

(and I also lost a leaf)

It's such a minor thing, but I feel so much better having adjusted this block. Now I'm done tinkering and get on with more important things...like the next block!

How's your wednesday ? 



Blogger's Quilt Festival

Thanks to Amy

for once again hosting this wonderful festival!

I've been taking part in this festival since Amy started it, and I always think, "what a great idea!" and love spending an afternoon in a comfy chair with a cup of coffee and visiting so many wonderful blogs and reading all the stories behind your quilts and projects, welcome to my blog!

Peony is the very first block from my quilt "Forget Me Not" which is an applique wall quilt designed to celebrate and enjoy the beauty of flowers. I have selected and designed applique flowers that have a special meaning and significance to me- and which I know I'll love looking at for years to come once the quilt is finished.

Peony is a special block for me as it's one of my favourite flowers. I've turn edge appliqued this block, which was time intensive but definitely worth the extra effort. The fabric used is from my own hand dyed stash and the petals have been highlighted and heat set with white pencil.

I will be writing "Peony" in the name scroll when I come to the end of my quilt. There is also a frame to come around this block, and perhaps some embroidered details too. I know that a member of my Yahoo BOM group added a little ant (apparently peonies require ants to bloom?) so this seems a nice touch to consider!

I am really enjoying making each block for this quilt and cant wait to see my quilt on the wall where it can be enjoyed all year. Each month there are 2x applique floral designs to choose from. Well, of course I couldn't resist and am making 2x at the same time (one is a light yellow background and the other is a dark charcoal background). Most quilters taking part in the mystery are making 1x of the quilt, so each month they select 1x block.

What I really love about this design option is that each month you have a choice and this also means that no two Forget Me Not Quilts will be the same!

The Mystery BOM so far:

1. Instructions
2. Peony & Sunflower
3. Calla Lily & Cosmos
4. Wild Rose and Lilac & Jacob's Ladder
5. Forget Me Not & Poppy
6. Morning Glory & Sweet pea
7. Crown of Thorns & Magnolia
8. Violet and Pansy & Hibiscus
9. Tulip & Snow Drop

half way through and the mystery continues...

Next free block released on November 15th!

These are blocks from my free 2012 Mystery BOM

Forget Me Not

Yes, anyone can join in:

You can download this month's block via my website or my Yahoo Bom Group 



WOW: Quilting Retreat

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm back from a quilting retreat this last weekend. It was wonderful. I really had a chance to catch up on some neglected quilting without any of my usual distractions at home (like sorting through my studio shelves, below) and of course, the company was lovely too.

Something which I couldn't wait to share when I got home was this 'quiz' from the retreat

Seeing I'm so into flowers and running a Mystery Flower BOM,

it's a sure thing I'd know them all ....right??

Well not quite, I only managed 3 or 4 !

Have a look and see how many you know...

I'll post the answers up in a few days

and today? more shelf work and general sorting through the sewing room

How's your wednesday?

WOW: Healing Hearts

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Something I've long loved about quilting is how personal and personable it can be at the same time. I can spend hours sewing alone having a wonderful time...and yet my quilting experience wouldn't be complete with my friendship groups, my online groups and the assistance and friendship that quilting and quilter's so easily lend themselves to.

Healing Hearts are something we've probably all made. I love everything about them. Just recently I've had a few requests from new quilters for a 'pattern' for a Healing Heart.

Of course, a Healing Heart can mean many things to different groups; the size and design can be altered to suit specific needs. I know there are a lot of patterns out there for this very thing, so go with what suits you.

My own pattern is quick and easy. In my Yahoo Bom Group we create 6.5 inch blocks as a standard (so the recipient has equal sized blocks) and we usually sign our hearts too.

I've drawn up a block pattern which is a good starting point. I like turn edge applique and a double heart in the centre, but of course it's up to you how and where you affix your own heart and if you like a skinny or rounded heart. I also like to add corners. Again, it's up to you. Go with what feels right.

Healing Hearts are a way for us to show support and encouragement to fellow members who are having a difficult time or experiencing hardships. These 'quilt hugs' are a way for us to show that we care and are keeping them in our thoughts and prayers.

You can download my Healing Hearts pattern via my Yahoo Bom Group or via my Website.

What's your WIP today?

Tulip and Snowdrop

Suprised it's already October and suprised it's already time for Part 9

But here we are, and whatever else is going on, it always feels nice to launch the new monthly block

I've opted for gentle pinks again: I fussy cut for colour graduation from my hand dyes. I always knew hand dying an entire rainbow spectrum would come in useful one day and I love digging into the stash too! Just recently I've realised that I'm avoiding the use of 'prints' in my quilts. Of course I still love prints and will always have a place for them, but now I think twice before using them in my quilts...

edge turn applique

so easy and so satisfying

and there's room for a flying spotted friend or two...

You've got a good spectrum of colours for you tulip,

I went for pinks and greens to go on my yellow background

and like every month, preperation is key

fussy cutting tones from my pink hand dyes

Snowdrop was always going on my dark background quilt

Crisp clear colours that shout spring, sure it could have worked on the yellow background, but I love the promise it holds against a cold winter night sky

 the vibrant spring greens really had to stand out against the black

 and like last month, I've made 1x edge turn applique block and 1x raw edge applique

 raw edge applique with silver embroidery floss for snow flakes

There's always lots of block action, advice, tips and images over in my Yahoo Bom Group, so if you're making the mystery, join us!

 

These are blocks from Part 9

of my free 2012 Mystery BOM Forget Me Not

Yes, anyone can join in:

You can download this month's block via my website or my Yahoo Bom Group