Lemon Squeezy Stash Busting

I'm always being asked about free quilt patterns for beginners so I'm happy to pass on this link for McCall's Quilting Magazine. I received an email from them today, they have released several short ebooks for free download which you may like to know about. Their free quilt patterns are bright and vibrant - perfect if you have some printed fabric you'd like to show off.

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/free-modern-quilt-patterns

Going through my quilts, I haven't made as many modern quilts as I thought I would (I think I must love traditional applique too much), but I do like simple quilts and the Lemon Squeezy quilt in this ebook caught my eye. It's one of those quilts I always have in the back of my mind to get around to making one rainy day, but never have. Well, now I have the pattern so I might just go ahead and make it. I love the idea of quilting as I go and it looks like a perfect stash buster for turning out a fun modern quilt in a day (and I need a few of those around the house). What I really like about this pattern is that the strips are wider than usual, making it fast and easy. And I definitely have plenty of fabric to choose from.

This might just be the perfect project to get me motivated again - using up some fabric and warming up my machine - I haven't sewn anything for weeks! (months?). I've been too busy organising my sewing room to get any actual sewing done.

To receive your free ebook, simply click on the above image which takes you to the McCall's site.

I don't have any affiliation with McCall's so if you have any queries about the patterns or ebooks please contact them directly through their website.

FMN: Part 13 is launched

Forget Me Not is coming to it's sweet end. It's been a charming applique quilt, I've really enjoyed every block. But I shouldnt be talking about it like it's all finished now. Oh no, this might be the last applique block option, but next month is the quilt top reveal. Ready?

 

These are blocks from Part 13

of my free 2012 -2013 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: Fabric Distractions

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Yes, it's all mine and this is only 2x boxes unpacked. I'm beginning to realise that I might have to re-consider my 'essential' stack  again and have some kind of sale. There's just too much. And I have to accept now that each time I make up one of my quilts, I do like buying new fabric for the project specifically. Of course, every quilter needs something of a stash - it's vital. I just have too much. Still too much...and I really thought I'd cut back enough already. Seems not.

And then there's the fabric dilemmas, like this one: I love this medieval rose design. I purchased it for my DD for a quilt I was going to make her (which she doesn't want!). Now what should I do with this beautiful fabric? Get rid of it? I might have the perfect project for it one day...... or I might not. Who knows?

 Oh look! I can't get rid of this fabric, I was going to make a shirt from it. I love the print. The colours on monitor aren't coming up true - it's really a lovely warm orange with nice detail at the bottom of the fabric, it could be such a nice shirt.... what do you think?

 I bought all these fabrics because I loved them, parting with them is going to be hard!

What's your WOW?

Happy Travels Little Bear

It must be bear season; which is a little bit like kitten season. After weeks of no activity, all of a sudden I'm getting 2-3 emails a day asking for custom bears! An heirloom bear is a special thing, if you can make one yourself it's a wonderful legacy and if you can't, finding a handmade good quality bear is the next best thing.

a quick pic before postage!



This little Grizzly is on it's way to Norway I'm told. I always love it when a buyer is gracious enough to tell me where a bear of mine is going; it's so nice to know each and every one is going to a good home.

As I brush each bear for shipping, I fall in love with them all over again. When you make an heirloom by hand you do become attached to the characters you create as the faces and paws take shape. They're hard to part with!

When I was making bears I spent a long time (too long sometimes) sourcing the best German mohair, threading the nose thread through beeswax (manually of course) and shaping each face. I love a nicely hand stitched bear nose and I admit, it's one of the first things I always look for when I come across a hand made bear. It's such an important detail and really shows off the maker's skill.



I'm no longer making bears - they're just too time consuming. It takes a lot of skill and intense work to make a bear so I won't be taking on any custom orders or repeating patterns. What I have left in my Etsy shop is my attempt at downsizing what remains of my bear making days - they're the last of a lovely lot!

I have one small box of tools and premium mohair packed away just in case I have a family request in the years to come. Other than that, it's a hobby that I've enjoyed and moved on from.

Interestingly, my own DDs didn't have bears as children. Both were interested in dolls- and goodness knows I've made a few of those! They do both have a hand made bear of mine now, but they chose them in adulthood and I believe both are currently stashed away in boxes!

Did you have a special bear in childhood?  Do you still have it? Or did you have dolls?

WOW: Dabbling in the Garden

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Wrong time of year

Wrong time to pot

Wrong time to be outside

But I've spent so much time indoors this year so far,

sorting out my sewing studio, going through all my stuff, downsizing all my stuff, that I couldn't resist picking up this potted flower bunch when I was out grocery shopping.

I thought it was a lisianthus when the flowers were tightly curled, but it turned out to be a Prairie Rose.

And whilst I'm out here, I may as well get some weeding done. Before it heats up for the day.

Next week is the final part of the applique block installments of the Mystery Bom,

does it feel like the almost (nearly...) end yet??

I'm already excited about the next one.



What's Your WOW?

WOW: Oh, Not Much...

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm not much of a WOW host, am I?

I spend all my time tidying up, cleaning out and generally in a bit of a state. I should be showing all my WIPs to the wider world, one UFO at at time, I mean, it's only right and it's why I started WOW in the first place.

But I think I can be forgiven today, as I happen to be working on the next Mystery BOM. Yes, another one!

I shouldn't. My 'mystery' this year should be to unearth all my WIPs and get them done.

It's only right. And it's been so long since I started them that they probably would all my mysteries to me. But I can't help creating new things, so here I go again.

Add Your Own WOW!

WOW: Finding My Patterns

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Downsizing doesn't get any easier. I wish I could report on my progress since last week, but there's been so little of it. I thought I had enough room for the essentials, but it looks like I'm going to have to re-think what those essentials are. I haven't even started on my stash yet, and looking at my boxes I know more than half has to go. But what to do with it? It's all so beautiful which is why I chose it to begin with..and that's what makes it so difficult to part with. I keep re-finding old ideas with each new batch of prints, even though I know full well that each new quilt usually requires the purchasing of new fabric. I have to get around this or I'll never have the space I need.

On the plus side, I found a folio of my quilt patterns and I'm having a good look over what I want to make and looking at my calendar thinking about reasonable dates to get around to making it. There's another BOM in here somewhere and I'm deciding between mainly pieced or mainly applique? I feel like some piece work after FMN, but applique never loses it's allure either.

What's your Wednesday?