Happy Birthday to Me :)

It's my birthday today and as you can see, the festivities have already begun! I'm more of a savoury person than a sweet person, so although this is a lovely start, I have to admit that I'm more looking forward to a family lunch. As for that, I have no idea what we're having. My DD is in charge and I am blissfully unawares (except for the clattering coming from the kitchen). Birthdays are like our very own New Year's and my own birthday is always a time when I think about the year that was and the year to come. This year I'm thinking about how busy I've been - it's been an extraordinary year and I have spent every single day (apart from days off for the flu) working at 'something' full time. It never seems to end. As soon as I nearly finish one thing, another starts up. I always thought that getting older would somehow coincide with a a slowing down, but I don't feel this to be the case in my own life. As a matter of fact, I even get up earlier in the mornings than I used to - which defies explanation!

The reason I'm blogging today is because I wanted to take a moment, on one of the significant days in my year, to thank you for visiting my blog and being a blog reader. Blogging has really helped me stay accountable to my WIPs and inspired me to share my creativity and for that, I am truly thankful. I had no idea when I started blogging that it would become a worldwide friendship group that motivates my work and keeps me thinking always ahead to new projects. Thank you blog readers, you really inspire me and I mean it when I say, 'I'm glad you're here'

I also want to thank members of my Yahoo BOM Group. It looks so easy to leave a comment or upload a photo but anyone who blogs knows that these things take time - and I appreciate the time members take to be involved in the group. There's always photos and messages of support making the rounds as well as a kind word or helpful suggestion. Its such a nice place to be - and those things don't happen by accident. Thank you for being a part of it.

I'd also like to thank the Moderator's in the Group. They are all wonderful quilters with busy lives and projects on the go, but they volunteer their time to keep things running smoothly. It's a mostly thankless task and I think it's incredible that they are so generous with their time.

Anna Marieke, Glenda, Bunny, Pat and Jane - you have all been and are such a wonderful and supportive part of me being able to release my BOMs and I am deeply grateful for and to each of you for the time you have been and are being available in this role- you are the backbone of the Group. Without you and the hours you selflessly give to all of us, and have given to us for periods of time, I simply wouldn't be able to share and distribute my BOMs. Thank you so much for all that you do and have done.

Life is a precious and temporary gift. We have such a short time given to us that I always feel we should take every opportunity to share what we can, when we can, just because we can.

Just yesterday I was talking to my DDs about what it means to be blessed. I have always tried my best to teach my DDs that if you are blessed in something, you should do all you can to share that blessing. We all have skills which come somewhat naturally for us and I am lucky in that I have found a way in my own life to do something that I enjoy and can accomplish. There are plenty of things I'm not so good at - but which I still try and enjoy- and in those things I'm always grateful to the people who extend themselves enough to share their skills and what they know so that I can learn a little too.

This blog is a part of my life and the people who read it are a part of what I do too; so today I'd like to thank you all for being part of my birthday and for making this blog and my Yahoo BOM Group such friendly and supportive online places to be. It's wonderful.

Thank you!

Apple Cake for All Saints Day

This is one of my favourite cakes. I don't make it very often, but in the last few years I have made it on November 1st, maybe because it's such a contemplative recipe. It's you, a bowl of apples and a couple of hours in the kitchen. But don't worry, it's worth the effort. Today I'm making two cakes as I'm giving one away. I think the best cake tin for this cake is a plain round one, but mine has gone missing. So I'm relying on an old bundt (which also works beautifully, but do use small apples or they will stick to the inner core of the tin). It takes time but it actually quite easy to make.

Granny Smith apples work best for this recipe. Other apples fall apart. Core your apples. Your apple size will depend on the size of your tin. Because I am using a bundt tin, I have opted for the smallest apples I could find and they really are little. This makes coring them a little difficult, so take your time. You want a nice, neat cored out shape. And if you can, try to make the bottom hole of the apple as small an exit as possible. Flesh out the middle, but keep the bottom smaller. 

Now, I don't now about you, but I can't find an apple core-ing tool for love or money! I have been through 3x in the last 12 months alone. The handles just completely separate from the metal corer and it's a real nuisance (it also always happens when the tool is stick in the apple so you have to cut it out too). I'd really love to find an apple corer that works, so if you know of one, please let me know. This tool I'm using here - I don't even know what it is.I found it in our cutlery drawer and it nicked all my fingers which reminds me that I need to find one.

In a pan, add your cored apples and gently stew/steam them for about 10-15 minutes in about a cup of water and fresh lemon juice. It's really important that you don't over stew the apples or use too much liquid, you want to lightly brown and soften them, without them going to mush. This is the hardest part and requires patience and care.

They should be just starting to tender but firm enough to stuff without falling apart. Whilst your apples are softening, make the apple filling. Now, there is no recipe for this. You make it according to taste. Simply mix walnuts (any nuts will do), vanilla extract, lemon zest, cinnamon and sugar to taste. I use brown sugar and I use very little because I don't have a taste for sugary things. Just mix it all together until it makes a delicious firm filling. I usually add just enough butter to make all the ingredients combine. I mix mine up in my Ninja.

Everyone always wants to know how I like my new Ninja. Well, it's fine. I'm trying to downsize my kitchen and the Ninja was a good choice for me. I do like it and it's useful in many ways, but I will just warn you that the blades are lethal. Everyone who touches it somehow seems to cut themselves and I've done that myself a few times too. Wash it straight away because the blades are difficult to clean. This seems so obvious, but I've never had a kitchen tool inure so many adults before. I think it works great, but I wouldn't have it in a household with a child or teenager. It's just too sharp. 

 Butter the cake tin and stuff your softened apples with the nut fulling carefully, keeping apples intact. Make the cake batter and pour over the apples, about 3/4 high in the tin, just covering the apples as the cake batter will rise a little.

November Apple Cake Recipe

Stuffing: nuts (about a cup), vanilla, zest of 1 lemon, vanilla, sugar, cinnamon and butter to taste. Mix all ingredients together into a firm paste. 

Cake mixture: (my DD used packet cake mix with this recipe when she ran out of ingredients, and it was delicious, so don't be afraid to experiment. Any good cake base mixture will do.) The real work is in the apples. 

• 1/2 lemon squeezed 
• 225g butter, softened
• 280g golden caster sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 350g self-raising flour
• 2 tsp baking powder

• Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4.

• Place the butter, caster sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour and baking powder into a large bowl and mix well until smooth. Bake for 35-45 mins (depending on oven) until golden and springy to the touch. Leave to cool for 10 mins, then turn out of tin. Cut into slices.

Lovely

I don't feature many recipes on this blog, simply because I don't bake all that much. However if you are interested in what I call 'old fashioned' recipes like this, you might like to visit the Mennonite Girls Can Cook Blog. I love it over there. And don't let my definition of 'traditional' put you off. When I say traditional, I mean honest ingredients and real cooking. Mind you, they have a lot of easily prepared dishes too and when I'm stuck for dinner ideas, I like to pop in and inspire myself. They cook the way I eat so it's easy for me to 'find something for dinner.' And I'm so grateful that they're there because when my DDs can't find my 'old family recipe book' they just check out the Mennonite blog, they always find what they're looking for. 

Happy baking :) 

WOW: The Romance of Detail

WOW = WIPs On Wednesday

When I posted my Vase details a few weeks ago, a few of you commented on the polka dot fabric I had selected - it's gorgeous isn't it? But that's not the only reason I selected it for the LE vase. The reason I choose it is because of the story behind it: like LE, it's full of romance and mystery - its a scrap from an old antique wedding dress. I've had this scrap for over 20 years, I could never throw it away or use it on just anything - I knew that one day it would find its home somewhere special, and now it has.

When I took possession of it, it was already old and it's actually older than I am. I love the whimsy and romance of it...and then there's the polka dot element of it - who can resist a polka dot? Not me, that's for sure.

I backed this fabric with a beautiful beige silk and stuck it down with basting spray. When it was in position as the vase, I hand sewed it down to keep it anchored. I love it when fabric has a story to tell. It makes no difference to me whether I know that story or not - material from an old wedding dress is very special material indeed and is perfect for Love Entwined; it just adds another layer of mystery to what is a love inspired evocative quilt. 

What's Your WOW ?

An InLinkz Link-up

Are YOU Coming to AQC 2015 ?!

YES IT'S ALMOST TIME! Secure your place by clicking YES I would like to book a class OR click on the button at right OR on the AQC website. The link will be active from 10am (AEDT), Tuesday October 28. Remember there are limited spaces for each class, and they can fill quickly so we encourage you to book early to avoid disappointment. This year we have an all new booking system for the classes which is easy to follow. Make sure you have your AQC class timetable beside you.

This year there are three important changes to note with the class bookings: 1. You will NOT need a password to book online. 2. Visa and Mastercard ONLY will be accepted as payment for online bookings. Confirmations in class are subject to available funds on your credit card. If your card payment is not able to be processed, your place in the class may not be held. 3. All registrants will need an email address to book via the online booking system. If you are completing an additional registration for a friend: � They CANNOT use your email address � If they DO NOT HAVE AN EMAIL address please substitute with the following information when their email address is requested: firstname.lastname@noemail.com (eg. jo.flow@noemail.com) � The primary registrant for this application (YOU) will receive all email confirmations for all bookings in the order. CLICK HERE FOR PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION�

LE: The Double Bow Border

The double bow border is actually the first thing I noticed about the original quilt in 'patchwork' so this border is very important to me. I've created a 'double bows' box, just like I did with the 'zig zags' and this is a box that has everything I need for just this section of the quilt. I know I've said it over and over, but this quilt is a practice in preparation, so here I am preparing. My favourite part of the quilt is when I reach those stages when I can just grab my 'section box' and pull out the prepared pieces, position and play around with them. But to reach that happy moment, there's work to do first. A lot of work. You can't make it as you go, or you'll fall into chaos. Step by step and prep by prep. It's the only way to keep your order when working on a once in a lifetime quilt like this.

bows and swags in alternating hues of light and dark

I mark my patterns with arrows to show me which way is 'up' when I position just in case I want to fussy cut. I have a few dewbies or 'triangles' from Part 8 floating around too (above) as I will incorporate the swag and bow fabrics elsewhere in the quilt in tiny areas throughout to keep the whole scrappy looking harmonised.

Here's my lights and darks double bow box with my selected fabrics at the ready for prepping 

I love all the fabrics

And I've even started fussy cutting. I learnt early on that you have to do the parts which appeal to you whilst they appeal to you. I can't schedule my available time ' to fussy cut for the bow border'. I wish I could be so disciplined, but I find that if I'm not in the mood, I won't do it or if I try it will look all wrong and that ends up being a waste of my precious sewing time. So I work on whatever takes my fancy that day. This is why I'm working at numerous sections 'at once' and why I'm working back and forth between all the parts that make the pattern. I have my own methods and this is what works for me. I think that if I did it any differently, I might never finish. 

Fiddling, sorting, working, enjoying...

How do you organize your preparation time?

BQF: Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet

Many thanks to Amy for so generously hosting the Bloggers Quilt Festival once again and a warm welcome to any linky hoppers who might be here for the first time. Welcome to my blog! Please consider leaving me a comment and come back again soon. 

This is the first vase from the centre of my applique quilt, 'Love Entwined: 1790 Marriage Coverlet'. It is an heirloom applique design and is a homage in remembrance to the original coverlet of no name, known simply as a 'fine marriage coverlet dated 1790' in Averil Colby's publication 'Patchwork' of 1958.

This is a heritage quilt; completely and intensely devoted to applique. There's a lot of mystery and intrigue concerning the original coverlet - the unknown maker used motifs and elements not seen in her era and this has raised a lot of mysterious and intriguing questions regarding her place in society, the origins of the quilt design and her intention (and application) in making it. From the moment I saw this quilt, I recognized it as an extraordinary Georgian masterpiece and knew that it had to be revived and remembered for it's unique place in history. 

In 2013 it was all but forgotten. But not for long. I set about creating a pattern in remembrance to it and the unknown woman who made it. Once I had the pattern created, I wanted to ensure that this quilt and its motifs would be revived and recognized today - so I released it for free as a BOM over a period of 18 months. This month, October 2014, marked the final installment. Did you miss it? Don't worry, all the parts are now available for free download. Yes, this quilt pattern is available to anyone who is interested in making it, for free. 

Why? Because I want to see this quilt and elements of its design revived and remembered. 

This quilt is so intense and fussy that I couldn't possibly show you all my favorite details in one post. Of course I'm biased, but I think every detail is wonderful! So I'll just focus on a few details of the first vase.

What I really love about this quilt, is that it is so intricate and busy. That's not usually my style. But I have found that as I spend hours working on certain motifs and pattern details, my mind starts to wander and wonder about the original maker. What was she thinking? How creative she must have been! Surely this quilt would have been the talk of society in her circle! For its true, we know so little, but what we do know (or can at least be confident) that she must have been of a certain class and society in Georgian England to have access to this hobby, its design process or purchase, its mathematical elements and the fabrics used. It's such an intrigue!

And once you start devoting hours to this quilt, well, you just can't stop.

This quilt really has a personality all its own. And every block is so intricate, you can really dress it up with all your skills and interests. There's plenty of room for fussy cutting, embroidery, embellishment and broderie perse. I'm sure a few charms here and there wouldn't go amiss either.

Then, when you've selected an area to work on, you have the pleasure of reinventing it to suit yourself. Take this vase for instance - I fussy cut it from a wonderful fabric

And yet, that still wasn't enough - it wanted more attention. So I spent several days embroidering very simply around the main design lines for that something extra

and as you can see, it transformed my work from beautiful to heirloom. But what I really love is that when I make this quilt, I am a part of history, taking part in it and contributing to it. I wonder what our unknown maker, in 1790 would think if she could see me now... I can't even imagine!

What I do know is that this quilt really shines when you pay attention to it, the more the better, And I can see it being worked for hours, weeks, months and probably years - one hour at a time in the drawing rooms of fine estates in Georgian England. I really wonder how many fine homes the original 'visited' as it was being made. You can probably tell, this quilt is dear to my heart and I love sharing it with others.

Love Entwined:1790 Marriage Coverlet is a work of art, a piece of history and an epic applique masterpiece! I am hand sewing the whole quilt and using turn edge applique as my method alongside wash away fusible. Of course, it lends itself to raw edge applique too and from Averil Colby's description, there certainly is raw edge on the original.

 Thank you for visiting my blog today and for viewing my post on this very special quilt. 

WOW: LE Centre Done!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays 

I have reached another WOW stage in the LE journey

I had no idea what I started when I released Love Entwined. It's been an epic journey for me and I'm really pleased to finally have the centre completed.Yes, there's a lot of work ahead, but for the first time, I can see the end in sight. With the centre done, I feel suddenly much more relaxed about this quilt. I am completely content now to just move ahead with my own version of LE and maybe even start thinking about releasing my next BOM.

Yes, my Love Entwined center is done. This image is a bit dark and moody, the lighting conditions aren't great at the moment but I couldn't resist taking a picture anyway. Although the colours aren't showing up as true, I still think its incredibly beautiful. So, now I have two weeks hand sewing (if I sew 8 hours a day, 5 days a week) or 4 - 6 weeks at a few hours a day in the evenings. I think what this means for me is that I will start moving ahead with the borders and prep work for the blocks ahead and keep the hand sewing task as my 'break' work. 

Love Entwined, I can't believe I'm finally here. It feels like just the other day that I was thinking of drawing you up as a pattern! This is my most intense and time consuming quilt, ever. What can I say? I love the adventure and mystery of this quilt. 

What's Your WOW ? 

An InLinkz Link-up