WOW: Working on Nelke

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm serious about keeping Wednesdays (well, most Wednesdays) a day for WIPs, so I've made a start on Nelke. I just love everything about this quilt and buying the fabric was so easy too, I found the range at my local quilt store and knew it was for me. The colours really spoke to me. Although I purchased a background from the range specifically, I've been playing around with it at home and it didn't zing. I couldn't put my finger on my why exactly. Then, this past weekend, I went to the AQM and came across some end of bolt fabrics and snapped up a new background in soft white with some yellow dots on it - and it's a perfect match (above). So I got all inspired to get my Nelke top made. Today I've made a start.

I have no idea when my Nelke will get done. Of course I have no 'time' for her officially, but I've been quilting Oma's Blues non stop last week and just needed a break this week - its been so much work. So Nelke is my WOW break.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Glad Tidings: Free Table Runner Pattern

Everyone has room for a table runner project, don't they?

I don't know about you, but come Christmas, I never have enough free surfaces or enough table runners to dress them with. Tablecloths are timeless for the main meal, but I love table runners and just don't have enough in my house to suit all my moods! Back when I started quilting, I had grand visions of making a table runner to complement each of my quilts - something that would really make sense as I do hang most of my quilts as wall hangings or textile art wall 'paintings' which my non quilting friends and family have often confused them for and with. 

I'm sure it won't come as any surprise to you to hear that I actually haven't made many table runners according to my beginner's hopes for a matched decor. So I've gone ahead and designed the table runner I know I'll need to match the Christmas throw I'll be making. 

Glad Tidings is ideal for a table runner and I love the idea of offering the Christmas Rose and Star or Dresden in a weekend project to either match your throw or bed quilt or as just a stand alone project, which I think it can easily allow itself to be. 

I can already see three candlesticks in the centre of the Dresden's or small bowls of nuts, it's just perfect for my coffee table and I hope that it will find its way into your home too...

Like it? Make it! Glad Tidings is free to members of my Yahoo BOM Group: membership is also free and the complete pattern is now available for free for a limited time. Simply log into my Yahoo BOM site and download the pattern PDF file from the "files" area.

Want to buy these gorgeous festive fabrics?

You can find these fabrics at Kimberly's Fabric Stash, why not stop by and browse her online store?

FLAT RATE SHIPPING $5.75 on Orders Over $20.00

Get 20% off First Purchase !!

Oma's Blues: The last block is released!

This month its time to finish the quilt: complete any borders which need to be assembled and add any embellishments before preparing the quilt for quilting.

This is where I'm up to, quilt wise. I'm about halfway through quilting Oma and can't wait to share the finished quilt with you when I finally get to that stage.

I really hope as you finish your quilt, that you’ll stay in touch and let us all enjoy your progress as we share in each others work; I can’t wait to see images from those of you working away at home as well as from those of you who are getting together and sewing in groups.

Yes, there'll be another BOM starting in January - several actually. I'm adding more pieced quilts to my listing and even digging out some modern designs, so stay tuned :)

Glad Tidings: Free Quilt Throw Pattern

If yesterday's Glad Tidings 'bed quilt' felt a bit too large for you at 80 x 8 inches, then this throw size version is just the thing. At 58 x 58 inches its a perfect Christmas quilting project and completely do-able in time for Christmas. It's ideal for use as a throw, sofa dressing or bed topper. Again, I've offered it in both the Star and Dresden options because they're both so fitting for the time of year.

I love them both, however there is a little something extra with the Dresden. If you're anything like me, you'll have gorgeous fabrics that you're longing to fussy cut and show off in just the 'right' project. Well, here it is. The Dresden centres are just perfect for embellishing with fussy cut roses or, my personal favorite this year - poinsettias. I've used the 'Holiday Flourish' range throughout my Glad Tidings projects and this is their poinsettia fabric from the range in real life - yes, they're the perfect size for fussing cutting and using in those Dresden centres!

What do you think? Are you inspired yet?

You can find this fabric at Kimberly's Fabric Stash, why not stop by and browse her online store?

FLAT RATE SHIPPING $5.75 on Orders Over $20.00

Get 20% off First Purchase !!

Like it? Make it! Glad Tidings is free to members of my Yahoo BOM Group: membership is also free and the complete pattern is now available for free for a limited time. Simply log into my Yahoo BOM site and download the pattern PDF file from the "files" area.

Introducing Glad Tidings: My 2015 Christmas Projects

Glad Tidings is a quilt design made specifically for the festive season. When I designed it originally, I had wheat sheaths surrounding a Rose of Sharon as the central design motif, but felt it looked too autumnal to lend itself to a Christmas quilt. So the wheat became an apple before I finally settled on a pomegranate for allegorical reasons. The rose is a Christmas Rose in my mind, with an unfurling bud that also represents a swaddled infant. 

I love the repetition of the motif in the design and I’ve purposely kept the blocks nice and large to make applique a breeze (well, at least by my standards!) You can see that I have two options for the blocks—being either a Star or a Dresden. The reason is, I simply couldn’t decide between them, so offered both. When I make my own, I’ll make two because I really do love them equally. 

The Dresden lends itself to fussy cut broderie perse in the centre of each bloom and the stars work so well that I couldn’t ignore them as an option. The projects are as follows:

Glad Tidings Bed Quilt: 80 x 80 inches (in Dresden or Star Block option)

Glad Tidings Throw Quilt: 58 x 58 inches (in Dresden or Star Block option)

Glad Tidings Table Runner: 60 x 24 inches (in Dresden or Star Block option)

Whether you're after a bed quilt, a throw quilt or a table runner, Glad Tidings lends itself to either project. For the next 3 days I'll be sharing a project each day in its own post, so stay tuned. You know how I'm always ummming and ahhhing over fabric for quilt projects? Well not this time! Do you like these colourings? I think green and red with splashes of gold is timeless and goes with everything come December.

Glad Tidings has been colour schemed in 'Holiday Flourish' available from Kimberly's Fabric Stash, why not stop by and browse her online store?

FLAT RATE SHIPPING $5.75 on Orders Over $20.00

Get 20% off First Purchase !!

Like it? Make it! Glad Tidings is free to members of my Yahoo BOM Group: membership is free and the complete patterns are now available for free for a limited time. 

Glad Tidings: Free Bed Quilt Pattern

Glad Tidings Bed Quilt (in Star or Dresden option) 

Finished Quilt Size 80 x 80 inches

What do you think, the red or the green?

The Star or the Dresden? 

I actually have plans to fussy cut and applique some fabric prints in the Dresden centres, but more on that tomorrow...

Glad Tidings also comes in a throw (58 x 58 inches) version which will be released tomorrow. And the following day I'll be releasing the Glad Tidings Table Runner (60 x 24 inches). Now you have the pattern, what about some festive fabrics? I've used 'Holiday Flourish' throughout my Glad Tidings range as you can see above, but nothing compares to how gorgeous they look in real life.

You can find these fabrics at Kimberly's Fabric Stash, why not stop by and browse her online store?

FLAT RATE SHIPPING $5.75 on Orders Over $20.00

Get 20% off First Purchase !!

Like it? Make it! Glad Tidings is free to members of my Yahoo BOM Group: membership is also free and the complete pattern is now available for free for a limited time. Simply log into my Yahoo BOM site and download the pattern PDF file from the "files" area.

Meet Our Sponsor: Sew Brite Craft Tables

Sew Brite provides quilters with quality USA made cutting tables that can be arranged to make the most of your floor space and maximize your creative time. Where's my stash? Good question! With a Sew Brite modular table, all I need for each project could be right at hand - talk about furniture made with quilter's in mind!

I'm always re-imaging my creative space (at the moment I'm working from my living room for the beautiful natural light....and maybe the extra space too!). A quilter can never have too much room, but the reality is that many of us have to 'limit' our process to a room or studio. Now, there's furniture custom made for out needs that respects the space we need whilst providing us with real, useful options. Here are my own favorite options from the Sew Brite catalog:

I'm very fond of this idea because it's how I work. I like to move 'around' my main table and work at different items at each 'turn'. With so much storage right at hand, my days of table stacking fabrics would be over and with that extra table space I might even be able to run 2 projects at the same. A table made for WIPs? It looks like it!

This would be my first choice as a design table. I need so many 'tools' when I'm designing my patterns, I would love to have them all collected in a neat row of drawers as is offered here. The right tubs are ideal for fabric stashing which means I could keep my new fabrics close at hand for inspirational drafting! I couldn't have designed this better myself, it's just about perfect. 

My last must have is this drawer station. I have so many drafts and WIPs, I would love to set my projects into their own 'compartments', it would clear three quarters of my 'creative mess' at once. 

The Sew Brite catalog offers quilters real options for organizing their space whilst being useful, resourceful and responsibly made in the USA.

As quilters, we all have purchasing power collectively to support products and brands that respect us and our creativity through quality resources custom made for our needs. I feel strongly that its time to move away from cheaply produced 'made in China' resources and return to well thought out, planned and made furniture and tools.

I'm proud to introduce Sew Brite as a Sponsor of this blog and hope you'll  browse their catalog when considering your next quilting /crafting furniture purchase.