WOW: Doll Making

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Over the years, I've made many cloth dolls and this year I'm thinking about releasing a Christmas Glad Tidings Cloth Doll to go along with my Table Runner, Throw and Bed Quilt. You see, I've made many over the years, including a few angels...but can't find a single one! Where have they all got to? My DDs have been on the hunt for them too, but none have re-surfaced. I must have a box somewhere with beautifully hand made dolls lovingly tucked away. Sometimes, I take too much care when packing away my things so this year I've just decided to go ahead and make a replacement for Christmas. I do miss my usual cloth doll angel and it's time I did something about it.

But first I'll have to decide on the size and body type, so I'm playing around with my doll patterns - they're all quite different and I can't decide between them. I'll let you know how I get on...

What's the strangest thing you've packed away...only to never find again? Or perhaps you've been lucky enough to find something you hadn't realized was packed away?!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Nelke Zig Zags

I'm up to making Nelke's zig zags. I think the fabric from the range slots in perfectly, it's all so complimentary, it takes the matching issues out for me. I think from now on I might try to select 'ranges' and restrict myself in this way when making up my designs. I really do spend so much time ummming and ahhhing over fabric choices, that restricting myself has been a welcome change. And so much faster too. I never though I'd think that restricting my creative range could be a good thing, but it definitely is in the case of fabrics. 

Since Love Entwined, I have a renewed enthusiasm for zig zags, I'm using them everywhere. In fact, before LE, I don't think I'd ever designed a quilt with zig zags, you can see they've really grown on me!

I'm using Polyfuse for everything at the moment, it's such an easy solution for me and cuts down on my prep time. Polyfuse is what you can see backing my fabric. I won't remove it. It just stays put until you wash your quilt (if you do) and it's not too stiff to work with or quilt over in the interim. I really like using it right now. I go through stages. There was a time when I was in love with the freezer paper method, but I've moved on to fusibles since then. Sometimes I wish I'd move on to raw edge applique for speed reasons and sometimes I think I will, but I never do. There's just something about turn edge applique that I find so satisfying. 

 'Nelke' 

Finished Size 51 x 51 inches

This pattern was released for free for 1 month to my Yahoo BOM Members. 

It can now be purchased from my online shop for $9.95 USD

Nelke, a little bird told me..

Oooh I love unexpected progress...

Here's my Nelke bird. What a sweet little thing it is, I never tire of birds in quilt designs. And I'm really loving the background fabric I picked up as a remnant from AQM last weekend. It's a perfect fit for this quilt. 

And this is the back. I'm using Polyfuse which means that I don't have to remove it. It will simply disintegrate when washed. I don't know that I will ever wash this quilt, as it's a wall hanging. The good thing about Polyfuse is that it isn't too 'thick' or study so even when in place, it looks natural. 

'Nelke' 

Finished Size 51 x 51 inches

This pattern was released for free for 1 month to my Yahoo BOM Members. 

It can now be purchased from my online shop for $9.95 USD

Nelke Progress

I wasn't sure if I would get Nelke done this year, but it looks like I will. With my sewing machine dramas, I had to put my quilting aside and then I got the flu and now that I'm back to quilting I'm stretched over 4 projects I started during my 'lull' and now with them all needing attention at the same time, I've decided to just do whatever I want -so rather than worry about 'getting things done' I just work on what I feel like on any particular day. Tough life for a quilter, eh?

With so many projects on the go, I have to number my pieces just like I recommend every one else does. Even though it's my own pattern, I lose track just as easily as everyone else! Preparation can be boring sometimes, but make no mistake, it's crucial.

This range is still growing on me. I was a bit stuck about the background, but since I picked up a few metres at AQM last weekend, there's been no stopping my progress. Sometimes a little thing like finding the right background can make everything else fall into place. 

You've seen my vase by now. When I designed Nelke, I had planned on using the main feature fabric from the range, but now I can't imagine using anything other than this one. I think it's perfect. Of course this means I have to design another quilt to use up the other feature fabric because I really do love it and want to see it out to use in one of my quilts. 

 Stems completed. 

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 :)