WOW: Vacuuming My Quilts

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays 

I've been taking turns to bring down and vacuum my wall quilts since Monday, it's tiring work! I can't believe how much dust each one has collected in just a year and its taking me a good 45 minutes to an hour to thoroughly but gently brush every inch, front and back. I use a horsehair attachment I set aside only for this use. It's a boring job, but someone's got to do it.  

Next up, I have to check all my rolled and stored quilts for any moth damage as I've recently discovered some damaged jumpers in my wardrobe. I don't keep my stored quilts in my wardrobe, they are in a spare room, but I won't rest easy until I have checked each one over with my own eyes. Phew, it's going to be a busy day.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Queen's Garden: My New Free BOM !

Need I say more? Queen's Garden is a fabulously fun and cheerful walk through a fantastical blooming garden.The brighter, the better. This is definitely one for the Kaffee Fassett stash!

Members of my BOM Group, Intro & Part 1 is already waiting in the FILES area for you to download this beauty.

Everyone else, go to the Queen's Garden BOM Group. 

WOW: Prepping my Morning Glory

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays 

Oh yes, I'm busy too! I'm seeing all the stunning progress pics being shared over in my BOM Group and I'm already in a spin over how fabulous it all looks. It's going to be a year for swooning, that's for sure.

As for me, I'm busy prepping my fusible with Morning Glory shapes. I'll be posting a detailed step by step as soon as I make some progress and will also update my applique techniques for those of you who have been asking.

As I do this, I'm thinking about the best way to draw my pattern onto my dark background. There are a few techniques and I think I'm going to try something completely new. This is actually my first dark background applique quilt so I can't wait to see what happens, and of course I'll be sharing what I learn right here in a blog post.

It's been an incredible start to 2018 and I'm really excited to see what's new in the pic updates each morning. What a way to start January :)

What's Your WOW? 

An InLinkz Link-up

Applique Q & A

It's a new year and with 3 new BOMs now in full swing, it's only natural that I'm being asked about my applique preferences on a daily basis. So many of you want to improve your applique and my email in-box is full of questions and requests for recommendations. I've said it before and I'll say it again. My own recommendation for applique is 'Simply Successful Applique' by Jeanne Sullivan.

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you already know this. I've praised this book many times over the years. In fact, it's the only publication I purchased 3 of - one for myself and one for each of my DDs. Although my daughters are not quilters, I know that if they ever want to take up applique for quilting or any other reason in the years to come, this is the only real guide they will need. Everything you need to know is in here. If this book isn't already in your library, it should be. 

Next on my list of most asked questions is my preference for wash away fusible. I'm always looking for new products, but I haven't found anything better than Floriani Wash Away Fusible Webbing. This product is currently my preference. Unfortunately, I'm finding it difficult to source. This means that I can't direct you to a spot where you can buy it quickly, easily and affordably because I haven't managed to do this for myself. I'm just always on the lookout for it and am currently working from a stash I stockpiled a few years ago. If you have any advice on this, I'll happily receive it.

Do you have any burning questions you'd like me to answer? Go ahead and ask!

In the meantime here are some applique related posts you  might find helpful / useful to browse through:

An InLinkz Link-up

Morning Glory: My Fabrics

 

My fabric selection for Morning Glory arrived in the week before Christmas which was perfect timing, although I didn't have time to unwrap and take a proper look at it until just this week, things have been so hectic. First of all, I'm relieved. Sometimes when you buy fabrics online it can be disappointing to see them in real life, but with this selection, that hasn't been a problem. They're gorgeous. The range I selected is called 'Crystal Farm' by Editar Sitar. I don't know why, but this range just spoke to me the moment I saw it and I knew it was destined for Morning Glory.

I love it when that instant connection with a fabric happens because I am so notoriously indecisive over fabrics. It just felt right and after my bad choices last year, this time around I'm following my gut feeling. Of course it wouldn't be 'me' if I didn't fiddle around a bit and in these pics I'm playing around with different greens and pinks to check the contrast levels.

I'm really in love with some Di Ford Hall pinks and greens from my stash that I thought would pick up against the blue beautifully so they're in the mix too. All the Crystal Farm fabrics are gorgeous but working on a navy blue does mean I had to check and double check and play around ..before opting for my first choice after all. You know, the same old story..

I picked the blue background over a year ago. I was in a fabric shop with my DD when I fell in love with this shade of blue. These pics don't do the shade justice, it's really beautiful without being too dark and the minute I saw it, I knew I had to buy the bolt. My DD tried to wrestle it from my arms, reminding me that I promised I wouldn't be buying fabrics except when allocated to a specific project. But you know what? Rules are made for breaking and this is one rule I'm so glad I did break. I had no idea why but I knew it would come in handy at some point. And that point is now.

The blue is 'Textured Solids in Indigo' by Andover. 

These pics don't do the range justice, I don't know what is going on with my lighting. But I just wanted to show you what I'd purchased. You'll be seeing a lot more of it in the months to come. I can't wait to make a start. 

How are you getting on with your fabric shopping?

This post relates to my BOM 'Morning Glory'

'Morning Glory' is one of my current paid BOMs for 2018. This year I'm celebrating 10 years of blogging and BOMs, so to celebrate I'm having a BOM party. What does that mean? It means that for the price of 1 x BOM, you get access to all 3 x BOMs I've released plus additional projects throughout the year. It's my biggest adventure ever and you're invited to join me. It's my way of saying thank you for your friendship and support. You can join anytime. Pay once and play all year.

Click on my BOM Birdy to learn more :) 

WOW: Playing With Swatches

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Today I've been shopping online for some fabrics to top up my stash for my 2018 projects. I've already purchased my Morning Glory pallette along with some extra jelly rolls for scraps. Looking through my roll now, I notice a floral dark teal background fabric that I've kind of fallen in love with. And I'm thinking I might even bring up another quilt design just to find an excuse to use it.

But right now, it's all about the current three BOMs. I'm keen to make a start..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Let's Talk Applique Tips, Techniques & How To

Here are some links to get you started with your applique. You'll notice that these posts relate to various quilts I've made and by reading through them, you'll pick up techniques and ideas to help you decide on which technique works for you.

Happy Applique-ing !

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter