WOW: Sorting Out My Magazine Stash

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Just after I started blogging, I gave up all my magazine subscriptions. That was back when blogging was enjoying it's 'golden' phase and blogs were so up to date, informative and interesting that I had no need for magazines. I ended up with only two magazine subscriptions in my home and they were both gardening publications.

But since I started volunteer teaching young sewers to sew generally (rather than quilting specifically) two years ago, I have slowly eased back into my former magazine habit. It's been useful and interesting at times, but my interest has started to wane again. Right now I have 14 quilt related magazine subscriptions, 8 sewing subscriptions, 3 home and garden subscriptions and it's all too much. There seems to be magazines all over my house and I'm over it.

So today I'm sorting through my 'donate' stash and my 'keep' stash and well, I got a bit distracted and started flicking through them. These are the magazines for 2018 from January to May alone. It's too much and I'm running out of space. So it's time for a sort out..

Am I odd ..or do you stash magazine subscriptions too?

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'Love Entwined' by Barbara Baker

Barbara Baker of Canada has graciously allowed me to share these images of her 'Love Entwined' quilt with you all. Be prepared to swoon, it's utterly beautiful. She has called her quilt 'Love and Friendship' and has left off the swag border (the double bows) because she doesn't like swags. Fair enough! I must say, it doesn't detract one jot from this incredible work. The colours are a dream, so gentle yet so enticing. I love it when gentleness demands attention and Barbara has managed to create just the right balance.

The workmanship is incredible too. You won't be surprised to hear that this quilt just won "Excellence in Workmanship for Applique" at the Awards Ceremony of the Canadian Quilter's Association.

 Fabulous fussy cutting on the berry stems and the borderie perse is gorgeous too

 Aren't these colours just a dream?

And it looks like Barbara sailed through the most difficult block of the quilt (above) with those tiny swirling leaves. They look perfect!

 I'm sure you're also drinking in these details just as I am..

I'm in love. Thank you Barbara for allowing me to share your incredible talent and work with everyone here on my blog. 

You know, when I design a quilt, it's always a pleasure. But when I get to see that quilt made up, the pleasure is doubled. It really makes my day when quilters all over the world take the time to send me pics of their finished works. Thank you so much for taking the time to upload your images in the Group and for letting me use them. 

To see more incredible Love Entwined Quilts and projects, visit the LE Gallery, click here now

'Queen's Garden' by Jenny Henry

WOW! You might already know and admire Jenny Henry, she's a Moderator in my Facebook BOM Group and has delighted most of us with her stunning quilts. Jenny is prolific and whatever she makes is swoon worthy. Somehow, Jenny has an eye for fabrics. I say 'somehow' because it's a marvel to me that her choices are always so good. I can't boast of the same talent, so I just admire Jenny and give credit where it's due.

How fabulous is her Queen's Garden?

I think this combination of fabrics simply sparkle. I love it. 

Now the Queen's Garden BOM is not actually finished and all these Parts are not yet available. But as a Moderator, getting patterns ahead of time is a perk and I do encourage all the Moderators to show off their work, even when it's ahead of schedule, because it's so inspiring to see.

Now, Jenny Henry has her own blog, click here to visit

And the other thing is, if you type 'Jenny Henry" in my search bar, multiple posts will come up of Jenny's quilts that I have shown off over the years. Like I said, Jenny is prolific and inspiring. I genuinely wonder how she gets so much work done. I don't know how she does it, I'm just glad she does. Thanks for allowing me to show off your work Jenny, it makes my day when I can see my designs created by such a talented quilter.

Queen's Garden is my current free BOM

Yes, it's completely free.

We are currently up to Part 6

Jenny has finished her Queen's Garden quilt because she is a Moderator and gets patterns early. 

The complete pattern is not available, it is being released in parts. 

You can download all missed parts and catch up right now, it's not too late to join.

Parts are downloaded from my BOM Group on Facebook (image above).

There is also a dedicated 'Queens Garden BOM Group' if you'd like to join a group only focusing on this specific quilt. 

Morning Glory: Part 6

This month it's time for the quilt's namesake block: the trumpeting morning glory block.

It's a beautiful and hopeful block that marks the four directional points around the frame.

Here's how I made mine:

As usual there's a production line. You know I love my applique production lines..

 

I've chosen to break down my morning glory head into two parts, a larger 'windmill' shape background and smaller pieces to insert between the spaces.

Here I'm pinning my larger windmill shape into position

And adding the in between pieces neatly and carefully. 

I am actually glue basting tiny dots of glue on the overlap area to hold it all in position. 

 As I add each shape, I double check the pieces against the pattern shape to make sure it hasn't grown.

 Somehow this leaf has grown, so I will pull back the turn edge and wiggle it smaller, back into shape with the pattern outline.

 And here are my 4 Morning Glory blocks ready and set aside

 I stitched the red applique shape just for a bit of texture and I'm very happy with it.

Finished and set aside!

BOM 2018, My Biggest Year Ever! 

Morning Glory is my current paid BOM. It's an applique and pieced quilt. 

You can start this BOM today! 

Simply click the quilt image to learn more.

To see some of the breathtaking examples that are taking shape, simply visit my Free BOM Group on Facebook where progress images are being shown all the time. It's a massive inspiration and I warn you, it's addictive!

WOW: Making Hearts

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Today I've dedicated the whole day to making Healing Hearts.

These are blocks that quilters and sewers send out to others in the community who are going through a trying time or difficulty; it's our way of sending a hug. Although small, it's such a comforting gesture to receive a heart that's been sent with love (and via the post too!) when you're feeling down. 

I don't know about you, but I've just realized that I don't get much 'heartfelt' mail these days. Somehow email and Facebook messages have taken over. But you know, there are times in life when only a posted item will do.

The last time I handled healing hearts was when my mum unexpectedly died. That was two years ago. Honestly, I'm still somewhat in shock over the whole thing. I haven't even thought of hearts since then, it's all been too painful. In fact I still have all the healing hearts that were sent to me in a special box. When I'm ready, I'll sew them up in a special memory project.

Last week I realized I was out of my own hearts to send out to others. I added it to my list of things to do and waited until the right moment. You see, I like to make Healing Hearts when I'm in a good mood, I really think it makes a difference to stitch them up when you're feeling grateful, inspired and hopeful. 

So it's me, my hearts, a big mug of coffee and some beautiful music as I prepare my own stash of stitched up 'hugs'. It's cold down my way and it's the perfect day to cosy up and create.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Indulging in Fabric

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

So, I've been indulging in some fabric treats recently. I have 6 new designs all drawn up and I'm bursting at the seams to start making them up. Or at least prioritize a list to start making them up. So really, this IS a WIP.. it's just a WIP  before the work begins.

It's cold, dark because it's so early and gloomy down my way, that's why this image is so yellow from my indoor lights. I know it's not the best quality pic, but I just wanted to share my happiness with you. I love it when a new fabric parcel arrives, it gets my creative inspiration flowing..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Falling In Love With 'Oma's Blues' .. Again!

With so many new blog readers suddenly joining me this year (hello and welcome), it's really no surprise that many of my patterns are enjoying a revival. I have to tell you, I'm over the moon about it. I'm so busy that it doesn't even take a year for a pattern to become 'back catalog', so seeing my designs get some love seems only fair! I could work slower.. but it's not in my nature. I feel like I have so many designs to release, I simply can't stop now. So, these 'revivals' and spikes in popularity are really music to my ears.

Oma's Blues is one of my quilts getting some love and attention just lately and honestly, I'm not surprised. I mean, who doesn't love a blue and white quilt?

Oma's Blues is the only blue and white quilt I have. I knew when I designed it that it would have to be special because when it comes to two colour quilts, red and white has stolen my heart. Still, I knew my design collection would not be complete without a loving ode to Delft Tableware.

I designed Oma's Blues with Delft in mind. My childhood is hemmed in with memories of being seated at a table full of Delft and of cabinets laden with the beautiful heirloom pieces. It's been a sadness to me that I didn't inherit any of those childhood pieces. Thinking back, I really have no idea what happened to them. They live on in my memory now.. and of course in Oma's Blues.

I love this centre, surrounded by charm plates

and the borders add a touch of piecing to balance out all the applique. 

Together, the pieced blocks represent stacked dishware and I love the overall look.

Like most of my quilts, I need better pictures, but you can see here that this is a quilt ready for hanging. My own Oma is currently rolled up, but it belongs on a wall and when I next change over my dining room, that's where it will take pride of place. I'm even selecting dinnerware to match. Because, why not?

Oma's Blues is perfect for Groups and Sewing Bees. 

You can purchase the pattern on a monthly basis - this means you get your download link delivered to your email at the same time each month. As you're making the blocks, you can check through my Oma's Blues Archive listed at the top of this blog. It lists ALL my Oma's Blues related posts so you can 'stitch along' with me, back when I was creating my own blocks. 

There's also an Oma's Blues Facebook Group where you can meet up (or arrange to meet up) with others at a regular time to share pics, ideas and friendship. Or you can share you progress in my main Facebook BOM Group. Whatever suits you best. 

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Monthly Payment

The pattern is just $4.95 USD per month
delivered to your email address each month, for 10 months

Start any time - you will receive your block at the same time, each month

The date of your monthly delivery will depend on the date you first paid. For example, if you join on the 11th of the month, you will receive your next installment on the 11th of the following month, and so on. Your subscription starts at Part 1. Individual parts cannot be purchased out of turn. 

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Complete Pattern (NO BOM)

buy and receive the complete pattern at once (no monthly installments)

You may buy the complete pattern outright. This is not a BOM and you will receive the complete pattern via instant digital download, allowing you to make the pattern at once. 

The pattern is just $49.95 USD

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An InLinkz Link-up