WOW: Bringing in Sunshine

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

It's so cold and wintry down my way; the winds are howling and it's been raining non stop. 

I'm very grateful to be warm and cosy inside, doing what I love.

Yesterday I went back to Darn Cheap Fabrics to pick up some more Outback Wife bargain fabrics. They're selling them for $9 a metre which seems unbelievable considering I used to see them available for $40 a metre. I decided that I wanted a 'craft' carry around bag and, as it's something I can get done in a single day, it seems more likely that I will actually sit down to sew it. I was going to start it today, but I'm still looking online for handles and possibly even a bag frame to use. I will show you more once I have decided on a plan of action.

With Australis and Cherish about to launch, I thought it was time to reward myself with another bunch of flowers and I couldn't pass up on these Californian Poppies from the supermarket- they're my dose of sunshine on these gloomy days. How perfect and cheerful is this shade of orange? 

I have to admit, these flowers and my dose of bargain fabric shopping made braving the cold worthwhile and I'm feeling really good as I set to work on my WIPS.. I hope you're day is as productive as mine will be!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom' by Pat Bandura

  Pat has created a beautiful 'On My Window, Flower's Bloom'  

The blue sky background is a winner: the flowers shine out against their background and the shading glows. Look at those full, luscious blooms; it's a beauty worthy of prime position. 

The use of colour in Pat's wall hanging is simply superb. I love her shaded purple heads (look at that mottled one at the base of the vase!) and the red and yellow heads are also full of beautiful detail. 

If you'd like to read more about On My Window, Flowers Bloom, you can check out the OMWFB post archive right here on this blog by clicking the image below. 

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

--------------------- Open Quilt Gallery---------------------

Thanks to Pat for sharing her finished quilt pics with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Clear here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

'Blueberry Hill' by Nancy Arseneault

Nancy has used my 'Diamond Hill' pattern and created her own marvelous version she has named 'Blueberry Hill'. Isn't it gorgeous? Nancy came up with this striking 'cheddar and periwinkle' color scheme after being inspired by a box of Kleenex!

I just love knowing these little quirky details and when Nancy sent me that info in an email, it put a huge grin on my face. I'm really rather keen on cheddar yellow since I explored Georgian colour schemes back in 2013 for my 1790 coverlet 'Love Entwined'. Seeing it in use on an actual quilt is an eye opener, it's striking and fresh. I love it.

Thanks for submitting your quilt to the Open Gallery for everyone to enjoy Nancy, I hope we'll get to see even more pics of this stunning quilt in the future.

If you'd like to read more about Diamond Hill, you can check out the Diamond Hill post archive right here on this blog by clicking the image below. 

'Diamond Hill' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

------------------------ Open Quilt Gallery------------------------ 

Thanks to Nancy for sharing her finished quilt pics with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Clear here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

Meet 'Juliette': My Fabulous New Quilt Is Launched!

I'm so happy to share my latest quilt with you. Juliette is a quilt I sketched into existence years ago- I had a Mediterranean colourscheme in mind: crisp whites and radiant blues twirling around a quilt top framed by red baskets. When I checked my Quilty To Do List, I realized that Juliette was next on the list and I was delighted. It feels wonderful to release new designs that have been patiently waiting for me to get around to making them.

I know we all have lots of fabric at our disposal. There are so many ranges being released so thick and fast it makes my head spin. Somehow I end up with lots of bits and pieces from several collections knocking about together in 'themes' in various boxes around my studio. This is the perfect quilt for those half and half stashes. The applique is large and easy and the blocks come together quicker than expected. The end result is impressive and seeing your favourite prints put to use will be completely satisfying.

The finished size is 77 x 77 inches.

This is a really interesting design: it's based on octagon tiles. The sashing between the blocks that create so much depth and interest actually comes together when the blocks are pieced alongside each other. This is because the sashing is part of the block. And this design detail can create a stunning impact according to your fabric choices.

Speaking of fabrics, there's lots of room for showcasing your favourite gorgeous prints in the fussy cut boxes of the centre and in the triangles of Border 4. It looks fabulous with a dark background yet also works in a low contrast pallette.

As you can see, I've had a lot of fun playing between colour schemes and love how the attitude of each quilt top completely changes depending on the fabric in use. I love this bright breezy scheme above but can also see myself loving the modern black and white stash  mix up below. 

Juliette 

Complete PDF Pattern

$19.95 USD

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If you print it directly from the browser download screen, it will not be backed up to your computer. 

Click here to read my tutorial on printing my PDF patterns at home

WOW: Queen's Garden (Current Free BOM) Progress..

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays 

  This is Glenda Jean Hepburn's 'Queen's Garden' quilt top progress  

Here's a WIP going places! Today I'm proud to show you Glenda's progress on my Free BOM pattern, 'Queen's Garden'. Isn't is stunning? I am growing more and more in love with this design with each block and top I see made up. Gorgeous!

In an ideal world I'd make all my quilts. Of course, in that world I'd have staff making up all my designs around the clock and domestic help at home too. A woman can dream, can't she? In real life, there simply isn't enough time for me to keep up with myself. 

As it is, it would take me 10 years to catch up with my current quilt design output at my current rate of completion; stark facts indeed! So, I'm really lucky that I have such generous and thoughtful friends who keep me supplied with real time progress pics. Often they're actually ahead of time. It's extraordinary to me that Glenda finds the time to make my designs. I don't want you to think I'm some kind of task master - I do tell her not to keep making my quilts, but she's an unstoppable force. 

As a Group Moderator she simply can't help herself. Whenever I release a pattern, I warn her not to try and attempt getting it done. After all, this is a feat that I can't even manage, so I certainly don't expect anyone else to. Yet, she somehow manages to squeeze them all in! How? I don't know. I can never find enough hours in the day. I keep asking her how she does it and she won't tell me the secret. All we can do is admire her skills and eye for colour. 

Look at this beautiful use of colour: using colours that I know I wouldn't and yet I am so in love with this pallette, it positively shines! I overthink all my fabric choices and drive myself crazy with indecision so it's refreshing to see everyone else somehow manage to bypass this issue I suffer from! I'm in awe of your talent Glenda! 

As for me, I'm busy working behind the scenes.. creating more WIPs!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Love Entwined by Faith Mcleod (WIP)

Faith Mcleod has created an outstanding Love Entwined quilt; the applique is beautifully crafted in beige tones that create a sophisticated quilt of low contrasts; this allows the pinks, purples and blues to shine as subtle highlights. 

This pallette is intriguing, holding our attention and inviting us to look deeper into each block - what a beauty!

This quilt is still an unfinished quilt top, Faith has assured us that she will add images of the finished and quilted top once it's been quilted. I cannot wait..

------------------------------------------- LE Quilt Gallery------------------------------------------- 

Thanks to Faith Mcleod for sharing her finished quilt pics with us all to take inspiration from. If you'd like to see more finished quilts made from any of my patterns, visit my Open Gallery. It's a place for all quilters who make any of my quilts to show off their creations in a central online gallery. It's new and I hope you'll join us by adding your own quilt there. Submitting your quilt pics is easily done via an upload screen directly on my website. Clear here now if you'd like to submit your own quilt.

WOW: Signs of Creative Progress

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

An over flowing applique bin is a sure sign of progress. As a rule, on Wednesdays I don't care about housework, I set this day aside to get on top of my projects and WIPs. Now that it's almost mid July, I am in full swing to get my yearly list completed - I have things to do and exciting plans to put to work.

I can't wait to share them with you as the year progresses. But today, they're still under wraps.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up