Book Of The Week: Making Needle Felted Animals

It's time for me to learn something completely new and just play. 

Do you ever get that feeling? Sure, quilting is my first love but I like being an absolute beginner sometimes and just about now, I would like to learn how to make felted animals. 

True to my love for textiles, I'll still be working with a fabric of a kind and with my hands, but this is a challenge I really hope I can rise to. The idea of being able to craft a whole farmyard of gorgeous little creatures is just too tempting. 

Have you ever needle felted an animal?

Morning Glory: My Quilt Top

Well I'm so happy and excited with my Morning Glory that I just have to show it to you even though the early morning lighting isn't too great. But lighting aside, you can see that the top is sewn together. Isn't it fabulous? I'm in LOVE! I can't wait to show you more..

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!

Morning Glory: Sew Time!

 With all my blocks and parts prepped, today I'm finally sewing down my quilt top

 Here's my border fabric waiting..

And I cannot wait to see the top put together!

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!

Morning Glory: Notes on Part 8

This is my Part 8 corner triangle block. 

I just love this block, it's a stunning way to make your favourite fabrics shine. 

I mentioned it in the pattern but it's worth repeating that when it's time to work with this block, be sure to STARCH your background fabric before you cut it. This helps keep your cutting line neat.

This is my background before I cut it in two to create the corner triangles. I cut mine out after I had added the second applique motif. Here, the progress of just one fan is shown. There is a tendency for these corner triangle blocks to pull themselves out of shape, so be sure to double measure them against the pattern for accuracy, have the fabric starched and take double time when sewing them into position to make sure you aren't pulling them along the bias. 

 I just love starched blocks ready and waiting to be sewn into position. It's an exciting stage of the quilt top blocks development and I can't wait to show you more..

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!

Cups Galore

Well, I'd rather be quilting! I decided to make a 'spring clean' of my whole Last Quarter Cleaning task and took out my cabinet of cups to wash them (they were a bit dusty) and reorganize the saucers and cake plates. I have lots of extra cups in storage so I'm thinking of rotating them and bringing a new stack in and packing these away. And I suppose now is as good a time as any to get that done.

I'm happy to report that I have discovered some forgotten gems and am loving picking and choosing. Now I just have to get them back into the cabinet - all organised and easy to access.

I think I'm starting to get into this whole 'organisation' thing as it doesn't feel as bad today as it did yesterday. I mean, cleaning is just so boring. But I'm trying to remain motivated. After all, I'm tidying up so that I can return to quilting. And I'll be able to enjoy new cups of coffee as a reward for my hours of toil.  New pretty cups to excite my morning ritual is definitely something to look forward to right now..

What I'm Making This Month: October

I don't turn on my TV very much nowadays, but when I do - it's usually to Chromcast a sewing tutorial! My DDs have been asking for several travel organizers each, made from their favorite Fassett and Tula Pink fabrics. They're completely uninspired by shop bought offerings and want to enjoy their love for fabric in a practical way. 

In the past, I spent HOURS drafting and redrafting bags just like this one, so I know how much work is involved in getting it done, making it nice and sewing it right. Those creations of 15 years ago are now thoroughly worn out and in the intervening years, my DDs simply purchased replacement bags when needed because it suited their lifestyle. But they've grown up a bit now and have a desire to make these kind of one off items. I guess they've come full circle: homemade' is no longer the unfashionable option it once was! But for me personally, I'd rather be quilting and don't have much patience for drafting 'practical' patterns anymore. Luckily for all of us, I don't have to.  

Today I'll simply be following an online class tutorial which includes the pattern to make it. And my DDs will be joining me for some weekend sewing. It'll be our own private workshop at home, in our own time with as much pausing and rewinding as we please. It's going to be fabulous. 

Whenever I think about how much technology annoys me, I remind myself how lucky I am to be alive during this revolution. Just 10 years ago, this wouldn't have even been possible. Today, we're sewing what we really want in fabrics we really love at a time and place that suits us. Perfect.

WOW: Finding My Stuff Again

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

This week I'm getting my house back in order. It looks like a creative workshop setting instead of a home and it's time to sort it all out. I really don't enjoy tidying up and cleaning but I must admit that one of the advantages of tidying up is finding my stuff again. This glue pen has been missing for months and it's been a real shame as it's one of my favourites to use when I'm working on turning applique in my living room as part of my 'footstool creative station'. I even went online to but a new one before this one re-appeared again.

It's a small victory in my uphill battle of taming the creative mess that has taken over the house. Have you purchased multiples of  a quilting or craft item.. simply because you couldn't find the first one at home? I probably shouldn't admit that this has happened to me a few times before! Anyway, back to work, I have lots more to get on with doing.

What's Your WOW?

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