HOYH: Part 2 is Launched

This month our attention turns to the Pansy flower. Is any garden complete without a bed of pansies eagerly lifting up their little faces

The pansy got its name from the French word pensée which means "thought" and has historically been regarded as a token of love and remembrance. For this reason, the pansy appears in many embroidered garments and tapestries as a symbolic motif of love and thoughtfulness. It’s said that each pansy has it’s own face and considering the many shades and markings available in this species, I think it must be true!

When I was a little girl, we called pansies ‘cat’s faces’ which I haven't been able to track down to any origin, in German the pansy is called ‘stepmother’ whilst in Italy it’s known as ‘little flame’. I think each of these names somehow fit!

This flower comes in an impressive array of colours across the spectrum including true black which is very unusual in flowering species. It’s also an edible flower which contains many calming and anti inflammatory properties alongside beneficial nutrients and has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries as an ingredient in healing tonics.

I know you're going to give some serious thought to how you want your own pansies to look.. I can't wait to see them spring up over in the Group!

I'll be posting pics of my own pansies in the next few days.. 

Members, Part 2 is now waiting for you over in the Members Only Area. 

Head over there to download it.

'Hold Onto Your Heart' is a paid BOM 

It's a breathtaking quilt full of meaningful symbols and beauty. The floral border is a triumph which offers an additional  pieced option - making it versatile for all skill levels. Perfect for lovers and enthusiasts of applique. 

You can start this BOM today! 

Be sure to visit my Online Quilt 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: New Free BOM for 2019

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

When I sit behind the computer to update my WOW progress each week, it always occurs to me that I am the reason so many people have WOWs. Or more specifically, have multiple projects on the go at the same time. It's a bit ironic considering that I started WOW to stash bust and break the WIP cycle (I know, it sounds so naive doesn't it?) Oh well! At first I used to feel a bit guilty about it, but then I saw the sheer brilliance of individual quilters making 2, 3 or even 4 (yes, that's FOUR) of my quilts in a year and I thought, why fight it any longer? I am what I am. And what I am, is a WIP maker.

I said all that to justify the fact that although I have 3 x Love Always on my table, and 2 x Hold Onto Your Hearts bumped in ahead of the queue, I am about to release another quilt. This one's a knockout. It was going to be a paid BOM, but then I though, what the heck - let's just release it as the yearly freebie because there's so much eye candy and fabric inspiration going around with Hold Onto Your Heart that I think my members are really going to appreciate it.

So that's my WIP for today. It's due to launch on the 15th, although I do hope to get it done by Valentines Day which is the day before, just because it feels like such a romantic thing to do for a quilt called 'Wrapt In Love'. I mean, it just feels right. And as of now, that's my plan. Although, no promises. There's a lot of admin involved with releasing quilts so I will see how I get on and keep you posted with the always exciting reveal and release post.

So be sure to check back and spread the word because my FREE BOM 2019 is coming any minute now.. 

Dare I ask?

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Busy Working!

WOW=WIPs On Wednesdays

I've been rather quiet this week and have surprised myself by hardly spending any time online at all - that's because I've been busy working: on my two Heartfelt Centres and finalizing the new Free BOM due for release in just over a week. Yes, that's right, there's another quilt on the way. And it's such a knockout, I'm adding it to my Must Make tally this year, bring my current 'started in 2019' WIPs to 3! Gosh, it's February and I am on a roll!

I can't wait to show off my hard efforts and introduce the next BOM beauty, but right now I'm a too busy to stop and chat, see you on the other side of WOW!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Picking the Background

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Yes, of course I'm still deciding between fabrics, it just wouldn't be 'me' otherwise.

This is my 'live and let loose' quilt, so I'm free to just go crazy and do whatever outlandish thing the fabric calls me to do. But even with all this 'freedom', I keep sliding into indecision. Honestly, it's exhausting. There must be a medical term for this kind of fabric infatuation.

But more importantly, what do you think? The purple dots, the circus stripes or the KFC circles? 

Can't you just see that each one is fabulous in it's own special way? So much stunning fabric, it's like a party on my wall right now as I pin, pin, pin.

I love this quilt. The Heartfelt Centre is really speaking to me.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Making the Heartfelt Centre

I love this sight, it means progress is on it's way. By now, I didn't see myself still doing it like this. I have a Brother Scan n Cut sitting on my table.. but I've been so busy, I haven't actually had time to 'use' it. How ridiculous is that? I have to finally tackle it before it gets covered in dust!

Anyhow, here are my template shapes, ready for cutting. I've already selected the fabrics. Well, most of them- you know I love to change things up as I go along..

follow the pattern to create your template units

 I'm creating my star with the templates

although I've noticed a lot of you are fussing cutting the shape instead - and that works perfectly too

I like to create two halves from my templates and then sew them together

Like so

I never tire of making stars, I think I'll have to make a star quilt one of these days 

and now it's time to sew my heart sets

I finally opted for a cheerful yellow that blends with the olive green and picks up the dark pinks in the star fabric

Looking good, huh?

As I go on, the more fun it gets..

Aren't these leaves the best? I'm so happy with the harmony between these fabrics

and this is my neat back view

I'm still deciding on what fabric I'm going to use for the area behind the Heartfelt Centre 

that is framed by the scallop border (not the background).

The Heartfelt Centre Fabrics

I'm having so much fun selecting my heartfelt centre fabrics. 

This print was calling me, I'm so glad the flower head fits within the template!

How's this for perfect leaves? They're already veined. Perfect!

I feel in love with this fabric for the second layer because of this romantic detail

I thought would be perfect for the hearts

but it didn't work!

It's lovely but the mood changed! So I kept playing and auditioning those fabrics

hmmmmm

Wonderful indecision.. so many fabrics, so many possibilities.. 

I'll let you know what I select.. just as soon as I do!

1 Quilt = 2 Colour schemes

I know, I can't believe it either. 

Hold Onto Your Heart is pulling me into two directions.. and I'm taking both roads!

Resistance is futile. My quilts have a mind of their own, I just follow their lead. Each pattern has a 'feel' to it and I can only audition fabrics until a 'fit' happens. Sometimes this is completely unexpected and different to what I envisioned. With Hold Onto Your Heart, I've been going back and forth and getting muddled with the in-between, so I'm going into two distinct ways:

The first calling is a gently romantic breeze in an almost monochromatic hue, it's subtle and sophisticated - and to that end, I'm still pulling the pallette together. I'm expecting the final delivery to arrive this week. I already have the base fabrics and they are just what I want to achieve. I've never made a monochromatic quilt before and this is something I want to challenge myself with. 

The second calling is a full colour 'love it as I go' selection and I've already made a start. There's much less pressure getting this one 'right' which is something I overthink and stress about a lot. I'm just going to have fun with bursts of colour. I love the idea of having a robust full colour quilt and a subtle sophisticated twin as well. They're both going to be fabulous and you'll be seeing me work on both. 

I'm also working on 3 x Love Always colourways ..so I guess I'm going to have to find a few extra hours in the day. Ha! What else is new?