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?

BOM 2019: Look What Arrived!

When you open a box and are greeted with a sight like this, you know you've made a good decision. Those folks over at Craftsy know what they're doing. And phew, am I glad! I went a bit crazy and shopped their fabric clearance sale, picking up fabric ranges from a manufacturer I'd never heard of. I know, it's crazy. And I knew it would either be fabulous or .. a mistake. Gladly, I'm delighted with my purchase. Not only did I get slashed prices, but the fabric quality is excellent too.

I have been in such a pickle over selecting fabric for my latest quilt, Hold Onto Your Heart. I am so in love with this quilt and feel that a gentle colour scheme in antique reproduction tones (as used in the pattern which is a French General range by Moda) would be perfect. But by the time I went to purchase the range, the prints I wanted were sold out. It's still possible to pick up certain prints but the exact ones I had my heart set on are out of stock everywhere. This was a huge disappointment as I was really 'feeling' the fabrics and was sure my selection was set. Ha! as if! You know the course of my fabric selections never run smooth!

I spent days looking at fabrics everywhere and not feeling anything. I just couldn't see my pattern made up in them. That is, until I stumbled across the Craftsy clearance sale; suddenly the almost monochromatic idea I has been playing around with as a colourway option was coming into focus.. and this fabric seemed to fit the bill. I love how these tones work together..

and now they have arrived

and actually, I'm really impressed by the quality and the whole shopping experience in general

but I think you already know where I'm going with this - I'm not fabric ready yet.

The range as it currently sits in my kitchen doesn't give me enough scope to create the gentle, harmonious, romantic vision I have in mind. I need a few extra prints to expand these and create a fuller selection that still stays within the boundary of my gentle vision. 

So I went shopping again. And I expanded a bit into some blues. And now I'm waiting for that delivery to arrive before I make a start on my romantic beauty. Which leads me to my next point, I'll be making two Hold Onto Your Heart Quilts this year. I hadn't planned to, but I'm being pulled into two directions- fabric wise, so to be satisfied, I simply have to.

Wish me luck.

WOW: Book Day

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm having a book day today. It's stinking hot down my way and I'm cooped up inside with the aircon on, hoping my newly planted herbs survive the extreme heat. It's days like today that I like to take a moment to just take it easy. This gorgeous book arrived yesterday and I've been enjoying every page.  I love Yoko Saito's work, she is a hugely talented woman.

This arrived in a package (it's not THE package) whilst I was waiting on another one. Although it's not what I was eagerly waiting for, it's been a welcome distraction. 

At some point today, my Craftsy fabric is due and I'll be able to make a start on my Hold Onto Your Heart design. I can't wait!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

HOYH: Part 1 is Launched

And so the journey begins..

The first thing to do is put the heart of this quilt into position. That place where the eye rests and returns and draws from. It's the centre of the scenescapes that surround it and it's the heartbeat behind this quilt. 

This is a flower with a star at it’s core that blooms out into three layers of expanding petals. The first layer consists of ‘heart’ shaped petals that come together circling the star. The second layer is perfectly sized and rounded for intricate fussy cutting or embroidery details and the third layer is a ring of leaves framing this beautiful, floral portal. 

This central focus reminds me of circular windows on old buildings and I love the possibility of how this motif can be transformed by fabric selections. Perhaps you also see a window, or maybe you see a town square or a floating and expanding flower head. Perhaps even, this is a kind of seasonal floral compass guiding all the elements that spring out from it. Who knows? This quilt design will be shaped by your love and your visions, so enjoy each step.

Members, Part 1 is now waiting for you over in the Members Only Area. Head over there to download it.

As for me, I'm still waiting for my fabric to arrive. It's actually due today, so as soon as I have it in my eager hands, I will be blogging my own process for creating Part 1. So if you'd like to wait until then to follow my lead before starting yous,  it will only be a few days. 

See you then!

'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! 

Simply click the quilt image to learn more.

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!