BOM 2018: 'Australis' Art Wall Hanging

Let your fabric fancies take flight with this fabulous art wall hanging. Yes, it's the first of two bonus projects for the wonderful members taking part in the paid BOM 2018 program. Large or small? What size will YOU select? Go to the Members Only Download area to download your new feathered friend full pattern right now!

This pattern is a bonus exclusive, it's not for sale.

WOW: Morning Glory Progress

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Today I'm working on my BOM quilt 'Morning Glory'. As you can see, my design wall is taken up with MG and I'm rather keen right now to get the top completed. It's been hanging around a few weeks and it's about time I pulled it all together. All that mess below my design wall is my next project, waiting in the 'queue'!

Phew, sometimes I look at my creative queues and think I need to slow down and commit to one project at a time and progress in an orderly line. I tried that a few years ago and realized I was just kidding myself. I never do anything in a progressing straight line and my project Must Do's are no exception. Rather than fight my natural inclinations, I'm simply going along with them now. I feel more motivated this way. 

Usually I reserve Wednesdays for WIPs that aren't BOMs as I usually work on BOMs all the time. But right now, I'm so excited about upcoming projects that I feel I need some clear space. Also, I know that if I take down Morning Glory, it will be months before I return it. So, I'm breaking my own rules to get ahead of my own schedule.

I love Wednesdays because they force me to stop, take a look at what I'm doing and 'recap' for this blog post. It's kept me accountable for many years and it helps remind me just how fast a week flies by. Without these WIP stops, I have no idea if I would have achieved as much since I started blogging. It's definitely a habit I want to keep for as long as I'm quilting. 

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Morning Glory: Making Part 8

This month's making is very similar to last month's Part 7.

You will breeze through the steps..

If you haven't already, you can view last month's step by step by visiting the Morning Glory archive right here on this blog: click here now to see all tutorial posts on this quilt. 

Prepare all your fabrics according to the Templates. You already know by now, but I like to repeat myself: please make sure that you print and accurately construct your pattern sheet before cutting into any fabric.

 I created the 'blades' first, alternating the fabrics as per the pattern

 Then I started on the quarter circles

turning the top fabric edge and using small dots of basting glue to hold it all together as I layered each shape on top of the other, building 'upwards'. Remember as you work and build your applique, to continue checking it against the pattern sheet to ensure that it isn't 'growing'. I always pin my design into position as I work, just to make sure..

 this is what the back looks like

and this is the gorgeous front

I am loving this quilt more and more with each block I make.. I can't believe we're so close to the finish line now..

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: Winter Play

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I have a list of things to do that is as long as my arm, but sometimes you've just got to pull out your 'hexi play box' and have a day off. Winters down my way are usually mild affairs but this year has been properly cold and I've been making the most of being indoors rugged up against the rain, howling wind and gloomy outdoors. And of course, I've been designing my socks off!

This is my hexi box. It's a re-purposed beauty lotion gift box and it's the perfect size for me to cart around. In it, I hexi cut and then stash scraps that I have fallen in love with. At the moment I am gathering hexi flowers. When I have a few hundred, I will create a useful  throw about the house quilt. It's a simple piecing project that will come together with lots of pretty scraps leftover from meaningful projects.

This gorgeous peony fabric is a leftover from some bed-linen I made my DD. The women in this family are all fabric mad. And somehow, even though I protest and say I won't or can't, I find that I'm always sewing up some project for my DDs.  Come to think of it, now that I am looking at these peony print hexi flowers, I think I will set these aside to create a European pillow case to match the bedding or maybe a chair cushion .. it seems too nice not to pair it back up with the original project. I will have to check with my DD and let you know what happens. Whatever happens, it's the perfect day for an easy WIP and this is what mine looks like today..

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

'Little Hazel' by Louise Thomassin Kahr

This is 'Little Hazel' by Louise Thomassin Kahr 

of Ayers Cliff, Quebec, Canada 

Something that's interested me for a long time is the way a single pattern like Hazel and little Hazel can look so different depending on the fabrics used. Here is a pattern that can look downright reproduction when made in dusty hues or thoroughly modern when worked in simple, clean tones.

Louise has made hers beautifully and of course, I love it.

How fabulous is this pallette? When I first designed Hazel and Little Hazel, I loved the idea of a restricted pallette - limiting myself to 3 or 4 colours and in those options, I has a scheme very similar to this one, so I'm extra lucky that I get to enjoy seeing my vision 'made up' in this way.

Stunning.

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

'Hazels' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

 

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

Thanks to Louise Thomassin Kahr for sharing her finished quilt 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.

'12 Days of Christmas' by Glenda Jean Hepburn

  12 Days of Christmas by Glenda Jean Hepburn  

How about some 'Christmas in July' fun and festivities? 

We all need a dedicated Christmas quilt, don't we? 

This one belongs to Glenda Jean, a Moderator in my BOM Group and you can see how she has made it her own special occasion quilt. It's beautiful. I love the shining dove and star! And I especially love how she has added her own candles to each side of the tree - a wonderful addition. Perfect!

If you'd like to read more about '12 Days Of Christmas', you can check out the quilt post archive right here on this blog by clicking the image below. 

'12 Days of Christmas' 

Read more about this quilt by clicking here now

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

Thanks to Glenda 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.

'On My Window, Flowers Bloom' by Sobana Sundar

  On My Window Flowers Bloom by Sobana Sundar  

What a week for this popular floral wall hanging! Two in a single week, wow! Keep them coming everyone, I can't get enough of your creative talent. This beauty is by Sobana Sundar. Isn't it great? I'm noticing a trend for blue sky backgrounds and as they all look so wonderful, I can understand why!

I love how the blue sky background draws the eye to the front vase blooms. The use of white to enhance the blooms is a gorgeous touch and the lightly spotted white blooms look positively ethereal on either side of the extravagant purple head. The red blooms above are perfectly graduated and the wood frame with green pops. It's gorgeous!

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 Sobana 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.

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