Almost Monochromatic

This is my chosen colour scheme. I know, I can't believe it either!

I was really hoping that my chosen fabric for my latest BOM 'Hold Onto Your Heart' would have arrived by now; I want to show it off and share my fabric colourscheme with you all. I have stepped out of my comfort zone and into a scheme that I never thought I would embrace. Not only that, but this is an extra special applique quilt and I expect it to be in my family for, well, forever. So I was full of fabric indecision. Originally I settled on a beautiful range by French General which looks like this:

I saw this range in real life a few months ago and I thought it was very special, it has a reproduction feel to it and the antique styling of the hues really appealed to me. Frankly, it's just beautiful and looks much more inviting in life than the screen image here allows. Unfortunately, when it came time for me to shop the range for Hold Onto Your Heart, it was all but sold out. I could only find bits and pieces but not enough for the whole top. I've learnt the hard way that mixing and matching  between ranges can be a hit and miss affair owing to the undertones and pigment hues and I didn't want to be trying to match up colours the whole time I was working. For me, I like to have all my fabrics 'at hand' when I start out, so I don't have to overthink the fabric process with each little step.

I absolutely fell in love with my polka dot colourings- both the orange and the purple based bright beauties really spoke to me. And if I were making 2 x Hold Onto Your Heart quilts, one of these would have to make the cut - they're gorgeous. In fact, it's hard for me to even look away from them right now as I type this. They hold huge potential to be good love stories, fabric wise.

However, I am mindful that I'm making 3 x Love Always quilts and two of those will be bright and bold beauties just like these two so I want Hold Onto Your Heart to really stand 'separate' from Love Always. And that's how I decided on the black and whites on beige theme which is the first quilt pic at the top of this post.

It's almost monochromatic, but not quite. The beige background gives this otherwise decidedly cool tones quilt a bit of a pulse - it's sophisticated but not cold and the more I look at it and think about it, the more it grows on me. I know that taking this step will be a huge act of perseverance and control - working with low contrast hues like this is not something I've even wanted to do before; but sometimes a certain design calls for you and you can't resist. At least that's what happened in my case. I would never have planned for a cool, black and white on beige quilt, but now that I'm about to start, I really can't wait. I'm hopping foot to foot for my fabrics to arrive so I can see how they shine in real life.

Fingers crossed that I won't be waiting too long now..

WOW: Winners Hooray!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I've started 2019 by giving away 5x entries to my BOM 2019 'Hold Onto Your Heart' Quilt. Crazy huh? I thought I'd share my love of WIPS! So I suppose you can say that I've started 5 x WIPs for 5 x fellow applique adventurer's! 2019 is already turning out to be a fabulous year and I can't wait to show you what I've decided for my own Hold Onto Your Heart!

Happy Congrats 

 Antoinette Gregan, Mae Adkins, Cheryl Doerfel, Joy Anderson and Judith Goodwin 

who have each been contacted via the original Facebook Post.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Merry Christmas 2018: Click the Card to Play!

Merry Christmas

Thank you for a wonderful year of creativity and support

I hope your Christmas involves good people, good food and good times. 

This year I'm a guest at my DDs table, so I'm feeling very grateful not to have any last minute food preparations. I've reached an age where I can just show up and enjoy the day (!!) Well, for this year at least. I'll keep you posted of my festive ooohs and aahhhs over on Instagram as I have no idea what she's planned and I'm taking this whole 'guest' role very seriously!

Lots of love, Esther

WOW: Last WIP Before Christmas!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Dare I even ask what you are working on, this last Wednesday before Christmas?

I'm not even going to pretend I'm being productive - I'm just doing whatever suits my mood.

Although I can tell you that I haven't even put my door wreath up yet!

To be perfectly honest, I'm all in a spin over my BOM, I think it's my best ever and I've been busy shopping online trying to hunt down the perfect fabric. Well, you know what I'm like - I'm shopping for fabric even though I haven't even committed to a colour scheme yet. Although I do think the French General is leading the charge, so to speak.

So I'll leave you with this virtual card that I got from a friend, I think it's apt for this time of year. I do most of my shopping online, but of course, there were a few things I had to pick up in person and when I went to the store I felt like I was in a time warp. I didn't recognize or notice how rude society has got whilst I've been at home shopping online. I was really saddened to see so much anger and hostility in 'general' over really silly stuff. Sure, I'm only human and I get irritated just like everyone else does. But it's a good time of year to remember that Kindness goes a long way and it's free to practice. 

Wherever you are, whatever you're doing, I hope you're not in a queue right now!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Getting Started With BOM 2019

I am so excited about the year ahead and can't wait for 2019 to get started. I know you have lots of questions and are eager to get started, so here's a visual step by step to getting started with the BOM 2019 program and a quick FAQ.

I will have multiple BOMs available in 2019. For the sake of clarity, BOM 2019 refers to Hold Onto Your Heart only. These files will be made available in accordance with a monthly schedule via a Members Only Download Area over on my website. This is also where paid members will download any extras and exclusives that I choose to release as part of the  Hold Onto Your Heart program.

The BOM 2018 program is now closed. The Members Only Download Area for BOM 2018 will be closing on December 31st 2018. If you signed up for BOM 2018 and have a login for that area, you will need a new login for BOM 2019 as the BOM 2018 area will be permanently closed soon.

BOM 2019: Hold Onto Your Heart will be released on the 15th of each month.
My upcoming free BOM for my Online Group will also be released on the 15th of each month.
The free BOM monthly files will be available in my Online Group in the 'files' area and via my blog each month.

All other paid BOMs that are available - including Coffee Cup BOMs, will be delivered directly via  email. You can start anytime, receiving Part 1 with your first payment and then subsequent installments each month onwards until the BOM is complete.

No matter what pattern you are making, you are most welcome and encouraged to join my Online Quilt Group where we meet up for friendship, encouragement and a mutual love of fabric!

For those of you who have signed up for BOM 2019, thank you! Here's what to do next:

Go to my website and select the Block of the Month 2019 TAB as shown below.

On this page, you can read all about 

Hold Onto Your Heart and purchase the BOM 2019 program

Once you have paid, its time to sign up for the Members Only Download Area 

Click on BOM 2019 LOGIN HERE

Which brings you to this login page

Remember, only follow this step AFTER you have paid

Once you have signed up, please wait.

I personally approve members daily.

Once approved, you'll receive an email letting you know.

Then, you can access the Members Only Download Area any time it suits you.

Remember, the BOM starts Jan 15th 2019 however I will be adding the fabric requirements later this week. 

Polka Dots Are Never Wrong

I've taken my love for polka dots up a notch and applied it to Hold Onto Your Heart

and I think the results prove the point that

polka dots are never wrong

and I can't wait to start this BOM adventure and see for myself 

what colour ways all of YOU opt for?! 

Hold Onto Your Heart

The Finished Size is 87 x 87 inches for the full floral border. And if you opt for the alternative pieced border, the Finished Size will be 85 x 85 inches. 

This is a 12 month BOM running from January 15th to December 15th 2019.

This BOM consists of a PDF pattern file released each month. You are purchasing the pattern. There are no fabrics or kits available. 

You will access the pattern installment parts via a dedicated BOM 2019 Members Only Download Area over on my website. 

After you have paid, you will need to sign up to this Members Only Download Area in order to access the pattern once the BOM starts. After that time, you will be able to access the Area whenever it suits you and new files will be ready and waiting for you to download 24 hours a day in accordance to the release schedule. 

Whilst you will be accessing the pattern parts via an exclusive members only download area on my website, I hope that you'll head on over to my online BOM Group (on Facebook) where you can share progress pics of your work and generally join our friendly quilting hub. Everyone on there is making one of my patterns and we'd all love to see how you're getting on!

  Early Bird Discount  

BOM 2019: Hold Onto Your Heart 

Complete Single Payment
$83.00 USD

Hold Onto Your Heart: Dotty Purple Colourway

Applique lovers, your new quilt project has arrived! 'Hold Onto Your Heart' is my BOM for 2019 and is full of splendid details. If you love exquisite applique, sign up today and snap up the Early Bird Special.

This dotty purple version makes my heart go boom!

Don't you just want to wander around these scenes? 
I love the atmosphere this centre evokes.

These colours just... well, bloom!

Like It? Make it!

The Finished Size is 87 x 87 inches for the full floral border. And if you opt for the alternative pieced border, the Finished Size will be 85 x 85 inches. 

This is a 12 month BOM running from January 15th to December 15th 2019.

This BOM consists of a PDF pattern file released each month. You are purchasing the pattern. There are no fabrics or kits available. 

You will access the pattern installment parts via a dedicated BOM 2019 Members Only Download Area over on my website. 

After you have paid, you will need to sign up to this Members Only Download Area in order to access the pattern once the BOM starts. After that time, you will be able to access the Area whenever it suits you and new files will be ready and waiting for you to download 24 hours a day in accordance to the release schedule. 

Whilst you will be accessing the pattern parts via an exclusive members only download area on my website, I hope that you'll head on over to my online BOM Group (on Facebook) where you can share progress pics of your work and generally join our friendly quilting hub. Everyone on there is making one of my patterns and we'd all love to see how you're getting on!

  Early Bird Discount  

BOM 2019: Hold Onto Your Heart 

Complete Single Payment
$83.00 USD

BOM 2019 is Launched: Hold Onto Your Heart!

Every now and then I design a quilt that seems to take on a life of it's own. This is one such quilt. I'm head over heels happy to announce that it's my paid BOM for 2019. I think it's a splendid quilt and I love every bit of it. I hope you'll love it too. Applique lovers, this is a journey for your creativity to soar through. Get ready for 12 months of paced installments that will accomplish a masterpiece worthy of all your delight and pleasure. 

Let's take a good look at what this design has to offer. 

'Hold Onto Your Heart' is a sentimental quilt: it's full of evocative motifs that represent all those values I hold dear to my heart; love, abundance, perseverance, sanctuary and journey. This is a meaningful quilt, a work of your own hands and passion. 

The middle section consists of detailed applique scenes before the eye reaches outward and rests in the calm borders. I love these strong calm edges. And the details? such details! This is a quilt that will jump for joy at any extra love and attention you invest in it: fussy cutting, broderie perse, stitchery, embroidery, perhaps a few beaded embellishments here and there.. 

This is one quilt that can take as much fussiness as you want! In the pattern there are exquisite extra details that you can't see here -for instance, thorns on the vine (which aren't added to these images yet). 

Lavish all your detailed attention on each little scene and make it as personal as you wish. It is after all a masterpiece of your own making. And I'm still just talking about the centre, there's even more pleasure to come!

At first glance, the design creates an impression of a life map (..or perhaps a treasure map?) before searching for and finding all those wonderful details that make this quilt so special. 

The floral border is a triumph; full of rose heads tumbling through the vines and spilling over into the previous border. Are you imagining your favourite fabrics at work in this design yet? 

You know I can't resist a rose garden or baskets full of blooms, but for anyone not interested in the blooming rose border, there is also an alternative pieced border option included in the pattern that has been designed to zig zag any gorgeous fabrics you may want to use instead. And the alternative border option is not some afterthought - it's been perfectly designed to allow you to compliment the centre with enough visual room to allow you to showcase beautiful fabric prints. 

See what I mean?

Ok, let's talk details!

The Finished Size is 87 x 87 inches for the full floral border. And if you opt for the alternative pieced border, the Finished Size will be 85 x 85 inches. 

This is a 12 month BOM running from January 15th to December 15th 2019.

This BOM consists of a PDF pattern file released each month. You are purchasing the pattern. There are no fabrics or kits available. 

You will access the pattern installment parts via a dedicated BOM 2019 Members Only Download Area over on my website. 

After you have paid, you will need to sign up to this Members Only Download Area in order to access the pattern once the BOM starts. After that time, you will be able to access the Area whenever it suits you and new files will be ready and waiting for you to download 24 hours a day in accordance to the release schedule. 

Whilst you will be accessing the pattern parts via an exclusive members only download area on my website, I hope that you'll head on over to my online BOM Group (on Facebook) where you can share progress pics of your work and generally join our friendly quilting hub. Everyone on there is making one of my patterns and we'd all love to see how you're getting on!

  Early Bird Discount  

BOM 2019: Hold Onto Your Heart 

Complete Single Payment
$83.00 USD