WOW: The Best Spot for Your Flower Blocks

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

This week I've been looking forward to ending the Forget Me Not mystery BOM. We're nearly there and whilst I've enjoyed every stitch, I'm so eager to see everyone's finished quilt top and get a good look at the flower blocks you've selected each month and also how you will be arranging them?!

I can't wait to see what the best spot for your flower blocks will be...

I spent hours positioning and re-positioning my own blocks. I couldn't stop changing them around. They're all set now. I can't show you my quilt tops because that would reveal too much before the 15th, however here are my two Forget Me Not Quilts and here are the flower positionings I have opted for in each one.

this is my yellow print Forget Me Not top with yellow background

and here's the fabric I selected at the very beginning of the mystery to make up the top

I still love the cheery yellow flower print and expect the brown to anchor the blocks enough

so that it isn't too busy

This is my red polka dot Forget Me Not top with a dark background

How could I resist red polka dots on beige? I love them!

What a week it's been! Just as I was getting somewhere with my new sewing space, I suffered a fall and have spent the last few days with my leg up, doing very little. It's been so hot this last week, not a day under 30c and with no rain in sight, so I decided to water some of my languishing pot plants one evening and tripped over and slipped in the wet! It's been really painful and especially frustrating...how could I have been so careless?!

The next installment of Forget Me Not is March 15th

What's Your WOW?

WOW: Easter 2013 Project Started

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm posting my WOW a little early this week

because I'm going to be offline tomorrow for most of the day.

Luckily, this week I have got back into gear and taken charge of my TO DO LIST which has been looming ever large since Christmas. I finally found and sketched out my

  Easter 2013 Project: 'Easter Blessings'  

It's a little applique block that I'm going to make into a miniature wall quilt to grace a small space of wall above our dining table for Easter. Of course, I quite like the idea of turning it into a cushion too...or maybe even a quick table runner. Or maybe all three! It depends on my final choice of fabric and if there's enough to stretch - today I'm thinking of applique in wool and I have a small wool stash that could work. Of course, it could also make a lovely red work. But I will have to narrow down my ideas and just get one finished by tomorrow. I don't remember if there were enough brights in the stash so I'll have a better look and get on with finishing this newly designed WIP pronto!

Of course, like so many of my patterns there are birds included and this design features a couple, the female bird is the chirping one!

What's your WOW?





This mini pattern was released for free to my online BOM Quilt Group back in 2013. It is no longer available for free. You can purchase it for $2.00 USD as an instant PDF download.

WOW: Too Much Cake!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Happy Birthday to my DH. What a lovely day.

But two DDs means two cakes = what could I do with it all??

Luckily I had a judging workshop this past week and was able to share it out.

It was too good to go to waste...but I definitely couldn't have it hanging around the house where it would be too tempting to snack on all the time.

'where's the Easter box?' my DD asked me over our birthday lunch

'The Easter box? Why do you need that?' I replied

'Well', she told me, 'it's Easter now'

Yes it is.

Where does the time fly?

and where is the Easter box ???

'mum, this wouldn't happen if you weren't so disorganised!'

Hmm. No comment.

'do you know where the Easter box is?'

'of course, it's somewhere safe'

 And it is...somewhere. Wish me luck.

What's your WOW this week?

WOW: Now Where Did I Put You...?

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

these 4 blocks are patiently sitting somewhere

Somewhere, someplace, in a special box, I have tucked away my BOM Quilt. My Forget Me Not Mystery BOM Quilt. You know, for safe keeping during all my downsizing / re-organising / prioritising activity. Problem is, I'm not sure which box it is. And short of unpacking everything - and losing my unpacking 'system', I'm simply going to have to finish my sewing room in order to find it!

Re-organising my sewing and fabrics and 'stuff' felt so liberating, it felt like such a good idea before I started it. Now it feels like I'll never finish. Today, I'll keep unpacking.

What's your WOW ?

Lemon Squeezy Stash Busting

I'm always being asked about free quilt patterns for beginners so I'm happy to pass on this link for McCall's Quilting Magazine. I received an email from them today, they have released several short ebooks for free download which you may like to know about. Their free quilt patterns are bright and vibrant - perfect if you have some printed fabric you'd like to show off.

http://www.mccallsquilting.com/free-modern-quilt-patterns

Going through my quilts, I haven't made as many modern quilts as I thought I would (I think I must love traditional applique too much), but I do like simple quilts and the Lemon Squeezy quilt in this ebook caught my eye. It's one of those quilts I always have in the back of my mind to get around to making one rainy day, but never have. Well, now I have the pattern so I might just go ahead and make it. I love the idea of quilting as I go and it looks like a perfect stash buster for turning out a fun modern quilt in a day (and I need a few of those around the house). What I really like about this pattern is that the strips are wider than usual, making it fast and easy. And I definitely have plenty of fabric to choose from.

This might just be the perfect project to get me motivated again - using up some fabric and warming up my machine - I haven't sewn anything for weeks! (months?). I've been too busy organising my sewing room to get any actual sewing done.

To receive your free ebook, simply click on the above image which takes you to the McCall's site.

I don't have any affiliation with McCall's so if you have any queries about the patterns or ebooks please contact them directly through their website.

FMN: Part 13 is launched

Forget Me Not is coming to it's sweet end. It's been a charming applique quilt, I've really enjoyed every block. But I shouldnt be talking about it like it's all finished now. Oh no, this might be the last applique block option, but next month is the quilt top reveal. Ready?

 

These are blocks from Part 13

of my free 2012 -2013 Mystery BOM Forget Me Not

 

Yes, anyone can join in:

You can download this month's block via my website or my Yahoo Bom Group

WOW: Fabric Distractions

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Yes, it's all mine and this is only 2x boxes unpacked. I'm beginning to realise that I might have to re-consider my 'essential' stack  again and have some kind of sale. There's just too much. And I have to accept now that each time I make up one of my quilts, I do like buying new fabric for the project specifically. Of course, every quilter needs something of a stash - it's vital. I just have too much. Still too much...and I really thought I'd cut back enough already. Seems not.

And then there's the fabric dilemmas, like this one: I love this medieval rose design. I purchased it for my DD for a quilt I was going to make her (which she doesn't want!). Now what should I do with this beautiful fabric? Get rid of it? I might have the perfect project for it one day...... or I might not. Who knows?

 Oh look! I can't get rid of this fabric, I was going to make a shirt from it. I love the print. The colours on monitor aren't coming up true - it's really a lovely warm orange with nice detail at the bottom of the fabric, it could be such a nice shirt.... what do you think?

 I bought all these fabrics because I loved them, parting with them is going to be hard!

What's your WOW?

Happy Travels Little Bear

It must be bear season; which is a little bit like kitten season. After weeks of no activity, all of a sudden I'm getting 2-3 emails a day asking for custom bears! An heirloom bear is a special thing, if you can make one yourself it's a wonderful legacy and if you can't, finding a handmade good quality bear is the next best thing.

a quick pic before postage!



This little Grizzly is on it's way to Norway I'm told. I always love it when a buyer is gracious enough to tell me where a bear of mine is going; it's so nice to know each and every one is going to a good home.

As I brush each bear for shipping, I fall in love with them all over again. When you make an heirloom by hand you do become attached to the characters you create as the faces and paws take shape. They're hard to part with!

When I was making bears I spent a long time (too long sometimes) sourcing the best German mohair, threading the nose thread through beeswax (manually of course) and shaping each face. I love a nicely hand stitched bear nose and I admit, it's one of the first things I always look for when I come across a hand made bear. It's such an important detail and really shows off the maker's skill.



I'm no longer making bears - they're just too time consuming. It takes a lot of skill and intense work to make a bear so I won't be taking on any custom orders or repeating patterns. What I have left in my Etsy shop is my attempt at downsizing what remains of my bear making days - they're the last of a lovely lot!

I have one small box of tools and premium mohair packed away just in case I have a family request in the years to come. Other than that, it's a hobby that I've enjoyed and moved on from.

Interestingly, my own DDs didn't have bears as children. Both were interested in dolls- and goodness knows I've made a few of those! They do both have a hand made bear of mine now, but they chose them in adulthood and I believe both are currently stashed away in boxes!

Did you have a special bear in childhood?  Do you still have it? Or did you have dolls?

WOW: Dabbling in the Garden

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Wrong time of year

Wrong time to pot

Wrong time to be outside

But I've spent so much time indoors this year so far,

sorting out my sewing studio, going through all my stuff, downsizing all my stuff, that I couldn't resist picking up this potted flower bunch when I was out grocery shopping.

I thought it was a lisianthus when the flowers were tightly curled, but it turned out to be a Prairie Rose.

And whilst I'm out here, I may as well get some weeding done. Before it heats up for the day.

Next week is the final part of the applique block installments of the Mystery Bom,

does it feel like the almost (nearly...) end yet??

I'm already excited about the next one.



What's Your WOW?

WOW: Oh, Not Much...

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I'm not much of a WOW host, am I?

I spend all my time tidying up, cleaning out and generally in a bit of a state. I should be showing all my WIPs to the wider world, one UFO at at time, I mean, it's only right and it's why I started WOW in the first place.

But I think I can be forgiven today, as I happen to be working on the next Mystery BOM. Yes, another one!

I shouldn't. My 'mystery' this year should be to unearth all my WIPs and get them done.

It's only right. And it's been so long since I started them that they probably would all my mysteries to me. But I can't help creating new things, so here I go again.

Add Your Own WOW!

WOW: Finding My Patterns

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Downsizing doesn't get any easier. I wish I could report on my progress since last week, but there's been so little of it. I thought I had enough room for the essentials, but it looks like I'm going to have to re-think what those essentials are. I haven't even started on my stash yet, and looking at my boxes I know more than half has to go. But what to do with it? It's all so beautiful which is why I chose it to begin with..and that's what makes it so difficult to part with. I keep re-finding old ideas with each new batch of prints, even though I know full well that each new quilt usually requires the purchasing of new fabric. I have to get around this or I'll never have the space I need.

On the plus side, I found a folio of my quilt patterns and I'm having a good look over what I want to make and looking at my calendar thinking about reasonable dates to get around to making it. There's another BOM in here somewhere and I'm deciding between mainly pieced or mainly applique? I feel like some piece work after FMN, but applique never loses it's allure either.

What's your Wednesday?

WOW: Look What I found ...

 WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Look what I found this morning - I guess there really are some perks to clearing out your sewing room! I have loved this little Ming Dynasty Japanese vase for over 20 years! It's been missing for a good five years, I was sure I last saw it in my DDs bedroom, so I'll have to admit right now that I actually found it nestled in my aqua/yellow fabric stash. It was bundled up which must be how I missed it when I packed my fabric boxes up. I think I must have been matching it...for a table runner or a complimentary applique plate wall hanging, or maybe I just wanted to make some cotton serviettes to serve with tea and biscuits? They all sound like nice ideas.

This little find coupled with the fact that it's Wednesday and I don't have any WIP progress to show because of my sewing room situation, makes me all the more determined to make more progress today.

What's your WOW?

Columbine & Iris

 

Forget Me Not: Part 12 is launched

Columbine & Iris

 

Once again we are working in size "A" which is the smallest block size in this quilt. It's fiddly and requires patience, and that's also why size A has come in for the last 3 blocks. You know you're reaching the end, so hopefully the extra attention required won't feel too difficult!

 

 

 

These are blocks from Part 12

of my free 2012 Mystery BOM Forget Me Not

 

Yes, anyone can join in:

You can download this month's block via my website or my Yahoo Bom Group

Minimising the Sewing Room

And I really thought I could do this in just a few weeks!!

My sewing room has been in need of some serious attention for years. Somehow, there's always been something more pressing to attend to. There were times I purchased the same item 2 or 3 times because I forget I already had some...or more often, couldn't find where the existing supply or item actually was. Then there came the time when my shelves couldn't take any more, then came the time when I found it hard to really do anything too productive because I had to dig myself into and out of areas. And it doesn't matter how large the space is, it seems I can always fill it...and have mobile sewing stations set up around the house as well. I really dislike the word 'minimising' because it always sounds to me of getting rid of things when you don't want to. And I do want to. This isn't about going without. It's about having the best use of what I already own.

The problem with going through all my stuff is that I keep finding interesting things!

I realised that I had too much stuff. The problem is, it's all useful. And it's all served a purpose. But, like a lot of things, I reached a point where I had to minimise. I want to go back to essential items and plenty of space. The fact is, although I have so many useful tools and time saving devices (such as specialty rulers), I always do things the same way and mostly use a small handful of the same things over and over. So who am I saving all these items for?? I was holding a lot of stuff for my DDs...but they've proven over and over that they're perfectly capable of buying things themselves. So I've decided to let a lot of unused items go to good homes. And I'm minimising to maximise my quilting time.

I've let go of literally hundreds of magazines which has given me so much space. Since blogging came along I don't buy magazines regularly anymore and I'll be holding onto just a shelf or two of essential quilting and inspiration books. Over the next 2 weeks I will be unpacking my fabrics and downsizing The Stash.

I'm really excited about my new neat shelves. Well, they will be neat. Soon.

When I started my clear out before Christmas, I really thought I could get it done before New Years. Ha! My fabrics are still boxed up. My Wips are still bagged up. It's just something that can't be rushed. I don't want a single unnecessary thing cluttering my space. I've sorted, boxed and moved everything out of my sewing space. I've re-positioned the shelves back to back, library like, to maximise room. I'm going through everything to have only the things I really need around me. I have so many projects I want to see completed over the next year or two, and this will be a real pick up in my working pace. I don't want to do it amongst clutter and disorganisation.

I really miss having my own sewing room to retreat to. I've started sketching over my shopping lists because I can't the box with all my journals. I've already started designing new quilt elements, so I'm going to need my new improved sewing space very soon; I'm going to have to just get on with it, no matter how long it takes! 

Time for January

 I feel like I've only been off my computer for a few days,

 time really flies when I'm offline...

 What a beautiful suprise; I came home to find pink Hybiscus flowering

 which reminds me I need to spend some time in the garden 

 

 for some dead heading!

 

 I've been somewhat pre-occupied with 

Christmas Eve, Christmas,

 Boxing Day,

 a DD Birthday,

a quick get-away

and several times I tried to post my Christmas recipes and goings on, but couldn't upload images to blogger and could not work out why or what was going on. Well, now I have just found out that it's a major blogger problem that google are working out and I could have posted all along if I'd known to open my browser in Firefox, which is what I'm doing now as I am still having this difficulty with Google.

And it occurs to me, that technology is moving so fast, that whever I think I can just about manage it, it decides to upgrade and I'm left having to learn something new again and I find I'm wasting so much time on what should be really simple stuff.

I'd rather be quilting!

 It's time to get stuck into some WIPs (this is the plan) and try to hold off starting anything new (although I have some great ideas I feel should really get underway too) so I'll have to decide how to spend my quilting time, just as soon as I've caught up on my emails, below...

I need a full time secretary!