Sweet 2016, Part 5: Cupcake Cuties

 

This month it's time to indulge in some super sweet Cupcake Cuties and what a tray they make! I'm having more fun as each month goes by - I love choosing between fabrics for the most delicious combinations - and the best bit? Applique Cupcake Cuties are of course, guilt free. And that's a good thing as I've been dreaming of my all time favourite coated rum balls since making them for my quilt! 

Who doesn't love a cherry on top? And with just a single line in permanent marker over the fabric, you can add dimension to your cherry that looks all the more convincing! 

Here's how I made my own cuties this month:

I've gone with two types of lovely pink fabric for my first cupcake 

and topped it with some currant fussy cutting

 This is what the underside looks like, and yes I've opted to turn edge my applique again! I don't know why I didn't just raw edge the whole thing like I first planned, but once again, as soon as I start to applique anything, I always return to this method!

For the base of the cake, I simply cut a larger body piece in one shape

and shaded the in between lines with permanent marker in brown 

This is what my second cupcake looks like, 

I used the same pinks for the tops and added a cherry on top, because why not? 

 and this is what the underside looks like

 The meringue for one came together like this

and as always, I glue along with Elmer's to hold my shapes in place

layer by layer

 and so on 

 and the front, with my fussy cut flower

I opted for beige and blue, but your meringue could just as easily be white or anything else that tickles your fancy. For mine, it needed a sprinkling of sugar, so I stitched on some little beads to finish

The praline comes together in the same way: by layers

 And as I always say, it's the prepping that makes it all 'come together'

I find that labeling each piece is the only way I can keep track

Applique in this way is my own preference, but you could of course cut larger overall 'background' shapes for each motif and draw in the details with permanent makers, if you prefer. This quilt is perfect for trying out new techniques, so don't worry if the thought of so many pieces daunts you!

 step by step..

Rumballs are my favorite and coated rum balls (or giant truffles if you want to change them) 

have to come in threes, one or two is never enough!

As you can see, when I drew my cake stand, I added details as below that don't appear in your pattern. This is because I couldn't digitally add the specks, however you can add these details with your choice of fabric, beading or pen work. I'm already making another set of three rum balls for a fabric 'postcard' wall hanging for my DD who is also a rum ball addict and in that version, the coating is dark chocolate on a chocolate ball covered in tiny brown beads. For this wall hanging however, I have decided on pink, yellow and green coatings to harmonize with the colors used throughout. Feel free to make it up as you go.

 and the method is just the same: prep your pieces, clip and turn

 be neat and use an orange stick or pin to help with those tricky edges

 and the front...

or you could just raw edge the applique, do whatever suits your own style 

 Yum!

When it comes to creating the dome this month, I stitched bottom strips together

 which alternate light and dark grey

The grey tray 'plate' is a single curved line, but after placing my motif shaped in position, I went back and removed sections of grey plate background in order to remove bulk behind my shapes. You don't have to do this, I just decided to because I always like to remove any bulk.

 So it looked like this before the shapes went down

and this is what an afternoon's applique looks like!

This is where we are up to, placement wise is Part 5

remember not to sew down your domes onto a background until the very end!

Understanding the pattern release schedule: anyone can join Sweet 2016 at any time and when they do, they will receive a new block each month from that point onward. The day they receive each new block will depend on the date they signed up and made their first payment. Everyone who starts Sweet 2016, starts at the beginning, Part 1. Specific blocks cannot be purchased out of turn. 

Whenever you choose to start this BOM, be sure to keep us updated on your progress by sharing your work over in our Sweet 2016 BOM Facebook Group, see you there!

'Sweet 2016' is my current Mystery Applique BOM

It's just $3.95 per month

Delivered digitally, to your email inbox each month

And don't forget to join my Sweet 2016 BOM Group over on Facebook too!

WOW: Pattern Play

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

This week I've been getting picky choosing between 2 possible BOM designs. I love designing quilts and the hardest thing is always selecting which one to release next. They all have something special about them and it's hard to know what direction to go in sometimes. I'm really excited about the next BOM and can't wait to share it with you. That will be just before I release it. I've learnt my lesson from blogging online and now only show my patterns when they are complete and ready to release.

So in the meantime, here is another pic from the fabric parcel I purchased last week. I just fell for this berry tones one, I have no idea why it's numbered? It just called out to me and I had to have it! Also, the fabrics shown last week were from Di Ford's new collection. I love her eye for style, she always has gorgeous fabrics. I actually used another range of hers for Nelke when I made it. I don't know what fabric I will use in my next quilt, so I've just been shopping for potential play, nothing serious meterage wise!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Curating Fabric

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

Can you believe it's June already? It's only a few hours old but this month I've decided that I have to fess up and accept that I am not stash busting 2016 like I declared I would, no - nothing like it. Instead, I've decided to refer to my handpicked assortment of weekly fabric arrivals as 'curated'.

Hazel and Little Hazel only have a couple of months left before they're complete, so I've already been playing around and deciding which pattern from my stash of designs to release next. Of course, I need some new fabrics to help me decide and although I couldn't find any just right for that project, I did find some gorgeous new additions to go with an existing pink I've been wanting to use. What can I say? New fabrics are just too inspirational, I can't resist them!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Oma's Blues Beauty!

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

I think time is speeding by at the best of times, but in the last month, I haven't had a real sense of time at all, so I'm more than a little surprised to realize it's now Wednesday again. I'm doing exactly what I was this time last week -playing with my pattern folios, playing with fabric and colour. So this week I thought I would share someone else's WIP. This is the centre block from my BOM Oma's Blues - isn't it incredible? I made my own in Delft inspired blues but several members over in my Oma's Blues Group are going for colour..and the results are stunning. Just like this block. I'm in love with these hues, they're gorgeous. And of course, I love seeing my quilts made every which way and in all different colours.

This beauty is being created by Giuseppina Alaimo who has kindly allowed me to show off her block here on my blog. Beautiful!!

My quilt Oma's Blues is currently being offered for free over in my Oma's Blues Group, so if you'd like to make this BOM for free, you can! All past blocks are available and the BOM will be free until it's finished in November this year.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

WOW: Playing With Colour

WOW= WIPs On Wednesdays

Thank goodness for the Quilt BOM Group - whenever I need some inspiration, I just pop in and take a look at what everyone's up to. A lot, usually! That's the advantage of having over 3000 members, there's always someone doing something wonderful. Today I'm playing around with a quilt top that's been on my WIP chair since last year. The pattern is complete, but I just can't commit to a single colour scheme so I keep playing and changing my mind.

Today I've decided to let the Jinny Beyer Portable Palette lead the way and am relieved to announce that my current scheme is correct, visually, and I can move on to the next block. Sometimes I look at fabric too long and then get stuck when there's no need. I suffer from a serious case of fabric indecision. I rarely decide on a fabric - it's more the case that I simply decide to stop auditioning new ones for the same spot!

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Sweet 2016, Part 4: Chocolate Cake for One

This month it's time for a little self indulgence..and who could blame a sorely tempted quilter for tucking into a treat this charming? There's a Chocolate Cake for One under the glass dome and it's adorned with a too cute strawberry and garnished with a pansy. Yes please!

This past month I've eaten more chocolate cake than I care to admit, so it's an unusually fitting month and my mouthwateringly delicious chocolate hued fabrics have me craving yet another slice!

I always knew this Cake for One would feature in the Mystery. In fact, it was the first treat I sketched and became the Mystery mascot - so if you recognize it, that's why!

Be sure to copy and create your template pieces accurately. The Mystery is beginning to grow into a visual delight and it's easy, as the months go on, to get a bit careless with accuracy. The most important thing is that your finished applique block neatly matches the pattern. 

I still haven't sorted out my background fabric. The problem is, I love all the ideas - floral, plain, light, checked, barn wood, grey. black and jet blue. Oh, and I was rather taken by a red velvet also. I've set my many possibles aside and will re-visit them when I've finished my blocks. Or when inspiration strikes - whichever comes first. I've purchased more than 8 separate fabrics for my background and none of them are 'just so' when they arrive, so I've had to put a stop to background daydreaming and stick with the blocks themselves. I'm sure the right background will speak to me when it's time..at least I hope so! Fabric selection is my downfall. I can never decide. 

Here are my stash fabrics for the cake, strawberry and pansy. I had planned on making my pansy from the pattern - putting down a larger outline and then drawing in the small inner pansy shape that is just too fiddle for turn edge. This could be easily done with Indian Ink and penwork. But then I remembered my pansy stash. When I started out in quilting, every quilter I knew had a pansy stash. Lately I haven't seen much evidence of pansy fabrics, but I know they are out there!

 Here's my own favorite. Isn't it sweet?

Of course, if you have any other flower from a fabric in your stash, now is the perfect opportunity to fussy cut and allow it to adorn your cake. It just needs a little flower and I suspect I will get to see lots of different pansies and roses when this block gets made in the Group. I can't wait.

It's a little dome this month. This dome is the smallest size that occurs in the Mystery and it's set aside for the little morsels that need to shine all on their own. Most importantly, be sure that your dome doesn't grow and is an accurate match to the pattern.

I'm still undecided on whether to fringe my domes with flourished edges or not. I can't decide, I let the sweets sway me one way or another each month. This month, I've opted for decorative detail and I just think it makes the stand look so much cuter.

 to make it really tempting, I went in with my permanent fabric pens and enhanced some colours and in lines in the fabric. These little touches can just add the finishing touch, so don't be afraid to play.

 This is where we are up to in the Mystery..

As you can see, I've opted to pin my blocks onto the paper template each month rather than a fabric. It helps me put my fabric indecision to one side and focus on the gorgeous desserts instead.

Understanding the pattern release schedule: anyone can join Sweet 2016 at any time and when they do, they will receive a new block each month from that point onward. The day they receive each new block will depend on the date they signed up and made their first payment. Everyone who starts Sweet 2016, starts at the beginning, Part 1. Specific blocks cannot be purchased out of turn. This means that the Group can be up to Part 4 whilst some members have only received Part 1, 2 or 3. Only the first BOM starters - those members who signed up before and during the launch are up to Part 4.

Whenever you choose to start this BOM, be sure to keep us updated on your progress by sharing your work over in our Sweet 2016 BOM Facebook Group, see you there!

'Sweet 2016' is my current Mystery Applique BOM

It's just $3.95 per month

Delivered digitally, to your email inbox each month

And don't forget to join my Sweet 2016 BOM Group over on Facebook too!