Coloured Happy - Wavelength Finish

You know when you see a quilt somewhere on social media and you think "I have to make that"?  Well, that happened when I first saw Lee's Wavelength quilt - her latest Freshly Pieced pattern.  I bought it on the spot and then pondered how I would make it mine?  The answer came a few days later when a new parcel of acquired fabrics arrived on my doorstep!  A divine little fat 1/8th's bundle of V and Co's Color Me Happy would do the trick....... And it did!

 

I started with the brightest print in the range - the hottish pink - and went from there.  Stuck with my love for radiating colour, moving outwards from pink to green, and then after much arguing with myself - chose to use the low volume prints in the range and then some white on white prints for the last couple of rows.  I was pretty damn happy with the outcome!

Lee's pattern is for a throw/lap size quilt, but I wanted to make it larger, so actually did some maths and added a few more rows here and there. So it now sits at a full single size!

The backing is made up of three shades of pink and one shade of green, along with a big strip of white down the side.  I love this too.  Well, I love everything about this quilt!

 

The pattern gives you the option to either paper piece or template piece.  Strangely enough, I chose to use templates!  I didn't fancy printing off a million paper piecing patterns!  The templates were very easy to use - I actually printed mine out and then pasted it on to two layers of cereal box cardboard, then cut around the templates when the paste had dried.  Perfect!

 

When it came to quilting, I had a complete anxiety attack!  It was soooo big, and there were soooo many seams and intersections, that just the thought of wrangling it through my Bernina gave me a conniption!  Instead, I sent it off to one of my long time friends, who just happens to have her own longarm business.  Debbie has just started a blog - Quilts from Nana's Trunk - but has been quilting ever since I met her.  And that was wayyyyy back in circa 1991 just after moving to Melbourne!   Debbie uses pantographs for her quilting designs, so after a quick lesson on how on earth a pantograph works, I chose this gorgeous design.  It's sort of a cross between a clam shell and a cloud?!!  I wanted a design with curves in it, to sort of play off the sharpness of the hundreds of pointed blocks in the quilt top.  And I'm VERY pleased with how it has turned out!

And this, my friends, is how beautiful it looks on a bed!

What I like most about this quilt is that you can take a pattern, which looks SO amazing, and change it ONLY by the fabrics used, and it can look SO different!

IN THE DETAILS:

SIZE - 81" x 55"

PATTERN - Wavelength by Freshly Pieced

FABRIC - Color Me Happy & Homespun white and solids.  Binding - April Showers

THREAD - Pieced by Me using 50wt Aurifil #2024

Quilted by Debbie using 40wt Aurifil

I'm linking up - Because I can!  You can too!

W.I.P. Wednesday - Working It Out

If you've visited here the last couple of Wednesdays, you would know my Wavelength quilt top has been a rather big project.  I bought all the fabric for the backing before the top was finished, but then when it came to put it together, I stalled.  Well, yesterday I got my s*it together and had it sorted.....

And whilst I was motivated, I got this baby basted.

As you can see, it's freakin huge!  Our dining table fits four chairs on either side......so if you do the math.......

I'm still completely befuddled about how to quilt it.  So it's all pin basted and rolled up in a log, and is currently living on top of the lounge in the back room.  I'm going to have to psych myself up both mentally and physically for the quilting challenge ahead.  I'm quietly contemplating sending it to a long armer....but am strapped for cash.  We'll see........

If you haven't seen this earlier, I'm hosting The Kate Spain Aussie Charm Swap!  It kicked off yesterday, and I'm happy to say I've already had 38 fabric lovers sign up!  Soooo - 18 spots left for the taking!  Head over HERE for all the details and feel free to share with all your Aussie/Kiwi friends!

I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced - You can too!

Almost Wordless W.I.P. Wednesday & A Winner

247 x 4.5" blocks all sewn together with I think only a handful of points sacrificed.  I'm one very proud human being right now.

 

I got it up to a single bed size.  Just need to baste, quilt and bind.

I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced - You can too!

P.S.  The winner of Cornelia's "Every Which Way" pattern is - 

Thanks to everyone who entered!  I shall email you in a tic Quilting Momma!

W.I.P. Wednesday...... Progress

Yesterday brought progress to my Wavelength quilt.  It's now at cot quilt size and I was maybe who knows am aiming for single bed size.  Soooo, 168 4.5" blocks done.  Probably about 80 more to go.  Hmmmm........

My original plan was to use all the colours in the Color Me Happy range but I'm second guessing myself - so who knows what this will look like when it's finished!?

You can really see why V & Co named this range what they did!  It's just so damn cheerful to look at!

And in other W.I.P. news - I've received quite a few more bee blocks from QCA Bee #5!  You may remember the Radiating Sparkler block I first whipped up a couple of months ago HERE?  Well, they're multiplying.  And I am ADORING how it's all coming together!

Photo is from IG, so apologies for its fuzziness!

I'm also realising that I may or may not have a slight addiction to the use of gradient colour schemes!?!?  So be it!  And for all of you who asked me back when I did the first of these blocks - I will have a tutorial for you all in a month or so ;)

I had planned to pull out all my W.I.P.'S to fess up, but clearly did not have the time!  I was discussing with a quilty friend the other day about the onset of my quilter's ADHD, and she made me feel much better by confessing she has 27 W.I.P.'S.  I promised I wouldn't judge, and I won't - basically because that could very well be my count in a couple of years if I don't pull my finger out!  I think my count is at six.  But don't hold me to that.....

I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced - You can too!

Sunday Stash & Dash

I think the "Stash & Dash" is going to become a regular post here for me!  I seriously cannot get my shit together during the week lately to write multiple blog posts!  So I now have 15 minutes spare and will punch this baby out using dodgy Instagram photos!  Sorry.....

Firstly, the stash part - I decided I needed another bundle of Wee Wander, so I wandered over to Westwood Acres and threw it in my cart.  And then decided to make my shipping worthwhile, I best fill that cart up!  I chucked in a fat 1/8th bundle of Color Me Happy and Full Moon Lagoon for good measure.  They were SO pretty when I opened it up, and although I didn't have anything in mind for the Fat 1/8th bundles, I soon found something.....

The delightful Lee over at Freshly Pieced just released a fabulous new pattern - Wavelength.  She has it on sale for a limited time, so if you pop over HERE you will find it.  I knew Color Me Happy would be perfect for this pattern, and just had to do some creative cutting with the little 1/8th's!  The above photo is 1.5 days work.  I'm using the template version, opposed to the paper pieced.  Basically because I don't have a printer, and I don't really want to ask my husband to print off 100's of templates at work!  I'm THRILLED with how it's coming together, and have cut out another two rows ready to add this week.  My youngest son was watching me lay it out and asked "who's this quilt for Mum?".......  Ummmmmm, I dunno!!!!

Another little happy package arrived, my 11th block pattern and fabrics for the Fat Quarter Shop Mystery Designer BOM.  I love this block, so cute!  Getting to the end of the BOM, so I shot over to Spotlight last Tuesday to take advantage of their 40% off fabrics, and grabbed some solids and a couple of little prints that will work beautifully will these blocks!

I have also come to the conclusion this week that I have finally succumbed to Quilter's ADHD.  I seem to be constantly starting new projects and jumping from one to the other.  Totally normal, I'm told, for quilters - but strange for me!  This little paper pieced Union Jack is the beginning of a  project my Wombat Stew friends are helping me with.  A London themed quilt!  It's going to be FAB!

And lastly, this is my April block for the QCA Bee #5!  Michelle asked for the great block pattern and asked us to use the cutest most fabulous feature fabric we had.  It was pretty obvious I should pull out my Jolli Pomme for the occasion!  She also asked for gem colours and to use some aqua in the block.  I think I covered all bases?  I love it!

Anywho, my 15 minutes is almost up, and I have television to watch!

I'm linking up - You can too!

W.I.P. Wednesday #22 - Quickie x 2

A very quick W.I.P. Wednesday post tonight - which is fitting given the speed in which these two projects are coming together!

A couple of weeks ago, a friend showed me a quilt her Step-Mum made for her when she was 12.  It had certainly seen better days - well, it was 20+ years old, so many a day seen!  Her eldest son had loved it literally to death, and it was falling apart and really on death's door.  So she asked me if I could make a new one.  Well, two new ones - because she knew once the nine year old had a new quilt, the five year old would want one too!  I was more than happy to oblige, and the only guide she gave me was to make them boyish colours, but not babyish prints, as she wants these quilts to last them into adulthood.

The first one I used a fat quarter bundle of Art Gallery - Urban Mod.  I had this cut out, pieced together and ready to baste by the end of day one.  And quilted it this morning.  Binding will go on tomorrow!

And the second I cut out and starting piecing together after lunch today.  It's another Art Gallery range - Indian Summer.  I quite simply cannot believe how bloody quickly these disappearing nine patch blocks go together!  I wanted something relatively quick and easy, and the gang at QCA were great when I questioned in there the other day!  So given that I still have tomorrow and Friday off work - I am aiming to have both of these bad boys finished by the weekend!

I'm linking up with W.I.P. Wednesday with Freshly Pieced - you can too!

W.I.P. Wednesday (Ok, it's Thursday!) #20 - Still Flying.

Yesterday, I had the sudden urge to get more done on my "Flying by the seat of my pants" quilt.  So out of hibernation she came and this is how she ended up!  Chevrons finished, and then grabbed some of the scrappy bits to add another layer and then more white to frame it all.  I "think" I'm finished?

Please excuse badddddd iphone photo!  Good news - I just got my new camera today!

I say "think" because I have no idea who this quilt will be given to, or even if it will be given.  So how then do I choose what size to make it?  How to quilters decide on that stuff?  Anyway, at this stage it's between throw size and single bed size.  I guess you would call it child friendly size?

This my friends is what happens when you decide to make a dresden for a cushion and then turn it in to a quilt!  Watch this space, for I intend* to quilt this baby like never before!

There's no linky linking up this week.....but there will be plenty of W.I.P.'S out there for your to see in bloggy land!

* Disclaimer - my intentions can sometime be bigger than what eventuates.......

Butterfly Bloom Bloom Pow - Blogger's Quilt Festival

I only learnt about the Blogger's Quilt Festival a few weeks ago......wow!  If you, like me, want to know more, head over to Amy's Creative Side and be amazed!  Literally a festival of quilts.  A feast for the senses.  And much to see and learn!  You can nominate quilts from the 17th - 24th May and then vote for your favourites in each category from the 24th - 30th May!

I am entering my beloved Butterfly Bloom Bloom Pow.  It is my most recent finish, and dare I say - my favourite!  You can read my original post HERE.  But tonight, I'm going to gush a little more over this baby!

I decided to join Lee from Freshly Pieced in her quilt along - my first ever!  And on the 11th of April, began this beauty in ernest, hoping it would turn out "ok".  Just under one month later - it was finished! I followed the quilt along week by week, and in that last week decided that I just HAD to have it done in time to give to my daughter who was turning ten.  I finished with a couple of days to spare.

I chose to surround the blooms with a big white border....

Which then lead to loads of free motion quilting!

Once deciding on its recipient, I got creative....

And ended up with around eight butterflies throughout.

The pieced back is nothing like I had planned.  The zig zags are scraps from cutting out the blooms.

I appliqued them on to the homespun with a funny stitch that made it a nightmare to do!

But was very effective.

In the afternoon sunlight.

To say my Chelsea girl was thrilled with her quilt would be quite the understatement.  She has slept under it every night since and says it's the prettiest thing she's ever had!

The Details:

Quilt name: Butterfly Bloom Bloom Pow
Finished size: 73" x 61"
Fabric: Valori Wells Cocoon & assorted fat quarters & Homespun
Thread: Aurifil 50wt #2000
Machine quilted by Me on my Bernina 430
Group/Category: Bed Quilt

Thanks so much for popping in!  If somebody had of told me twelve months ago that I would be entering a quilting festival - I would have had them scheduled!  But here I am.  
Have a great weekend!

W.I.P. Wednesday #19 - A New Block in My Repertoire!

I don't have much to show in the way of W.I.P.'s this week.  So this will be very short and sweet!  The last few weeks of W.I.P. Wednesday have been taken up with my Bloom Bloom Pow quilt.....but I have finished that baby, which you can see HERE!

Remember the huge wholesale order I got for cushion covers?  Well, the owner of the shop in Bali was in Melbourne over the weekend, so I sent her home with the first dozen finished!  And here they are sitting pretty in her store.  They look even better with the inserts in them!  Now......only 104 left to finish!

And this is my other W.I.P. for the week!  My first even X and + block.  I have joined in a Japanese X and + block bee over at A Yankee In Queen Liz's Court.  Patti is an absolute crack up, and the bunch of ladies involved are all over the world!  I need to churn four of these babies out each and every month, so I need to get my skates on!

That's all folks!

I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced!  You can too!

Sew Cute Tuesday Debut! Bloom Bloom Finished!

Clearly I am an impatient quilter.  I have shown that trait on many a project!  So of course I can't wait until my normal Finished Friday post to show you my latest finish - last night's binding effort nearly tipped me over the edge with excitement!

Those who have been following along with me would know that I have been partaking in my first ever quilt along these last few weeks - the Bloom Bloom Pow, by Freshly Pieced.  It has been one of the most interesting processes for me in terms of quilting.  Seeing how a quilting design can come together, and wondering how on earth Lee comes up with said designs!  She's such a smart cookie.  It is the second of Lee's patterns I have used, the first was her Kissing Fish pattern - which almost sent me crazy!  But the finished result was amazing!  It didn't take much to convince me to join in the QAL - and I will be forever grateful I did, with the finished quilt - in my humble opinion - absolutely stunning.  My favourite finish yet!

So without further ado, here she is, my Butterfly Bloom Bloom Pow!

The beautiful front view.

I straight line quilted as per Lee's suggestion, and LOVED how it made the blooms shine. 

I then got my FMQ on, just doing lots of loops.  About one quarter of the way down one side, I decided to throw caution to the wind and tried a butterfly, then once deciding this quilt would be given to my daughter on her 10th birthday this coming Friday, I quilted her name on it too.  Then had to hide her name for the rest of the quilting process as she hovered over my shoulder asking who the quilt was for?  And had I sold it to anyone?  Because she wants it......

I loved the butterflies so much there are about eight all together!

I love how every angle shows a different view!

And the back!  This is not how I originally envisioned the back on this quilt!  I used the triangular scraps from the cutting out of the blooms to appliqué on to homespun, and was going to use it on the front, but I had nothing but trouble with the appliqué stitch I chose to use, and just wasn't thrilled with the finish of it, so decided to use it on the back.  I pulled a bunch of the remaining Cocoon prints as well as some more "scraps" from the blooms to make a busy yet interesting back!  This way, the quilt can be used two separate ways, which I think my Chelsea girl will love.

The triangular scraps were rather tricky to use!  Lots of pins and gritted teeth used in the process......

And then when the quilting process began, I started freaking out about how it would affect this section of the back.  But I was pleasantly surprised how it all turned out!

Just swaying in the wind with the sun behind it!

And more photos in the afternoon sun.  I want to eat it!

The end.

Quilt Statistics:  Pattern is Bloom Bloom Pow by Freshly Pieced.  It's a quilt along, and will be there for prosperity!  I used Cocoon by Valori Wells for the main sections of the blooms and majority of the back.  I then chose a whole range of fat quarters for the backgrounds of the blooms, and one token half yard of Pearl Bracelets that I had in my stash, as a little homage to Lee's fabric choices.  Lots of white homespun thrown in too!  THREAD:  I chose Aurifil 50wt #2000, which is a divine gold thread, and goes beautifully with the gold hues throughout the Cocoon range.  Final measurements are 73" x 61".

I'm linking up with a new gang - Sew Cute Tuesday over at Better Off Thread!  You can too!

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 Freshly Pieced - Show Off Your Bloom Bloom Pow!

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