Cherry Blossom

Block 9: Cherry Blossom

Block 9 is now available. For those of you who have been experiencing trouble with Scribd.com (or just don't like using it), have you considered joining the Esther Aliu BOM Yahoo Group? It's free to join and you have access to the available blocks easily once you are a member. It's also a great place to discuss ideas, techniques, and post pics of your fabulous finished blocks (my favourite bit!)

Unpeeling the Stencil

Unpeeling the stencil!

Yes, it all turned out just right

I love peeling back and revealing

It's seeing your design fleshed out for the first time

and you never really know how

it will turn out until this moment

I don't do 'drafts' so I love the unvealing

Phew!

Busy Working

Stenciling has begun and I am hard at work

I like to build up a flow and finish an entire piece in one sitting

and it looks like I wouldnt be able to walk away anyway,

as my cat has an intent look in her eyes,

which is following the tip of my brush

"honestly I am not planning anything!'

Stencil Day!

Today is stencil day. This is always such a fun and exciting part of designing - getting it down. Even my cat can sense something interesting is happening as she's given up her spot by the heating duct to see what I am up to!

I finalised my design and centre panel stencil yesterday. It's moving quickly and taking on it's own shape- but still no name has come to me. Oh well...

I have prepared the fabric and am just about ready to start. This is a picture of the stencil being arranged on the fabric. I can't wait to see the result. This is the part of stenciling I like the most - total control over your design and of course the anticipation as you start working with your brush...

Found!

This year is apparently a yellow year, so it's fitting that I have found inspiration in my stash....yellow and grey.

Just perfect for the sketch I have in mind. I was thinking all yesterday, and was torn between applique or stenciling for this quilt and I even dug out some great greys to applique with...but as I spent more time working on the design, it was just so obvious that it had to be a stencil quilt! The yellow is a beautiful rich butter tone in silk linen, and I am excited with what will come of it. I also can't believe how good stash busting still feels...and what treasures can be found tucked away and forgotten.

I am inspired and ready to stencil. This quilt is taking shape quite quickly so I will keep you posted...

Morning Inspirations

It's nice to have some sunshine to work with in the morning. I've been busy designing my latest quilt - as yet still unnamed. I do consider that quilt names are important and sometimes I know the title right away, and other times, like my latest design I think I'm going to have to decide only when I've seen it finished on the wall! What is it? Well, it's still a sketch, but it's one of those quilts that seem to be in a hurry - I'll be working on it right away until it's finished.

This is what my designing morning looks like: a bit of a mess! Just leafing through ideas and finding ways to link new ideas to existing fabrics. Whenever I see a fabric I love in a shop, I am just so sure that I will be using it in a hurry - and you know what happens - it's so predictable. It sits on my shelf! Well I'm still commited to stash busting, so I'm going to work through my stash today and FIND and DIG OUT some serious inspiration!

Ring of Roses

This is a front pic of Ring of Roses.

I've been a little lapse with my blogging I'm afraid - I'm in the zone of designing at the moment and the days are going past!

I really can't believe that I just posted the 8th block in the Red Delicious Mystery BOM! How has the time flown! I've enjoyed seeing what so many quilters have done with Red Delicious, so as we draw closer to to finishing the Mystery, I become more and more excited.

Unfortunately, 8 blocks also means 8 months that I havent managed to brush up on my EQ6 skills.....yet......

Scribd.com

Having Difficulty Printing out Block 8?

I've heard that some of you are experiencing difficulties printing from the Scribd.com. website. I'm sorry to hear this and have been looking into it today.

I don't know why this is happening as the file is fine and I've had it double checked. I have been advised that if you want to easily print out the block, simply select the "download" tab and select PDF. The file will then download to your PDF reader for easy printing.

Hope this helps!

Forest Reds is launched

Block 8: Forest Reds is launched!

RIng of Roses

Ring of Roses is finished (phew, just last week!) and is having it's first outing at the Sydney Quilt Show!

What can I say? I love last minute quilting! Now you know why my blog has been a little quiet - I have a habit of working in waves...

Thought I'd share some pics.

Manor House

There is something I look forward to everytime a quilt of mine is featured as a project in a magzine - and that's the professional photo that gets taken.

I am really a bit too lax with my quilt catalogue, often it's just to hard to snap everything hanging nice and staright with good detail. When I photograph at home, there's always the issue of size (and getting a straight shot) as well as lighting...so I really like it when I can get that shot in a mag!

If anyone is interested in making this applique quilt - it's being featured over two issues

Dream Fountain

It's always nice to flick through a magazine and find your quilt there!

Dream Fountain is in AP & Q AQC Challenge Quilt Finalists Page

This is a nice start to the day, but now I have some serious quilting to get back to!

Sneaky Peak!

Sneak peak at what's been keeping me busy and away from my computer

Of course I'm running late again, but it's still a delight to be quilting

This little beauty has been keeping me busy all week

Yes I know....more ROSES!

Craft Fair Friend

What a nice suprise! My Challenge Quilt, Dream Fountain is featured in the Craft Fair Friend booklet which is out now.

I'd love to go to Sydney again this year - I have some tentative workshop bookings that I'm waiting on so I'm still not sure if I'm going to be able to make it this year....but I will try. It's great catching up with everyone and seeing the quilts of course!

Tulip Delight

Tables runners can't be too interesting in my opinion ...and in my case, they also help me keep my tables clear from clutter. But who needs an excuse to try their hand at a beautiful stencil project anyway??

If you've wanted to try stenciling, or have been looking for a rewarding project, Tulip Delight is a lot of fun. You can buy the pattern for this project via my Etsy shop. Why not start a stencil project today?

Workshop at Home is Launched

The next best thing to a stencil workshop, is a stencil workshop at home.

I'm always being asked about workshops, and many of you have asked about the best way to start stenciling if you can't make it to a class.

Well, I've created 'Workshop at Home' : an instruction guide that you can download in PDF format (just like your blocks) and work from at home and at your own pace.


I simply love stenciling, it's a great technique and if you haven't yet given it a go, why not make today the day to start?

You can purchase Workshop at Home: Stenciling via my Etsy shop. As well as Workshop at Home, I will also be new creating stencil pattern projects so that you can use your new stenciling skills!

So now there's definitely no excuse...stencil brushes at the ready!

ABOUT BOM

For everyone taking part in the BOM: I’ve had a few queries about this latest block

About downloading blocks: It’s important to ensure that your printer (or whichever printer you use) prints at 100% ratio. Although this seems obvious, it does happen that some quilters are printing off blocks that are not full sized.

Don’t worry if this has happened to you. If there is a discrepancy between the document sizing and your printer’s print outs, I suggest that you enlarge/reduce the image to bring it to size. Each block is a specified size. Therefore ensure that your shapes are the same size as the block.

There have been some comments about the Give & Take Swirly block and the issue of a ‘1 inch’ shortage. If this has happened to you, simply continue the curve to the edge.

For those of you who are still a little bit confused, I have scanned in an image of the block showing this ‘add on’ to assist you.

Feel free to post any questions you may have, I will be checking in to answer any as they arise.

What have I been doing all month?

Ok so I am still working on getting my studio a little neater...but every now and then I get distracted. This is a detail of my new project! Yes I started it a while ago, packed it away and have re-found it, so technically it's a completed UFO!

Why? Well it's a suprise...more info this weekend!

Red Delicious Update

It's the 15th again!

This month it's time to work on the filler blocks: 'Swirly Give & Take Blocks'

The perfect opportunity to get through some more reds!

And....only 4 blocks to go...

Apologies for the 'quality' quilt image above: as you can see, my EQ6 studies have NOT progressed since I started this mystery BOM and my example above is simply a cut and paste job! Yes, I know that EQ6 can create lovely quilt diagrams...I'm just not there yet

I've used the same fabric for all 3 blocks, please do experiment and change if you wish - I just know that there will be some great reds to swirl with...I think smaller print work best. Once again I'm looking forward to seeing what the Red Delicious Yahoo Group members do with this one! The photo albums are just a DELIGHT, absolutely inspiring

Thanks Pam!

Pam Holland has added a gallery of Paducah images on her blog - and it's fantastic. If you are interested in seeing some of the creativity and talent on display, drop by: http://pamhollanddesigns.typepad.com/ you won't be disappointed!

I am very happy to see that Peony Pride was hanging nicely this year- I always wonder if my quilt will hang well...so thanks Pam for sharing this great resource with us all.