Mystery BOM

I've been playing with EQ7 again, it's rather addictive! I'm enjoying it so much that I thought it might be fun to offer up a new block each month as a Mystery BOM. I'm expecting that the blocks will all be paper pieced in some way. I hope you'll consider sewing along with me so I'm not Billy-no-mates.

To kick off this time it's a 6" foundation pieced star block - Star Central.

I'll be making a sampler with the blocks that I post each month  but you can of course do what you like with yours.

Each month I'll post the templates, a colouring sheet and info sheet on our website so that they're all in one place. I'll obviously blog it too so you know when the new blocks are released. If you decide to join in I'd love to see your versions and it would be great to be able to share some of your work here along with our Flickr group and of course on Instagram #nelliesnicetiesmysterybom.
So there you have it, month one up and ready for use now. Tell your friends if you feel so inclined, the more the merrier!
Catch you soon x

Mixed up and muddled up

Some time last year I bought myself a copy of EQ7 in the hope that it would help me to design quilts in a bit more detail than I managed to achieve with TouchDraw. It sat untended for a very long time because I just couldn't wrap my head around all the learning that was needed to get to grips with it. Last week I pulled up my big girl pants and started reading the manual. I have only just scratched the surface of what can be achieved with the programme so far but I'm really enjoying the creative freedom that it delivers! You know how much I love a tessellating design, well I've come up with a really versatile one this time. I'd like to introduce - Mixed up and muddled up.

This foundation pieced block contains 26 pieces which fit together in 7 sections. I had some happy mail from Pink Castle Fabrics this week in the shape of the new Cotton and Steel range and I wasted no time in chopping into it to try out this block. I've used fabrics from Tokyo Train Ride, Playful, Cookie Book, Mesa and Mochi along with a print from one of last year's collections, Mustang.

It looks pretty as it is but when you put multiples of four blocks together,well, that's when the real magic happens! I've made four blocks so far and I can't decide which layout I want to stick with. The beauty of EQ7 is that I was able to scan the finished block and tessellate it so that I can see the potential layouts in advance :) Here are just a few of the options:

option 1

 I just love all the secondary patterns that spring out!

option 2

option 3

option 4

It is my intention to make a full-sized quilt with this design when Jen Kingwell's first fabric collection, Gardenvale, hits the stores in April (I think). I'd really appreciate some help deciding which layout to opt for!

I've uploaded the templates and a colouring sheet to Payhip in case any of you are interested in trying out your own version.

I'll look forward to seeing your thoughts on which layout option I should go for. Catch you soon x 

Zippy

Issue 7 of Quilt Now is in stores now. It's one of my favourite issues so far! So many pretty projects inside from lots of new-to-me designers.

This month's block of the month technique is Trapunto style bows. I thought we could all do with a quick, fun project at this time of year so this month's BOM project is a zipped pouch. I used Katy's fabulous Priory Square range for this version.

The pouch is around 10 1/2" x 14 1/2" so you can fit lots of stuff in it. It's my newest obsession, I've made 7 so far, I think I might need an intervention! I'm on binding duty this weekend so that I can send some of these pouches out to the first 5 lovely folks who bought the Doris project bag pattern at the end of last year.

Hoping you all have a good weekend. Catch you soon x

Shameless

I'm popping in to wish you all a very belated Happy New Year! I had grand plans for a recap of the past year but amidst all the pattern writing I had to get done in the last few weeks I ran out of steam. I think that in itself sums up the past year! It's been a very busy year creatively and personally. As usual it's great to have been able to share it with you. Here are some of my creative highlights...

Lots of people have been posting motivational words to live by for the year which gave me cause to think what word I could live by for a year. I've chosen what I think is an unlikely motivator...

Now I don't mean I'm going to have no shame so don't panic, there'll be no nude pics of me any time soon ;) What I do mean is that I will stop apologising to myself for so many things... I'm an all or nothing kind of girl and this year I'm going to own that without embarrassment! This year is a big year for us a family. Jess turns 18 next month, Yvonne turns 21 again(cough, she's 20 years older than me) and I turn 40. I think if ever there was a justification for being shameless then there are 3 good reasons right there.
Catch you soon x

#VATMESS Sale

Hello all. I hope you're enjoying the holidays. This is a flying visit to let you know we're having a sale in our Etsy store. In anticipation of the change in EU law governing instant downloads we're giving customers 10% off everything in store until 6.00pm (GMT) on 31st December 2014.

We'll be offering PDF downloads via another route in the new year but that will take a bit of time to set up so we won't be ready in time to comply with the new laws on 1st January, as a result PDF instant download sales will cease in our Etsy store after 6.00pm on 31st December 2014.
I'm going to get back to munching chocolates now. Catch you soon x

Rushing around

On this Christmas Eve it's time to admit defeat, whatever isn't done isn't going to get done. Instead we'll be chilling out for the next few days and remembering the reason for the season...

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas if you celebrate it, and if you don't, happy holidays to you. Catch you soon x

Winner and a launch

Thank you so much to everyone that visited us for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway! It's been fun reading all your comments. I'm so glad to learn that we're not alone in being buried in WIPs. Apologies for not managing to reply to you all individually but I'm sure you understand how busy this time of year is. I've spent the last couple of days tweaking the pattern for the Doris project bag and thanks to the able of assistance of my pattern tester, Celine, it is now ready for launch! Woohoo!

Anyway, I'm getting ahead myself. First things first.The winner of this Doris project bag is...

...comment number 9.

Congratulations, Martina. I will email you shortly for your postal details,

Sorry you couldn't all win, better luck next time!
For those of you who haven't already clicked away from the page in disappointment I'll share the details for the launch of the Doris project bag pattern.

The 10 page PDF pattern is now available in our Etsy shop at the introductory price of £4.50. It will be available as an instant download until the 30th December 2014. Instant download sales will be suspended from 31st December until I work out the best way to deal with new EU VAT laws that govern e-services.
As a special incentive I'll be contacting the first 5 purchasers for their postal details so I can send them a little something in the new year!
Thank you all for supporting and encouraging us over the past 12 months, it's been a very busy and exciting time. Catch you soon x

Edited to add - The 10 page PDF pattern is now available as an instant download in our Payhip store for £5.50.