Thursday, January 26, 2017

The new BOM...

...is almost ready to start.

I've been taking photos and putting the pattern for Block 1 together today, so I might just show you a sneak peek or two??







The monthly patterns will begin on February 1st and will be free all year.
They don't make a quilt and they don't 'go together', but will be individual blocks or projects you can use any way you like.

Some months there'll be a pattern with the block to make a finished item, other months it will be a stitchery you can display in a frame, on a cushion, or in some way that suits your home.

But each month's design will celebrate a love for HOME. 



I've set myself a challenge with this BOM to use only fabrics I already own and decided the bundle of "Bumblebee" by Tilda that I received before Christmas from Fiona at Tilda Australia would be perfect. I'll add in bits and pieces from my older Tilda stash and use hanky linen (a 55% cotton 45% linen blend found in most Australian quilt shops) for the stitchery or applique backgrounds.

These fabrics are delicious, aren't they?!






I'll list the thread colours I've chosen to blend with these fabrics in the pattern for Block 1.
They are DMC stranded cottons because they seem to be the easiest for everyone to source...





So, will you be joining with me to make 10 lovely projects for "The Love of Home" this year?

If you'd like to share photos of your work as you sew along come and join our Gentle Domesticity Facebook group. 


This group began last year when I shared the "Gentle Domesticity BOM" but it's become such a delight that we've kept it going and the membership continues to grow daily!



It's Thursday and in the Gentle Domesticity group as well as here on the blog it's our day for the weekly chat question!
Today I'd like to ask you what it is about visiting someone's home that makes you feel welcome, comfortable and at ease?


I've been in homes where the hostess is quite cool and everything is so 'sterile' that I find myself being careful not to make a wrinkle in the tablecloth or leave the smudge of a footprint on their floor. The experience can leave me exhausted because I'm never relaxed or fully enjoying the visit, my mind constantly on whether I've stained something belonging to the hostess.

On the other hand, I've been in homes equally as clean and tidy but the hostess has created such a welcoming atmosphere by her own nature that the entire visit is one of delight and calm.

So I thought perhaps we could put our heads together and share what it is about visiting someone's home that makes us feel welcome and at ease, or uncomfortable and wishing we could get out of there as quickly as possible?

You can join in the chat over in our Gentle Domesticity group, or share your thoughts in the comments below. 

I suppose my answer should be given too?

I think there's two ways of approaching a welcome home. 
If it's a friend you know well you're naturally more comfortable with them, as they are with you, so visits to each other's homes can take on simpler planning. For example, when Rosie and I first began visiting each other for stitching days quite a bit of effort was put into the lunch we'd prepare (seriously, it was like restaurant food a lot of the time, delish!) and on my part I always felt the need to push myself in that area the next time she came to my place.
But years pass and you realise you just love spending time together and the things that used to matter don't anymore. Now we focus on the delight of sewing together, catching up on family news, and looking over what we've each made since our last visit. 
Lunch is usually a sandwich, and we're fine about having a bought cake for morning tea if we've been too busy for baking...the welcoming atmosphere comes from knowing my friend cares about "me" and not my home.
Naturally we clean and tidy before a visit, but not to show off in a prideful way, rather to do what we domestic homemakers naturally  do...keep our house pleasing to those who live within and welcoming to those who visit from without.

But what if it's someone new? A person who has never visited before? How do you ensure you and your home will be welcoming and comfortable to them?

There's no perfect answer here, but I think it's best to be who you are every day, greet them the way you will greet them in six months or two years down the track. Be today who you are everyday, then there are no surprises or disappointments ahead. 




Last week I babysat Cully May for a few hours and after a long play she fell fast asleep on the living room floor...




She's been quite fractious the past week and Blossom has barely slept, but this morning the issue was resolved when Bloss discovered Cully May's first tooth had broken through.
She seems to do everything early! 
Not yet 6 months and she has been sitting up by herself for a month and now a tooth. She started swimming classes for 6 month olds but they had to put her in the 1 year old class because she can already do what they learn in the younger class.
I think Blossom and her DB will always be on their toes with this little girl.

It's Australia Day here and Mr E is home for the day, so we're relaxing and later we'll cook lamb for dinner as is our Aussie tradition.
I hope your day is wonderful too!



16 comments:

d said...

I can hardly wait to start. I just went and requested to join.

d said...

I can hardly wait to start. I just went and requested to join.

Ondrea said...

Oh my! I best get a wriggle on and do last years BOM LOL. I have been meaning to do it but have been focusing on baby things and finishing other projects. I can't seem to make up my mind regarding the colour ways I want . I think I may need to start this year's first so I don't fall behind with this one. Okay, I am heading into the sewing room after this to choose a selection of fabrics and colours. Talked myself into it. Alas, I am not on facebook but that doesn't matter. Cully May has grown so much! I thought it was teeth. Has Blossom tried the homeopathic teething drops? Thanks again for your inspiration and your lovely designs. ( Only 3 1/2 weeks to my grandie's due date!!)

Luz said...

I still haven´t finish your 2016 BOM (I want to make a mini quilt using Tilda fabrics), but I'll start this one, because I love your designs. Later, I'll think what to do with them...
Cully May is a very pretty baby. Kiss her all you can.
Regards from Spain

Christine M said...

I'm looking forward to this year's BOM. I've done a few from last year's but that's okay. I'll eventually stitch them all, I'm sure. Hope you've had a lovely Australia Day. Hugs, Christine xx

Doreen said...

The most welcoming, warm, cozy homes are those who have residents who seem to focus on people rather than things!!!! Being tidy is a notable virtue but investing in those around us has eternal value!
Your upcoming BOM has got me wanting to come along. As we are in our "winter place", I will not have access to my lovely stash/threads, so will take another tact for now. Your blog is total 'dreaminess'!!!

Águeda said...

Happy Australia Day!
Or maybe, happy Australia night? =) I'm afraid that with the time difference my greeting arrives very late.
Cully had his reasons: a tooth so soon is something painful and new. She needs a moment to get used to it.
Cully's mom (and granny) are going to have a lot of work every day. Intelligent children always try things that catch us off guard. =)
The new project looks great. I wish to see it.
And my answer to what is a cozy home for me: Jenny makes me feel her guest. I think this happens because Jenny take care of the small details and Jenny speak the things with sincerity: Without artifices.
I 'm always grateful for it.
Have a Blessed Day. Hugs.

Little Quiltsong said...

What welcomes me the most when entering a home, is the smile, first and foremost, when greeted at the door. Then it is the wave of a hand and the comment that says - "Come on in"! This greeting paves the way to a homey atmosphere. Cully May is such a cute bundle - so happy for your joy with her. I will enjoy your monthly patterns. Thank You!

Debra said...

I have a dear friend, whose home is one that I love to visit. She has a created a peaceful, cozy atmosphere, her decor is warm and cottage-like, with colorful vintage quilts, floral fabrics, and blue and white china. More important, however is her friendly demeanor, and personal warmth.

Ladybug Dreams said...

Your granddaughter is precious and what a head of hair! I have been organizing my sewing/craft area and last night I was sorting all my printed out patterns to put in some pockets I bought in the office supply area of a store we have close here. I have to get more of the pockets, your designs that I love did not all fit in one! I have not been able to work on last year BOM yet because I have been trying to do the Splendid Sampler but I will one day because I love them. Thanks for mentioning it is Australia day because our newest Son in law is Australian. Moved here to the states and married my oldest daughter last summer. We are going to have a proper wedding this summer as they only had time to get married in from of the Justice of Peace because of the Engagement Visa time limits.

Ladybug Dreams said...

Your granddaughter is precious and what a head of hair! I have been organizing my sewing/craft area and last night I was sorting all my printed out patterns to put in some pockets I bought in the office supply area of a store we have close here. I have to get more of the pockets, your designs that I love did not all fit in one! I have not been able to work on last year BOM yet because I have been trying to do the Splendid Sampler but I will one day because I love them. Thanks for mentioning it is Australia day because our newest Son in law is Australian. Moved here to the states and married my oldest daughter last summer. We are going to have a proper wedding this summer as they only had time to get married in from of the Justice of Peace because of the Engagement Visa time limits.

Allie-oops Designs said...

What a gorgeous BOM, Jenny-girl!!! Looking forward to it. My mom used to have a plaque hanging in her kitchen - Clean enough to be healthy, dirty enough to be happy - and that's how I remember our home, and how welcome everyone always was.
Cully May is an absolute delight!!!!!!!!!

TerriSue said...

Oh I hope that is a duck. I really like ducks. We had a house duck for a number of years until a tragic death. That is when we got our little Pappillion.
We are babysitting our daughter's three children Sat. overnight. They are 10, 5 1/5 and 8mo. Then they will stay the next day to help our son's daughter celebrate her 2nd birthday. Lots going on.
Cully May is just adorable. It is so nice when they are that age and you can still play with them and wear them out to the point of getting a rest for you and them. Plus they look so sweet sleeping!

Anonymous said...

Happy Australia Day, a little late. The look of the new BOM is exciting! I've been thinking about whether to do them all with gingham ... or something else pastel ... or bright. LOL, so I guess you could say fabric is still undecided. I do have plenty of linen in a variety of colors, but not sure about that, either. Something will force itself into my attention before long.

Usually, I'm comfortable any place where I like a person. The homes and interiors don't matter to me much, but there are houses that I've not felt particularly positive toward, and usually they are very clean, no books lying half read, no speck of dust, nothing out of place. That doesn't feel like me. LOL

Susan said...

OOOO love your work and always an inspiration to me. Will be joining this bom for sure. Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent with us.

Createology said...

Cully May is precious. I definitely want to stitch your BOM 2017. I love the theme of HOME. I would like to share my way of (hopefully) making guests feel welcome and comfortable. I always offer new visitors a tour of my home and once they see and hear my love of my home they are much more relaxed and engaged. If they don't even want a tour that tells me a lot about who they are. When I go to someone's home I always bring a thoughtful host/hostess gift (usually hand crafted) and I always find a way to help (I usually wash dishes and pans to help out). I am truly a "homebody" and I do love my home and take great pride in it. Blissful Home...XO