Kokeshi Doll Pattern - A Blossom Heart Quilts Pattern

Hi Peeps!

This is a quick in and out and a Howdy Doody post to let you know about an awesome pattern being released by my friend Alyce ( Ah - lease ) of Blossom Heart Quilts aka EQ8 Ninja ;)

Edit * release date is this week Wednesday 2nd May

Kokeshi Dolls! Totally cute!

These are photos of the dolls and the hair do's I was not supposed to be testing but couldn't stop!...also can't find the pics of my pigtail girls duh!

There's so much room for playing, and fabric choosing....and did I mention playing?

Like I said on Instagram this pattern is absolutely the quilters version of paper dolls LOL

Mine to test was the top and bottom far left....Pippy Starch Pigtails I've nicknamed her

But there's also Helen Clark ( google her if you're unfamiliar, amazing woman with bad hairdo )

Aaaand Princess Leia ;)

The pattern is expertly written, as per usual and such a great in betweener, one doll only took half an hour!

But don't take my word for it, stand by for the pattern release and try one for yourself :)

Talk soon xx

Pickledish - Can't Believe I Haven't Shared This

Hi Peeps!

...was sorting through photo files today and found these delicious pics and realised I never showed you the finished quilt??

Brace yourself for a Pickledish Quilt picture overload LOL

Pattern is by Rita from Red Pepper Quilts fame and can be found here

Rita also has fantastic tutorials on how to piece this block which include her tips and tricks.

I highly recommend this pattern and although it's been on my quilty "freak me out " bucket list I really, really enjoyed the process and became obsessed with it so much I completed the quilt in about 10 days...sewing every night.

 Once you start doing something over and over again you get so much quicker and better at it that you feel like a piecing superstar.

I really tried to use this as an exercise in contrast.....I really struggle with this concept when making a scrap quilt, but I'm happy with my first attempt. It's not as crisp as Rita's but I think you can see the Pickledish block reasonably clearly?

There were some happy accidental fussy cuts of fave fabrics....perfect block for you if fussy cutting is your jam 

The backing was a very old WIP that I'd fallen out of love with but when I found some long lost Heath stash I had enough to float it and make it the perfect backing....happy dance :)

Quilted all over in a swirly panto and finished with a spotty black and white binding she's done and a definite staying with me quilt

Talk soon my peeps xx

Linky linky with Amanda Jean and Myra

Little Finish - Heart Swap Mini

I know...twice in 24 hours!

A necessary thing to rid my phone of some photos....I'm in a constant state of flux trying to not let them pile up which results in a long editing/filing/saving session...blehhh...which I loathe!

Good news is you get more quilty pics and pithy dialogue from Moi....hahaha

OOOh let's just admire this yumminess...long before I became a "love all the modern fabric designer's" girl, I was a Moda 3 Sisters fan and particularly their floral designs. Then I had a wee girl and went all spazzy for Turquoise/Pink/Red fabrics and Lecien dainties aaaand 30's prints.

So when I saw my partner for the #heartswap2018 run by Sharon Hurrey, I knew I had the perfect stack sitting long hoarded and neglected. Lecien's Flower collection....yum scrum pigs bum!

Ok, two mentions need to be made here

. If you'd like to participate in a well run, extremely organised and super fun mini swap, then look no further than @shoppershaz_swaphost I've participated in several of her swaps and they're fantastic.

Secondly the cute pattern I used for this swap is by another duo I found on Insta the Mother/Daughter team Lisa & Sarah who run A Spoonful of Sugar Designs. Click on that link to be taken to the pattern details and where to purchase/download.

I printed  my 5 large hearts at 75% and the contrasting red hearts at 50%...this kept me under the 16" quilt requirement. I also bought the Clover double needle threader on Suzy Quilts recommendation    ( awesome!) and the Clover jelly thimble...still getting used to this, but no blood was lost so win win LOL

I'm rapt with how it turned out and it's extrememly satisfying to sew something beginning to end in a week and just enjoy. the. process.

My life is quite busy/hectic/chaotic on a weekly basis and sewing is my calm, my flow and my escape......so I quite often have multiple projects on the go to keep emptying the creative tank...sometimes they become hectic too....LOL

A little mini is the perfect calm in a sea of swirl and flux...doable and perfectly small so easy to finish.

I look forward to my partner receiving it.....nice chatting peeps xx

Linking up with Amanda Jean and Myra

Week of Quilts - Day 5! I Made It!

Well I made it to Friday ! Woohoo!

 And believe it or not I still have one more finished quilt after this one!

But let's just get to today's Quilt...and just quietly my current fave...don't tell the others!

The pattern is from Love Patchwork and Quilting Magazine Issue 33 and is called Stargazer, by Anjeanette Klinder.

I used my hoarded Amy Butler fabric to inspire the fabric pull, the print blocks are paper pieced but it's a simple block that would be great for a beginner and has such striking results.

And I'm thrilled with the two different quilting motifs used in each block by Sandra. I know that the chenille backings aren't her favourite especially the really thick ones but she's very tolerant and does a fabulous job!

Despite the plush of the chenille and the fact that it looks barely used there was a teeny hole....

So I used this random Dresden block that I found lying around and appliqued it over the hole using a blanket stitch so it could be incorporated into the quilting.

In my never ending and sometimes futile attempt to reduce my scrap bins I went with a scrappy binding using some of the left overs from the blocks

It finishes up reasonably large at 60" x 72" but I think that's the perfect snuggle size, especially with the weight of the chenille backing which makes it extra cuddle worthy!

And so concludes my week of quilts, well at least Monday to Friday and there's one last one tomorrow, but I'm pretty happy with finally getting my ass back into blogging LOL

Linking up with Amanda Jean for Finish It Up Friday and Myra for Finished or Not Friday

BWQS2 - Black & White Quilt Swap Round 2

If you've been around these parts at all you know I'm a fan of mini quilt swaps.

The main reason being it's an opportunity to try something on a small scale that either you've had on your bucket list and it's stayed on there through fear of commitment or you're not sure if it's within your skill set.

JOIN A SWAP.....sorry for yelling...but the best way to empty your bucket is to tip it out and jump into the wide world of options...but in a mini way LOL

I loooove NYB blocks.....but I have a fear of commitment...allllll those curves and bias edges and templates urggghhh

The paper piecing bit is easy and you know what??

When you follow the instructions of a NYB expert stuff works ....crazy thought ay???

I missed the first BWQS and there was no way I was missing the bus this time....I also love me some skeletons....even the non fussy cut ones....LET IT GO....OCD issues.

I'm hoping the neighbours are getting used to the crazy happy dancing and positive self talk that goes on in the basement...dontcha dance around by yourself when stuff works??

I learnt a couple of things on this mini

1. Instructions are helpful

2. Expert tips are even more helpful

3. You can sew anything when you relax

I also learnt that I still love NYB blocks but if I'm going to make myself a quilt its gonna be made out of blocks bigger than 6" or I will never finish it LOL

I'm totally thrilled with how this turned out and I should've taken some close up photos of the FMQ that I did like a ninja all over it....perfect block to practice and pretend like you're Angela Walters and noone can see that you're really like a 3 year old scribbling hahaha

Linking up for a Friday Finish with Amanda Jean and Finish or Not Friday with Myra

Playing Catch Up - Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap

Hi Peeps!

This is a retro post brought to you by the Month of October in the Year 2015?!! holy balls that's a lifetime ago!

Anyway... I participated in the Schnitzel & Boo Mini Quilt Swap

I chose the Take Wing pattern by Lillyella .

OMG she is a genius in the paper piecing world, you've probably seen the ridiculously crazy gorgeous Epic Halloween Quilt which is being run as a QAL by Flying Parrot Quilts.

The Midnight Bite pattern is the block which captures my eye the most....already added to the WIP list....sigh

Anywhoo I digress...this is the back of Take Wing....shes a bulky girl and carries alot a little around the middle like most of us Mummas ;)

I chose a Robert Kaufman metallic spot for the background....just to give her a little sparkle to go along with her shimmery wings. 

I am a crap  novice FMQ at best and although I love trying new and time involved patterns for these minis, I get a little frustrated at the lack of my FMQ skill.

The back features a gorgeous Kaffe print that I've hoarded forever...was keeping just for this mini lololol

Here she is in all her Sparkliness...totally a word!....I was very sad to see her go

A couple of extras my go to Heather Bailey pincushion and cute skull fobs...everyone needs a bit of skullduggery in their life!

Mini Quilts swaps are a great way to try something new and small, maximum size is usually 24" but can be less. Plus you usually have heaps of time between sign ups and mailing deadlines......don't know why then I always leave mine until the last minute??

Catch ya later Lovelies x

Sew My Stash Mini Quilt - Any Idea Where 6 Weeks Went?

August!!

That was the last time I was here?

Where did the last 6 weeks go??

Hi My Lovelies it's nice to see you, grab a cuppa and we'll catch up!

Instagram.....hmmmmm...it's a vortex into which I slip on a daily basis, I love staying connected to the sewing community through the little photo snippets of projects.

Which leads me to the first of my two swaps...so restrained...due before Christmas.

It Started With A Kiss....mmm Hot Chocolate....don't be daft it started with a sketch after surfing the net and typing in Tri Rec

Once I was happy with the design I did the Maths and worked out a colour scheme.....then I paused....24" square ( the maximum allowed for a mini ) means each square is 1 1/2".....do I really want to do this?

Choose some fabric and try one out......

Which leads to another....and yes I'm making it....with the assistance of middle child who is ever so patiently trying to teach me photoshop for the purposes of paper piecing....bless him!

I did find that I needed the coloured pattern to keep everything straight in my head but it went together slowly but seamlessly....which is unusual for me!

After it was finished I wished I'd changed the colour gradients a little more but I'm trying to enjoy the creative process and not to be my own worst critique. I do this for the simple pleasure it brings me and there is always the next quilt to practice on.

Tha'ts not to say the seam allowances on the half Tri Rec units were more than a little challenging at 1 1/2'' x 2 1/2" despite being paper pieced!!!

 But I'm really happy with the end result and learnt a lot of new skills whilst making it

The reason I find these minis so appealing is the ability to try something challenging or new that would be overwhelming or far too time consuming on a large scale...in this instance I'm not convinced however.

At a guesstimate from conception to finished quilt I've probably spent a good 40 hours on this...that's at least 2-3 easy baby quilts in my world LOLOLOL

This was a Sew My Stash Swap so all materials were to be on hand from your stash, no special fabric purchases were to be made.

In the spirit of this and because I ran out of time!! I've applied the same principal to the extras, not ever required but just a lovely after thought....these including some fabric ( Of Course!! ) and chocolate, haha, were ALL in my sewing stash???

I will be seeing you again my friends as I've finished quite a few quilts in the last 6 weeks and I'd love to share xx

Linking up with AmandaJean for Finish It Up Friday