Sunday 20 December 2015

The Raffle Quilt

I received this email from New Sue and I thought you would like to read it. 
It is such a shame none of my ladies won the quilt... but that's not the spirit is it!!! ha ha ha
Thank you to everyone who purchased the unlucky tickets... 
If I could have fixed it, you know I would have done that for us!!!

Dear Angie
All the wonderful quilting ladies who bought tickets for the Blue Star raffle have helped me to raise the magnificent total of £1,400 exactly for The Cystic Fibrosis trust - many thank you's from us all.
The winners are:
1st Prize The Blue Star Quilt has been won by Lisa from Peggs Lane, Leics.
2nd Prize 4 "Starry night" Bridgewater mugs Martin Fiddler, Staffs
3rd Prize Knott Toys Blue Star Boat won by Ruth Martin from Eccleshall
Thank you again Angie and the J team
Have a very Merry Christmas
New Sue x 

We will have to make do with a picture of Sue's fabulous quilt!!!


Saturday 19 December 2015

Stitching News

PM Pam is making great progress with her Gypsy Wife project... as the other see Pam's blocks coming together they are purchasing the pattern booklet too...
But... MY GOODNESS...
this is a scrappy project, they don't need to purchase fabric from my very own shop!! What am I supposed to do now???? ha ha ha

Princess Jackie, our First Prize winning quilt maker, is steadily stitching a lovely... and I really mean LOVELY design... her very own design this time... there's such a lot of detail and Jackie stitches really slowly to get everything 'spot on'... fabulous.

Rose has made a few large projects recently so she's treating her very own self to a smaller one next... She's making a Big Quilted Panel Bag...
The tutorial can be found by clicking on the picture on the right side bar...
I have to say it... I LOVE Rose's fabric choice... scrumptious!!!
Gail spied the opportunity to make a sandwich with her Bow Tie project. There was a little table clearing involved but we did it. There is rarely and table top space as quilters do love to spread out... everywhere!! Sandwiched and pinned, Gail started the quilting.
Gail made up these little Pinwheel blocks with the Bonus Half Square Triangles left from making the Bow Tie blocks... the corners should never be wasted!!! A lovely cushion made from the bits that could have been thrown away!! Fabulous.
New Sue loves to make girly projects... and now she can!!
This pattern from the Moda Bake Shop will make a car seat quilt... very useful...
It's almost finished, I know that... I saw the binding being stitched on.
Fran Cup Cake, who brought in delicious Lemon And Ginger Cup Cakes... yipeee, has a friend with an adorable cat (Not my words!!) A perfect gift then... a Kitty Quilt... what a lucky little cat!, Fran used the 'Bagging' method for this project so it made a faster finish...
So... Fran Cup Cake has another friend, with an adorable dog... (this I can understand! ha ha ha) Those are doggy foot prints... just the binding to be hand stitched, very cute binding with dog bones fabric... so, Fran's on track to have this finished in good time.
Jean Bean didn't want to work too hard in the thinking department... She just wanted to be creative so... she cut little squares to make Festive table mats... lovely... what a good job it is that I have heat resistant wadding in stock... 
A bit too late for Jean Bean though, hey ho!
Today, Saturday 19th December.... It's the drawing of New Sue's Raffle quilt... If any of you win it, I will post it here for you to get excited about.
It's also the last day for my Lovely little Patchwork and Quilting Shop this year. I am having a little, and very well deserved, holiday... Not going anywhere exotic, just to Quilty Quarters with no clock watching...
If you need my shop for any supplies email or call me and I will do my best to meet you for a date!
I really had better get on now and open the shop up... it's in a blooming mixed up state you know... I got a little carried away moving things yesterday... what a headache I made... fun fun fun!

Friday 18 December 2015

It's Quite Strange...

Being all by my very own self...
We had a fun time at our Christmas Party... lots of laughter as we played our traditional and silly Present Game... funny how a bottle or two of alcohol beautifully wrapped brings out mean spirit... I name no-one... Krafty Karen!! I don't think we will return to the venue though, they let us down on the catering side but we made the most of it... fun fun fun.
Classes and workshops have now finished for sewing prevention season so I am just little old me, alone in my lovely little Patchwork and Quilting Shop... in between customers popping in, it is quiet... so, as I almost alway do, I started to move the fabrics round... something I love to do but I can't say the customers like!!! ha ha ha... they have to hunt around to find where their stuff has been re-located to... and then find things they didn't actually know that they needed!!!
A cunning plan I know... but if Tesco can do it.....
The Christmas fabric selection is out on display... front and centre if you need to rustle up a last minute festive little something... gift bag, pot holder, stocking... you can actually use it to wrap your gifts up in... I don't mind that at all! ha ha ha 
The delivery guy turned up with 7 huge boxes... I have new cutting boards, the luxurious 36" x 24" huge Olfa mats are back in stock!!! along with the regular and medium size. The Thermal wadding is back in too... I chose a much better brand this time and you  know what... it is cheaper and wider than the other one! It's great for placemats... especially the ones you have time to make with festive fabric chosen from my table full of festive fabrics!!! ha ha ha

Sunday 13 December 2015

Stitching News

Merrily finished her Snowdrop cushion, toot toot toot... There are some tricky angles to stitch using a double needle but, as you can clearly see... Merrily did a smart job... she's used the Clover bias tape before. A fabulous finish Merrily...
and how lovely to see a snowdrop already!
Josie spent her class choosing and adding borders to her festive cushion front.... she had been inspired by PM Pam's cushion recently, Josie will be making more than one of these... maybe a whole set!
Stitching at the speed of light, almost... Jeannette Dilly completed her festive cushions too. Also inspired by a cushion PM Pam made... the one with the Snowman in the corner. Toot toot toot Jeannette, fabulous finishes.
Farmer Lynda steadily stitched the afternoon away... she's quilting each block before joining them together, appartmently. There'll be a few different quilting styles used... Ooooo, PMS... Go Lynda... Pleasing My Self is a wonderful thing!!
Stephanie Iceland popped in to show us her versions of the Snowman cushions it's this one, Frosty Friend if you missed it. Aren't they adorabubble!
Toot toot toot Stephanie, finished and fabulous!
I thought you might like to see one of my Beatrice Pinafores...
this is my second one now. I used Moda Colour Weave fabric and its ever so lovely as an apron. See the pretty little bias binding on the pockets...
because I cut the strips too narrow.... hey ho.... I Love It!
Most of us are finishing off projects and winding down in readiness for sewing prevention season.... including me this year!! My lovely little fabric store will be closing soon for two weeks!!! Saturday the 19th December is our last day and we will be re-opening on Monday January 4th. 
As always though... if you need anything... just call me or email and we can make a date. I will meet you in my wonderful shop... I can't / won't be responsible for the stopping of any production. ha ha ha


Tuesday 8 December 2015

Tooting Time

Just Jan is ready for a fabulous and finished, tooting fanfare...
A beautiful blue and white quilt, winning colours every time.
It's huge! Jan was given the fabrics and asked to make a quilt...
I bet the new owner will be very pleased.
Just Jan again... a lovely lap quilt made with a Moda Charm pack....
finished in good time for gifting during sewing prevention season...
someone is going to have cosy knees with their eggnog!
Toot toot toot Jan... another fabulous and finished project.
Christabelle hasn't stopped making Coiled Fabric Bowls and Pots since she attended the workshop recently... all shapes and all sorts of sizes... and every colour imaginable... Six super, festive coloured sweetie bowls are finished with pretty red lace at the rim... what a fabulous idea for gifting! 

Are you collecting Moda Frivole Tins?

Frivol Tin number 4 arrived...
"What exactly is a Moda Frivol Tin?" you may ask....
42 x 7 inch squares, (like a Charm Pack but larger pieces) 
a Moda quilt pattern, a new block pattern and a Frivol surprise... all in a lovely, and very collectable, tin ...If you pre-order your Frivol Tins, that's numbers 5, 6, 7 and 8 you get £5.00 discount per tin.

Monday 7 December 2015

Stitching News

Peggy didn't want to start another large quilt...
what with sewing prevention season fast approaching...
Festive table mats then... small, satisfying. licktty-split to finish
and very much fun... either way up!
Josie finished her Christmas stocking...
I give no prizes for guessing who she made it for!! ha ha
It's a fabulous and finished fanfare then... toot toot toot!

Hand Painted Watercolour Gift Vouchers...
Available throughout the whole year...
A perfect idea just when you need one!!!

There's a whopping.... 25% off P&B Apple Cider cream fabrics this week... 
empty a bolt and a further 10% will be deducted also...too, as well! 
AND... continuing as promised... there's 25% off the few remaining Sewline Products...


Thursday 3 December 2015

Sandwiches

New Sue wanted to make her Jen Kingwell Green Tea and Sweet Beans quilt so that she can hand quilt it over the upcoming 'sewing prevention season' What a beautiful project to work on whilst waiting for the sprouts to cook!!!
My Mum Gwynneth made this pretty sandwich as she saw how easy it would be to quilt... it's going to be our shop sample... It's a bit of a race really as the panels are proving very popular.... hopefully Mum will get it finished before the panels run out!
If you would like a quilt made with this panel but you don't want to do The Making... we (My Mum Gwynneth) will make it for you... just ask!
One more sandwich... Mine!
I loved making this quilt top and now it sits waiting for me to quilt it!



Monday 30 November 2015

A Bit Of Stitching News

Krafty Karen finished all of her festive table mats...
This is a great way to use those little picture squares you buy in strips
Toot toot toot Karen, 6 Fabulous toot-toot-ety-toots, for 6 finished mini quilts!
Jean Bean has a baby coming...
A new baby will need a new stocking... and Lick-etty-Split!
It's a good job our Jean remembered how to make the lovely stockings.
Carol was ever so excited to show us her finished, and fabulous gifting quilt...
Once again my photo doesn't do any favours to the colours...
in real life they are richer and totally toot-a-bubble!
Now, don't tell anyone that I showed you this quilt... it's a secret you see... just between us two... Isn't it lovely, so very girly and beautifully designed. Toot toot toot Fiona... it will be a lovely surprise.
Brenda Barbara had this Dolphin fabric given to her because her Grand daughter loves Dolphins... we pondered what to make and perused the other fabric choices for a while... I think we did a perfect job of choosing and Brenda did a great job with the piecing... Team Work!
Sister Susie had done lots of homework... Sandwich time so,  we squished up a few things so that a sandwich could be made. You probably won't believe me, but this is the back of the gifting quilt!
Christabelle had lots of fun making this little wall hanging. It's got little pockets to store important things in too... lots of embroidery and embellishing make this project quirky and fun.. what a lovely gift! Toot toot toot Chris, fabulous 
A short post considering how long you've waited... We are busy and secrets are being made!

Wednesday 25 November 2015

Serious Business Now

Another quilt hanging on my classroom wall for you to see...
It's another beauty made by our New Sue... she donated it for a very serious cause.
You have actually been treated to a preview of this one before but the raffle draw date is fast approaching so there's just time to purchase the last few tickets.
Tickets are £1.00 and there is no limit, you can have as many as you like!!

Find more information here... http://www.thebluestar.co.uk/

Frosty Friend Pillow

Free Pattern click here
PM Pam made this delightful festive pillow.
Frosty is fabulous and also a free pattern wooohooo... so we can all make one!
Pam, your pillow is good and ready for a toot toot toot fanfare!
Pam's Frosty Friend Pillow is on display in my very own shop this week only, if you would like to pop in to see it for your very own self.... maybe you would like to purchase a little festive fabric ready to make your very own Frosty Friend...
Yesterday I had a last minute delivery of festive fabrics...
they are from a warehouse clearance so came at a bargain price...
which I am happy to pass on to you...
£7.00 per metre..... believe it!!!

Tuesday 24 November 2015

Quilty Quarters

I know that, by now, you will have noticed that I am spending less time on my computer... What a fun time I am having in Quilty Quarters. I thought I would show you all of the PhD's I've produced over the last two weeks.
On my Design Wall... Jelly Roll quilt experiment.
Piled up on the Ironing board...
A tree Skirt... Prototype for a 2016 workshop.
A cushion front, Stargazy Daisiez workshop sample.
Bargello Style quilt... playing with beautiful Batiks and a Moda Bake Shop pattern, this one loving how it's coming together.
Two unfinished Bendy Bags and little zippy purses from Saturday workshop...
and last but not least... I made a kiddy quilt top last night... this is it...
Better get on now... it's time open my lovely little quilting oasis

Sunday 22 November 2015

Stitching News With Tooting

Just Edna finished her fabulous Crossbody Tote Bag...toot toot toot.
This pattern has a few elements that read a bit tricky...but once you tackle them...
they're easy and obvious... am I right Edna?
The beautiful Art Gallery Fabrics match that perfectly placed zip very well indeedy
Toot toot toot time for Rose's fabulous finish...  made with two Charm packs and a little extra fabric for the borders...This lovely lap size quilt will be gifted very soon...
I want you to see Rose's very own quilt design....  
Wing It with your Walking Foot.... that's what Rose calls it...
"I'm Just Winging' It" she says
Using a Clover Chaco marker to draw the main vines flowing well...
it is just chalk after all... then adding a few winged leaves... F-A-B-U-lous!!
Stargazy Daisiez workshop... the results!!!
Stephanie Iceland used her 
workshop blocks to make these fabulous cushions
I love the way she used those Ombre Oranges to add a little zest!!
Toot toot toot Stephanie your cushions are fabulous
Our Sheila has been working on these Quilt-As-You-Go blocks.
It's yet another 
Quilt-As-You-Go method... as there are many... so, 
We will be listing this as one of the workshops for 2016.
Sheila used delicious Art Gallery fabrics mixed with Moda.
All Day Di had come to the assembly part of her Farmer Joe's Quiet Book.
With all the bits and bobs spread out you can see just how much work has been involved... There was a zip to be inserted for the back page, she didn't want to tackle it... But in the end she had to...
 Di did a great job!
Di Butterfly concentrated on her Christmas Stocking for Oscar.
Lots of festive projects are being worked on during the classes now...
If only we had known sooner that there would be another Christmas coming!!!
Merrily is one step ahead... skip Christmas... and go straight over to...
Stained Glass Snowdrops. The first sign of Spring?
Merrily says it's a little tricky to control the tight curves with the Bias Binding and double needle stitching... We have a workshop planned for this method too.. next year.
Brenda Barbara made this Quick Table Topper...
at the beginning choosing bit, she couldn't decide which three festive fabrics to use from her 'collection'... so we decided to throw them all in!!
What a fabulous idea... it looks great eh? just the binding to do now.
My Mum Gwynneth is making these fabulous cushions...
She loves the 3D effects that some designs make.
The cushions, when finished, will freshen up the decor in her jolly-holiday home...
well, I really mean The Caravan! ha ha ha
Wendy popped in to show off her Autumnal Quilt
This is Wendy's very own design and it is, and will forever be, unique!
Each individual leaf has been collected and scanned and printed onto Cotton poplin...
So there's no way another can be made exactly the same.
Toot toot toot Wendy, for your fabulous finish
We snook (?) a little sandwich session in for Jeannette Dilly... Not that the sandwich was little... my goodness it's a big one... we had to pin it in two halves! No points for guessing what she's going to be doing instead of sleeping eh!!
Barbie started work on another gifting quilt...
This is the Pineapple Blossom design A La Bonnie Hunter...
It's one of my most favourite ever designs... I love making these blocks
and so does Barbie, she told me.
Barbie wanted to see the design possibilities.
The same set of blocks used here,...
but both designs will appear like magic, in the finished project.
This will be one of our planned workshops, by request, in 2016
It's quite a long post, I know that... to congratulate you for reaching the end... which you must have done if you are still reading.... I am going to announce this weeks' 'Help me make space discount'... and you know I appreciate it when you help me to make shelf space!!!
For one week then...Starting today, Monday 23rd November..
 I will take 10% off the cost of all bolt cuts from Black And White fabrics... and I have a lot to choose from you know!!! See you soon.... ?