Christmas Angels

Hi,

This will probably be my last post before Christmas and the New Year so I thought I would leave you with some Christmassy projects -some completed last year and this year. The farm project is well underway now and I'm hoping that the central panels will be completed before my next post.

Until then I wish you all a fantastic Christmas and may your New Year be filled with creativity, realised dreams and fulfilled wishes.

God Bless.

Caroline

Christmas Angels completed Dec 2007


These were created Dec 2008 just in time to adorn the tree.

Antique Table Runner, Snowman Stocking and a Tree skirt - all my first attempts at appliqued, quilted items last year 2007.

Daisy Quilts Giveaway

Hi

I thought you might be interested to check out this giveaway on Daisy Quilts blog. The goodies look fantastic and include a gorgeous bag, decorations, thread and more.

Thank you Robyn for such a fantastic giveaway.

On the Farm with the gang...

Hello All,

I've been itching to sew a quilt based on a farmyard theme for quite a while. I was happy with how my safari quilts worked out - I'm very happy with the applique and seem to be developing my own style of design, so I decided to set out and design my own farm.

After drawing some preliminary sketches that weren't quite how I imagined I went back to the drawing board - I did a little research on other farm quilts on the market and then thought about my characters. I wanted animals that were going to be quite simplified, the quilt is only going to be big enough for either a child's lap quilt or wall hanging. My design so far;

The sketch is only of the central panel, I am also going to add a fairly thick border also with applique animals and embroidered details before quilting and adding a bias edge.

So far I've worked on the cows and pigs;

All in a week!!

Hi all,

I've tried to keep my mind focused this week as I tend to get a little sidetracked by so many wonderful ideas and different projects. I've finished off a few projects and have drawn my new characters for a farm quilt that I've been meaning to make for quite a while. I've even managed to keep on top of the cleaning!

Here is a photo of a quilt that I finished fairly recently (not made this week but at least I got around to taking a photo!) - it is based on a safari quilt that I made for a Christening gift and had lots of fabric left over so I thought I would create one in a different style with a couple of additional characters. I'm really pleased with the result.

This week I managed to finish two Christmas stockings that were customised and personalised for two young children. I hope they are as pleased with them as I am.

I also made the bag with the pattern and materials given away by a member of the Rocheberie Quilters group last week - the bag is for a leuikaemia charity and only took a few minutes to put together - I'm definately going to make one for myself! It comes with a little pouch which can easily be fitted inside a small handbag.

Whilst at Rocheberie Quilters I fell in love with a bag that a mother and daughter attending the group had made. The bag was called a 'squishy bag' from Kona and I wasted no time when I got home to google a company that sells the pattern and fabrics. A couple of years ago I bought two charm packs from the same company that has been in my stash awaiting such an idea as this. The pattern arrived on Wednesday and I managed to do all the cutting out straight away. The quilting was done yesterday (Thursday) and the bag was finally completed today (Friday). It's gorgeous and I would really love to keep it but alas this one is promised as a Christmas present. Oh well I shall just have to make another!!

It has masses of space inside ...

What else this week; I'm just about to start cutting the fabric for a new farm quilt which I will post pictures of - again another applique piece with a bit of a departure for me; Also lots of walks with Henri my Jack Russell!

Keep well and happy.

Caroline xxx

Thank You Rocheberie Quilters

I attended the Rocheberie Quilters group for the second time yesterday and must say how wonderful it was and how happy I am that I have found it. The meeting was packed to the brim with wonderfully talented people, all of whom have something to give.

There were several stalls offering mini tutorials and instructions on various crafts - there was a Chrismas Tree Mouse decoration complete with materials (I sat and made one during the speaker - I apologise but it does help me concentrate by have something to do with my hands). There was also a tutorial on a wine glass sock, a jester bag (which I am definately going to have a go at as a gift idea - thank you Denise), and a shopping bag with free materials - to make up for a Leukaemia charity. There was also a quilting goods trader, quilting magazines to take (donation given), the raffle prize table and various people selling their wares. I seleceted a couple of mags to look through and chose a couple of jar quilt packs to make up for Linus.

I was in heaven, there cannot be anything nicer in life than to chat with like-minded indivuals, each with different ideas and talents. The tea and cake provided was also another favourite way of spending the day. I sat and chatted, swapping ideas, finding out new blogs for patterns and was truly inspired during the Show and Tell by all the amazing works of art.

To top off the day we were all given a free jelly roll. This was apparently an early Christmas gift and was very well received, everyone was stunned by this wonderful gift. We were also attended by Stephanie Redfearn a ceramist turned textile artist. Her work was beautiful and has really motivated me to get cracking with my next project.

So, a great big massive Thank you to Rochberie for another wonderful meeting.

Project Linus Leicester

On 11 October I took part - for the first time - in Project Linus Charity Day organised by Lynda Hill for Linus Leicester. I was organised at the Rocheberie Quilters meeting place in Rugby and free tea and cake were provided throughout the day.

The day was thoroughly enjoyable, relaxed and friendly, I made a new friend or two and selected a pack of random patches organised by Lynda. My crazy patchwork panels were colourful and bright in some very child-friendly colours and fabrics. I sashed them to make them stand out and added a simple patch of teddies to contrast with the busy-ness of the crazy patches.

I backed the quilt in navy fleece and did some free motion quilting with some lovely varigated thread. A red bias binding around the edge, carefully hand stitched one evening finished off the quilt perfectly.

It is the first quilt I have made for this very worthy cause and I can't wait to get started with the next.

Safari Quilt 2

I had some wonderfully bright fabric left over from a quilt that I created earlier with a safari theme. I enjoyed making the quilt so much that I thought I would use the fabric to recreate some of the characters, albeit with a difference. I enjoyed making it just as much second time around - if not more as I was not constrained to a deadline.

I have yet to put the quilt together but have many 21/2" squares sewn together to frame each panel. I also have quite a lot of the green safari print fabric that I used to make the bias binding and this might just be enough as a backing print.

I thought you might like to see the photo's so far - I will post the completed quilt as soon as it is finished.

Safari Quilt

I loved making this safari themed quilt, made for a Christening gift for a young child called Charlie. His Aunt wanted to present him with something unique, bright and cheerful and this quilt demonstrates all of that.

Each of the 9 panels were individually appliqued onto bright fabrics, there is a panel with a hippo, zebra, elephant, monkey, safari jeep, lion, giraffe and Charlie's name - some with additional details such as butterflies, bees and birds for an extra-special touch.

I hope Charlie enjoys his quilt for many years t0 come.

Sunbonnet Sue Completed

I have been working on and off for a year on this Sunbonnet Sue project. It was a bit fiddly with tiny pieces being ironed and folded over and then oversewn onto panels. Despite having a few burned fingers I did enjoy putting it together and couldn't wait for the whole thing to be put together.

Sunbonnet Sue is Completed

I've worked off and on for months with this Sunbonnet Sue project. It wasn't easy but I did enjoy the hand sewing and putting it together. I wasn't sure about ironing each individual piece - having burned my fingers a few times! Still, I am very happy with the result.