Happy New Year ...

I was quite looking forward to seeing the back of 2010 for a number of reasons.

It has been a difficult year in lots of ways.

Looking back at what I have achieved I have actually accomplished a lot this year and should maybe allow myself to have a little pride in all the ways in which I've grown and developed not only personally but within my little business.

I've met some wonderful ladies through my teaching and quilt group, I,ve taken lots of business this year and even won a small comepetition.

It's not all bad. In 2011 I promise to be a better pattern writer and actually get some of my ideas and creations onto paper.

Photo's are as follows from left - right;

row 1; Finally finished 'Starry Night' quilt, Liberty quilt 1, Liberty Quilt squares, Liberty Quilt Petals,' Hearts Abundant' quilt #4.

row 2; Hearts abundant #3, 'All Wrapped Up' quilt, 'Elephants on Parade' #2, My aprons for Domestic Bliss pattern.

row 3; 'Bright and Breezy' quilt, Liberty Amelia Jane quilt, my Iddy-Biddy-bit-bag-buddies designed for my quilting group, Sweetie Jar quilt for Linus, Star quilt for Linus.

row 4; My quilt-as-you-go Rose-of-Sharon quilt designed by me for the group I teach, 'Hearts Abundant' # 2, detail of stained glass rose quilt, blocks from my free Bom.

row 5; Me receiving my award with 'Speaks Volumes' quilt, 'Woodland Gathering quilt', Ethan's quilt, BOM blocks again and finally the ladies I teach with all their amazing creations.

It's certainly a been a busy year. Just this week I have finished making two Christmas Stockings, a new coat for Henri and I'm nearly finished making the project I have designed for my next course.

Happy New Year everyone.

Caroline xxxx

BOM 9; Dance Like No-one's Watching ...

Thank you for your messages and here is the link to the free BOM.

I can't believe it's the last one.

I would love to see any pictures you have of your blocks - you can email me at serenityquilts.co.uk

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.



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Phew .....

I apologise for my lack of blogging, but can promise that even though I haven't had time to comment on your posts, at least some of my time has been used to read your posts and drool over all your amazing pictures of your Christmas crafting.

I can at last start to put my head up for some fresh air and breathe in the beauty of a British Winter. It is freezing here and everywhere is blanketed in fresh, crisp snow.

So, what have I been up to?

Taking this little guy to the vets ... lots ...!!! After his lumpectomy operation his immune system took a bit of a dive and he got a form of doggy - pneumonia. After a course of anti-biotics and lots of cuddles he has made a full recovery ...

until ...

he then got attacked by another dog and has had lots of cuts, scratches and deep grazes to recover from. He's still traumatised and won't go anywhere near the park where it happened.

I can assure you that he is getting lots and lots of TLC.

I designed and made these little chaps, that I call my Iddy, Biddy, Bit-Bag Buddies. I made up lots of kits to sell at my local quilting group and was pleased at there success.

I've had lots of orders placed over the past few months and it has been quite a strain to get them all out on time.

One challenge was set by a customer who wanted 3 quilts made from Liberty fabrics, they had to be single bed size and her budget was extremely tight. With lots of white I managed to fulfil the objective and they have been completed on time.

I seem to have 'lost' the photo's of the first one so can only give you the other two - it's amazing what can be made from a small selection of fabric (plus lots of white!!!).


Appliqued petals - you can't see the quilting in this but I quilted 1/4" all round the petals and the effect was beautiful.

Squares within squares.

This is the last remaining quilt which must be finished by Thursday!!!

I've been teaching the most wonderful group of ladies on a Friday morning - this term we made a quilt-as-you-go quilt which was interpreted in different ways by everyone. I was so excited when they completed their quilts and what a wonderful job everyone did.

I love the enthusiasm and eagerness of these ladies and can't wait for the new term to begin in January.

Beautiful appliqued blocks in different shades of blue.

This is truly amazing, this lovely Lady made tons of blocks from recycled material and even used old blankets for the wadding. The result is a stunning quilt (the first one she's ever made) that will be an heirloom, providing not only warmth but freshness and beauty forever.

This quilt turned out beautiful and was all done by hand, including the piecing, appliqueing and quilting. I love it.

The lady who made these had missed several sessions and decided to make her quilt-as-you-go blocks into mini-Christmas-wallhangings with her families initials added.

The Lady who made these had already completed her quilt so she began making some placements to give as a Christmas gift.

She designed them herself and this is what makes me so feel so happy to see people grow and develop there own style and confidence to go in other directions.

I've also finally got around to completing the last block for my BOM - better late then never!
I aim to put them together in January - should time permit!!!!

I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a

Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Caroline xxxxxx




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All Wrapped up for Christmas ...

It's good to be back from a short break from blogging.

I didn't much feel like blogging or looking at any of your lovely blogs and I have to admit to having missed you all.

Whilst there were quite a few weeks of no-blogging, that does not mean for one minute that there was no sewing. I've managed to get two custom quilts made and posted off, another one to go by the end of the week and fabrics purchased and designs at the ready for some other quilt orders.

My feet have barely touched the ground.

The above picture is a quilt I had a brain-wave about one morning (at 3am) and simply had to make - just for me. Or perhaps a pattern that I MUST get round to writing.

Which reminds me, I have had a lot of e-mails regarding my Elephants on Parade quilt and I will definately be writing a pattern for it. I'll let you know in due course when it's ready.

For now I will leave you with this Merry Christmas picture - sorry reindeer's head didn't quite make it into the picture!!!!

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Bom 8; Live life on the edge!!

Hoorah!!! here at last is this months free Bom. Can't believe it's number 8 already and only 1 more to go.

You can find the PDF pattern here

I've sort of been living my life on the edge for the past few weeks - but more like a knife edge than on the edge of exciting roller-skating like this little lady.

My uncle died a couple of weeks ago, after a short illness - he was 85 but it still came as a bit of a shock and sadness.

The day after that I went to have nitrogen put into my tyres (which should have cost £5.00) and came out with 3 new tyres and a bill for £200.00 instead.

Then I was told that I needed new suspension wishbones and wheel alignment for the princely sum of £200.00. The car is now repaired!! Thank Goodness.

The day after that, my husband found some suspicious lumps on our Jack Russell, Henri.

We took him immediately to the vets expecting to be told to keep an eye on things, only to be told that he would have to have them removed.

Two days later I was sobbing having left him with strangers to be cut open and operated upon.

The vet thought the lumps looked suspicious and we had a worrying week of imagining putting our baby through more discomfort and pain.

However, yesterday the results came back and I can quite happily announce that the lumps are fatty necrosis which are nothing to worry about it.

They are pretty much lumps of dead scar tissue probably from Henri knocking himself during one of his many antics.

We are so relieved and hopefully now life can resume some normality.

The good news is that I have been taking lots of orders for quilts and think I'll be busy right up until Christmas sewing away.

I'm afraid I haven't had much of a chance to comment and look at your blogs but will rectify this at the weekend.

Enjoy the rest of your week.

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BOM delay, again!!!!

I do apologise for my lateness again with my BOM.

I'm useless!!

Actually rather a lot has been happening around here, a death in the family,

my car needing lots of ££££££ spent on it, and then finding lumps on our Henri boy.

He had an operation to remove two lumps last Friday,he's recovering nicely - nothing can keep a Jack Russell down for long!

We were hoping that they would be fatty lumps which Jack's are prone to but alas

the lumps were suspicious looking and have been sent off to Histology for analysis.

Henri means the world to us and we are devastated to put this little chap through a horrible but necessary operation. Luckily his age (3 yrs young) means he bounces back quickly.

I'd be grateful if you could keep your fingers crossed.

I just need to take photo's of November's BOM and then it'll be up and running.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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Elephants on Parade in blue ...

This quilt may look familiar as I made one in pink a while ago which I blogged about here

I was asked to produce one in blue as a customised order and I love making this quilt - so I jumped at the chance.

It's my favourite.

This time made with American Primer fabric - I think it would look good whatever the fabrics.

It's gone to a special little boy now - whom I hope will cuddle it, play on it and love it.

I sort of miss it but know it will be well loved.


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When is a rose not a rose?

... when it looks like this of course;

More like an apple ... at least some of you thought so, when i made

this blog post a while ago.

MMMmmmmm i thought!!!
The intention was roses and I planned to make lots of scrappy roses, set them on point and create a rose swagger in each corner.

Like this;

Needless to say I was not impressed by my efforts at all and threw it into a corner of the studio where it has been gathering dust.

It just did not look at all right and how I had seen it in my mind.


However, I don't like to be defeated and I thought to myself 'how's about I get some binding tape and try turning my 'apples' into a stained glass window effect.


While my dear hubby has been working nights this week, I have settled myself in front of the T.V with an ironing board perched next to me, my Clover mini-iron on hand and off I set.


It has taken me two evenings to get this far;

While I'm not exactly loving it yet, I am loving it a whole lot more than I did before.

The question is do I simply stop at the roses or should I 'stain glass' my leaves too?

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Block 7 Free Bom; Count your Friendship Blessings

Sorry for the delay but Block 7 of my free BOM is now available and can be found here or by clicking the picture in my sidebar.

Hope you enjoy.





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Announcing the winners ....

I intented to announce my Domestic Bliss giveaway much earlier.

Can we drum-rolls please the winner of the Domestic Bliss Pattern, kit and goodies is ....


Well done to comment 39 from BillieBee who said;
Great patterns and thanks for the opportunity to win the giveaway.
Send me your details and I shall get the items posted to you.

Now for 5 winners of my pattern;

Julie from Julie's Quilt Gallery

Quiltin Sandy from Sandy's sewing Circle

Patchwork and Play


Rock Granny from
Quilts of Many Colours

Nancy-Sue

I used True Random number generators to obtain my winners - but the icon's wouldn't copy and paste properly - you will just have to take my word for it!!!!

Thank you for entering and once you send me your details I'll get those off in the post for you.

The next thing for me to do is getting my next BOM Block ready.
I'm slightly behind schedule!!!!

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Domestic Bliss Giveaway !!!!

Do you remember a couple of blog posts ago that I told you about a cute little kitchen set that I made??

I sort of promised that a giveaway was to come ... and here it is at last.

I have written up a simple pattern that allows you to make a pretty apron, pot stand and double-oven gloves. There are also suggestions on how to use up any scraps.

My giveaway is for the following;

A copy of my Domestic Bliss pattern

1metre brown spot fabric

1metre pink party-time fabric

1 metre pink wide ric-rac

1 pretty cake pin-cushion

1 needle case in pretty rose fabric

A pack of Clover pink quilters flat-head pins

and a vintage-like tin with thread

It's a pretty good giveaway.

I will also chose 4 other random winners to recieve a copy of my pattern.

Here's what you have to do;

1. Leave a comment on this post for one entry

2. Copy and past my giveaway button on your blog - come back and leave another comment telling me you have done so (I will be checking!!!). That's 2 entries!!!

3. Blog about my giveaway on your blog post - come back leave another comment. That's 3 entries!!!!! Wow. Confused yet????

4. Join my following list - and yes you guessed it - leave another comment telling me you have done so and that gets you entered into my giveaway 4 times!!!!!!

Good Luck.

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Bright and Breezy ...

I have finally managed to complete my multi-coloured blocks that were shown here in a previous blog entry.

I'm so thrilled with the end result that I got rather carried away with the photo's.

Henri approves of my colour choices and is happy with the quilt too.

He looks slightly indifferent here, but I promise that the quilt has had the nod of approval (he didn't mind sleeping under it while I spent two evenings sewing the binding on!!!).

This is a view of the back - which I love - not all the blocks were used on the front and this sort of makes it a reversible quilt.

I thought I had bitten off a lot more than I could chew when I started these lines. That was the whole purpose of making the quilt in the first place - I was desperate to make a quilt with a more modern feel. I laboured with the first quarter, was ready to jump out of the window with the second quarter ... but on I persisted.
By the time I finished the third quarter I was ready to tear my hair out - those lines just did not look straight!!
However, the final quarter seemed to go much quicker, I had finally found my comfort zone and sped through the process (ok, so chocolate and coca cola helped just a little!!).

More than happy with the finished product.

Hope you had a great weekend.

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