Love bugs???

Who’s watching the new series of ‘I’m a celebrity, get me out of here’? yes yes yes I hear you shout…

How about making some super cool bunting with matching cushion covers using the new fabric collection ‘Enchanted Wings’ its a beautiful pink and mauve collection with beetles, bugs and butterflies… Perfect bunting for any Charlie and Lola fan!

Enchanted Wings Fabric Collection

Here you can download my FREE tutorial on how to make your very own cushion cover and bunting, its a perfect started project for anyone wanting to get into sewing, or for anyone looking to do some fussy cutting and blanket stitch applique

Enchanted-wings-cushion-and-buntingDownload

Happy sewing

Michelle x

Michelle Roberts from www.creativeblonde.co.ukLeave a comment

Welcome to my Island Batik Blog Hop day…

This month is all about ‘The Storm at Sea block’ a block which vividly depicts the rolling waves of a stormy sea with its simple color palette and wave-like imagery.

Storm at sea block

A few interesting facts about the block… The illusion of waves is created by a few geometric shapes with very simple dimensions. The large center square is twice as big as the small center square. The rectangle is the height of the small square block and the length of the large square block.

Changing the color palette could emphasize different elements within the design, creating stunning stars or wavy lines – creating a new look for an old design.

Such an exciting block… I designed my blocks using the EQ8 program, which enabled me to play around with designs and colours.

My surprise bundle of fabrics was now ready to be torn open, to reveal the new collection ‘Sea Glass’ a beautiful collection a sea greens, blues and purples, with super cute sea shells and fish prints

My quilt is made up of 624 pieces, all hand cut and sewn together…

I used Aurifil thread with Schmetz needles in my Brother sewing machine

Aurifil thread

I was also super excited to try the new fusible cotton batting from Hobbs – wow!! its a game changer!!

No more pins, or basting spray – this you NEED to try

Hobbs fusible batting

I completed my large lap quilt, with some hand sewn binding in a gorgeous dark purple

I absolutely love the backing, it captures all the stunning fabric colours from the top quilt.

My finished lap quilt

I hope you’ve loved seeing my progress and finished quilt.

To enter this week fabulous giveaway and be in with a chance of winning these,click the link below…

Giveaway Prize

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d463e29d35/

Be sure to head over to https://www.facebook.com/islandbatik to see all the other gorgeous Island Batik Ambassadors quilts

Michelle Roberts from www.creativeblonde.co.uk14 Comments
vintage tilda quilt, using Vlieseline Eco150 wadding, and tilda fabric bundles

Do you like a vintage look and feel to a quilt? keep reading…

Introducing Vlieseline ECO 150, the first 100% biodegradable voluminous wadding with high insulation performance. Made from renewable resources, 100% Lyocell which is sourced from Eucalyptus trees. This innovative new product biodegrades without leaving any micro plastic contamination in the environment, making it the responsible choice when considering the future of our planet as well as providing excellent quality and performance.

ECO150 can be used with most fabrics and is suitable for garments, patchwork and quilting as well as a whole range of crafting applications. This light, voluminous sew-in wadding has a soft handle and high migration resistance due to its anti-static qualities. It is extremely comfortable in garments and quilts as it is `breathable‘ with up to 45% moisture absorption. It can be hand or machine sewn and quilters should use a spacing of 15-20 cm. Washable to 40°, it can be pressed using a cool iron.  It is 155 cm wide and available in white.

Last week I received a sample of Vlieseline Eco150 wadding – its incredibly soft and cosy AND 100% bio-biodegradable. So soft in fact, that a photo alone wasn’t enough, so I made this short video.

  • Made from renewable, fast growing resources (Eucalyptus trees), requiring far less water than any other fibre made out of natural polymers. 
  • Water used in the manufacturing process is 100% recycled
  • Chemicals used in the production process are almost completely recycled (99%) and are not present in the fibres
  • Completely biodegradable in natural conditions and soil within 57 days
  • Leaves no impact on the environment after biodegrading
  • Water repellent and odour resistant.
  • Soft handle due to the characteristic of the fiber
  • Excellent comfort in garment application
  • High resistance to fiber migration due to anti-static properties and spray binding technology

Important note: After 3 wash cycles there can be a 20% higher loss of volume when compared with polyester waddings.

Tilda have also just released their scrap bundles, and I couldn’t resist teaming these up together, along with some Tilda cream solid.

These scrap bundles are from ALL the Tilda collections

I would love to know if you have used this wadding before…

Happy sewing

Michelle x

Michelle Roberts from www.creativeblonde.co.ukLeave a comment

I have a secret I need you to share…

I have some new items in my Etsy shop, and I need you to share this secret with EVERYONE you know 🙂

First up…

Bespoke wedding anniversary gifts

A beautiful gift for a special couple, to celebrate an anniversary, to hang on the wall to remember the wonderful occasion.

Choose colours used in your wedding theme to make this even more personal, and all beautifully framed in a 8″ x 10″ real wood frame, ready for hanging.

Check out all of my beautiful handmade items http://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/creativeblondegifts

Next up…

Christmas scatter cushions – gonks

These country style Christmas cushions are handmade from linen and cotton, and make the perfect addition to your country styled living room this Christmas.

Choose from the festive Robin, or Christmas Gonk, or maybe one of each?! Each cushion comes with a robin or gonk applique on the reverse

Christmas scatter cushion – Robin

They come with a quality cotton envelope style backing, which makes removing the cover really easy. Choose from white, grey or black cotton backing

These gorgeous scatter cushions measure 16″ square and come with the cushion pad included.

Next up…

Girly hair slides

Hair clips for girls with a beautiful 3D fabric origami butterfly. Measuring 6.5 cm x 5 cm. Perfect for a special occasion, or everyday use.

They make a wonderful gift for a child’s birthday party, or to add into each party bag.

Each butterfly comes sewn to a non slip coloured metal hair clip measuring 5 cm long, and will be chosen to match the butterfly fabric.

Butterflies can be ordered as an individual item or as a pair.

Last but not least…

Men’s stylish Neckerchief

Neckerchiefs are the perfect way to compliment any outfit, and can be styled in so many ways. They are often called bandanas. A great and stylish way to keep your neck warm this Autumn and Winter.

They make a lovely gift for the men in your life, and I offer so many different colours, you’re sure to find a favourite, all made from 100% high quality cotton, please get in touch with your message

I offer these as a single item, or as a coordinating pack of two.  Each neckerchief measures 22″ square.

Thanks for stopping by

Check out all of my beautiful handmade items www.etsy.com/uk/shop/creativeblondegifts

Michelle Roberts from www.creativeblonde.co.ukLeave a comment

October’s endangered animal awareness challenge…

The 2021 Aurifil Color Builders are a capsule of 12 mini-collections dedicated to an incredibly worthy cause that falls in line with Aurifil’s goal to increase sustainability and positive environmental impact — Endangered Species. Each collection contains three large spools of their supple and strong 40wt thread — a warm, a medium, and a dark.

For the October challenge, Aurifil asked the Island Batik Ambassadors to create a piece inspired by the endangered animal featured on their assigned Color Builder box.

I received the Sumatran Elephant…

The Sumatran elephant is native to the Indonesian island of Sumatra, and are one of the smallest of the Asian elephants, and known for their bright skin. Sadly there are are only between 2400 and 2800 Sumatran elephants left in the world, which puts them on the critically endangered list.

There has been a huge decline recently, largely due to habitat loss and illegal killing of the elephants for their ivory.

WWF Indonesia aims to protect the sustainability of the Sumatran elephants through collaborations with the government and other organizations. They have established elephant patrols, that serves to prevent hunting and dismantling of traps that can endanger the elephants.

Auriful thread have drawn their color inspiration from 12 magnificent animals, currently in dire need of attention, advocacy, and compassion. They are dedicated to highlighting their stories, helping to educate on their struggles, and working to create valuable change via awareness and fundraising. To help achieve these goals, Aurifil are collaborating with Earth League International and are looking forward to a strong and effective partnership, to read more about their work, head to

https://www.aurifil.com/2021-color-builders

I’ve created a wall hanging, using some gorgeous Island Batik fabrics, and the 3 Aurifil threads from my pack

I love the effect of the Island Batik blue fabrics

The light thread added a lovely shimmer to my project

Using the other two thread colours, I added some thread painting details to add depth and shading

Be sure to check out all the other Ambassadors projects, by heading over to the Island Batik Page

This wall hanging was quilted with Hobbs cotton batting and I added some hanging hoops to complete my project

I’ve really enjoyed reading about these elephants along with all the other Ambassadors projects, I hope you have too.

Michelle x

Michelle Roberts from www.creativeblonde.co.uk2 Comments

Cosy Christmas Bottle Wrap


I’ve teamed up with Vlieseline to bring you this super cute Christmas bottle wrap tutorial.

I’ve used the amazing Vlieseline Style Vil Fix and the new Festive Glitter fabrics to make these – grab yours supplies today from all good crafting retailers 

Try adding some faux fur trim for an extra cosy look to your bottle wrap

Download my free tutorial below

cosy-christmas-bottle-wrapDownload

Happy sewing

Michelle x

Michelle Roberts from www.creativeblonde.co.ukLeave a comment

September challenge…

Ever had a challenge put to you, that you were unsure you could manage, one of those that plays on your mind, that you should crack on with, but you keep putting it off… well I have to admit the Island Batik September challenge was one of those moments!

I have made a few bags, but not one so advanced as this…

ByAnnie has generously provide all the Island Batik Ambassadors with a pattern and all the necessary hardware to make a bag of my choice!

There were so many to choose from, and all really practical and useful, I finally decided on the Round Trip Duffle Bag… thinking next time I go away for the weekend, Il be prepared 🙂

I chose the stunning Spiral Surf, Feather in Mauve, and Peacock Waterfall from the Fancy Feathers collection, and Branch in Blue from the Blenders collection

With all the pieces laid out in front of me and 10 pages of instructions, I was ready to begin make a cup of tea…

Supplies

I began working my way through the step by step instructions, which are really clearly written, even a bag novice like myself could get my head around them

I cut and quilted all the pieces, and was loving the fabrics combo I had chosen. (blues and purples are my favourite). The pattern also comes with REALLY handy printable labels for each piece, which I strongly recommend using, this keeps everything in order.

SOOOOOOOO many pieces right?!!! and they just keep coming!

Lots of straps are needed for this bag, so I would recommend an ‘Easy loop turner’ makes this process a breeze. I love adding the metal catches, I think it starts to make the bag feel like its coming together

Pockets were up next, I love a bag with lots of pockets, and this one has 9 (Cool huh!) and a really useful trolley sleeve which slips over the handles on your suitcase/trolley

The front and back were created next, along with the centre panel.

I was getting excited by this point, and all my worries of not being able to do it, were disappearing – I almost had a bag in front of me! Your patterns are genius ByAnnie.

I used Aurifil thread and Schmetz needles to create this bag, and they were amazing considering the layers I was sewing through.

Joining the final pieces of the bag and binding the inside, was made so much easier with the help of my Hemline Gold quilting clips

And with that my bag was complete… here is the inside

Drum roll…

Here is my finished weekend bag, I’m really pleased with out it turned out, and I can seriously recommend ByAnnie patterns

Huge thanks to Island batik, ByAnnie, Aurifil, Schmetz for supplying me with the accessories to create my bag for the September challenge, and my amazing Brother sewing machine – we did it!!

A few more photos, just in case you just cant get enough of this super gorgeous bag 🙂

Thanks for stopping by, please hit the follow button if you haven’t already, and find me on Instagram and Facebook.

Have a lovely weekend

Michelle x

Michelle Roberts from www.creativeblonde.co.uk2 Comments