Free pattern – Christmas gift table runner…

I’m so excited to share with you my Christmas gift table runner pattern… The gorgeous Christmas fabrics are from Craftcotton, and the batting inside in from Vliesline, sewn together using Aurifil threads.

Christmas-gift-table-runnerDownload

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Be sure to tag me with your finished table runners, I would love to see your makes

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Looking for more handmade Christmas items to buy?

Please check out the ‘pages’ listed on my home page (or click the link below), you will find all my quilts which are for sale, most of which have been published in UK, American and Australian quilting magazines, plus lots of other handmade items.

https://wordpress.com/pages/creativeblondeblog.wordpress.com

‘Do what makes your heart smile’
Happy Sewing


Michelle

A little weekend inspiration…

Welcome to October… a month that’s a little bit special, as its my birthday!

With the sewing/quilting magazines back up and running in the UK, I was thrilled to get two of my quilts featured inside, one in this months and one in last months issue of British Patchwork & quilting.

My Marrakesh bohemian quilt is a great geometric quilt, a great alternative to a flowery quilt, made using the stunning new collection from Petal Signature for Spoonflower. 48″ x 48″ finished size. Using Gutermann threads and Vlieseline 278 soya mix batting. Find it inside the September issue.

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My Colour Brush quilt is a simple, classic nine patch block, using the modern new collection from Stoffabrics. Sewn together using Aurifil threads and Vlieseline Cotton mix batting. This quilt is a lovely 54″ square, perfect for a cosy night in. Find it inside the October issue.

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Thanks so much for stopping by, wishing you a lovely weekend.

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Island Batik August challenge…

This months challenge was really exciting, we got to try out our new tool from Studio 180 Design that we received in our second Ambassador box. 

I received the Corner Pop 3 ruler,  the challenge was to make any size quilt.

I used the stunning stash builder packs I received in box 2, purples and teals are my favourite colours

Is used Hobbs 80/20 black cotton batting

Quilted using Aurifil threads and backed with Island Batik Tossed feathers in midnight blue.  I used Mosaic Burst to bind this quilt, as I wanted the teal stars to really burst with their colour

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

 #islandbatikambassador #islandbatik #iloveislandbatik #studio180design

 

Hashtags for industry (only if you are actually using the products): #hobbsbatting #aurifil #aurifilthread #accuquilt #accuquiltgo #schmetzneedles #doyoueq #janome #bernina #juki #dritz #olfacreates #junetailor #brothersews #cloverusa #oliso #omnigrid

Island Batik Ambassador boxes have arrived…

Welcome along to the Island Batik Ambassador unboxing blog, can you believe we are half way through the year… I’m feeling slightly overwhelmed by this years boxes – just wait till you see what inside and the challenges we have been set to see us through to the end of year

Hope you enjoy my unboxing video, my extremely talented son (Jack Roberts Guitar) wrote the melody for the video.. enjoy 🙂

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0.5 bundle of Spring 2020 collection + 6 half yards of coordinating Batik Foundations fabric

 

0.5 bundle of Summer 2020 collection + 6 half yards of coordinating Batik Foundations fabric to use for the November Inspired By Nature Blog Hop

A Spring 2020 precut + 2 yards of coordinating Batik Foundations fabric, precuts are available in shops now

1 FQ pack of a Fall/Winter 2019 collection

 

4 yards each of White, Grey and Black Solids

4 yards of a Neutral SKU

2 Stash Builder packs

A pattern, hardware and Spring 2020 collection yardage for the September

‘It’s In The Bag Blog Hop’

6 spools of Aurifil thread for the October Thread Painting challenge

Studio 180 Design tool for the August Try A Template with Studio 180 Design challenge

Hobbs Heirloom Black 80/20 – Queen Size

Heirloom Fusible 80/20 – Queen Size

Hobbs Heirloom Fusible 80/20 Batting Strips – 2 ¼” x 25 yards

Hobbs Tuscany Silk Batting – Throw Size

AccuQuilt GO! Me Fabric Cutter Starter Set and 2 dies

 

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‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

light at the end of the tunnel…

Can I see the light at the end of the tunnel?

Quilt Now have just released its first publication since lock down, and the magazine is absolutely packed full of inspiration and exciting things to make… and I’m thrilled to be featured inside, in fact I have my first pull-out supplement…

Inside you’ll find information about the history of the Dresden quilt, the Dresden ruler and my pattern to make the quilt with matching cushion, using the beautiful fabrics from Riley Blake ‘Sweet Honey Kisses’

These beautiful photos were taken by Quilt Now…

 

 

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‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

 

 

Borders and Binding challenge…

Welcome to April’s Island Batik challenge – Creative Borders and Binding…

I completed this challenge just in time (she checks her watch, yep with hours to spare), we have certainly all found ourselves in different and sometime difficult times over the last few months, but we are all a little bit closer to getting back to ‘normal’ times.

I know one thing, I could never be a school teacher – hats off to all teachers out there!

Just this week alone, I’ve revisited the history of the Civil War, Oliver Cromwell, Food chains, Probability and Fractions…

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This months challenge was to get creative with borders and binding, some examples of these were… Easy Braid, Prairie Points, Piping, Yo-Yos, Scalloped Edges, Log Cabin Spiral, Flying Geese or Double Sawtooth

I was super excited to work with my pack of 40, 2 1/2″ strips of Ancient Etchings designed by Jackie Kunkel for Island Batik

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I graded the colours of the strips as they cascaded their way through the quilt

I kept the darker colours to the one side, to create the borders, and teamed them with Island Batik solid black…

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It was time to bring it altogether, to create a 60″ x 60″ quilt…

I may go back and add a silhouette or two to the centre piece, I’m thinking a lizard, a tree or a couple of love birds , would love to know your thoughts…

I quilted using Aurifil threads, Schmetz needles with Hobbs cotton batting inside. The yellow binding really popped against the black border.

I backed the quilt with Island Batik Marbles from their basic range, and Cherio in Lemonade

Thanks for stopping by to see what I’ve been up to this week, hopefully this bright, colourful quilt has made you smile…

Next months challenge is to create something for the home, using a new line of fabric – I’m so excited as I haven’t even opened the ‘surprise’ fabric bundle yet… be sure to keep an eye out to see what all the Island batik ambassadors make next month

Stay safe, stay strong

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Island Batik One Die Wonder challenge…

Hey, I really hope this post finds you safe and well…

March’s Island Batik challenge was called ‘One Die Wonder’, and was all about using the truly awesome AccuQuilt Ultimate cutting machine and one die from our first Ambassador box to make a quilt 45″ x 60″ or larger.

I’m been bursting to using the pack of 10″ squares I have from the kaleidoscope collection, and here in the UK, people have been drawing rainbows and putting them up in their windows to show support for all the amazing NHS staff who put their own lives at risk every single day to help others during this Coronvirus outbreak, so these rainbow fabrics seemed just perfect to be working with during these times.

 

The Die I chose was called ‘Chimney sweep’ and is part of the Accuquilt BOB dies collection, this set came with all the pieces I needed to make this block, and with the specialized dog-ears and 1/4” seam allowance for easy alignment and piecing, it made making this block really easy. I love the crisp finish I have on each and every seam.

I made 12 blocks to create my quilt, and I just have to show you each and every one, I simple love Island Batik fabrics

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I added strips of white sashings to emphasize each block, and found inspiration for the quilting from wallpaper. I used Aurifil threads and Hobbs cotton batting.

I used Aurifil thread and Island Batik strips of fabric to bind this quilt by hand

Head over and visit all the Island Batik Ambassadors on the Island Batik Facebook page to see which dies and Island Batik fabrics they used – full of inspiration and eye candy

 

 

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‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Island Batik February Blog Hop…

Hello… I’m so excited you’ve joined me on this very exciting blog hop, at the end of this blog post you will find an amazing giveaway i’m hosting, head to

https://www.islandbatik.com/log-cabin-blog-hop-and-giveaway

to see all the beautiful quilts so far and to enter the giveaways.

The challenge was to use the classic Log cabin block, but which will we choose… curved, triangle, wonky, star, twisted, classic?

The 25 Ambassadors are showcasing twelve new Island Batik lines that will be available in your local quilt shops this month, and they are all beautiful.

I cant decide if i like the prints or colours better in this collection, they are all simply gorgeous… il let you decide

My collection is called ‘Forget-Me-Not’ designed by Kathy Engle for Island Batik… these fabrics have had me day dreaming of warm days spent at the beach, beautiful golden sands and blue seas… look closely, the prints are stunning…

The cabin log block is simple and fun, perfect for all abilities, and there are so many different designs, the possibilities are endless

The prints in this collection are beautiful, so i wanted to create a design that included some large pieces a well, so i turned my cabin log to enable me to add some HST

Take a look at these beautiful prints up close

My quilt is made up of sixteen 14 1/2″ blocks, so each block really shows off the gorgeous fabrics, sewn together using Schmetz needles and Auriful threads from the Sicily Yellow collection.

To quilt I’ve used Hobbs Cotton Wool Blend, throw size from the Hobbs Tuscany collection

The backing is made up of a piece two pieces from the collection

GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY GIVEAWAY

I’m giving away 3 x 1/2 yards of Island batik Forget-Me-Not fabrics from this gorgeous collections, I just love the names; Star – Dark Lagoon, Check – Sunflower, and Check – Lemonade.

Enter Here…

 

Good Luck, the winner will be chosen at random and announced Sunday 1st March

Congratulations to Cathy Wilson who was chosen at random and has won this beautiful bundle of fabric

Follow me here on my blog, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Check out all the 2020 Island Batik Ambassadors below…

Carolina Asmussen ~Carolina Asmussen

Megan Best ~ Best Quilter

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter

Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts

Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts

Mania Hatziioannidi~ Mania for Quilts

Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~For the Love of Geese

Leah Malasky~Quilted Delights

Sally Manke ~Sally Manke

Maryellen McAuliffe ~Mary Mack’s Blog

Carol Moellers ~Carol Moellers Designs

Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs

Michelle Roberts ~Creative Blonde  that’s me !

Gail Sheppard ~Quilting Gail

Jennifer Strauser ~Dizzy Quilter

Jennifer Thomas ~Curlicue Creations

Alison Vermilya ~Little Bunny Quilts

Sandra Walker ~mmm! quilts

Suzy Webster ~Adventerous Applique and Quilting

Janet Yamamoto ~Whispers of Yore

Island Batik Ambassador Unboxing Video…

Its my third year as an Island batik Ambassador, and I’m super excited to of been chosen again…

Every year we receive two boxes of goodies, the first arrives in January and the second have way through the year. Its filled with Beautiful Batik fabrics, and other amazing products from their industry sponsors ; Accuquilt, Schmetz, Auriful and Hobbs.

There are 25 Ambassadors this year, so be sure to follow us all, as we bring you the best from Bali… its sure going to be a year packed full of inspiration and amazing fabrics…

 

Sit back and enjoy my short video – The best from Bali

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Check out all the 2020 Island Batik Ambassadors here…

Carolina Asmussen ~Carolina Asmussen

Megan Best ~ Best Quilter

Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts

Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter

Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts

Joanne Hart ~ Unicorn Harts

Mania Hatziioannidi~ Mania for Quilts

Carla Henton ~ Create in the Sticks

Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs

Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood

Denise Looney ~For the Love of Geese

Leah Malasky~Quilted Delights

Sally Manke ~Sally Manke

Maryellen McAuliffe ~Mary Mack’s Blog

Carol Moellers ~Carol Moellers Designs

Gail Renna ~ Quilt Haven Threads

Sharon Riley ~ Sew Riley Designs

Michelle Roberts ~Creative Blonde  that’s me !

Gail Sheppard ~Quilting Gail

Jennifer Strauser ~Dizzy Quilter

Jennifer Thomas ~Curlicue Creations

Alison Vermilya ~Little Bunny Quilts

Sandra Walker ~mmm! quilts

Suzy Webster ~Adventerous Applique and Quilting

Janet Yamamoto ~Whispers of Yore

Follow me here on my blog, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Island batik December challenge…

I’m closing this year with my Island Batik December challenge ‘3D challenge’.

With my presents bought and wrapped, I thought it would be lovely to add some special touches to the Christmas table.

I love the art of fabric manipulation, so I decided on making some fabric flowers, perfect for napkin rings, present toppers and decorating a special bottle of bubbly for friends or family.

There are many different flowers you can create, simply by changing the shape of each petal, i’l show you a couple of ways…

Cut six 4″ circles, per flower, press in half, then into quarter. Repeat for all six circles

Using Aurifil 100% cotton No 12 , weave small stitches along the outer raw edge, thread each petal , then pull tight and join to the first petal to create a secure circle.

Create different size flowers, by reducing / increasing the starting circle. The larger flower shown is made from 4″ circles, the smaller one is made from 2″ circles. These can now be sewn on top of each other, and finished off with a decorative centre. I used a small Christmas bell from Groves. Secure ribbon to the back in a loop, to hold the napkin in place

An alternative flower can be created by cutting a 4″ circle, and divided up into 8 equal triangles. Stitch along the raw edge as before and secure into a circle

Ribbon can be sewn to the back of flower, so they can secured to a napkin, a bottle of bubbly or a present

A special touch for a special gift, or a special celebration/occasion

Hope this has inspired you to get creative this holiday season.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, and every happiness in 2020

Huge thank you to each and every one of you who has followed me on my journey this year. Each comment truly does make my day

Follow me here on my blog, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle