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

Christmas Inspiration…

This week I’ve had so much fun getting creative, coming up with some simple Christmas craft ideas, you can the kids involved with, so head out this weekend and stock up on Christmas crafts…

These items are all available from groves, for more information for your local stockiest, please email stockistenquiries.co.uk

Follow my step by step photos and get create this Christmas holiday

Making mini advent Calendar bags, which can be kept year after year

Another idea…

Some more ideas…

personalize them…

Just keep it simple…

Fill them with chocolates, sweets or small gifts, that could be given as presents

Wishing you a beautiful Christmas filled with happiness and laughter, creating memories to cherish forever and always x

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

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

November Catch Up…

Hello… thanks for heading over to read my next blog, I must apologize for the delay, I honestly don’t know where the days and weeks go, I do believe time gets excited at this time of the year, and just cant wait to reach the most magical time of the year…

Christmas is my most favourite time of the year, I cant put my finger on exactly what makes it so special, I guess its a combination of everything coming together… Christmas lights, the sparkles, the fun, the laughter, and being with those we love the most.

Last weekend, was when Christmas began for me… I was very lucky to be taken to London, where I walked through Covent Garden, and was mesmerized by the beautiful Christmas lights and trees, and then an evening show in the Aldwych Theatre to see Tina Turner the Musical… and oh my goodness it was amazing, really amazing… Simply The Best.

I can promise you, I have been super busy this past month, and today I want to share a few things I’ve been working on… grab a cuppa and enjoy – I would just like to say a huge hello to all my new followers, especially Andy and Frances, who have made my day, by buying issue 69 (my first front cover issue) and for taking such an amazing interest in everything I do – it really does mean the world to me.

Please leave a comment too if you would like to, as these make my day.

This month I was thrilled to be working with these beautiful fabrics ‘Colour Fun’ from Stoffabrics, a new and bright collection. I’ve used my favourite Wool Mix batting from Vlieseline, which I love for its super cosy feel. All sewn together using the stunning, bright Gutermann threads.  (I will keep you posted for when this pattern is published, until then, these sneak peeks are all I can show you)

Another beautiful collection I used this month was ‘Dew + Moss’ by Art Gallery Fabrics, these fabrics are super soft, I really do love the feel their fabrics. I love the autumnal colours, and couldn’t resist adding the buttons for extra detail (never sewn so many buttons on in my life – my Mum would be proud 😉

(I will keep you posted for when this pattern is published, until then, these sneak peeks are all I can show you)

If your looking for sewing inspiration, Quilt Now magazine issue 70 is OUT NOW, inside you will find a huge array of beautiful patterns, including my ‘Heavenly Hexies’ quilt. Its a beautiful, clever way to machine sew hexies together.

I love last months Charity blocks, designed by Jane @howwillthisfadge, each month a team of us make blocks, which are then sewn together by that months Sewing Mama to create a beautiful warm hug for children. (my month is March 2020)

Its a lovely charity called Siblings Together.

“Siblings Together is a UK based charity that promotes positive contact between brothers and sisters separated in foster care, kinship care, residential care, or adoption. We are the only UK-based organisation focused on this need, and are widely acknowledged as the leading independent voice on issues of sibling contact in care”

 

I’m just about keeping up to date with my two quilt-a-longs, October block is red from the monthly colour challenge, designed by Jen @patternsbyjen.

And the beautiful Modern HST BOM October block for the #modernhstbom hosted by Steph @stephjacobsondesigns

Last week I think I may of made my most favourite quilt to date – its a bold statement, but I’m going with it, I would love to hear your thoughts too…

Its using the vibrant, stunning collection by Giucy Guice ‘Spectrastatic’ for Makower... I’m so excited to show you the finished quilt, but until then I will keep you posted for when this pattern is published, until then, these sneak peeks are all I can show you)

The rest of this month I will be kept busy with plenty more of my quilt designs coming to life, plus a few more hospital orders, for the charity ‘Pyjama fairies‘- “

Pyjama Fairies is the only UK charity to make pyjamas and surgical gowns specially designed for babies and children up to age 16 having surgery or any other associated medical test.

Each garment is made in colorful, age-appropriate fabric and is designed to minimize discomfort when medical intervention is necessary. Your child can remain fully dressed, safe and warm whilst being examined and throughout their stay in hospital.

While other great organisations focus on research and finding a cure, we work to improve the quality of life of children and their families as they undergo surgeries and treatment. Pyjama Fairies mission is to make hospital stays easier for children and their families”

This month us fairies are making gowns for the children at Addenbrookes Hospital.

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

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Top It Off…

October’s Island Batik challenge is called ‘Top it off’.

The challenge is to create a holiday runner or table topper, using a applique technique…

I instantly thought of Christmas, my late Nan’s favourite flower at this time of year was the poinsettia, I chose these beautiful fabrics; Plum, Storm and Sky from my Island Batik stash…

Free motion applique is such a beautiful and simple technique, I love how you can literally take any shape, and create it from fabric, by fusing your chosen fabrics to some lightweight interfacing  – I used Vlieseline interfacing.

I appliqued leaf details on each piece, using the beautiful variegated threads from Gutermann. Colour number 4022,4030,4127.

 

 I used Thermore batting from Hobbs – Thin and easy to quilt, excellent for wall hangings, miniature quilts, and other small quilting projects.

I chose to leave the centre of the table runner plainer, as this is where the table decorations tend to be placed.

I love the slightly non traditional colours used for this table runner…

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

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

 

Christmas and Autumnal Inspiration…

The inspiration inside this months sewing and quilting magazines is sure to get you busy at your sewing machine… I would love to tell you where you cab find some of my tutorials this month…

Inside this months issue of Love Sewing, you will find my ‘Let it Snow’ cushion. Using the beautiful Christmas fabrics ‘Tinsel’ by Clarice Gifford for Cloud9fabrics from Hantexcreate. I’ve used Vlieseline Interfacing, and Guterman threads. Creating this snowflake, took me back to my school days, of cutting out snowflakes from paper.

Issue 69 Quilt Now Magazine…

“Issue 69 is our big festive special and comes with a bumper Christmas makes book, a Jera Brandvig quilt pattern and an exclusive stained glass window pattern from Sarah Ashford, making it our biggest issue ever! It also marks the start of our brand-new quilt-along with Sarah Payne”

I received the best news on the 17th October… I only found myself on the front cover of Quilt Now magazine with my Christmas Star Quilt…

Absolutely buzzing!!

 

This quilt uses the stunning Christmas collection ‘Moda Bella Solids and Merry Merry Snow Days by Bunny Hill designs for Moda‘. I’ve used Guterman threads and Vlieseline Cotton mix batting – making this the coziest Christmas quilt, perfect for they chilly evenings.

Available to buy from ‘The Sewing Studio‘, with a very special discount code especially for my readers/ followers and Quilt Now readers.

 

The November issue of British Patchwork and Quilting is out now, full of Autumnal and Christmas inspiration, including my ‘Woodland Walk’ quilt. using the beautiful ‘Pinewood Acres’ collection from Riley Blake. Gutermann threads and Vlieseline cotton mix batting.

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

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Happy New Year…

Welcome to 2019! Isnt it exciting to think about what the year might have in store for us…

After having a full house for a couple of weeks, its going to feel awfully quiet when everyone returns to school and work next week, thankfully I have sooooo much to catch up with, and Im excited to get started – bring on 2019!

I got so wrapped up with Christmas I forgot to share my Christmas Hexi Tree cushion, so for anyone with some left over Christmas fabric, or you simply cant get enough of Christmas, you can download it here…

Glitter Hexi christmas cushion cover

 

 

On the 8th January, its my day for the Island batik Ambassador Blog hop, the blog hop begins 7th January through until the 1st February. Its a great blog hop because not only is if full of inspiration, but also showcases all the very new island batik fabrics, so be sure to stop by…

If you’re looking for a new table runner for the new year, grab this months issue of quilt now magazine, where you can find my spring time floral table runner, with the cutest quilted bumble bees

photo taken by Quilt Now Magazine

I love looking back through the year, seeing what was most popular… insights on Instagram tell me this was my most popular post of 2018.

Using beautiful fabrics from Dashwood Studio – flowerstalks and butterfly flower garden collection

My pattern is still available here…

www.overdalefabrics.com/make-sofa-sewing-caddy

Thanks so much for all the lovely comments you’ve left me during 2018, Im so looking forward to 2019 – wishing you all a very happy new year

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

 

I cant cover it up, its all about Christmas…

Anyone who knows me, knows I LOVE Christmas, so I couldn’t resist making a quilted Christmas countdown wall hanging, that way i can keep you guys up to date too 😉 A free pattern for this will be available very soon, its on my to-do list for Monday. as of today there are only 37 till Christmas  – yay!!

The Christmas countdown wall hanging comes with a cute drawstring bag to hold all the numbers in, and is tied onto the quilt with some adorable ribbon from Groves, and available in all well stocked craft stores

I couldn’t resist a cute ‘HO HO HO’ wall hanging to go with the ‘SNOW’ wall hanging i made last week, i just love the cute Christmas fabrics from Craft Cotton. The blue fabric was perfect for creating snow globes for the ‘O’s and a little fussy cutting of the snow animals

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a special quilt for my dogs, and Camelot fabrics have released the cutest Christmas dog fabric, available from Craft Cotton and Hobbycraft

*** Free Tutorial with pattern coming soon***

One of my dogs, (my very old lady dog) was keen to pose for her photo too 🙂

I hear you ask… have you done anything unrelated to Christmas…

Yes i have, so thanks for still being here and reading on 🙂

This week i was thrilled to see my ‘Monochrome Zoo’ quilt on show at the Craft Cotton stand at this years Quilt market – This was made from a new collection which is due to arrive at Craft Cotton really soon, and with this will be the release of my quilt pattern

Head over this week to the Craft Cotton Blog to grab my free pattern and tutorial for my ‘Cookies and Milk’ mug rug, using the super cute woodland fabric

Free Pattern – Cookies and Milk mug rug

Before you go, I have some hugely exciting news…

Would you like to become an Island Batik Ambassador??? well the application forms for 2019 are OPEN

I’ve had the best year, becoming an Island batik Ambassador, making lovely projects with the boxes of beautiful fabrics, threads and batting, from Island Batik, Auriful Threads and Hobbs batting. Head over to Island Batik website using the link below to apply for 2019

2019 Brand Ambassador Application
https://www.islandbatik.com/news/index.php/2019-brand-ambassador-application/

 

Many thanks for reading, have a lovely week ahead, until next time… happy sewing

 I would love to hear from you, please leave me a comment  🙂

Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

44 days til Christmas…

Can you believe it, just 44 days til the big day?! so i thought id share  with you a little Christmas mini wall hanging quilt… let it snow, let it snow, let it snow …

These super cute Christmas fabrics are available from Craft Cotton

A great little piece of Christmas to hang up as we get ever closer to the big day

I was chuffed to bits to be asked to make a cot size quilt from the beautiful new Camelot licensed fabrics available from Craft Cotton very soon ‘Winnie the Pooh’ – they are super cute

I knew straight away i wanted to try out my new sulky transfer pen, and the new pre packs of Vlieseline Stitch ‘n’ tear. The hardest part was choosing which of the adorable Winnie the pooh quotes to use.

I used two strands of Gutermann variegated threads to back stitch the writing. The Winnie the pooh fabric went so beautifully with the craft Cotton Fat Quarter bundle of nursery basics in grey

This quilt measures 30″ x 40″ so its just the right size for a new born’s crib or play mat, ***tutorial coming soon***

In case you missed my last post, I’ve been busy doing a little bit of paper piecing for my October island batik challenge, using the stunning pattern by Nicole –  lillyella stitchery @lillyellasworld. The quote was written by Helen Keller and emphasizes the importance of having a friend by your side. Although it is preferred to walk in the light, solitude and being alone makes this seem undesirable.

Many thanks for reading, have a lovely week ahead, until next time… happy sewing

 I would love to hear from you, please leave me a comment  🙂

Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

Warning… contains Christmas inspiration

Hello, thanks for stopping by, I hope you’ll find something you like in this weeks blog, I must warn you, this week has been filled to the brim with Christmas projects.

Are you a Christmas crafter? do you love doing Christmas craft with the kids?

Well I’ve got some very cute projects to share with you, and different ways to use the projects when finished. Available from all good crafting retailers

All the pieces needed to make this bunting are all available separately

I used Gutermann metallic threads to sew the applique letters in place

Next up are some Christmas sacks, i love the little pom pom kits, and so added them around the top of each sack

Its been a few years since i made a pom pom, but these are super cute, and a great little project for the kids to get involved in

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a little cross stitch in front of the fire, and to add a little more sparkle, I used some Gutermann metallic threads

This kits come with a wooden hanging hoop, but i chose to cut mine out and use them to add some Christmas sparkle to a cushion

Which leads me nicely onto these very cute felt kits, i mounted mine onto pre-made blank cards, I love the 3D effect, and i think would make a fabulous gift from the kids to someone special

To locate a stockist for all the kits found in this blog please email

 groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk

Yay I’m glad you’re still reading and haven’t become overwhelmed by the volume of Christmasness!!!

I have a very exciting gift to giveaway… I’ve had so much fun using my new metallic Gutermann threads,  I just had to give you the chance to win your very own pack – with huge thanks to Gütermann.

To be in for a chance to win, simple…

1. Follow me here on my blog

2. Leave me a comment telling me what you would sew with these gorgeous metallic threads, i will choose a name at random next weekend.

Good luck

Something special for you…

To celebrate my advent calendar with coordinating bunting being featured in this months issue of Love Patchwork and quilting magazine, using the beautiful collection by Amy called ‘little town’

Dawn at www.honeybeecloths.co.uk has very kindly offered all my followers, not just 10% off this collection which is available in her shop now, but 10% off everything in her shop ♥

Just type CREATIVEBLONDE at the checkout – thanks Dawn 🌸 💕

Many thanks for reading, have a lovely weekend, until next time… happy sewing

Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x