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
Happy sewing
Michelle x
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.
Be sure to tag me with your finished table runners, I would love to see your makes
Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find/tag me on Instagram and Facebook.
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
Wow, can you believe November is coming to an end, I’m feeling slightly uneasy about Christmas this year, not sure its going to be the same at all, but my kids are still very excited, so much so, we spent the weekend choosing our tree and decorating it.
The lounge is looking very festive, and smells amazing as this morning I made the Christmas cake – my favourite part of Christmas – so it is beginning to feel like Christmas.
This week I got to play with the new collection ‘Kyoto’ by Stuart Hillard for @craftcottonco, teamed with a gorgeous shimmering coral fabric.
Craftcotton also just released some new Christmas fabric, so I designed this cute Christmas present table runner. Both my patterns will be available soon on the Craftcotton blog
My cat who returned last week after being missing for 81 days, is super keen to be involved in all the photo shots
I’ve also been busy making luxury handmade ties, I’ve decided to personalize them, to make them extra special when giving them as a gift. I don’t know about you, but I find men really tricky to buy for, and I think these ties make a beautiful and thoughtful gift. A short message using a few words can be added to each tie.
Great for dads, grandads, uncles, nephews and friends, for lots of special occasions, whether it be a birthday, Christmas, new job, wedding or fathers day.
Order yours today from my here on my website, just head to the order form page, don’t forget to add details of your message (no more then 3 words)
Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook.
Looking for more handmade Christmas items?
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.
https://wordpress.com/pages/creativeblondeblog.wordpress.com
This weekend I’m including FREE UK delivery.
‘Do what makes your heart smile’
Happy Sewing
Michelle
I was so excited to of made a special order over the weekend for a little boy who loves his dog ‘Honey’. He ordered a personalized Christmas stocking.
I wanted to share a few photos with you, cant wait to see a photo of his dog with her stocking
Beautifully cross stitched with their pets name and a paw print on an appliqued dog bone.
Fully lined, with a decorative Christmas ribbon hanging hoop
Available to order now, from my ‘contact/order form’ page
Order yours today, and receive free UK delivery
x Michelle x
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
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…
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
Hello, thanks for stopping by…
I have so much to tell you about, this week has been so busy, and I’ve loved every minute
…Did you know there is only 29 days till Christmas?
I’m so excited to tell you my ‘SNOW’ and ‘HO HO HO’ wall hangings PDF can now be downloaded below.
For more Christmas inspiration head over to the Craft Cotton Blog
Christmas wall hanging – ho ho ho
I’ve been busy making this months sewing bee block for the ‘siblings together’ charity. I love this pattern and the colours chosen by Karen@weekendtextiles.Â
I used Island batik scraps to create these blocks, and Gutermann threads
This week I was able to complete the final block in the #savethebees quilt, designed and hosted my Jacquelyn. I think this block is my favourite, i love the super buttons from Groves
This month also came the release of block 10 of the shared quilt-along, hosted by myself and Dawn at Honeybee Cloths.
There are 10 blocks so far, with 2 more to be released, below are the latest five blocks. I’ve used Caroline Fabric by @brengr from Moda to complete my blocks
And lastly this week, i got involved in a sew along called #retrosnapssal hosted by @imstudiolou. Its such an adorable pattern.
I chose to use the scraps left over from my ‘winnie the pooh’ quilt, the fabrics available from craft cotton soon
Now i just have to keep the dog away from it, its the whitest item in this house 😉
Getting ready for 2019? I’ve signed up for the following quilt-along, Im so excited to be sewing along with Sherry at powered by quilting
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
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
Hi, thanks for stopping by this week, as the clocks in the UK go back an hour, i thought what better way to spend that extra hour, but to write my blog. Can i just say i really do appreciate each and every comment that you leave me 🙂
This week, was half term and also the week our very and manky (my sons words) kitchen got taken out, and the new one installed. Surprisingly i wasn’t worried about the fact i wouldn’t have an oven for the week, but the fact my conservatory was out of bounds! My conservatory is where i take most of my photos, it gives the best light with the least amount of shadow – who knew
I finished my valentine quilt, and oh my goodness, how lovely is double gauze to work with, i will be totally honest and let you into a little secret, i’d never heard of it, but i LOVE it, and its definitely something i will work with again and again.
I love the soft and cosy feel to it, and using it for raw edge applique, i think gave my quilt a real shabby chic feel.
Click here to see the huge range by  Higgs & Higgs
“Double gauze is, very simply, two layers of gauze that are tacked together at regular intervals with little stitches that are undetectable from the right side of the fabric. Soft, airy and slightly crinkled for a casual look these textiles make fabulous fashion and nursery items”
Gutermann threads were beautiful to work with for this fabric too
I was so excited when i was asked to make some wash bags, the fabrics i chose are from Gutermann from their Marrakesch range, and i LOVE it, definitely going to have to fill my stash with more of this beautiful fabric. I was also given the chance to try out a sample of Vlieseline Lamifix – my conclusion… FAB!! The two wash bags below are both lined with Lamifix, the pale green is covered all over, and the navy piece is just fabric, with base covered in Lamifix. Its so versatile and i would recommend the product. Ive almost finished a toiletry roll which i lined with Lamifix, I will share with your next week
In honor of my new kitchen i have made a table topper, i hoping to get round to making matching seat covers too, the cat thought this one was for him 🙂  These beautiful fabrics are by Moda from the caroline collection designed by Brenda Riddle, Kate and Birdie and Tilda and all available for Honeybee Cloth and if you head over there this week, dawn is offering 10% off EVERYTHING in their shop, use the promo code CREATIVEBLONDE
They have a beautiful range of the most prettiest fabrics, each and every piece of fabric is cut and packaged in the most adorable way, makes an idea gift for someone or just a well deserved treat for yourself
Next month brings new and exciting fabric from Craft Cotton – its their new ‘Winnie the Pooh’ range, isn’t it adorable. I will be making a quilt and some coordinating bunting – its the perfect fabric for anyone expecting a baby in the new year. Pre-order yours now – click here
That rounds up another week, I would love to hear from you, please leave me a comment 🙂
Many thanks for reading, have a lovely week ahead, until next time… happy sewing
Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66
~Michelle~
x creativeblonde x
Michelle aka Creative Blonde 