Mother’s Day flower embroidery hoop…

With Mother’s day just around the corner, I thought this cute little project, would make a lovely gift. you could even change the words and give the hoop for a special birthday or occasion.

Download my free pattern using the link below

Mother’s-Day-flower-hoopDownload

Whilst making this project, I came across this amazing thread gloss by Thread Joy, made with natural untreated British Bees wax and high quality fragrance oil.

The thread gloss come in different blends, which Claire at Thread Joy has chosen to evoke feelings of well-being, and allows you to match your mood to your stitching. Whilst I was embroidering the lettering I used the Release blend, which has been created to DE-stress, as it uses a blend of Ylang Ylang and Neroli, and it smells divine, like you have a calming candle burning in the room. It was brilliant at avoiding all these pesky tangles in my thread, and made sewing a dream.

Head to Claire’ Etsy shop to purchase yours.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/THREADJOYthreadgloss?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=935311762

Find out more about Thread Joy by heading over to their Instagram page

https://www.instagram.com/threadjoy_threadgloss/

I cant recommend this enough, and one pot will last ages, the only tricky part is choosing which blend to choose. These made a beautiful gift for yourself and for anyone who is into their embroidery, Thread Joy pride themselves on their beautiful packaging and its all fully recyclable.

Happy sewing, I cant wait to see your embroidery hoops

Follow me here on my blog, and share with friends, you can also find/tag me on Instagram and Facebook with your makes.

‘Do what makes your heart smile’
Happy Sewing

Michelle

Roald Dahl – The Witches…

Do you remember reading the book? well Craftcotton have just released a collection of Roald Dahl fabrics… I couldn’t resist turning some of them into a cute satchel

‘You really are a very clever little mouse’ fabric was just too cute to not use as the main outer fabric, I added the frogs for the pocket, and the Witches for the lining.

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This pattern is available from Debbie Shore ‘Satchels’ book, with templates and really easy to follow step-by-step instructions.

To see how I used the ‘Witches’ fabrics, download my tutorial, at the link below

craftcotton-witches-satchelDownload

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 Blog Hop bag challenge…

Hello, thanks for stopping by, today is my day to share the bag I made for the Island Batik blog hop bag challenge, over the next four weeks, all 25 of us Island batik ambassadors will be show casing the ‘by annie.com‘ bags we have made using some of the brand new Island Batik fabric collections.

The new collection I used is called Deco Revival by Kathy Engle .

Buildings – Olive Deco Revival for the main fabric

Columns – Opal Deco Revival for the lining

Circle – Jelly bean for the coordinating fabric

I will be honest with you, when I first received our second box from Island batik with the products and information to make the bag, there was panic on my face… I’ve only ever made simple tote bags and pencil cases, so this sure was going to be a challenge…

The pattern I chose from ‘by annie.com‘ bags, was called ‘Take A Stand’ (stand up tote bag, a zippered tote that opens wide for easy access)

The instructions were amazing, and I really do recommend them to anyone who wants to make their own bag, really clear step by step instructions, with the option of an add on video tutorial if you get stuck. I was overwhelmed with the amount of pieces, but with clear labels and instructions it came together really well.

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With all the pieces made, I was ready to start constructing the bag…

This pattern comes with two sizes, the size I chose was the smaller one

8 3/4″H x 12″W x 6 1/2″D, the larger size is 12 1/2″H x 16″W x 8″D

Two outside zippered pockets, 5 internal mesh pockets, and an adjustable strap.

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Island batik are giving away two FQ packs, one to each of the two winners, to enter simply click on the link below…

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d463e29d16/

Best of luck…

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

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…

 

 

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 June Challenge…

Can you believe its June already…

If I’m honest everyday seems to feel the same at the minute, but today I will celebrate June by sharing with you my Island Batik June project

This months challenge was a ‘free’ theme, that meant we could make anything, using any fabric from box 1… I couldn’t resist using more fabrics from the stunning ‘Northern Lights’ collection from Kathy Engle for Island Batik.

I had been given a sample of Vlieseline R200, a new thermo insulating wadding… Its is lush. Vlieseline have developed two new thermo-insulating waddings made using 100% recycled polyester: R80 and R 200. These exceptional waddings have a high migration resistance so they will retain their shape and smooth handle, even after washing. They are suitable for use with all fabrics and are great for quilts, patchwork, bag making and garment applications. R200 is a more substantial, extremely bulky wadding with a soft handle.  It can be hand sewn and is washable to 40°

I chose to make a cat bed, I have four cats, and they love to sleep on my quilts (usually when I’m trying to quilt them), so this one could be theirs…

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I made a row of 6″ hearts using different fabrics form the collection

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I quilted the row of hearts and this created the surrounding edge for my cat bed

I self covered 4 small buttons, and these were added to the base of the cat cushion

I hand sewed the surrounding edge to the base, and the cat bed was ready for its first guest…

One very happy and comfy mog

I couldn’t resist sharing a few more photos of my cat making herself comfortable

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

Feeling creative?

Yesterday, was the first day I’ve been home alone for 6 weeks, yes it was back to school time for all four of my boys, and boy did my house feel empty and soooo quiet…

So I set myself a little challenge to create different ways to use an embroidery hoop.

First up, was a reminder hoop, I thought it could be hung by the door, to hold little messages…

Here’s how I made it… Really simple, but quite effective, would make a beautiful gift too…

Then I included a pocket, the fabric I used is a super soft Jersey fabric, so it had a little stretch in it, perfect for a nursery…

Here’s how I made it… My son thought it was adorable, and wants it hanging in his room 😊

These are all great scrap busting projects, but this last one, is perfect if you have a special piece of fabric, or a piece left over from something special you have made…

And there they were… And before I knew it the boys were home, complaining about being hungry and arguing with each other – back to normal, and just the way I like it 😊

Thanks for reading, hope this post has inspired you to get creative.

You can follow me here on my blog, and can also find me on Instagram and Facebook

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Cosy petal cushion tutorial…

I love the new collection from Gutermann ‘Cosy Moods’, one of my first projects is this ‘Cosy petal’ cushion

These beautiful green, red and blue, along with powdery pink are stunning, and definitely give off a cosy feel. I’ve used needle-turn applique to create my design

You can download my tutorial at the link below

 Cosy mood cushion tutorial

See more of this beautiful collection here

https://consumer.guetermann.com/en/products/fabrics-accessories-guetermann-ring-a-roses/collection-cosy-mood

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

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Something for the weekend…

So tell me, did you wake up this morning, wondering what to do with yourself…

and then you thought… hmm i could go shopping?… but i have no bag! and what you need is a tutorial on how to make a cute Tilda shopping bag, well i heard you, here is my free tutorial…

Say NO to plastic bags

Download my PDF here…

Tilda Shopping Bag 

If you like this pattern, keep your eyes peeled for my upcoming tutorial for my Dresden quilt, in Quilt Now magazine, coming June 2019.

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

 

Free Pattern…

Hey guys,

Thanks for stopping by again (I know two posts in as many days) but I’m really excited to share this table runner tutorial with you…

This was first time I’ve quilted using Bosal double sided fusible foam, and I love it, its brought a beautiful texture to my table runner. Using this stunning fabric from stoffabrics, added the perfect pattern for quilting.

 

These tiny dresden plates measure just 4 1/2″ in diameter – thats small, right? These were made for the #tinydresdenparty2019 hosted by Deidra @quiltyobsession

My Free Pattern is available to download here –>   Table Runner PDF

I hope you enjoy making this – happy sewing.

I would love to see your finished table runners, be sure to tag me at the following places

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

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