Dream Catcher – Block 2 #quiltandshine

Happy weekend, hope you’re having a beautiful and relaxing one…

I’m so excited to share Block 2 of the #quiltandshine quilt along, I’ve really enjoyed designing this one for you

This one features embroidery and some free motion quilting

I cant wait to see what designs you create inside your dream catcher…

Download your free pattern here >>> Quilt and Shine block 2

Myself @michelle_creativeblonde and Dawn_honeybeecloths are so exciting to be sewing along with you.

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Block 1 -Glow Flies #quiltandshine

Hello, and a huge welcome to the very first block of the #quiltandshine Quilt-along.

I’m so excited to share block 1 with you, I hope you will enjoy making it as much as i did. Be sure to share your progress and finished blocks on Instagram using the hashtag #quiltandshine

I’m making this quilt using the beautiful collection ‘Day in Paris’, with a lay out as shown below, don’t you just love the stars connecting all the blocks together

In the print friendly PDF found below, you will find the details for making the stars, which connect the blocks, templates and tutorial for block 1.

You still have till tmro to enter my competition to win these beautiful threads by Gutermann – see previous blog post, or see my Instagram page michelle_creativeblonde

Prizes Along The Way

HoneybeeCloths are giving away some fabulous prizes throughout this quilt along, that you wont want to miss, for example one of the giveaways is ‘A Fat Eighth bundle of 12 Day in Paris fabrics, which is the equivalent to 1.5 metres!!

Be sure to follow us:

https://www.instagram.com/michelle_creativeblonde/

https://www.instagram.com/dawn_honeybeecloths/

***Enter the promotional code word ‘SHINE’ when purchasing fabrics from www.honeybeecloths.co.uk and receive 5% off your order***

(offer valid 9/6/19 – 15/6/19 inc)

 

Let’s get sewing…

Download it here …

Quilt and Shine block 1

Be sure to check out Dawn ‘low calorie’ variation of this quilt pattern over on her blog, below are a few photos to show you how it would work

fromourlittlehivetoyours

For those who didn’t see our first Quilt along, here are a few photos to show you what we created (tutorials are still available to download at Honeybeecloths blog)

Myself and Dawn are so exciting to be sewing along with you.

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Quilt and Shine Quilt Along – – Fabric requirements, Giveaway plus a promotional discount code…

Hi guys, with the release of the first block coming this Saturday (15th June). I thought I would share with you a few more details.

This quilt along is being designed by myself @creativeblonde and Dawn from Honeybee Cloths, you can follow both our blogs, and Instagram pages, so you don’t miss a thing 🙂

Prizes Along The Way

HoneybeeCloths are giving away some fabulous prizes throughout this quilt along, that you wont want to miss, for example one of the giveaways is ‘A Fat Eighth bundle of 12 Day in Paris fabrics, which is the equivalent to 1.5 metres!!

Be sure to follow us:

https://www.instagram.com/michelle_creativeblonde/

https://www.instagram.com/dawn_honeybeecloths/

We are using a brand new beautiful collection of fabrics, from Moda called ‘Day in Paris’ by Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic 

Here is what the designer said about her collection

“Who wouldn’t enjoy a day in Paris, the fashion capital of the world? Zen Chic’s newest group Day in Paris reflects this extraordinary elegance and feminine flair with a color palette of cool aqua and chartreuse, a deep navy and a soft pale pink, enhanced by little splashes of gold. Use these sophisticated fabrics to create one of a kind chic and stylish quilts”

In this quilt Along, we will be making a beautiful throw size quilt, which will measure 50″ x 50″ (approx. 127cm x 127cm)

It will be made up of 16 blocks, each measuring 12″ x 12″ (approx. 30cm x 30cm)

12 blocks will be designed by myself, and will be released in the middle of every month, starting next week. Dawn will be creating the remaining four blocks, which will be released throughout the year, as bonus blocks.

The layout of our blocks is shown below, along with fabric requirements

The main layout of the quilt will require the following to make up the stars and boarder

• 3/8 yard (approx. 0.32 metres)  from any of Pinks in the collection
• 5/8 yard (approx. 0.6 metres) from any of Light Blues in the collection
• 3/8 yard (approx. 0.32 metres) from any of Navy’s in the collection
• 5/8 yard (approx. 0.6 metres) from any of Grey’s in the collection

The border will require

• 3/4 yard (approx. 0.7 metres) from any of the Greens in the collection

We have decided to use the low volume white/creams from the collection to make up the 16 blocks, this will require

• 2 1/8 (approx. 2 metres) yard from any of the Whites in the collection

The blocks we design will be made using fabrics from the charm pack in the collection, which contains 40 premium cotton squares each measuring 5″ x 5″ .

We recommend ordering 1/2 yard (1/2 metre) from the Pinks, Light Blues, Navy’s and Grey’s, so your left over fabrics can be used to make up the blocks along with One Charm Pack

***Enter the promotional code word ‘SHINE’ when purchasing fabrics from www.honeybeecloths.co.uk and receive 5% off your order***

(offer valid 9/6/19 – 15/6/19 inc)

We are both very excited about this quilt along, and cant wait to sew along with YOU.

Its suitable for everyone, whether you’re new to sewing/quilting, or simply want to sew along with us and create a beautiful throw size quilt.

There will be something for everyone, needle-turn applique, raw edge applique, free motion embroidery, English paper piecing and lots more

Here is a sneak peek at Block 1…

GIVEAWAY

To kick start this quilt along, Gutermann have very generously given us two packs of their beautiful ‘sew all -Summer Loft thread’ collection, they compliment these fabrics perfectly

To enter to win a pack, simple :

• Follow my blog
• Leave a comment telling me what your favourite type of sewing/quilting is…

Best of luck!

🎊 🎉 The winner is… APRIL LOPEZ congratulations 🎊 🎉

For another chance to win, head over to my Instagram page @michelle_creativeblonde for more details…

Thanks for reading, Myself and Dawn are so exciting to be sewing along with you all.

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Happy Sewing

Michelle

Sunday and still going strong…

Hello, thanks for stopping by to read what I’ve been up to this week…

I’m feeling just a little bit pleased with myself ,as I’m keeping on top of the quilt-a-longs I’ve signed up to, so here is where I’m at so far…

First up – Daisy chain QAL hosted by Amanda @honeybunnyanddoll this week was all about sewing together Unit A, I’m itching to find out what this will look like when its finished, so is my cat 🙂

As I’m making the Throw size, I had 39 of these traditional 4 square blocks to make

The start of March brings with it, the next in the colour challenge block, hosted by Jen @patternsbyjen,  this month is BLUE… I’ve used an array of Beautiful Blue Batiks from @island_batik, and Gutermann threads.

I’m still busy sewing along with the weekly flower bouquet hosted by Pat @quilterpatsloan, can you believe we have reached block 10 of 20 already? I’m using Gutermann fabrics from the Portofino collection for all my blocks, along with Gutermann threads

The next block in the Modern HST BOM hosted by Steph @stephjacobsondesigns, is now available, I was keeping to a bit of a blue theme this week. I’m using Island Batiks and Guterman threads

The last sew along I need to update you with, is the Mystery QAL, hosted by Tracy @itsatsweetsday, this is where we are given one particular fabric which we need to include in our final make, along with whichever fabrics we like. this quarter the fabric is an adorable mouse fabric @lewisandirenefabrics, I’ve decided to make a paper piecing project, adding some fabrics from Moda and Stoffabrics

This week I was asked to play around with some accessories from Groves, so I decided to make a few simple Mothers Day gifts, my tutorials are suitable for beginners. You can download my patterns below 🙂

 

Mothers Day Gift ideas – key fobs

 

Mothers Day Gift ideas – keyrings

 

Mothers Day Gift ideas

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

Have I bitten off more then I can chew…

Wow, another week has gone by already…  although I’m very happy to say goodbye to today, as we in the UK have been hit by storm Eric, its not so bad, compared to other weather issues in the world, but I honestly felt like I’d been pushed through one of those automatic car wash places with the giant rotating scrubbing brushes after returning home from the school run.

I’ve so much to tell you about, and as the title reads ‘I may have been off more then I can chew’..

Join this QAL?,

What about this one?

Ooo this QAL looks good!

Oh wow I have to join this QAL…

Yes I spent January doing too much of this, and now I’m involved in so many, but secretly I do love a QAL, I love to see what others create and I love the sewing circle of chatter.

So here is this week progress…

I couldn’t resist playing with these adorable buttons by Trimit, available from Groves. they would make a super cute addition to any make.

After getting distracted, I pulled myself back on track, and completed month two of the colour challenge hosted by Jen @patternsbyjen , this month the colour is PINK! I used Primrose and carnation fabrics from Island Batik, teamed with some pretty variegated threads from Gutermann

Next up is the weekly ‘Flower Bouquet’ QAL hosted by Pat @quilterPatsloan, we are on week 6 already…  this month was a double block (I know, I’m a week behind, I didn’t think you would notice). I’ve created these blocks using the Gutermann Portofino fabric collection and threads

Keeping on track, I thought I’d get this months Charity quilt blocks made, Elaine @greenandscratchy has gone for bright blocks, so I knew some Batik fabrics would be perfect. I wanted to be organised, as next month I’m the sewing bee mama, so that mean I have to come up with a design, sew everyone’s blocks together to create a gorgeous quilt for the siblings together charity @siblingstogetherquiltgroup

Moda are hosting a ‘Moda Love Quilt’, its a free pattern, and come is various sizes. I decided to make the Charm size. I’ve used ‘dreamer’ by Carrie Bloomston available from @windhamfabrics together with the ‘love you’ by Sandy Gervais available from Moda, teamed with a red batik fabric. This QAL is open til February 14th, so you still have time to whip up this beautiful pattern over the weekend @modafabrics

The last QAL which I’m all up to date with, is the Modern HST Block of the month, hosted by Steph @stephjacobsondesigns , I’ve decided to stick with bright Batiks and Black, this month I’ve gone purple, I absolutely love this mauve thread from Gutermann…

Some exciting new to end on, I’ve chosen my fabrics for the Daisy Chain mystery QAL hosted by Amanda and Alison @honeybunnyanddoll and @littlebunnyalison, so it definitely not to late to join in, as its only just started…

I’ve chosen’ Panorama’ fabrics and ‘supreme solids’ from Cotton and Steel @cottonandsteel

Thanks for sticking around and reading till the end, I hope this post brings you some lovely inspiration for the weekend ahead – enjoy!

‘Do what makes your heart smile’

Check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

 

A little update…

Hey 😊, thanks for stopping by, thought I’d write a little update on what I’ve been up to this week. Last week I was relaxing (me, hubby and four kids without WiFi for a week – maybe relaxing isnt quite the right word, more like ‘surviving’ 😉) anyway we were on holiday in the middle of the beautiful Blackwood forest, riding bikes, long dog walks and chilling in the hot tub, but I was pining for my sewing machine 🤫 …

First on my list when I got home was to make a book pouch for my niece, she loves to read and for her birthday, I’ve bought her a book about a little girl who dreams of having her own horse. ..

My free tutorial is available here, it shows to add a decorative lace zip 💕

book bag with matching book mark pdf

I was itching to get going on the #savethebeesquilt hosted by @jacquelynnesteves, the first of four patterns was released on the day we left for our hols, there are some amazing prizes to be won too, check out Jacquelyn page https://jacquelynnesteves.com/save-the-bees-block-1-is-here/

I chose a bundle of fabrics from my stash called ‘Bumble Berries’ – Moda fabrics.

Wednesday brought the release of block 7 in the #sweetestthingssampler  this month was designed by myself ‘quench your thirst’ this seemed rather appropriate as we have had one of the longest, warmest summers for a while in the UK this year.

There are 12 FREE blocks available in this quilt-a-long, and still plenty of time to join in the fun, head over to @dawn_honeybeecloths blog to sign up and download all the blocks so far – happy sewing  http://www.honeybeecloths.co.uk/blog/4584195226

And last but by no means least, I spent a couple of days cutting out the smallest of applique pieces, to make this Jewish New Year wall hanging for Craftcotton

(my tutorial and pattern is available now on their blog, https://www.craftcottonblog.co.uk/single-post/2018/08/22/Rosh-Hashanah-Wall-Hanging  Be sure to check out all the other free tutorials available, my Tartan Christmas stocking is free to download on there too, personalise yours for the perfect Christmas gift 💕

https://www.craftcottonblog.co.uk

Well that’s wraps up the week, oh one more thing, if you love your batiks, there is a mammoth blog hop currently in progress, with prizes up for grabs, showcasing the new fabric lines, be sure to check out my quilt and enter to win the bundle of ‘all a flutter’ fabrics. In the link below, you can find a link to each and every Island Batik Ambassador to see what they’ve made, grab a cuppa and enjoy…

https://creativeblondeblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/05/all-a-flutter-inc-giveaway/

Thanks for reading, would love to hear from you, if you have a few minutes to leave me a comment ♥ check out my Instagram and Facebook page @creativeblonde66

Happy sewing

~Michelle~

x creativeblonde x

#sweetestthingssampler…

Hey guys, i thought id give you quick update and show you how we are progressing in the gorgeous quilt along… its not to late to join in, and the patterns are all free.

Dawn at Honeybee Cloths and myself – Michelle at Creativeblonde have been designing the blocks alternately each month, there are fab prizes up for grabs too, below id what i’ve made so far…

Block 1: Designed by myself, called ‘Cherish”

 

Block 2: A spring basket

 

Block 3: April showers, bring May flowers

 

Block 4: Nest

 

Block 5: Basket of strawberry sweetness

We have tried to include many techniques along the way, so you can join in and have a go at everything. The sampler blocks are being placed between Irish Chain blocks, I am using the method ‘quilt as you go’, but both methods are explained in full in each free tutorial.

To join in this quilt along, simple head over to Honeybee Cloths website, and join, you will get each months tutorial sent to you via email for you to download, and all the ones above can be found there too.

Thanks for reading, i really hope you’ll come join in, and start sewing with us

To see more of my tutorials, you can follow my blog here at www.creativeblonde.co.uk and/or Instagram page www.instagram.com/creativeblonde66 and www.facebook.com/creativeblonde66

Happy Sewing

x creativeblonde x

 

#sweetestthingssampler quilt-a-long

Back in July, I made a very sweet garden apron using some gorgeous fabrics from Honeybee Cloths  the fabrics were ‘bluebird park’ and ‘winterberry’, collections by ‘kate and birdie’. My free pattern with tutorial for this apron is available on Honeybee Cloths Blog

Honeybee Cloths is a gorgeous little shop, filled with the sweetest, prettiest fabrics. The owner, Dawn wraps your bundle of fabrics so beautifully and always with 1st class postage.

In September last year i made a ‘darling little’ cushion using collections from Moda ‘hushabyehollow’ and ‘darlinglittledickens. I enjoyed fussy cutting all these cute hexies… My free pattern with tutorial for this cushion can also be found on Honeybee Cloths blog

And then the most exciting thing happened… Dawn asked me if i would like to co-host the #sweetestthingsampler quilt along with her… i jumped at the chance when i heard about the theme, this quilt has been designed to remember the sweeter things in life, the little things that make life better.

Both Dawn and myself will be using collections from Brenda Riddles – Caroline and Bespoke Blooms.  We are joining our blocks, using Irish chain blocks, these fabrics are so pretty, and will make a really gorgeous quilt. On honeybee Cloths blog, Dawn walks you through this process, along with all the fabric requirements for this quilt

For Block 1, I chose hearts and cherish. Where would any of us be without a little bit of love. Love comes in many forms and fills our lives with a special warmth and memories

This 1st block is available NOW!! at Honeybee Cloths Blog This is going to be such a beautiful quilt, and there are prizes/giveaways every month too, from Fabric bundles, to gorgeous packs of gutermann threads…

Follow me here on my blog, by subscribing. I can also be found @creativeblonde66 on Facebook and Instagram

happy sewing

x creativeblonde x

 

Mystery quilt-a-long

A mystery qal hosted by Cindy at https://inastitchquilting.com/  and Tracy at https://itsatsweetsday.blog/ , they choose a fabric, and we design the quilt, incorporating the chosen fabric, along with other fabrics…

To go along side the chosen fabric i chose

• Moda – biscuit and gravy – Bee crazy – picnic
• Michael Miller – Sassy cats – blue
• Kona Cotton solids – white

I just couldn’t resist these cute cats …

So now all i had to do, was to work out how i was going to put them together, i soon spotted a template i hadn’t used yet…

 

I tried to fussy cut the cats, as i wanted to include a different cat in each hexagon, i love all the different shades of blues and some are even wearing glasses – super cute!

And now to continue on with my progress …

Watch this space x

Thanks for reading, happy sewing

Follow me here, by subscribing to my emails. Follow my progress over on instagram 

x creativeblonde x

Mystery QAL January Update

Mystery quilt-a-long

I think it was seeing the choice of the fabric, that drew me into this mystery qal… and the most exciting mystery part of this qal, is that no one knows what anyone is going to make.

Its not too late to join in, head over to Cindy blog at https://inastitchquilting.com/  and Tracy at https://itsatsweetsday.blog/ for more details.

There are even prizes up for grabs, so whats not to like…

Choosing some gorgeous fabrics to go with Flutter Nutter fabric, was the easy part… The fabrics I’ve chosen to compliment the Fluffer Nutter are Moda – Biscuits and Gravy – Bee Crazy – Picnic and Michael Miller – Sassy Cats – Blue all purchased from the wool warehouse #Modafabrics #michealmillerfabric #creativeblonde #mysteryqal #woolwarehouse @woolwarehouse

Now come the mystery part… how will i put these fabrics together, well i cant tell you that, not yet anyway (cause i haven’t decided yet)

Thanks for reading, following me here, by subscribing to my emails. Follow my progress over on instagram 

Come join the fun too

x creativeblonde x