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

FREE Reading pouch with matching bookmark tutorial…

With my niece on her way for a visit, I couldn’t resist making a book pouch with matching bookmark for the new book I bought for her birthday, she is mad about horses

She chose the horse ribbon herself too, so it will be extra special

If you would like to make a child’s book pouch with matching bookmark, you can download my FREE PDF here: book pouch with matching book mark , be sure to tag me when you’ve finished, id love to see your makes

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

Stockist for the fabrics found in this tutorial

Designs by Sarah J

Stockist for Gutermann threads

gutermann@stockistenquiries.co.uk 01453 883581

Stockist for stabilizer

www.ladysewandsew.co.uk  01628 890 532

Stockist for Clover Tools

clover@stockistenquiries.co.uk

All a Flutter, inc Giveaway…

Welcome to August Island Batik Ambassador challenge. This months challenge was for me to create a quilt showcasing the new fabric collection ‘All a Flutter’ and what a gorgeous collection it is. This months challenge is part of a 5 week blog hop… O M G that’s 5 weeks of Island Batik eye candy and 5 weeks of prizes up for grabs…

 

And the winner is …

‘Linda Cejnar’

Huge congratulations to you. Please email me your details and I will get your batik goodie bag sent out to you. Massive thank you to everyone who entered and left such beautiful comments, each one made me smile 😊

And the best part… YOU have the chance to win a bundle of this beautiful collection.

This collection is filled with flowers, dragonflies, bees and doves – everything i love to watch in my garden, and so that’s my inspiration came from to create this…. Ta Da

The beautiful pinks, purples, teals, blues and green are simple gorgeous

My quilt began like this…

I fussy cut all the beautiful flowers, doves and dragonflies, and added them to my garden trellis, and after stitches the trellis, with the help of Vlieseline H250 Stabilizer fused to the reverse, I used FMQ to add the leaves

There was something quite pretty about the two doves sitting on the top, so i sewed them in place.

There are so many beautiful fabrics in this collection, i wanted to use some as a boarder. I couldn’t resist using the beautiful dragonflies in blue/purple for the backing, and the opposite colour combo for the binding

And my quilt was complete, i used a lovely lush wadding 295 from Vlieseline, as i have plans to leave this comfy quilt laying on my bed for my cats to sleep on, but something tells me my dog has plans of his own 😉

Fabrics i used from the collection (just because i love their names):

Honeycomb – Cotton Candy

Floral Dot – Blush, Mixed Berry, and Raspberry

Dragonfly – Sea Mist, and Blueberry

Mixed Birds – Primrose

The 6th August is the start of the very excited Island batik Blog Hop, called ‘The Great Outdoors’ which will include a giveaways throughout the next 5 weeks, scroll down for the full list of each ambassador, to see the new island batik fabric collection, they are showcasing… But before you go, be sure to follow me here on my blog (remember to hit ‘subscribe’ to the confirmation email you will receive)

Who would like to win this beautiful bundle?

Here’s how to win…

Just follow me here on my blog and on my Instagram page – see link below, leaving me a comment, telling me what you’d like to make with these beauties, on both this post and my IG post  – best of luck

“I love a giveaway”

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

Stockist for the fabrics found in this tutorial

http://www.islandbatik.com

UK stockists

Fabritastic, Plush Addict, Sew Hot, The Sewing Studio and Cotton Patch

Extra lush wadding from Vlieseline, threads from Gutermann and Aurifil

Links to all the Island Batik Ambassadors and their fabric collections

Monday, August 6 – All A Flutter – Yellow Cat Quilt Designs, Creative Blonde

Tuesday, August 7 – Birds N’ Bees – Ark Angel Creations, Patterns By Jen

Wednesday, August 8 – Canterbury Manor – Sally Manke, Powered By Quilting

Thursday, August 9 – Eclectic Garden – Desert Bloom Quilting, Sew Karen-ly Created

Friday, August 10 – Vintage Morris – MooseStash Quilting, Devoted Quilter

Monday, August 13 – Safari – Sew Incredibly Crazy, SweetGrass Designs

Tuesday, August 14 – Spring Blossoms – Mary Mack Made Mine, If These Threads Could Talk

Wednesday, August 15 – Victoria and Albert – Bejeweled Quilts, Clever Chameleon

Thursday, August 16 – Wild Things – Freemotion By The River, Kauffman Designs

Friday, August 17 – Petting Zoo – Den Syende Himmel, Sarah Goer Quilts

Monday, August 20 – Ocean Odyssey – Gateway Quilts, The Quilt Rambler

Tuesday, August 21 – British Rose – Busy Hands Quilts, Mania for Quilts

Wednesday, August 22 – Dear William – The Inquiring Quilter, MMM Quilts, Living Water Quilter

Thursday, August 23 – Dragonfly Dreams – Inchworm Fabrics, BeaQuilter

Friday, August 24 – Fur-ocious Friends – Quilting Affection Designs, Dizzy Quilter

Monday, August 27 – Globetrotter – Pamela Quilts, Curliecue Creations

Tuesday, August 28 – Jungle Cruise – Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting, Little Bunny Quilts

Wednesday, August 29 – Lavendula – Carole Lyles Shaw, Masterpiece Quilting

Thursday, August 30 – London Calling – Quilt in a Not-Shell, Lizard Creek Quilting

Friday, August 31 – Spirit Rhythm – Steph Jacobson, Whispers of Yore

Monday, September 3 – Sweet Tweets – Kathleen McMusing, Adventurous Applique and Quilting

Tuesday, September 4 – Whatnot – heARTS Creations, Slice of Pi Quilts

#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

 

Mystery Quilt-Along…

Ive signed up, come join in too

The next mystery qal hosted by Tracy @itsatsweetsday, has just begun, the mystery fabric has been released…

Its stunning… Pom Pom flowers in Marigold by Dear Stella

I’ve pulled my fabrics to bring my mystery item together. It bolder and brighter then my usual colour palette, and part of me is already feeling slightly anxious… but i will go with it… for now, anyway 😉

Watch this space, the final reveal is Saturday 29th September

 

Head over to Tracy blog https://itsatsweetsday.blog to find all the details for this QAL.

What will you make? Don’t forget to follow and tag your makes #mystery_qal on Instagram

 

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

 

Sashiko Kit…

Wow, what a super kit!

This kit is by Sew Easy.  It comes with absolutely everything you need, a large piece of deep blue fabric, needles, thread , fabric pen and lots of stencils, giving you so much versatility of being able to create your very own design

I decided to make a cushion cover, so after measuring and cutting the size i needed, i was keen to play around with the fabric pen and stencils (the fabric pen has the option of many colours which i loved)

 

The grooves in the stencils, also show you the length of each stitch, and as the Sashiko stitch can be done with four or five stitches at one time, it comes together quite quickly

 

I was super pleased with the results, and keen to finish my cushion…

These Sashiko kits are available at

http://www.facebook.com/grovesltd and http://www.instagram.com/grovesltd

They would make such a lovely gift for anyone who loves needle craft at any level

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

Happy Sewing

x creativeblonde x

Origami Butterflies…

We all know the traditional paper origami, but have you ever had a go at fabric origami?

I wanted to make butterflies, and found this amazing tutorial by Ralph Matthews at origami-instructions.com, on his site he has a whole heaps on inspiration…

Take two different pieces of 4.5″ x 6″ fabric, lay RST and sew all the way around 1/4″ from the edge. Leave a 2″ gap. Turn right way out through the gap, and hand sew up the gap using a ladder stitch. Press, then begin at step 4 here:

http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-matthews-butterfly.html

To see/print my step my step photographic tutorial, and read about the tools, threads and fabrics I used, click the link below

origami butterflies pdf

To purchase my origami butterflies, available in lots of sized including hair bands and hair clips, head to my Etsy shop

www.etsy.com/uk/shop/creativeblondegifts

Thanks for reading, I’d love to see your origami butterflies, be sure to tag me here, or on my Instagram page to show me

happy sewing

x creativeblonde x

Quilted Clam Tote Bag…

I’m so excited to share my summer/autumn project… my quilted clam tote bag, with internal zip pocket. These fabrics are from the collection ‘Amalfi’ by RJR fabrics, sewn together using the beautiful Gutermann threads

I really enjoy hand sewing, so i was super keen to make this tote bag using the clam template

The prints are just stunning, I especially love the lining fabric and I added a zip pocket (always handy to have a place for your phone and purse)

For the full tutorial, be sure to grab an upcoming issue of Patchwork & Quilting Magazine, and no need to worry about missing it, I will be sure to remind you 😉

Thanks for reading, enjoy the rest of your week…

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

x creativeblonde x

Looking for some sewing ideas?…

Sometimes it feels like I haven’t achieved much, but then i stop and look back, and see lots of finished projects, ones i’m super excited to share with you, in the hope it will inspire you to join in too

I have a habit of signing up for things, and I’m never disappointed. I recommend signing up to everything, its a fantastic way to see great projects and meet lovely people

First I would like to share news about my tutorial in this months Quilt Now magazine, perfect for a bit of weekend sewing, here in the UK, its a bank holiday weekend #happy days, beautiful florals, perfect for adding some colour to your home

Im excited to share the release block 4 of the #sweetestthingsampler I am co-hosting with Dawn @ honeybeecloths and me Michelle @creativeblonde66

Block 5 is on my shoulders, and should be released in a couple of weeks, stay tuned, this quilt is going to be so lovely…

The quilt blocks so far…

 

One of the sew along’s this month, I’ve joined in with,  brought to you by Partners in Design is #fallintoaqal , the reason i couldn’t resist… it was a hedgehog ! A new block is being released every 2 weeks, next one is coming 29th May

 

Another sew-along I’m taking part in is #sew6organizers being hosted by @craftylilmouse and @mycreativelypottylife I love the idea of being better organized, so surely if i have all the equipment, I will be good to go…

Every month we are choosing a project from the book ‘stitched sewing organizers’ by Aneela Hoey, here is a list of what I’ve chosen to make over the coming months

My projects will be:

Fold up pouch (May)  – see above

Triple pouch (June)

Book and tool folio (July)

Fabric boxes (August)

Fold up sewing folio (September)

Boxy pocket pouch (October)

My project choices are slightly different from the two lovely ladies hosting this sew along, but some are the same. Head over to their blogs (links above) for info on what they are making… Come and sew along

 

*** BREAKING NEWS ***

Jacquelynne Steves has just released some details of this year BOM

https://jacquelynnesteves.com/its-coming-our-2018-free-block-of-the-month/

The sponsors and prizes are amazing, definitely need to join in with this sew-along

#savethebeesquilt

Thanks for reading, hope one or all of these have inspired you come and join a sew along

happy sewing, you can follow me here on my blog, and on Instagram and Facebook

x creativeblonde x

 

Inspired by my spring garden…

Spring is my favorite time of the year, although i think i say that about every season as it comes around. After living in Australia for 5 years, I seem to appreciate the seasons so much more, now i’m home

This month Island batik Challenge was to make a playful pillow

I took my inspiration from my garden, I love to grow clematis, and year I’ve been fortunate enough to have two colours flowering. With the beautiful bold, bright colours of Island Batik fabrics, I knew this was going to work well to capture the colours from my garden

I added batting under the flower, so i was able to do lots of quilting, i also added a few leaves, the greens from Island Batik are so vibrant

The products featured in this post were given to me by Island Batik, the threads i used were Aurifil threads

Thank you so much for reading, what inspires you when making a quilt or cushion? i would love to hear, follow me here, and find me on Instagram @creativeblonde66 and Facebook @creativeblonde66

Happy Sewing

x creativeblonde x