Inside this months issue of British Patchwork and Quilting magazine, you will find my Summer Flowers Table Runner, using the beautiful and vibrant Sunny Bee fabrics from Makower.
This runner is a perfect match with my gorgeous summer bouquet
I would love to see your summer table settings, tag me in your photos on Instagram @michelle_creativeblonde and Facebook @creativeblonde66
Enjoy the sunshine
Michelle x
Hello, thanks for stopping by.
I wanted to do a quick post to keep you updated with the many quilt-a-longs I’m taking part in this year, and to announce the winner of the Lap Size Piece of Vlieseline Wool Batting competition from last weekend…
Here are blocks 12 and 13 out of 20, of The Flower Bouquet quilt along hosted by Pat @quilterpatsloan,
Im using fabrics by Gutermann from the Portifino collection
I got in nice an early with April blocks for the Sewing Bee 4 group, this month block has been chosen by Jayne @plaincreations for the charity @siblingstogetherquiltgroup
I used some Island batik scraps, I love the swirls in the purple
This week brought with it Unit C of the Daisy Chain Mystery Quilt-along – hosted by Amanda @honeybunnyanddoll.
I’m so excited to see how these blocks are going to come together…
This months colour challenge is Blue, this quilt along is being hosted by Jen @patternsbyjen.
I’ve been using Batik scraps throughout this challenge…
and the last in the quilt alongs this month, is the Modern HST BOM hosted by Steph @stephjacobsondesigns.
I’ve used Ditty Batiks and Black Batiks to complete this block
The Winner of the beautifully soft Vlieseline Wool batting is…
Huge congratulations, please get in touch with your address, so I can this sent out to you – happy sewing
You can follow me here on my blog, and you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook
‘Do what makes your heart smile’
Happy Sewing
Michelle @creativeblonde66
Yeah we made it through Monday – happy dance.
Today I wanted to share with you a pattern I designed a couple of years ago, a tutorial I wrote especially for ‘Overdale Fabrics‘. Head over to there online store for all the products used in this tutorial.
The perfect accessory for anyone who loves to craft, whether it be, sewing, quilting, knitting or needlecraft, this is must have. Ideal if you like crafting whilst watching TV.
The great thing about this sewing caddy, is all the parts are removable, which makes it easy to interchange pockets, depending on the craft you are working on. Plus, it makes emptying the thread catcher, so much easier.
Materials
Fat Quarter bundle of ‘Garden at Dusk’ by Overdale Fabrics
Half meter of ‘flower Stalks’ by Dashwood Studios available at Overdale Fabrics
Gutermann thread colour 660
Half meter of H640 fusible wadding by Vilieseline
4” square of Vilene light weight interlining
Few handfuls of ‘toy’ stuffing for the pin cushion
Haberdashery Items
Iron-away marker pen
10” and 7” circle template
4” circle template
Quilters ruler, rotary cutter/scissors
Iron
2x 1” wooden buttons
½” wooden heart button
Download you’re free print friendly tutorial here…
Be sure to leave a comment and don’t forget to show me your creations
Follow me here on my blog, and you can also find me on Instagram and Facebook
‘Do what makes your heart smile’
Happy Sewing
Michelle @creativeblonde66
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
We’ve almost made it, January is coming to an end, we can leave those dull, dark, wet and cold January days behind us, and we can finally begin to enjoy the dull, dark, wet and even colder days of February 😉 Don’t get me wrong I do love the winter months, there is something quite cosy about binding a quilt on the sofa with the fire on and my cat sleeping next to me, but I do miss the longer days, in the UK its dark at 4 pm and I long for the evenings that remain light till 9-10 pm.
So until then, here is a rainbow to bring some sunshine vibes your way
If you happened to read my blog a few weeks ago, you’ll know I was signing up for lots of sewalongs, I really enjoy getting involved in these, I love to see what others come up with, and I love the social side – meeting new sewing friends
Pat Sloan in hosting a weekly sewalong, so i have four blocks to show you. I making all my blocks using Gutermann threads and Gutermann fabrics from the Portofino fabric collection… You can download all Pats blocks so far, from her website.
https://www.ilovetomakequilts.com/2019/01/pats-free-a-flower-bouquet-block-1.html
I has so much fun making tiny dresden plates for the #tinydresdenparty2019 hosted by Deidra at linktr.ee/quiltyobsession. I used fabrics from Stof fabrics, and have created a table topper (free tutorial coming real soon) – check out Stof’s website, its full of gorgeous fabrics www.stoffabrics.com/collection. I used Bosal double sided fusible foam, and it was really lovely to quilt on, I love the texture that the table topper now has.
Next up is a monthly challenge hosted by Jen patternsbyjen.blogspot.com. Its a colour challenge, and this month its green. I teamed up some Island batik green pieces with some fabric I has left over from Northcott fabrics, they have the most amazing fabrics, check out their website by clicking the link below
and the last one i wanted to show you was #modernhstbom.
I was so excited to be chosen to take part in making the new Starling Quilt – isnt it a beauty? Its part of the AGF Stitched Series projects.
AGF Stitched quilts use Art Gallery Fabrics and are mid-level in complexity. Starling measures 52.5” squared – so its a lovely finished quilt size
I’ve used ‘teal thoughts’ from the color master collection.
Prisma elements pearl & silver, and Prisma elements sapphire sparkle metallic.
This is the top quilt finished, i decided to alternate the slightly plainer fabrics with the more patterned fabrics as they rotated around the star
![_20181231_134120[1]](https://creativeblondeblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/20181231_1341201.jpg?w=374&h=475 "_20181231_134120[1]")
![_20181231_133945[1]](https://creativeblondeblog.files.wordpress.com/2018/12/20181231_1339451.jpg?w=358&h=475 "_20181231_133945[1]")
I love brown and teals together, so i wanted to grab a photo with my boots (slightly bizarre i know) but then my cat wanted a piece of the action
Thanks so much for stopping by, wishing you luck for the giveaway, head on over to The Fat Quarter shop to see all the quilts us bloggers created using a different color master fat quarter box https://blog.fatquartershop.com/agf-stitched-starling-quilt/
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
The best thing I’ve found for getting over the January blues, is to join in with as many sew-alongs, quilt-alongs and sewing parties as you can 🙂
Here’s what I’m up too, and the best thing is, its not too late to join in too…
Let the fun Begin!!… Block #1 of Pats FREE Weekly Sew Along is ‘A Flower Bouquet’. This week she celebrates the dreams of Gardeners everywhere with the Seed Catalog. .
1- Download Pats first and second block now at https://www.ilovetomakequilts.com/2019/01/pats-free-a-flower-bouquet-block-1.html
It’s baaaack! Last year’s #tinydresdenparty was so much fun, Deidra couldn’t resist throwing another. So, the #tinydresdenparty2019 starts 16th january. Check out her blog today with all the details, plus links to tips and tutorials linktr.ee/quiltyobsession
The 2019 Monthly Color Challenge has started! The first color is inspired by the “Bells of Ireland” flower. Find out about Jen’s Irish roots came to America on her blog today and get your free block. patternsbyjen.blogspot.com
Heres what Michael says about it… Everything’s more fun with friends, so let’s have a sew along! 👯♀️ I’ve got those January “organize all the things” feels, and my to-sew list is full of all the pouches, zippies, and organizers – How about you?! Want to sewalong with me?
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Here’s what I’m thinking – let’s spend the month of January sewing as many “things to put other things in” as we want/can. Use whatever patterns/ideas/tutorials you’d like! Share your in progress and finished projects to the hashtag #stashmystuffsal. Search the hashtag to discover fun new patterns and inspiring new friends! Then, you know, use all the things you just made to actually organize your stuff 😉😆 linktr.ee/michaelannn
The hidden stars sew along has officially started!! Check out Sherry’s blog post today for all the details poweredbyquilting.com/ig
#PBQHiddenStarsSAL
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.
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
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
This month challenge was to complete a paper pieced project (Foundation or English) I knew straight away which project i wanted to try, its been on my ‘to-do’ list for a while…
The fabrics i chose to use in this project were given to me from island batik, as part of my island Batik Ambassador program. The threads are from Aurifil and the batting is from Hobbs.
Meet Gidget, Cricket and Pepper, these beautiful paper piecing butterfly charm block patterns are by @lillyellasworld. Here is my version, i love how the colours glow on the dark fabric.
I decided to mount the butterflies with a hand sewn quote i found, written by Helen Keller, using an embroidery Aurifil thread. To keep my fabric taught whilst sewing the words, i backed the fabric with Vlieseline Stitch ‘n’ tear – and it worked fab. I simply printed off the words, reversed them onto paper, using Sulky transfer pen, and then ironed this onto the chosen fabric. The great thing i found about stitch ‘n’ tear is that it doesn’t need bonding to the fabric, and simply tears away when you’re finished sewing.
See my progress photos below…
Island Batik fabrics are great for paper piecing, not only because they are beautiful fabrics, but the fabrics are reversible, so you can never get them the wrong way up.
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 