Christmas RAPPing… plus Giveaway

Christmas… are you for real, its not even the middle of May!! Stick with me though, you are going to like this post, plus there is a giveaway which shouldn’t be missed – be in with a chance of winning 9 Island Batik FQ’s and 3 Aurifil spools of thread to 2 lucky winner…

So why Christmas… its Margaret Willingham and Nan Baker new book of course, a book packed full of beautiful Reverse Applique & Paper Piecing projects

“The patterns in this book reflect the individual styles of both Nan and Margaret blended together to create gorgeous quilts for the Christmas season celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Some are very elegant while others are whimsical. The 20 +projects vary in size from table runners to wall hangings to full size quilts and even Christmas tree decorations.

 

There are multiple quilt size options and alternative color variations. Because they could be for all seasons! The variety of designs all include the unique Star patterns found throughout the book. Two projects,Christmas is Coming and Miracle at the Manger,are interactive quilts that help children, young and old, countdown to Christmas Day with excited anticipation! There is something for everyone.

 

All the designs feature Reverse Applique by hand or machine and Paper Piecing so quilters can learn new techniques using the book’s easier, more streamlined methods. Great for quilters to develop and grow their skills, and great for classes in shops. We hope that quilters of all abilities will enjoy making these gorgeous quilts to celebrate the Christmas season,and that they will become Christmas favorites and family heirlooms”

The book is available to purchase NOW!!

I made my block using some Island Batik pieces I had in my stash, its a 12″ x 12″ block using Paper Piecing – perfect for some Christmas place mats

 

Quilted using the luscious Vlieseline Cotton batting

 

 

Now before I go I must tell you about the giveaway being hosted by Margaret and Nan

 

–} Enter Here {–

 

Be sure to check out all the other bloggers taking part in this blog hop

• April 29 – Joan Kawano, Moosestash Quilting
• April 30 – Linda Pearl, One Quilting Circle
• May 1 – KathyBruckman, Kathy’s Kwilts and More
• May 2 – Bea Lee, Beaquilter
• May 3 – Sherry Shish, Powered by Quilting
• May 4 – Jennifer Strauser, Dizzy Quilter
• May 5 – Barbara Gaddy, Bejeweled Quilts
• May 6 – Nancy Myers, Patchwork Breeze
• May 7 – Vicki Schlimmer, Vicki’s Crafts and Quilts
• May 8 – Gail Sheppard, Quilting Gail
• May 9 – Michelle Roberts, Creative Blonde
• May 10 – Maryellen McAuliffe, Mary Mack Made Mine
• May 11 – Denise Looney, For the Love of Geese
• May 12 – Maria Hrabovsky, Maria Michaels Design

 

‘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

an extra hour…

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

Mystery Quilt Along…

Cindy @ In a Stitch Quilting and Tracy @ It’s a T-Sweets Day!  have hosted a really fun ‘mystery Quilt Along’ and i couldn’t resist but join them… so whats the mystery?

Well… they chose a fabric called – FlufferNutter , part of The Biscuits & Gravy line by Moda… and we had to include it in something we make, any size, any item, and using any other fabrics of our choice

I chose these beauties, which are all available from Woolwarehouse, I couldn’t resist the gorgeous cats

So what was i going to make, well i had a new ‘hexi N More’ template, which was shouting at me to be used, and i knew would work well to fussy cut these cats, some beautiful blue threads from Gutermann, and the rest sort of just happened as i went…

And here is what i created… a large hexi table center piece…

I quilted it will a string of hearts

Thanks for reading, be sure to check out all the other blogger involved in this mystery quilt along

Cindy @ inastitchquilting.com

Tracy @ It’s a T-Sweets Day!

Edith @ ediscraftinglife.blogspot.com

Desert Suz @ DesertSky Quilting

***Michelle @ Creative Blonde ***

Abbie @ Sparkle On

Elana @ ThatFabricFeeling

Lori @ quilting needs

Kathy E. @ Hazel’s Daughter

Verlynne_ posting on Instagram

x creativeblonde x

Christmas place-mats for your pets

When i was asked to make something chrismassy using the fabulous new range of Christmas fabrics available from Olive and Flo, I couldn’t resist on making something pet related. When you see the fabrics you’ll know why… after all, the pets in our lives are special, and deserve a special place to have their Christmas dinner 🙂

Check out the adorable fabric here:

Dear Stella – Christmas Darlings – Christmas Dachshunds

Dear Stella – Christmas Darlings – Meowy Christmas

Dear Stella – Christmas Darlings – Kittens in Stockings

Dear Stella – Intermix – Hearts Tomato

With the love i have for applique, and blanket stitch, this project was really exciting…

Check out my placemats at the following links below, they are a Free print friendly pdf pattern.

Christmas Cat Mat Tutorial

Christmas dinner dog Mat Tutorial

 

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy making these as much as i did.

Follow me on facebook, instagram and here on my blog 🙂

x creativeblonde x

Tilda Table mats ♥

My beautiful step by step placemat tutorial can now be seen on the ‘Poppies and polkadots blog’  

It’s made with the beautiful bumblebee tilda fabrics and complements the table runner perfectly.  (previous tutorial)

Thanks for reading, hope you enjoy the tutorial, would love to hear your thoughts

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