January's Stash Club

Here it is, the first stash club bundle of 2014!

January's colour is dark greens and here's the yummy selection we've chosen for you.

At the top of the photo are the four textured basics which are (L-R) Essex Linen in Kelly, Michael Miller Stitch Circle in Olive, Studio E Peppered Cotton in Begonia Leaf and Michael Miller Ta Dot in Moss.

The bottom of the photo shows the three Kona Cotton Solids (L-R) Avocado, Peridot and Holly

There's still chance to receive this bundle if you sign up to Stash Club before the 1st Feb, any sign ups made after this time will begin with Feb's bundle.

#economyblockalong

Have you all seen this years block along? It's the Economy Block!

This time last year it was the #scrappytripalong that took the quilting world by storm and this years #economyblockalong is just as much fun!

I've decided to make 12" blocks that are so quick and easy to whip up, I'm going for a 6x6 block layout so need 36 blocks in total.

Here are the first four blocks I made

I'm going for bold and bright on this quilt can you tell!

Here are the measurements I used to make the blocks, courtesy of Katy who blogs at I'm A Ginger Monkey

courtesy of Katy Jones

Here are more of the blocks I've made so far:

If you'd like to see more of the #economyblockalong quilts been made do check out the hashtag on IG, there are blocks in a variety of sizes and instructions on how to make the blocks too!

I love the New Year for a bit of no obligation sewing don't you?

Quilt Improv Winner......

Mr Random.org helped me choose a winner out of the 66 entrants, so here goes.........

Comment number 28.

I've notified the winner and the publishers will send a copy of the book direct!

#scraptasticchallenge

Way back in November last year, I launched the #scraptasticchallenge with Lu Summers kicking off the proceedings with a great tutorial for scrappy patches.

The idea was each month we'd have an idea/tutorial on the blog for using one of the Kona scrap packs sold over in my shop Simply Solids. Lu started the proceedings and then you lovely readers who wanted the chance to win a scrap pack and your tutorial to be shown on the blog, had to leave a comment telling me what you'd make and I would then choose a winner. The trouble is Christmas got in the way and I kind of forgot!! Ha!!

So my very sweet and kind best buddy of I'm A Ginger Monkey Fame has whipped together another super fast make using Kona scraps.

This is how she told me what she'd done!

That's right she text me this gorgeous selfie!

Here's a quick how to:

Hexagon Flower Applique Baby Towel

Firstly you need to grab your scraps and some Hexagon papers, whatever size you have is OK, Katy used 1" hexagons on this project.

You need the supplies for your required method of basting the hexies

You need 1 hooded baby towel

--------------------------

1. Looking at the following photo collages, choose how you're going to baste your 7 hexagons

The glue baste method detailed above is much easier and faster, especially for a quick project like this one. Find Sewline Glue Pens here at Simply Solids

The traditional sewn basting method is shown below

2. Once your 7 hexagons are basted you need to stitch them together in a flower shape. Use the photo guide below to help you.

3. Give your hexagon flower a good press and remove the papers either by gently pulling them out if you've glue basted or by snipping the basting stitches and basting threads if you stitched the papers in.

4. Centre your flower on the hood area of the baby towel and pin in place

5. Machine applique the hexagon flower to the towel using a scant seam allowance.

6. Stand back and admire your handiwork!

all photos courtesy of Katy Jones in this post

Thanks Katy for this cute make!!

Right then all I need to do now is pick a winner from the last post who will receive a scrap pack from me and have a month to make their make and get a tutorial featured here!!

Winner: Kelly  (quilted table mat)

If you'd like the chance to win a scrap pack please leave a comment below telling me what you'd make with one! The winner will be announced 1 month from now when the next how to is posted! Good Luck!

Quilt Improv

 I can't tell you how excited I am it's my turn to play host to Lu's blog hop!

Lu's work is something that I have admired since I began quilting about 4 years ago and I'm priviledged that she is now also a very good friend 'in real life'! Her quilts truly make my heart sing, all that colour is just beautiful.

photo from Quilt Improv

photo from Quilt Improv

I've had Lu's book since it was released over the summer and it's just beautiful. The layout, diagrams and instructions are a breeze to follow, the whole thing is a visual treat which is great if you're a visual learner like me! I love how there are no exact measurements just approximations, it allows your creativity to flow rather than being hankered following a pattern exactly. The colour, font and instruction style are like no other quilting book I've seen, I was drawn in immediately and I have honestly spent hours with this book!

photo from Quilt Improv

I took Lu's improv class at the Fat Quarterly retreat in London over the summer which was a great place to begin to learn the techniques Lu uses to create her awesome quilts. The book has been invaluable in continuing this learning and I'm having great fun practicing!

 

The chevron and porthole blocks are 12" square finished and when I've added 2 more blocks I'll turn them into a nice big cushion for Hunter's bedroom which like the blocks I've made, is also a mix of solids and Lu's first fabric line for Moda - Summersville.

I really urge you to check out the other posts in the blog hop, there are interviews, book reviews and lots of great projects to see as well as more giveaway opportunities! Please head on over to the stitch craft create website where you'll find all the details. Trust me there are all sorts of awesome sewers and quilters taking part!

Now for the exciting part: F&W media the fabulous publishers behind Lu's book are offering one lucky reader the chance to win a copy of this super book. Even better the giveaway is open to both UK and International readers, all you need to do is leave a comment below. Simples. I'll choose a winner via random.org on the evening of Wednesday 15th Jan 2014.

Good Luck!

besties

Friends are really important aren't they? 

I have a really close knit group of sewing friends whom I would literally do anything for, they are honestly like an extention of my family unit. My kids know them and I theirs, my hubby knows them and I theirs, you get the picture right?!

The only problem with this little family of sewers is that we are far flung, not only in this country but across the pond too so getting us all in the same place at the same time takes planning, serious planning.

Well it happened in the New Year, oh yeah!

Katy, Laura and myself headed to London to meet up with the other man in our lives our bestest buddy John. Woop!

We spent a day hanging out in cafe's, bars and Winter Wonderland at Hyde Park. 

John, Laura, Patrick & Myself

Awesome rides at Winter Wonderland

This ride was soooo high!

Patrick & John

Laura & Katy

We had the best time catching up and just hanging out together, seeing these guys really gives me a renewed passion for life and sparks my creativity, my hubby says I'm like a different person when I get home, like all the stress of everyday life has just drained away, I tell him it's just the Gin hehe!

This happy happy start to 2014 has left me whirring with ideas, a 'To Do' list as long as my arm and a passion for blogging it all so keep your eyes peeled for lots of exciting things coming up on the blog soon!

Happy Friendships xxxx