Monday 24 February 2014

I taught my first class!

A few months ago several people were asking me if I taught quilting classes here in Jersey.  And it got my mind to thinking that perhaps I could.  And before I knew it I had a class of five keen ladies looking at me expectantly, waiting for me to impart my quilting knowledge. 

Over the course of 2 full Sundays, the aim was to make a small lap/cot quilt.  In the words of Blue Peter, here's one I made earlier.


And here are my lovely ladies, hard at work, in the gorgeous, inspiring workroom at The Harbour Gallery.




None of them had made a quilt before, in fact some had never even used a sewing machine before!  But they all took to it like ducks to water.  Or should I say like quilters to a sewing machine.  Here they are on day two, quilting their masterpieces.  



Sadly, one of my ladies was struck down with a bug during the week, so I only had 4 ladies on the second day (get well soon Tatiana!), and here are their very nearly finished quilts.





Didn't they do well!  

They were such a lovely crowd and we all had great fun, it was a pleasure to teach them and I hope I get to do it again soon!

Sarah x

Linking up with:

stitch by stitch

Friday 21 February 2014

Jumping on the Band Wagon with Economy Blocks

I've been wanting to make a quilt using my Rebekah Ginda 'Robotic' organic fabrics for some time now.  I wanted to make them into to a quilt for my son, who turned 2 in January.  I had hoped to present it to him for his birthday, but that has been and gone!  Luckily, being only two, he doesn't really understand time scales, and I think he will forgive me ;-)


I had the idea that I wanted to make a medallion quilt.  I love these type of quilts as you can 'go with the flow' and make design decisions as you go along.  Here is my central panel.  Or should I say 'Medallion.'


I also wanted to have a go at the Economy blocks, (catch me, bang on trend!) and showcase some of these adorable robots.  



I'm going to add to this quilt each month, and with any luck it will be finished before he is 3!!  I'm having so much fun with it.  

Thanks so much for stopping by,

Sarah x


Monday 17 February 2014

Button Up!

A few weeks ago you might recall I made this superhero cushion.


And on the back I included some superhero buttons that I made with some left over fabric.




Well I had so much fun making the buttons and I had such a great reaction to them, that I've decided to sell them!  So I got my husband to whip up a little caption...



And I set to work pulling my best fabrics, to make a whole host of different button packs which are now available to purchase on my website  in my online shop.  Here are some of my favourites.













 There's lots more on the website too, including this set, that I made especially as we've just had Valentines Day.


You may recognise them from this little envelope I made for my husband last week :-)


I hope you like them!

Thank you so much for stopping by,

Sarah x

Linking up with:

stitch by stitch

Monday 10 February 2014

Sending some Love

It's less than a week away from Valentines day, and while there won't be much opportunity for anything romantic with Mr Candy due to my daughter being on stage in her ballet show at the theatre in town (Eek!! Excited!) I couldn't resist the opportunity to browse Pinterest and all things 'lovey' for some inspiration.

I came across this idea, and well... I just HAD to make it.  

http://www.nestofposies-blog.com/2012/01/diy-valentine-envelopes-giveaway/ 

Here's my version.


Do you like my latest fabric covered button - I thought  the little heart flower was rather appropriate for this time of year!  And I had great fun experimenting with the decorative stitches on my Bernina as well as putting my new Aurifil threads to good use :-)


So far this felt envelope contains a little chocolate.  Straight to a man's stomach I say. 

Have you made the man (or indeed woman) in your life a hand made gift for Valentines?  I'd love to know what!

Sarah x

Saturday 1 February 2014

Fresh Sewing Day

Looking back, I've done a lot more than I thought I had.  Brilliant!

I made a quilt that I actually didn't get chance to blog about, but hey ho, I'll share it in my collage instead :-)  Can you see it, it's using my precious low volume fabrics, which is a bit of a departure from my normal colours. 



Also in my collage is a small part of my strip bee strip, (the heart) and my latest creation, the POW! Superhero cushion.  I just had to include the buttons too, as I love them so much.  I'm even thinking of having a side line in making/selling buttons.  What do you think?!  Even the most non-crafty of people can sew on a button! 

Along with these makes, I also managed to pull off a Fireman Sam birthday cake for my son  who turned two this month...


And somehow managed to arrange a birthday party for about 15 children.  So looking back at my collage, it may not seem a lot but trust me, the party took up most of my time!

My proudest moment so far has to be when I received this photo.  It's a picture of the photo quilt I made last year.  In this picture you can see it hanging up at camp in Afghanistan.  I knew that was its destination but seeing a photo of it really brought it home to me that these guys are out there without their families, a long way from home, and over Christmas too.  I can only hope that my quilt brings some comfort as they spend so many months apart.

 
So that's my January round-up.  I have lots of things in the pipeline for February, and I'd love to jump on the Economy Quilt Along band wagon at some stage.  I've promised myself I'll make my son a quilt for his birthday - oops did that happen already?  Okay so it will be a few weeks  months late, but better late than never!

Sarah x

Linking up with:
Lily's Quilts