Tula and Jaybird Quilts mini swap

Hi all,

If you are on Instagram you may have heard about this by now, Kelly (@thequiltmachine), Abby (@abby_colorbarquilts) and I are hosting a mini quilt swap inspired by the gorgeous combination of Tula Pink fabric and Jaybird Quilts mini patterns.

For all the details head over to Kelly's blog where she has all the info there for you. But just a heads up - sign ups start on Friday! And we are limiting the swap to 500 participants so get in quick!

In the meantime, here is a Tula Pink/Jaybird Quilts collaboration that I made for a mini quilt swap earlier this year.

And this one, using the same pattern but made the full length now lives on my dining table.

I hope you will join us!

Make it sew, Jess

 

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A Mini AMH feather quilt

Hi all,

The Bloggers Quilt Festival is on over at Amy's Creative Side again. So I entering my Mini AMH feathers quilt into the Mini a Quilt category.

I made this quilt for a Cotton and Steel themed mini quilt swap that happened on Instagram.

I used a solid white for the back ground and a shot cotton grey for the feather spines.

I love how quilting completely changes the look of a quilt! It also stresses me out a little as I'm not sure if I'm doing the right thing and I might not like the end result...but it usually works out ok.

Bye for now, Jess

 

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Tula Pink + a Jaybird Quilts pattern = Fabulous!

Hi all,

Recently I participated in a swap on Instagram that was based on Tula Pink fabric, hence the name #aussietulapinkswap !

I learned my partner liked the Saltwater and Neptune ranges. And one of the pattern designers she liked was Jaybird Quilts.

So I did a shortened version of the Seaside table runner pattern.

Extras are usually included so I made a Curvy Clutch, pattern by Pink Door Fabrics. I also included a fat 1/4 or Neptune fabric, some chocolates and stationery bits n bobs.

I really loved making both of these! So much so that I have already made myself a full length table runner from the Seaside pattern.

I used Tula Pink fabric for this one too but I used the newer Moonshine range and went with my fav scrappy low volume background.

I quilted them both the same too! When you are on a good thing....

And this is what I received from my partner -

I love the mini and the contrasting binding just makes it pop! And the extra fabric and little sewing pouch were a lovely addition!

Til next time, Jess :)

 

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Oz mini quilt swap

This year I decided to join in on a few swaps. This week the #igminioz swap is wrapping up. The swap was basically a mini quilt swap for Aussies on Instagram.

I am so thrilled with the things I received from Luelle (@strange_stitches) . She made me the most beautiful mini quilt based on an image from a Tula Pink print. The quilting is stunning! I just love looking at it!

I am a huge Star Trek fan so she made this mug rug size mini which reflects that perfectly! I am going to hang it up with some of my other mini's.

The other little extras are all favourites of mine too - mini charms of Sweetwater ranges, a spool of purple Aurifil thread and a special little pack of mini charms.

For my partner Kate (@jemimaquilts) I made a mini using a Thimble Blossom pattern called Mini Puddle Jumping. I used Bonnie and Camille fabric. I can't believe I forgot to take a photo of the mini quilt before I sent it! So I am using a screen shot of the picture Kate took.

I also made a Mini Sew Together bag using the same fabrics. The full size Sew Together bag is a pattern by Sew Demented and the mini conversion is done by Elizabeth at OPquilt.com.

And I made Kate's little guy a book cushion. The space fabric has parts that glow in the dark. The embroidery design is from Urban Threads and is such a fun design.

This has been such a fun swap!

Bye for now, Jess

 

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A Needlebook Swap

(I always start my blog posts as if I am writing a letter…I even tend to do this with text messages. Is this old fashioned? I notice most of the blogs I follow just start writing almost as if the conversation never ended. So, what’s the go? Do I say hello or just get into it?)

That’s enough thinking aloud for one post…I participated in a Needlebook swap, organised by Samelia’s Mum over on facebook. I thought it would be a fun little project. And I loved thinking about what I could make and then doing it!

This is what I made for my partner. I could not resist using the Mama Said Sew range by Sweetwater.

My partner said she liked blue so I added a hint in the inside.

And the back. I put the closure on the back, a little piece of velcro because I didn’t want to detract from the hexi flower on the front. I was inspired by this needlebook but I didn’t follow a tute I just made it up as I went.

And this is the cute little needlebook I received -

I especially love the Friends plaque! It is on the shelf above my sewing machine!

Now I need to finish my mini for the Down Under Doll Quilt Swap (DUDQS) and post by the end of this week. I have already received mine (and I love it) but I will wait and do a full post once my partner gets hers!

By for now,
Jess :)

Sweet Pouch Swap

Hi all,

Round 2 of the Sew Delicious Sweet Pouch Swap, now that’s a mouthful! LOL has just wrapped up. My partner has received her pouch and I have mine so now I can show some pictures.

This is the one I made for Laurel.

I used Noodlehead’s wide open pouch pattern, the medium size for this one! Need I say again how much I love this pattern? And it lends itself perfectly to a little embellishment - the dresden plate on the front.

I added a pieced strip to the back too. I used a print from Sweetwater’s Noteworthy range for the main fabric and Kate Spain’s Cuzco mini charms for the dresden and pieced section. I put in lots of Cadbury goodness, what is more Australian than Cadbury?!

This is the beautiful pouch I received from Laurel.

I love, love, love the fabric! It is the Bucket list print from Sweetwater’s Noteworthy range. The pattern for this pouch is here …. and I definitely want to try making one too!

Lookee what was inside! Lots of candy and fabric yummyness! I had already eaten the Lindt chocolate bar…..sorry ;)

Bye for now,
Jess

Good times

Hi all,

I feel like the excitement is back! I have had a really difficult 4 to 6 weeks with some family issues and it really made me sad, mad, stressed and tired. And it killed my enjoyment of sewing…I really didn’t do much at all.

But I really feel like the excitement is back! Yay! I am wanting to sew, to make new things and finish old things too. The pouches were the first things I have really wanted to make for a long time and it felt good to be able to run with that desire to create!

This arrived today, which definitely added to my joy. My bundle of 24 fat quarters of text fabric! This is from a swap I joined on Flickr. I love them! A great array of low volume prints and some great colourful ones in there too!

These are such happy little blocks – the last two blocks for month 1 of the Afternoon Delight quilt.

Technically this is block 1 – although it is my 4th applique block. I finished this one at sewing day on Saturday, it has taunted me for a couple of weeks so it is a relieve to have it made.

And the same story, this is block 2 although it was the 3rd applique block I made.

I am skipping around a bit but trying to do one month at a time, otherwise I will get completely confused!

Today was the meeting for the North Brisbane Modern Quilt Guild, it was lovely to sit and chat and I started one of the blocks from month 2.

I think being able to meet up with friends over the last few days has also really helped me to get back in the swing of things. To see other people being creative makes me want to create too!

Quilt Club…

Hi everyone,

There is a group on facebook called Quilt Club Australia, it is a virtual community of Aussie quilters that chat, share, encourage and do bees and swaps!

I am in Bee hive 2 and this my block for Tracey for June….

I tried fussy cutting and it looked perfect before I pieced it….anyway it looks great with the other blocks.

Recently the group had a Handmade Swap. And I made a sewing caddy for Tracey…

There was a pair of stork scissors that went in the caddy too.

I used some Ruby and some Make Life… I especially love the twill tape measure!

And I got this awesome package from Marieka…

She got me so well! My fav block, my fav colours and chocolates!!! There is a cushion cover and a zipper pouch, which I have already been using to keep some hand sewing together! Thank you Marieka, I love it!

And then there is the Novelty Fabric Swap…

We are swapping 5” squares of novelty fabric, I am hoping I might be able to make an I Spy quilt for the boys.

These are my fabrics – the Monkeys are an Ann Kellie print and the Trains are from my stash and I can’t remember the details.

Lastly, I think LOL! Is Sasha – The Travelling Stash!

This amazing amount of stashy goodness fits in a 3kg post satchel!

What I took out is on the left and what I put in is on the right….I had to put in a pack of of the Clover Quilting Clips, they are one of my fav stash items!

So, there you have some of the great things you can do on Facebook!

What a week!

Hi everyone!

I have done a few things in the last week but it has been pretty slow, we have been and still are a bit sick.

TP picked up tonsillitis from somewhere nearly 2 weeks ago and bought it home to share with myself and hubby…the youngest had a skin infection on his shin that is now looking really good and is pretty well cleared up. TP has still got some fluid behind his ear drum that we are waiting to dry up and I am trying to clear a sinus infection…the lesson here is that kids and bugs love each other!

Anyway, before I got sick I met up with Jane for coffee! It was great catching up….BTW if there is anyone reading who lives on the North side of Brisbane - Jane is starting up a Modern Quilt Guild for us, so exciting! Let me know if you want some details and I will give Jane your email!

Lookee what I got! Jane had some early release precuts of Sweetwaters’ new range Sew Mama Said….how could I resist! I LOVE Sweetwater!

And 2 charm packs of 30’s Playtime…so pretty and vintagey! I have plans for these – I just need more time!

I managed to get some blocks made for the second round of the Japanese X and + block swap.

I kinda cheated and made 2 sets of 6 nearly identical blocks…I am trying to conserve time and I figure there should be enough peeps in the swap for no one to end up with two of my blocks.

And I have been working on my items for the QCA Handmade Swap…here is a sneak peek!

Inside!

Outside!

I am worried that it is not enough….is that weird? I just don’t know…