CHARM ABOUT YOU

I'm so lucky that I get to have SO MUCH FUN creating designs with bright and beautiful fabric. For this quilt I picked out prints from Zuma by Tula Pink and a range of colours from Tula Pink solids.  A classic block in the centre and medallion style borders made with a mix of regular machine piecing and foundation paper piecing, make for a modern and dynamic quilt. My Spring Fling quilt pattern is in Issue 71 of Love Patchwork & Quilting - out now!

The detail in the prints is just amazing, there's so many that I thought were nice but it was only when I started working with them that I noticed little subtle elements. One of my favourites is the Glitter Litter print with the dots and cute anchors, seahorses and stars thrown around like confetti.

There hasn't been a whole lot of stashing going on but when I see my favourite designers and prints there isn't much self control to be had! 

Here's a little fabric splurge and I've also discovered what is currently my favourite notion and have to share the joy...

Who doesn't occasionally (or often!) have to reach for a seam ripper? I've tried a few and I do like the Prym large seam ripper, the fact that it's bigger and ergonomic really does make a difference for long seams. It's sharp too, which is a must. I like having two though and despite trying other ones I still hadn't found the perfect one to put in my travel kit - just to be clear that's usually the kit I use a lot because it's also the one I keep beside me when I'm hand sewing on the sofa (as well as taking with me when I travel). 

After browsing around I came across this seam ripper by Pam Damour, lovely and delicate made of beautiful brass. It's very pretty, there is something so dainty about it and it certainly feels dainty when you're holding it but it rips perfectly. I'm going to put it through it paces over time and report back but the seams I've ripped thus far have gone smoothly, it's really sharp and I do like the smaller size of this one. As a plus the lid also fits onto the end, making it easier to hold and you won't lose it. And can you see the loop on the end? You can put it on a chain (totally Mad Men!) or ribbon, which is a nice touch.

I wasn't specifically looking to buy fabric but Sew Hot had these beauties and I couldn't resist.

For no other reason than I absolutely LOVE her whole style and again I've had a previous incarnation of the leopard print fabric, I got these Anna Maria Horner prints to add to my collection.

from left to right: Spotted in the Crowd in Prince, Tambourine; Keys in Toffee, Passionflower; Gyspy Heart in Waking, Tambourine; Lace in Marmalade, Passionflower and Spotted in the Crown in King, Tamourine - all by Anna Maria Horner.

If you can't tell I haven't really been keeping up with fabric releases recently, I feel like I missed a chunk of time or maybe sometimes it's so long between seeing prints on social media and when they actually get released that I've forgotten them or even worse can feel like I'm over them because they were everywhere!?! I've probably ranted about this before but I do feel like it takes so long between seeing sneak peeks and fabrics actually hitting shops.

Anyway I was happy to discover Looking Forward by Jen Kingwell because I hadn't seen a lot of it. With no specific plan or actual need, I bought a charm pack. That way I get a little of each print and can have a play about. True to my style I will probably break this pack up and use little bits in different projects, though then again you never know, I might surprise you and use it all in one place!

Mister Domestic invited me to his Aura Blog Party and I was like, "woaaaah.", and then saw the fabric and I was like, "woaaaah." and then it came to me that this would make the perfect pineapple quilt, "woaaahh..."

So this is my ode to Mr Crush Turtle, with turtles swimming through the denim water and geometric coral reef! A tropical blend of modern and traditional, this quilt is simultaneously structured and choatic. The clean lines of the pineapple blocks and the way I've placed the colours makes for a striking layout yet the prints themselves are scattered throughout in a random way.

I'm going to share some tips about making pineapple quilt blocks, why I used NO pins when piecing and (over)share the process of making my Pineapple Crush quilt!

Each year I look forward to the CHSI Stitches event - a UK trade show packed with all things fabric, crafts, sewing and quilting. It's a great opportunity to ogle at new launches, discover different products and brands and meet up with - or indeed meet new - people in the industry. Here's a round up of the day (I went on Sunday), the things I loved, new products I spotted and the British Craft Awards evening!

Those quiet moments in the evening, a few stitches on my lunch break, this pick up and put down project is slowly coming to life. It is a soothing, mindful way to relax and all the colours together look very peaceful and calming to me. 

I knew that the Kindness & Fortitude: A Quaker Sampler from Modern Folk Embroidery was going to be the first project I started in 2019. It was no coincidence that my word for the year is FORTITUDE, I did chose this pattern partly for that reason but also because it appealed to me and there is that Quaker connection.

As I was going through my stash to make this block inspiration struck. Isn't it funny how memories and things can suddenly come to mind and influence you. This wasn't my original direction but I am so pleased with how this came together!

The block is called Geo Diamond and designer Naomi Clarke has just launched the Geo Diamond English Paper Piecing Sewalong! Click the link to get all the details, parcels start shipping in March and there are lots of options available.

It's a 12" block, so a great size! There are loads of layout possibilities and it's even cooler to see it repeated. I really like sewing with larger pieces, not at all fiddly and the block was relatively quick to stitch. I always use Aurifil 50wt thread for English Paper Piecing.

In the bottom corners I fussy cut houses from The Gingerbreads Fondant, Little Clementine by AGF Studio. It seemed perfect as the terrarium was in the living room of the house I grew up in! I plan on making another block, perhaps continuing the theme or with a different memory. I love the repeat these blocks create but I'm so pleased with this one I might end up making a pair of cushions and let the blocks stand alone.

If you'd like to create your own blocks - CLICK HERE to visit Naomi's site for all the information about the Geo Diamond sewalong!

*** I am having a giveaway for a two month subscription of the Geo Diamond block of the month - open internationally, ends 12th February 2019 - go to THIS POST to enter!

Find UK stockists of Art Gallery Fabrics at Hantex.

It should come as no surprise that I get very excited about fabric. I've been sharing what I buy, stitch and make here for over seven years. The colours, prints, the way it handles, the endless combinations... fabric brings me joy. 

The opportunity to get to chose and work with fabric is truly something special. I SQUEALED a lot when these beauties I picked arrived from Freespirit. Vibrant, rich, bright, happy colours of Designer Essentials Solids:

top row: Cosmo, Melon, Pomegranate, Gold, Tropical

bottom row: Serpent, Clearwater, Julep, Citrine