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tell us what you love from Green Fairy Quilts

19 December 2014

Green Fairy Quilts is a fabulous, family owned online shop with so much to offer! I am so pleased to welcome them as the newest sponsor here and would love to share with you a little of what they stock. You will not believe all the amazing deals and discounts! They even offer to beat anyone's price and if that wasn't enough they also have a clearance section for more bargains. 
Green Fairy Quilts specialize in always having 100% of Moda's Precuts, always on sale. They also have Riley Blake bundles and Quilting Treasures bundles. They offer free shipping in the United States and discounted international shipping. 

Let's look at some yummy fabric now!


Charm pack of Figures by Zen Chic


Layer cake of Milk Cow Kitchen by Mary Jane


Fat Eighth bundle of Sewing Box by Gina Martin

I think the Riley Blake chevrons are so pretty and I'm crushing on these ones:


Fat Quarter bundle of Neon Chevrons by Riley Blake

Judi Madsen (AKA the Green Fairy) publishes her own quilt patterns and last year published her first book, which includes a pattern CD. Full of inspiration, quilt patterns and tips, you can get signed copies here.


They also stock plenty of other books and patterns, like the popular Thimble Blossoms.

Of course you can also buy a wide selection of practical notions and tools:


Clover Wonder Clips; Fiskars scissors; Frixion pens; Add A Quarter Ruler and many, many more.
They stock my personal favourite thread Aurifil, as well as Superior Threads; Coats and Clark and Gutermann sets.

They also have a fun page on their website with quilting quotes, perfect for a little embroidery or to include on a card to a fellow quilter, check it out here.
This is really just a small selection of everything they have to offer and I will be able to show you more in the future. You can sign up for the weekly Green Fairy Quilts newsletter to get updates about sales, new products and receive promotional discounts, sign up here.

Green Fairy Quilts are kindly offering to sponsor a giveaway in January and I thought it would be fun to ask you all what you'd like to win. I can't guarantee the outcome but if you comment we can see what items are popular when we plan the giveaway! Check out the pre-order section too to see what treats are coming up :)


So hop on over to Green Fairy Quilts, take a good look around and tell me your favourite item... or a few if you can't pick just one!



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Cotton and Steel bundle winner and a discount code!

18 December 2014

The winner of December's Cotton and Steel Club Bundle from Pink Castle Fabrics is...


who is...


Congratulations Shayne! I have sent you an email.


Cotton+Steel Club

Visit Pink Castle Fabrics to join the Cotton + Steel Club and receive a bundle of 12 gorgeous fabrics each month, click here to see the details and pick a plan!


Right now you can get 20% off all Japanese Fabric at Pink Castle Fabrics using code JAPAN20 - valid until Sunday.

They have an excellent range of Japanese fabrics (some always find their way into my basket!) so this is a great excuse to stock up, click here to see the full range! :)





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making it easy

17 December 2014
**enter my Cotton + Steel FQ bundle giveaway here, ends tomorrow!**

Most often nowadays slow is my preferred sewing tempo but sometimes speed and ease are favourable. Today I started making some bunting and couldn't bring myself to make it the traditional way. I knew pinking shears would make the job faster and then in a stroke of genius I grabbed my Hex N More ruler, folded the fabric and used the triangle side of the ruler as a template (so I was actually cutting diamond shapes). My plan is to press them and put ribbon between the folds and sew along the whole length of the ribbon in one fell swoop.


I have continued working on my green tea and sweet beans quilt:


Though this and the epic vintage quilt I'm hand quilting are causing havoc to my fingers, I admit that *shock horror* I rarely wear a thimble but after hand quilting for any length of time it really starts to hurt and I have to use one. I have a Clover Protect and Grip Thimble but I often use the side of my finger so it's not great, though it's a very comfortable thimble if you only use the tip. I tried a cheap metal one but it's not so comfy and I found the dimples in it annoying. 

Knowing that I am doing a lot of hand quilting I was getting a little desperate and decided to give the Clover Natural Fit Leather Thimble a try. This thimble is seriously my new best friend. I adore it, the snug fit, the comfortable feel and the fact I can use the tip and/or side to push my needle easily. Admittedly I've only had it a few days so can't comment on how long it will last but I will definitely let you know. If you're a thimble hater but lover of soft hands I highly recommend trying this thimble!!



* random aside, I used to manage a beauty counter and have tried/used a lot of beauty products but without the doubt the greatest hand product I've ever used is Crabtree & Evelyn's Hand Recovery Scrub. I just remembered it and will be getting some, I like the La Source one (currently out of stock) but I'm tempted to try the Pomegranate, Argan and Grapeseed one because yum! It is a lovely scrub, gentle but really effective and leaves your hands so soft. By the way that wasn't the company I worked for, I just love the scrub!

Back to sewing though...

Have you heard about the new quilt along the Fat Quarter Shop are doing? The quilt is made up of the cutest blocks of memories and 'snapshots'. It starts 15th January 2015 and a new block pattern and video will be released on the 15th of each month. 

The patterns are free but they are encouraging everyone to donate $5 for each download in order to raise money for St Jude Children's Research Hospital, which you can contribute to here. Fat Quarter Shop and Moda Fabrics will match up to $10,000 of donations raised for this amazing cause.


There is a fantastic line up of bloggers and designers sewing along and you can even pre-order kits here if you would like to use the same Daysail fabrics. You can get all the details of the Snapshots Quilt Along here and see the introductory video here.


WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced


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run down

15 December 2014

**be sure to enter my Cotton + Steel bundle giveaway HERE**

It's that time of year when things get a little crazy, the to do list is never ending and it seems everything has to be done yesterday... 


Or should have been done last month, like these ridiculously late bee blocks I finally sent to Helen today:


So sorry they are late Helen and I do hope I pressed them correctly!

Today I woke up feeling totally yucky and really run down. No fun at all but I listened to my body and slowed down a bit, which meant lots of snuggles and reading time with the little one:


She loves picking out books and wearing her crazy cardigan (knitted by my mother-in-law's friend). She adores the hello kitty buttons and I love that she looks like a little chick ;)

Today I got the cutest stickers that I ordered from The Reset Girl Shop, perfect timing to keep me motivated and organised. 


They are gorgeous quality and so well made that I may have just placed another order, I can't help myself! The stickers are a matte finish, which I really like and they do plain ones for you to write on yourself (yes some of those were in my new order). She also sends them in the cutest packaging that now has me wanting some personalised stationery!

I'm going to go chug some Lucozade and gather the strength to cook tea.

Happy Monday lovelies :)



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ink - le challenge - a vintage elf and flowery goodness!

14 December 2014

It's been a crazy busy month and despite lots of ideas for the ink theme I left it until the last minute again!! I came across a cute vintage elf embroidery pattern on pinterest, it was credited to Crafty Modern but despite lots of googling I can't find the original pattern so that's as much info as I can give.


My daughter was recently given some brilliant pens for her birthday, some of which are glittery! I asked her if I could borrow them and got to work. I traced the image using my lightbox and had lots of fun picking the colours:


Here's a weird lighting shot so you can better see the glitteryness!


I think it makes a cute festive card! 

If you've made anything using ink, with the colour ink or that relates to the theme 'ink' in any way you can link up your finished project now at le challenge for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to the Fat Quarter Shop!

Le Challenge


I received more fabric goodness and some yummy Aurifil this week from Pink Castle Fabrics:


from left to right: Floral Bouquet in Blue, Old New 30s by Atsuko Matsuyama; Cherries in White and Red, Old New 30s by Atsuko Matsuyama; Daisy Grid in Gray, Suzuko Koseki for Yuwa; Cottagely Posy in Teal, Priory Square by Katy Jones and Aurifil 50wt #2600 - my favourite colour for hand piecing.

I seem to have developed a thing for florals!! I love the vintage vibes of those Japanese prints and the bright colours of the beautiful Priory Square. I guess these will be finding their way into my green tea and sweet beans quilt too ;)


Molli Sparkles

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modern bundle winner*

13 December 2014

*don't be sad if it isn't you, enter my Cotton + Steel bundle giveaway HERE instead ;)

The winner of the Sew Mama Sew giveaway is...


which is...



Congratulations Megan! I have sent you an email :)

Big thanks to all of you that entered, I really did enjoy reading all your dancing comments!



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Cotton + Steel Stash ~ giveaway! ~

12 December 2014
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**

Pretty prints,  superb basics and the coolest collaboration is what Cotton + Steel are made of.

These quality fabrics really are awesome and my sponsor Pink Castle Fabrics has some great ways for you to get hold of some, including a fabulous giveaway!


Pink Castle Fabrics stock a wide assortment of fabrics; from low volume and text prints, to modern large prints, to gorgeous Japanese fabrics, Kawaii wonders and so much more. They offer yardage, precuts and they have a wonderful selection of monthly clubs, with something for everyone it's a great way to build your stash or try some new fabrics. You have to see their impressive selection of bundles that have been excellently curated. 

Pink Castle Fabrics have just launched this new Limited Edition Cotton + Steel Stash Box...


You will receive 50 Fat Eighths (approx. 9" x 22") of gorgeous prints along with basics and some metallic prints as well, there are no repeats you will get 50 different prints! That's a whole lot of fabric joy for only $60! 
Hurry and get yours HERE. 

They also have another way to get a brilliant selection with the Cotton + Steel Club. The monthly club gives you a unique bundle of twelve fabrics: 9-10 prints and 2-3 basics each month and you can choose to receive FQs, half yards or full yards. 


You can join the club and find more details HERE.


Pink Castle Fabrics are generously offering you a chance to win December's Cotton + Steel Club bundle:



That's 12 fat quarters of Cotton + Steel lusciousness!

**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**

To enter:

- Leave a comment letting me know your favourite Cotton + Steel collection or print 
You can see them here.

- Followers of my blog can get an extra entry, just leave a second comment telling me how you follow, blogger, GFC, a reader, email etc (optional entry).

- Share on social media and leave another comment telling me how you shared (optional entry).

Please leave your email address in the comment to be sure I can contact you! No reply bloggers/comments will not win.

The giveaway is open internationally and will close on Thursday 18th December, the winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here on that day.

Good luck!

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the weather outside is frightful

10 December 2014

but the quilting is so delightful! I've been working on the vintage quilt I was commissioned to hand quilt. It is huge and I've only worked on it from time to time since the summer (work commitments and kids tend to take over, the customer thankfully understands this!) but now I'm focusing all my attention on finishing it. I don't think it will be done by Christmas but at least I can have a good stab at it ;)


I did sneak in some more hand pieced green tea and sweet beans blocks this week as well. Two Double Pinwheels:


and a Churn Dash:


I've got the next Churn Dash all cut out and ready to go but I've got more hand quilting to do...


The responses to my modern fabric bundle giveaway have had me laughing my head off :)
Be sure to enter the giveaway here!

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

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modern fabric bundle ~ giveaway ~

08 December 2014
**GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED**

My stash is superabundant and so it seemed right to share it and join the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day!


I created a modern bundle of fabrics to giveaway that I think you'll love. There are bright fun prints, low volume and stash blenders.

I know you're probably all hopping around so I won't go into too much detail about what is there but the bundle includes a couple of FQs and plenty of scraps - all a useable size (though many have pieces cut out, it is my stash after all!). They are unwashed designer quilting cottons (two are cotton/linen blends).

Let's break it down a bit...



So do you fancy helping me decrease my stash and using these lovelies in your handmade projects?

*SORRY GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED*

To enter:

- Leave a comment letting me know your best dance move or what dance you'd love to be able to do. 
I like to shake my stuff in the kitchen while I'm cooking and cleaning but there probably isn't a word for that dance other than the 'mum dance' even though I think I'm Beyonce ;) I would love to be a fabulous tap dancer like Ann Miller (if you don't know who she is, check this out!).

- Followers of my blog get an extra entry, just leave a second comment telling me how you follow (blogger, GFC, a reader, email etc).

Please leave your email address in the comment to be sure I can contact you, no reply bloggers have been picked as the winner before and lost out because I can't get in touch with them! No reply bloggers/comments will not win.
The giveaway is open internationally and will close on Saturday 13th December, the winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here on that day.

The winner was announced here.

Then visit the other great giveaways at Sew Mama Sew!





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black friday sunday stash

07 December 2014

It's been a fun fabric week as black Friday purchases have begun to arrive...


Deliciousness from the Fat Quarter Shop: top row from left to right - Blue Dot Blossom, Aunt Grace Ties One On by Judie Rothermel I am OBSESSED! I ADORE this print!; Rosemilk in Mint, Brambleberry Ridge by Violet Craft; Plated in Green, Aunt Grace Miniatures by Judie Rothermel; Daisy Check in Aloe, Lazy Daisy Baskets 2 by Darlene Zimmerman; bottom row from left to right - Shadow Dot in Hydrangea, Hadley by Denyse Schmidt; Dash Dot in Sunflower, Hadley by Denyse Schmidt; Tossed Square Plaid in Hydrangea, Hadley by Denyse Schmidt; Daisy Grid in Gray, Mimosa by Another Point of View.



Some lovelies I had been craving from Miss Matatabi: Flour Sack by Suzuko Koseki for Yuwa; Vintage Travel Text in White on Cream by Yuwa and Meet Your Match in Gold, Moonlit by Rashida Coleman Hale.

And then I managed to bag myself this charm pack from Polka Dot Tea on Instagram and it is just gorgeous!



I've already starting adding bits of these into my green tea and sweet beans quilt and should have some progress to show you soon.

Today I've been going through my stash and have created a beautiful bundle for the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day tomorrow so be sure to pop back in for that!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We have an awesome guest post about modern calligraphy by Made Peachy on the le challenge blog today, so go and check that out!

image by Laura of Made Peachy


Now I'm going to go relax and do some hand sewing with my new fabric!


Molli Sparkles



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wordless wednesday

03 December 2014

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced


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planning and Penumbra

02 December 2014

I've planned out a little hand quilting project that I will be starting tonight:


I finally got hold of this book from my local library and I am reading it slowly because, it might be too early to say, it could be one of my very favourite books...


Not only is the cover like a fabulous book shop quilt but the story is so enthralling, I hope it ends well!

This morning there was drama at our house as my son's first tooth stopped wobbling and came out! It's amazing how very tiny it is. Oh it makes me so strangely teary and sad my babies are growing up, he's a real boy!





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Hello!
I'm Lucy from Manchester, UK.
A modern / traditional quilter and stitcher with miscellaneous style.
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      • tell us what you love from Green Fairy Quilts
      • Cotton and Steel bundle winner and a discount code!
      • making it easy
      • run down
      • ink - le challenge - a vintage elf and flowery goo...
      • modern bundle winner*
      • Cotton + Steel Stash ~ giveaway! ~
      • the weather outside is frightful
      • modern fabric bundle ~ giveaway ~
      • black friday sunday stash
      • wordless wednesday
      • planning and Penumbra
      • is it right?
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