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stockings + top trend
You don't need me to tell you that the year so far has been crazy! I'm ready to settle down for a cosy, quiet winter. I still have a few projects to sew and if you're anything like me, you might have a few projects to sew this season too!
Last year I created a tutorial for these simple patchwork stockings. A calm colour palette was called for by my girls (who are the users of these stockings!) but you could make them festive with Christmas prints or whatever colours fit your home.
The fun addition of pom poms and tassels add whimsy and hopefully these pretty stockings will grow with them, as they are not too kiddish and nicely neutral.
You can get the free pattern for the stockings HERE at gathered - with not much fabric you can create two different modern patchwork stockings! One uses a cool bias stripe effect and the other is made up of easy half square triangles and rectangles.
top nine / one quilt
The year of colour site is an interesting tool that assesses the dominant colours used in your instagram photos. You can play with the sliders to adjust the pixels and brightness etc. and it's cool to see which colours it picks out. I have seen a lot of them pop up on other peoples feeds and they are all so different. Mine was a bit of a surprise, I know I've used brown a lot but I did think they'd be more pink and less blue. I guess it doesn't feel completely 'me' but then as I look back on the past year I was surprised by the fact that there hasn't been a whole lot completed...
Great British Quilter • Instagram Challenge
I am super excited to be guest hosting this challenge with the founder of The Great British Quilter, Sarah Ashford! The photo challenge is on Instagram and we invite you to join in! (exactly what + how is outlined further along in this post...)
Starting 1st September we will post a photo prompt every day throughout the month. Joining in is simple and it's a great way find inspiration, make new friends and for us all to share our passion for patchwork and quilting!
There is also the opportunity to win some amazing prizes when you take part in the challenge and (since I know what they are) trust me, they are AWESOME!
social media slump
I am feeling pretty fed up with instagram and social media generally. Sure it can be really fun and there's a fabulous supportive community of quilters but the fast pace and option of just hitting like ❤ isn't cutting it for me anymore. There are so many photos, so many great accounts and just so much to see. I don't feel as much joy though. Too much of a good thing?
planning party
I like writing lists. I write them a lot, about all sorts of things! It's become essential for me, lists give me focus and direction. I'm joining Quilting Jetgirl for the #2019planningparty and in this post I am outlining a list of plans for 2019. I'm trying to stay realistic with a hint of optimism, bringing back some much loved projects and joyful sewing. This is what I want to do...
#100daysoffocusedsewingbylucy
Last year I did 100 days of silent sewing, it was a great exercise in mindfulness that allowed me to simply sew without all the distractions of day to day life. It was meditative and gave me some much needed space.
Starting tomorrow on instagram #the100dayproject kicks off again - you can find all you need to know about here by clicking here!
You chose a project to do for 100 days, pick a unique hashtag and then share each day. Hosted by @elleluna and @lindsayjeanthomson, they provide encouragement and motivation. What I loved about doing this project is there is no pressure, no expectations. It really is an exploration of creativity and the 'rules' are up to you.
Originally the plan was to use the same hashtag and redo my #100daysofsilentsewing (click to see what I did!). Then I thought some more and decided I have that down - I'm good at it and still enjoy it. So it may well be that some of my sewing will be silent this time. But that's not enough. I really want to have some intention with my sewing. It might be that I have a project to finish (ha! I do! loads!!), a pattern I intend to release (yes, a few!) or a skill I want to learn or hone. This year my project is going to be #100daysoffocusedsewingbylucy.
Again I am leaving it pretty open so that I can work on whatever I most want to give my attention to. My idea is to have a sense of purpose and a reason for sewing a particular project. The aim is for that purpose to provide me with focus. I'm hoping that by doing this daily the benefit will be more clarity and drive, perhaps more finished projects but also a focus on my own style, designs and skills. While having a reason to be working on a project might seem like an obvious thing, for me it often gets lost. Like I can't see the wood for the trees. Focusing on the bigger picture could be just what I need to stay motivated and to do the work.
You can follow along at #100daysoffocusedsewingbylucy I would appreciate some encouragement!
Are you joining in this year? Let me know what project what are doing or what you would like to do for 100 days...?
gotta put in work
There is a lot going on in these parts. I have many, many projects on the go as always and there's several exciting secret things on the horizon - some of which are fun blogging things so you will see them here soon!
I've gone back to making Farmer's Wife blocks, catching up a bit. I'm enjoying hand piecing:
Yesterday I taught a class at Patchfinders to make my Fox cushion. I had a really creative group and they had fun with the appliqué and making the foxes their own. A couple of ladies finished completely, don't they look brilliant!
If you're on Instagram I would love for you to come and join in the Saturday Night Craft Along, hosted by Rachel @barefootcrafter in Australia and Meg @myteaandbrie in USA. I am currently hosting the UK timezone and so from 6pm GMT on Saturday nights you can tag me @charmaboutyou and add #saturdaynightcraftalong to join in the fun! I love seeing what people are working on and it's a great way for us to like and comment on each other's pictures and projects. With the new algorithm messing up the order of pictures, using the hashtag means we can share progress in real time and craft the night away together!
I am happily working on finishing up a few makes and I have several projects in the design stages. I would like to check a couple more things off my finish-along list for this quarter so wish me luck!
Oh and you will probably want to come back here tomorrow if you love fabric ;)
rose star progress and instagram giveaway ✴
I actually managed to get my rose star basted yesterday! This is the first time I've ever thread basted and I'm pleased with how it went. It should make hand quilting much easier.
I did my usual stick the backing to the floor and layer method, Clare (my quilt is her rose star tutorial) recommended the rolling method and after watching this Youtube video I will be trying that next time. It would be nice to not have to take up so much room!
I have the perfect thread, which matches the backing. My plan is to quilt the centre hexies and I'm still thinking about what else to do. Any suggestions are welcome?!
I'm having a little giveaway for my followers over on Instagram! To share some cute things and celebrate having 2427 followers over there :) Apologies if you don't have an instagram account, there will be another giveaway on my blog soon.
I'm giving away a charm pack of Just a Speck, a cassette tape measure and a lined notebook.
How cute is this?!
ends 13th June 2016
my stumbling Clam Shell block, discounts and a winner!
It was a beautiful sunny day today, I sat and stitched in the garden and finished the Clam Shell block for my green tea and sweet beans quilt. I had to give it a quick rinse with cold water to get rid of the pen marks (I use this Sewline Styla pen and really recommend it!) and then hung it to dry in the sunshine.
I traced the clam shell template on to the fabric using my lightbox and then used needle turn appliqué to stitch them in place.
I used some of my very favourite and special fabrics on a pretty background of Lilium, Gossamer by Sharon Holland. The repro and modern mix brings me joy.
This was my 'stumbling block', the one I was scared to try, but was really fine. I think no templates, no papers, no real guidelines was the frightening aspect but actually the outline of the clam shell shapes provide all the guidance needed. I would not necessarily recommend it as the first block you do if you are new to needle turn appliqué but if you can appliqué a circle you will have no trouble!
What is the block or pattern you are or were most scared to try? Let me know your stumbling block in a comment!
If you're on instagram show me a picture and tag it with #stumblingblockquilt, I would love to see what you made despite the fear :)
If you're on instagram show me a picture and tag it with #stumblingblockquilt, I would love to see what you made despite the fear :)
On to the winner of the Sew & Quilt paper pieces giveaway...
Congratulations Fiona! I have sent you an email :)
Finally if you are wanting to add to your stash or need some notions, there are some amazing discounts to be had...
Green Fairy Quilts currently have 40% off all their notions and 40-50% off Fat Eighth Bundles, with free US shipping and discounted international shipping it's a great time to stock up (no code necessary). With greats like the Sewline Glue pens and refills, wonderclips and rotary blade refills you definitely don't want to miss it!
Pink Castle Fabrics have 20% off all books and magazines with code BOOK20 and they also have crazy low prices in their sale section, with some fabrics at just $4 per yard! (oh yes I snagged some of those!)
Fat Quarter Shop are having a sale with 20% off Cotton & Steel fabrics with the code CS2015 until Sunday 4th October at 11:59pm CST. I find I'm using Cotton & Steel in almost all my projects, such gorgeous prints and colours!
Wishing you all a happy Friday!
Linking up to finish it up friday at crazy mom quilts
that time of year
I have a cold. A horrid one. It's sticking around and I would like to shake it off!
I keep flitting between projects, partially because I can't focus and also because I have a lot to do. I finally started the clamshells for my green tea and sweet beans quilt, despite having cut them out ages ago.
I was scared to needle turn them but it's no different from other rounded shapes I have done... something about them just intimidated me. Maybe because I love them and every time I see someone's quilt or project using clamshells it looks so good I told myself I couldn't do it. Shut up self, I can! (Or at least, I will try!)
Scrolling instagram I saw the most adorable pink unicorn needle minder from Amanda @whatthebobbin. I had to have it and ordered the cute tape measure in a jar one too! They are so well made and really strong magnets. I can't wait to get back to doing some embroidery and cross stitch so I can use them. She sent me this cute pineapple pin too! Check out her instagram, she has so many gorgeous needle minders you won't regret it.
I am glad for the start of autumn today! I love this time of year (and winter) and have already started wearing all my comfy cardigans and jumpers. We also love Halloween in our house and there is a lot of discussion about costumes and decorations. I couldn't resist joining in the Halloween Haunts 2015 blog hop, hosted by Marian. Looking forward to seeing everyone's spooky makes!
I am so thankful for my wonderful husband, I have needed a break and a chance to rest, so on Sunday he entertained the kids by making a puppet show with them. It was a wonderful performance! Any guesses as to what the story was?!
unwound
When life is stressful there's nothing quite like sewing. It got to the point last week where I have had to prioritise trying to relax and getting back to sewing has really helped me unwind.
I finished this Bee A Brit Stingy quilt row for Di:
Di has to take some of the credit for this one because she made all those small butterflies. I added some nine patches and made large butterflies on the ends, the shapes of those wings and the row underneath were inspired by Lori Holt's instagram.
Spurred on by this successful machine sewing I decided to start a new English Paper Piecing project. I have created a pattern and hope it'll work out so I can teach it!
I also got some pretty goodies for my planner, I mean Totoro, Hello Kitty and robots are bound to make me more organised, right?!
Of course I had to have some sewing machine sticky notes too :) These are all from The Idea Owl.
Here's to a productive and tension free rest of the week!
all ears
It is half term here so I've been busy with the kiddos this week. We went to see my Nan in Chester and my Dad came too. He found this picture of me when I was little, we were on holiday in Malta:
I believe I contributed to the popularity of the onesie. I vividly remember doing this, those beautiful pastel coloured tissues! I also remember not being able to sleep and walking through the tiled corridor (which amazingly enough was hexies!!) to find my Nan, and her singing me to sleep. She remembers too, she told me she used to sing songs like 'Daisy, Daisy' and 'Chick Chick Chick Chick Chicken', which I sing to my kids :)
My lot had fun in the local playground:
This week I bought myself these stud earrings from jewellerybox.co.uk, they are really small and perfect for everyday:
They have this great Andralok closure, which means they are super comfortable and easy to put in. I like wearing big earrings sometimes but generally I just like earrings that will go with everything and I can forget about. I can sleep in these with no discomfort too. Bonus, they are made in Britain!
I have reached over 1,000 followers on Instagram so I am having a giveaway over there (sorry to those that don't have an Instagram account but I do plenty of giveaways here on my blog too!). I cut 60+ charm squares from my stash, a mix of modern, 30s, low volume and general gorgeousness. The giveaway is open internationally and ends 4th June. Head over to my Instagram and see the giveaway post to enter.
I totally caved
Before I caved (keep reading), I managed to finish these bee blocks and a siggy for the lovely Di:
I also received some lovely fabric goodness from the Fat Quarter Shop:
Lilac Daisies, 30's Playtime by Chloe's Closet; Navy Soho Solids by Timeless Treasures; Pink Floral Plaid, Kimberly's Garden by Fresh Water Designs, Lotus Teensy Weensy, Littlest by Art Gallery Fabrics and a great panel for a kids quilt Jungle Bunch by Wendy Bentley.
My husband got a phone upgrade, which means I now have an iphone (he already does). Cue cute case:
And then I caved. I totally caved. Somehow OH DEAR I found my way onto Instagram so I am there, stumbling along and no clue what I'm doing but I have to say I much prefer it to twitter (which I've always hated). So if you've not found me already then come and follow me and I will follow you back!
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