Bee Blessed BOM

The Bee Blessed block for March is inspired by my super talented friend Leanne's beautiful modern quilt called Canvas.

So we'll call this the Scrappy Canvas block, based on 2 colours (different prints), and here is the tutorial:

For a 12.5" unfinished block you will need:

From colour 1 (inner squares): 4 x 3.5" squares

From colour 2 (outer pieces): 4 x 3.5" squares
                                            4 x (6.5" x 3.5")

Assume scant 1/4" seams throughout.

1. Decide on your layout, 4 quadrants, with colour 1 in the centre, and the colour 2 pieces placed as shown below:

2. Sew the 3.5" squares together in each quadrant. Press the seams towards the darkest fabric.

3. Attach the rectangle to the 3.5" pairings in each quadrant. Iron the seams towards the rectangles.

4. Join the top 2 quadrants together and the bottom 2 quadrants together.  Press the seams in opposite directions.

5. To join the 2 rows, butt/nest the intersecting seams as shown before sewing together.

6. Press the final seam open before trimming to 12.5" square.

Thank you again for your contributions each month, we appreciate every single block that you take the time to make for us.

Jude xo

Block Central!!

When hearts are heavy and life feels like wading through treacle sometimes, it's always good to make stuff!

It's been Block Central in my sewing room this week.

All of these blocks are for Siblings Together!

If you want to read more about Siblings Together or how you can get involved, see Mary's post here.

And I've also made the March Bee Blessed block too, but more on that at the weekend.

Etsy have decided to absorb the new EU VAT changes which means I can continue to sell my patterns as instantly downloadable PDFs again!  I have changed them all back to digital files, so purchases from now on will be instant on confirmation of payment. Woohoo! 

Chat soon,

Jude xo

Heaven's Gained an Angel!

Thank you my sweet and lovely friend for the memories, laughs, inspiration and friendship!

Our world here on earth is poorer today, but Heaven has gained a truly remarkable and special angel!

You will be forever in the hearts of Brit Bee and many others!

All my love, forever and eternity!

Jude xo

Spot the Difference!

In Brit Bee we are working on one of our most important WIPS.  This is an 'angel' project and my small contribution was to make 2 selvedge star blocks.

This delicious bundle of selvedges arrived from across the water, and I set to it.

I've never worked with selvedges before, so I sewed them onto some backing fabric, into a panel that I could then chop up to make selvedge half square triangles.

Simples!

I've also signed up to the Siblings Together Bee 2, who were in need of extra 'bees' to help make blocks for the annual ST quilts drive (you can read lots more about this brilliant cause here).

These 'blue/red & low volume hst' blocks are 15.5" and will be making their way to Sue very soon.

It's been absolute therapy having some sewing time today!  The ongoing saga of the 'hormonal boiler' only got sorted today, and I also had to say goodbye (again) to my lovely uni daughter who I just love having around the house.

But the sun has been shining and I actually get a lie-in tomorrow! Yippee!

Hope you've had a great week!

Jude xo

Big Bird Bag!

It's nearly a week since my last post, I thought it was time to check in!

Uni daughter is home for a week (squeee!) and with two family birthdays and also half term here, there are lots of girls, giggles and cakes around the house once more!

Yesterday I rustled up a simple Tote bag sample for a couple of beginner quilters in my class. This is a roomy bag, finishing around 18" x 17" and great for using up a few more scraps!  I recycled a denim belt for the handles and used trusty Essex yarn dyed linen for the main body!

Hello Big Bird!

I've also been progressing my crochet top.  The back is done and I'm working my way up the front!



Only once before have I attempted a crochet garment, a long time ago, and it was never finished! So fingers crossed I have better luck with this one!

Sadly, my boiler is playing up again!  No heating for the 3rd time in 2 weeks! Boo!

So there was nothing else for it!

Half an M&S strawberry cheesecake was definitely harmed in the making of this blog post!

Hope you've had a wonderfully, creative week!

Jude xo

Spooling Around!

I was looking for some inspiration for a mini quilt to make for a friend's birthday!

Seeing that 'Spools' are still so IN at the moment (and loads of cute 'quilty spool' ideas on Pinterest) I thought I'd have a go at drafting my own pattern for paper piecing.

I've had a 7" wire hanger knocking around for a while, so I made sure this mini-mini quilt wouldn't be bigger than 10" square!

I had lots of fun going through my scraps for 1" wide pieces to make the spools, along with cute wee ends of ribbons and trim for the spool centres.

Some leftover Kona snow satisfied the background and strip ends of Essex linen from another project became the outer border.  I was even able to use a teeny piece of leftover ribbon trim for the hanging tabs!!

It's so satisfying having a justifiable reason for keeping all those scraps!!

Linking up with Nicky and Leanne's Scraptastic Tuesday!!

Jude xo

Getting Cosy!

I've been all about getting cosy these past 24 hours, because I've had no heating or hot water while my boiler was being repaired.

All sorted now thankfully!

Porridge, therefore, was most definitely on the menu for breakfast.  I use this microwave bowl cosy when I cook my porridge.

But after making a complete over-cooked and sticky mess this morning, I thought it was time I made a few more!

Again, I used this excellent tutorial, making another 10" cosy and a smaller 8" cosy.

These are the perfect size for using up leftover Layer Cake squares.  And because all the materials are 100% cotton (essential for heating in the microwave) they are completely machine washable!

So now I can make all the mess I want!!

I also got the next round of Brit Bee borders made - flying geese for Hadley's medallion quilt!



Only a few more rounds to go and we will reach the end of this epic & secretive quilt top marathon!  I can't wait to see how everyone's turns out!

Hoping you are all keeping warm and cosy!

Jude xo

Hearts-a-Flutter!

Now that we are into February a lot of creative attention on Pinterest and IG is already focused on Valentine's day!

If you are in need of some 'heart-felt' inspiration (sorry!), then look no further!

This is a 12.5" unfinished heart block (essex linen background).  You can find the full tutorial and fabrics here.

This block gives you quilt design possibilities ...

... or turn a single block into a sweet cushion for gifting!



So whatever way you are planning your valentines day, make it a creative one!

Jude xo

Bee Blessed BOM

Firstly, thank you for all the wonderful Maple Leaf blocks for January!  They look amazing and I can't wait to show you the quilt top when it's all sewn together!

Our February block is just as gorgeous!

This is the 'Arrowhead' block and you can find the tutorial over on Sarah's blog.

And we want to give a big 'Thank you' to the Modern Quilters of Ireland!  Just look what they made for Bee Blessed!



Isn't it brilliant!  We oohed and aahed over all the beautiful blocks at Bee Blessed on Saturday. Thank you so much for your wonderful donation MQI ladies!

Last year we were donated a few other quilts tops from a very talented elderly quilter.  They are beautifully made, but quite large, so we've decided to do them justice and get them long arm quilted, ready for donation.



So that's you all up-to-date with Bee Blessed news!  And if you are local to Belfast and fancy joining in with some patchwork fun, then check out the dates on my Bee Blessed page and come on down!

Jude xo 

Thank Goodness!

I can't tell you how glad I am that January is over!  It's been a long, dreary month, and my body is craving a new season!

Having said that, winter days make for great sewing days!

Not a bad month of makes I suppose!  

I haven't blogged about everything here yet, but don't worry, I will - as well as all the antics we got up to yesterday in Bee Blessed!

Linking up with Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day.

Have a great weekend!

Jude xo