Kids on the Block!

This week I've been beavering away on my Farm Girl Vintage Farmhouse blocks.

I'm now up to 7 (includes the 2 you have previously seen).  Only 2 more to go!

But as I'm taking a few days off and switching off sewing machine and laptop, that's my lot for now!

And I'll leave you with some fun family pics of my youngest daughter's 14th birthday bbq in my mum and dad's beautiful garden.

Enjoy the heat wave!!

Jude xo

Picnic Carry Cushions!

Someone told me it was summer!  Though you might not always think it around here!

But if you are lucky enough to be getting some warm sunshine, how about making a handy Picnic Carry cushion!

In the July issue of Sewing World you will find my pattern for making piped and non-piped cushions.

These are great for taking to picnics, camping, outdoor festivals or right at home in your garden. 

You can make them using quilting cotton, deco weight or even recycled denim!

If you've never tried piping before, give it a go! You will find it easier than you think!

Get out there and enjoy your summer!

Jude xo

Today was ......

..... my birthday!!

Bouquet of origami flowers made by my eldest!

Lemon curd birthday cake, also made by my eldest! Yum!

"The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate."

      Oprah Winfrey

Thank you everyone for your birthday wishes on IG, FB, by text, card and in person!  It has meant more to me than you may ever know!

Jude xo

Time to Play!

No more GCSE exams for my middle daughter, and end of term on Friday (& birthday) for the youngest, means .....

... a meal out with the funniest teenagers I'm privileged to call my girls!

And as the last of my classes are winding down this week for the summer break, I get to play!

I was inspired by Aylin's gorgeous cushion, and have been wanting to do more with my Sizzix drunkard's path die.  So when I eventually decided on some fabrics & scraps, I set to cutting and sewing.

I've actually finished 5 x 14" blocks and sewed them together for a potential table runner, but I couldn't fit them all into 1 photograph!!  Once again I find Leanne's technique for sewing curves much quicker and simpler than the endless pinning method!

I'm also working on some Farm House blocks from the Farm Girl Vintage book (pg 27).

As usual I've deviated from the quilt-a-long block schedule currently running on Lori's blog!!

My plan is to make the Farmhouse Lane Quilt shown on page 128 of the book, but truth be told, I want to make every single thing in this book!!

Fingers crossed I can stay focused and not get distracted by one of the many other beautiful projects in the book!

Happy sewing!

Jude xo

Bee Blessed Blessings!

Today Sarah and I handed over the reigns of Bee Blessed to this wonderful group of ladies!

Thank you ladies for a lovely vintage tea party today & the gorgeous flowers!

The past 4 years have been a blessing not only to those who have received our quilts, but also to me personally as I have sewed, laughed (and eaten loads!) with you all.

Sarah and I are thrilled that the spirit of Bee Blessed will continue in September, and we hope to soon bring you more news about the next chapter of this charity quilting bee!

Stay tuned!

Jude xo

Table Mat Tutorial!

Ever wondered what to do with those orphan blocks lying around?

How about turning one into a Non-Slip Table Mat?

Here's a 12.5" Starflower block, bordered, quilted and backed with Bulgomme Table Protector.

And before you know it, you have a sizeable and practical table mat, for indoors and outdoors!

You can find the full step by step tutorial over on the Fabric Yard blog.

So why not give those lonely orphans a purpose!

Jude xo

Today was .....

.... inspiring!

Malone House & Grounds

"Just living is not enough... one must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower."

Hans Christian Andersen

Small Pieces!

This week is Scraptastic Tuesday over at Nicky's and Leanne's! Check out the amazing things folks have been making with their scraps!

My scrappy efforts this month are 2 Quilt As You Go purses!

This one from a 5" sample swatch book of pastel linens:

And this one from my favourite blues and oranges:



So what have you been making with your scraps?

Jude xo

Blocks & A Winner!

Up first is the draw for my Zazzle £50 giveaway!

And the winner is.......

Congratulations Helen!  I will pass your email address onto Zazzle so you can get your voucher and start shopping!

Thank you everyone for taking part!  I will have another giveaway in no time at all!

And before I go, just time to show you June's blocks in the Siblings Together Bee (2).

These 15" blocks are for Helen. This will be another brilliant 'boy' quilt! 

The tally of quilts for this years' ST summer camps is nearing 90!  Not far away from the 100 target, but only a few weeks left!!!

Hope you got to enjoy some lovely sunshine today!

Jude xo

Baby Fun!

Last chance to enter my Zazzle giveaway here!

A very special friend of mine will be having her baby soon (squeeee!) so a 'baby shower' was called for!

I had never been to a baby shower before (they aren't native to UK!) but oh what fun!

Thank you Tina for hosting and keeping us laughing in lots of baby related entertainment!

There was of course lots of gift giving! (I'm now addicted to baby departments in every store!)

I found this great tutorial on Pinterest for a baby changing clutch.

And another pattern for bibs!

And something to put all these baby goodies in, an economy square linen basket (a little larger than expected!!).

So all we need now is baby!!

Jude xo

Framed Purses & A Giveaway!

These 2.5" x 6" framed purses have been made using gorgeous deco weight fabrics from Zazzle! (tweed, linings and frames are my own).

Zazzle are an online store, where you can not only buy the querkiest custom gifts, but they also sell a fabulous range of cotton, poplin and linen fabrics, suitable for crafts, handbags, purses, cushions, dressmaking and much more!

I made these framed purses using Zazzle's cotton range, and if you hop on over to their blog, you can get my tutorial on how to make them.

And here's even more great news!

The generous peeps at Zazzle are offering a £50 voucher to a lucky reader of my blog!

So here's how you can win:

1. Have a good browse around the Zazzle shop (it might take a while!!), especially their fabrics, and come back here and tell me what you would spend your voucher on.
2. For a 2nd chance to win, like their Facebook page.

I will announce the winner on Wednesday 17th June.

Happy crafting!!

Jude xo

One Lovely Blog!

My lovely bloggy friend Ruth (Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner) has nominated me for an award!

Thank you Ruth for the lovely compliment. 

The conditions to accepting the award are

• Thank the person who nominated you and provide a link to their post.
• Share 7 things your readers may not know about yourself.
• Choose 10 blogs to nominate for the award. (It is fine to nominate less than ten, just however many you feel comfortable with.)

So here are 7 things about me:

1. I love elephants and have lots of them around my house (not real ones of course!)

2. One day, I would like to visit Florence & Tuscany in Italy.

3. My favourite colour is purple!

4. I live in a city (Belfast, Northern Ireland) though my heart is always in the countryside.

5. I have 3 teenage daughters who make me laugh! They are my world.

6. I have had a deep Christian faith from a young age - God is my rock and foundation.

7. I love to read survivor stories of world war 1 & 2. The strength of the human spirit to endure, overcome and even forgive the most extreme cruelty inflicted by man greatly inspires me!

I'm afraid I have struggled to find 7 interesting things to write about myself!  I hope you aren't too bored!

But here are a few much more interesting people you will love to read about!

Sarah: Sew Me
Tina: Secret Ingredient  - Love
Helen: Archie the Wonder Dog
Mary: Handmade by Mary
Teje: Nero's Post and Patch

Many thanks again for taking the time to read my regular ramblings, and to Ruth for the nomination!

Jude xo

Pixelated Hearts!

One of my favourite makes last year was this mini pixelated heart wallhanging.

Hanging in my daughter's room at Uni

It was quick and easy to make.  So I thought you might like a tutorial on how to make one yourself!

To make this 22.5" x 22.5" mini quilt, hop on over to the Fabric Yard blog for step by step instructions.  (And while you're there, check out Alice's new website!).

Jude xo

British Summer Time????

It's been over a week since I last blogged!!  Apologies!

This week (make that 'month') has been busy, and then I was away over the weekend with friends.

Annalong Mill

My sewing machine also spent a week away, in the 'fix-it' shop, which has slowed me down on some deadlines.

But now that Mr Pfaff is back home, sewing is continuing apace! There's quite a bit of May's sewing I can't show you yet, but here's some I can!

I'm dreadfully behind on my Farm Girl Vintage blocks, but I did manage to get my Siblings Together quilt finished and posted off!

May was also special because I got to meet up with some of my Brit Bee mates, and bring my Uni-girl home!!

Another whirlwind month (to go with the whirlwinds outside!!)

Linking up with Lily's Quilts Fresh Sewing Day!

Jude xo