In Other News!

As you know, Bee Blessed is up and running again, under the capable hands of the Bee Blessed ladies.

As always, the group relies on help from others to make quilts for those in need. If you feel you can help by making a block (or two) why not hop on over to the Bee Blessed blog and check out the block for October - Friendship Star.

My Brit Bee buddy, Katy, is launching a brand new sewing retreat next year!

Sew Brit Bag Camp is a weekend bag making retreat, 18th - 21st March, co-hosted by Katy and Samantha from Patterns By Mrs H. 

Katy is a 'bag making' queen, and an excellent teacher.  You can find out more about the beautiful retreat location and further details here on their website.

Finally, most of you will have heard that the Stitch and Creative Craft Show, due to be held at Titanic Exhibition Centre 15th - 17th October, has been cancelled. 

Apparently, Trident, the company running the show have gone bust.  Sadly there is no information yet on their website about this, or how to get your money back if you have already purchased a ticket. This is disappointing news for Belfast, and the bi-annual show.

So that's you up-do-date for now!

Have a great end to the week!

Jude xo 

Doing The Double!

At the risk of boring you all rigid, I'm pleased to show you my latest magazine submissions!

I didn't realise I would be twice featured in the October issue of Quilt Now (out in UK this week). The theme this issue is 'Single Block' designs.

First up, Dissected blocks:

I thought, 'what would happen if you take a traditional block and pull it apart!' (sad, the places my mind goes!).

First I created a mini quilt (30" x 30") based on a dissected 'churn dash' block.

The old grey matter kept smokin' and out came 2 more blocks which I turned into cushions.

L-R: Courthouse Steps, Grandmother's Cross

Keeping to a Kona Snow background with a limited colour palette helps achieve the effect of the dissected blocks.

Next up, Moroccan Mix Table Runner and Trivet:

I actually made this first, back in May.

Inspired by the 'Antique Tile' block I started pulling fabrics that I thought would represent the depth of colour in Moroccan Tiles. The trivet was simply an after-thought, using up the leftovers!!

I hope you don't mind me sharing my publications here!  I'm not trying to blow my own trumpet - it's just so nice to finally be able to show you stuff I've made which I've had to keep under wraps for a bit!

And just to give you some warning - there are lots more publications in the pipeline!!

Jude xo

Blackberries and Maples!

You may be surprised to know that I was quite the domestic goddess today! (even I'm surprised!)

I made soup from homegrown tomatoes, basil, tarragon & celery; YUM

Made a fruit crumble from homegrown apples, white currants & 2 raspberries (and no shop bought crumble mix either! Oh no!  I made my own cinnamon crumble!); DOUBLE YUM

And .... (hold on to your hats) made a Victoria sponge, from scratch, with homemade plum jam (made by my friend!)!

I even took my youngest blackberry picking!!

I'm in danger of growing my hair long, dying it black, and considerably upsizing my hips!!

And there was some sewing too!

Pears & Mini Maple leaf blocks from Farm Girl Vintage

This is my block in Brit Bee Round 4.

This year we are each designing a block to make up 1 quilt design. At the end of our year(ish) we will all have the same quilt design, but made with a block from each of the other 11 members to go with our own block.  Clear as mud?!

We also make a 15" centre block to get started.  Because of the Farm Girl Vintage vibe going on round here, I thought I'd use the baby chick block I'd previously made from the book, bringing it up to size with Low Volume borders.

Thank you everyone for your lovely comments about being Cover Girl for Sewing World this month!

I heard today I made a double entry in October issue of Quilt Now!  Woohoo!  When I get to see a copy I'll post some pics here of what I made!

Have a fab weekend!

Jude xo

Giveaway!

It was a gorgeous sunny day today!  The hint of an Indian summer perhaps!!

AND it's Friday!  2 good reasons to pick the winner of the Fabric Yard giveaway!

Drumroll please.........

Congrats Benta! I've emailed you for your details.

I've been secret sewing and pattern writing like a demon this week.  But I did manage a little bit of Brit Bee sewing too! Too dark for photos now, but I promise some tomorrow!

Sweet dreams!

Jude xo

Ever Seen A Blue Hen?

To enter my giveaway until Friday 18th September, follow this link.

I'm Miss September in the Siblings Together Bee 2, which means I get to set the block for everyone else to make!

As I'm still crushing on Farm Girl Vintage, I choose the 12" Mama Hen Block.  And in true (un)traditional style, went for a blue hen!!

The chooks have already started rolling in to the coop!  Here's the little family so far:

Thank you everyone for your donations so far. This is going to be a fun quilt for a child separated from her sibling/s in the care system.

Feathered fowl seem to be a theme happening this month!!!

Jude xo

Art Supplies Backpack Tutorial

Giveaway is now closed!

My September tutorial for Fabric Yard is one all budding artists will love!

These simple backpacks are made using 2 half metres of fabric, some cord and eyelets.

You can get all the necessary art equipment in these for a fun day out!  And check out this cool 'Colour Me Fabric' by Michael Millar - nothing to colour in?  Then why not decorate your backpack!

The full tutorial is here!

And here's an extra treat for you!

Fabric Yard are kindly giving away 1m of 'Colour Me Fabric', a pack of fabric pens, and I'm throwing in the latest Issue of Quilt Now.

For a chance to win these goodies, just leave me a comment ('no reply comment bloggers' will not be entered unless you leave your email address in addition to your comment).

Giveaway closes Friday 18th September, international entries welcome.

Jude xo

On Another Note ....

It's Scraptastic Tuesday again!!  Doesn't the 2nd Tuesday of the month come around quickly!!

As usual, I've been creating more scraps than I've been using!!  Like the magic porridge pot, they just seem to grow when I'm not looking!!

I guess just using teeny weeny 1.5" squares isn't going to make much of a dent either (yes I keep even the smallest scraps)!

I love making portholes!  And I love making notebook covers too! Winning combo! 

And I made another notebook cover made from donated sample book scraps!

So that's my September Scraptastic Tuesday link up with Leanne and Nicky!

Jude xo

Dresden Sunburst Quilt

After 1.5 hours in the dentist's chair this morning, I gave myself a gentler work schedule this afternoon.  Making & attaching bias binding (all will become clear soon!).

In the meantime, I thought I'd show you something else I've been working on this week.

In keeping with my 'dresden' theme this summer, I made the Missouri Star Quilt Company's Dresden Sunburst pattern.

This pattern uses a layer cake and background yardage.  I used the oh so pretty Rambling Rose collection by Sandy Gervais, available from Quilter's Quest.

These prints really 'speak' to my love of all things vintagey - I even love the brown!!

As usual I went off pattern a bit and used the leftover pieces from the layer cake to piece borders and fill the central negative space with an EPP mini dresden.

This quilt is now receiving the magical long-arm treatment (squeeeee!). Can't wait to see how it turns out!

Tonight I lit the fire (2nd one this week, brrrrr!) and settled myself down with some hand sewing binding!

Hope you've had a fab Friday!

Jude xo

Go Yellow!

Summer may be on its way out, but my Tropical Pineapple Bag has been featured in this month's issue of Quilt Now!

I first designed the foundation pieced pineapple block for Ceri's Brit Bee 'foody' themed quilt back in March 2012!

I must have been in the summer vibe back in June when I thought about making this tropical summer tote!

It was great fun to make, and Shannon had the perfect fimo zipper pulls to finish it off!

And speaking of daughter no.1, she is blogging again! Yay!  You can check her out here.

Jude xo

Essex Linen & Kona Snow

I have restocked my Etsy shop with the ever popular Essex Linen and Kona Snow, all at great prices!



I have also listed 2 Kate Spain (12 Days of Christmas) panels and a Stocking panel for sale.

And there are still some discounted designer fabrics & Kona solids listed.  

So hop on over and grab yourself a bargain, while stocks last!

(I'm still waiting on more black and white stripe and a few other bolts.  I'll keep you posted!)

Jude xo

End of Summer!

"Tis the last rose of summer,

Left blooming alone;

All her lovely companions

Are faded and gone."

Thomas Moore, 1830

Autumn has officially begun here in the UK!  It is the only season where I feel joy and grief all at the same time!

My hanging baskets are still flowering and beautiful, but there is a definite shift happening in my garden.

Daughters 2 and 3 returned to full-time school today, and some semblance of routine is  creeping in again!

Looking back on August, I am content with what I managed to make.

As usual, not quite everything is shown here.  There are the obligatory 'secret' projects happening behind the scenes too. All in good time!

And before I sign off, I'm delighted to tell you that Bee Blessed will be continuing from this month, and a lovely new blog page has been set up, just for Bee Blessed!  Hop on over to check out this term's dates and how you can get involved again. 

Jude xo