The Other Side!

Well, that's it for another year! We made it through to the other side of Christmas, relatively unscathed (if several pounds heavier)!

I hope you got some time to relax and have fun too!

When all my work-sewing commitments settled down, I was able to catch up on the next Brit Bee block:

This block was designed by Jo and will soon be on its way to Sarah, made in her choice of colours.

It is quite an involved block, and I was disappointed to lose a point here and there, but overall I'm pleased with it and I think it looks really pretty!

And speaking of blocks, I made these blocks for Bee Blessed earlier in the month but forgot to blog about them!

These blocks will be destined for a 'Man' quilt, and there's still time to make one or two for the lovely ladies at Bee Blessed.  You can get the tutorial here.

And the final bit of December sewing to show you was a box of treats I sent over to the 'Fab Five' in my daughter's uni flat!

'Stocking' door decorations and cornets filled with chocolates!

Key fobs and recycled denim coasters!

The box also contained candy canes,  fun beer mat masks & homemade peppermint creams!  Needless to say it went down a treat!

Happy Holidays!

Jude xo

Quillow Up Front!

I'm delighted to be working with British Patchwork and Quilting magazine and submitted my first project to them several months ago!

Imagine my surprise when my first project is presented on the front cover!

It's always a contributor's delight to make the front cover!!

This is my Disappearing 9 Patch Quillow.  The disappearing 9 patch block is one of the quickest and most satisfying blocks to make.  And a quillow is a quilt which folds up into a pillow!!

Quillows are great for taking camping, to sleepovers, caravans, or in the car!

So if you'd like a quick and fun pattern to make one, get the January issue of British Patchwork and Quilting, out now!

Jude xo

Keeping Secrets!

The last of my Secret Santa presents was gifted last night.

I keep my hands busy on free evenings with a little EPP, and before you know it, a nice wee panel has come together!

I recently acquired some 12wt Aurifil and wanted to see how it compared to Coats Creative threads. While it's not quite as thick as Coats Creative, it sewed these hearts beautifully with a size 100 needle.

I'm pleased to report that my notebook loving friend loved her present!  (for similar pattern see here).

And I finally sourced a super bright daylight bulb for my sewing room which means I can still photograph projects when I'm working in the evenings.

Photo taken at night under my daylight bulb!

It is also my 5 year blogiversary today!!  I've been blogging for 5 years, and while blogging in general seems to have taken a hit through IG & other mediums, I still really enjoy doing it and will continue for as long as I still do.

It has completely snuck up on me this year, so I'm not prepared with my customary giveaway, but don't worry, I will have a little something special for you all in the new year!  Thank you for continuing to read my creative ramblings!

Only 5 more sleeps!!  

Jude xo

At Last!

Christmas has finally arrived in the Hollies' Household!

Jude xo

Thankful!

I love working with magazines, because mostly I get to design and make stuff straight out of my head, or sometimes I'm given some ideas and then I can put the old creative grey cells to work!

For me the design process is the best part, I even tolerate all the maths much better than I used to!

The lovely peeps at Sewing World have published 3 of my projects in the January issue (out on Friday, 18th)! And their photography and staging is stunning!

First up, my nesting baskets:

A simpler version of my Foundation Pieced Schoolhouse cushion:

And my Rainbow Geese Quilt, made using the Rainbow and Low Volume Charm packs I sell in my Etsy shop:

It's such a privilege to have my work published in this beautiful and professional way!  I still get all giddy when the next issue comes out and I see my projects in there among so many wonderful designers.

There are lots more inspiring projects in this issue to get your creative juices flowing!  So grab yourself a copy and spend some wonderful 'play time' sewing this holiday. 

And one more reason to be feeling giddy tonight - guess who's back home for Christmas?

Jude xo

Keep It Covered!

Do you bother to cover your sewing machine when it's not in use?

Have you ever had one of those awful plastic covers, that quickly start to tear and become useless?

I've definitely been victim of the latter, which is what originally inspired me to write a pattern for a sewing machine cover!

The affectionately named 'Hector's House' was the first ever cover I made, for my daughter's machine.

Interest grew among my classes and so I developed a pattern for a bespoke cover, where you could take the dimensions of your machine and make a made to measure cover!

Well now this pattern is available to everyone!

In the January issue of Popular Patchwork, you get all the details you need to make this cover, which includes a handle opening (again made to measure to your machine's unique measurements) and 2 functional side pockets.

Doesn't your machine deserve to be well 'dressed' and dust free!

The January issue of Popular Patchwork is packed full of great projects, and is out now!

Happy Sewing!

Jude xo

Peek-A-Boo Birdie!

My classes finished last night for Christmas, and we had a little Secret Santa exchange at break time!

I made this little porthole dumpling, with some precious diminishing Kaufman 'Double Happiness' fabric.

The outer fabrics are leftover Irish linens from a quilt I made recently.  I love the contrast in textures between the Irish linen and the Kaufman cotton.

It may be small, but I was able to stuff some sewing notions inside, and I think this particular Secret Santa got it right!

2 more Secret Santa gifts still to make though!  Better get a shimmy on!

Linking up with Scraptastic Tuesday!

Jude xo

It's A Boy!

A good friend of mine recently had the cutest little bundle of joy!

She already knew she was having a boy, which meant I could get a little something made in time for the important arrival!

My friend loves bright, scrappy and low volume!  I don't often get the opportunity to 'think boy' so I couldn't resist sticking to a blue colourway.

It was pure 'playtime' pulling fabrics that would work in a graduated way. I tried to graduate the LVs also, but it's not just so obvious.

Even the free motion stippling went smoothly!

My friend has now received the quilt and with a dino print on the back (no pics sorry!) 'Mr Cute and Cuddly' can hopefully enjoy lots of gurgle time on his new quilt!

Jude xo

Christmas Placemats!

Fabric Yard have the funkiest, most festive and fun Christmas fabric in stock!

So I thought I'd make some cheery placemats with the aptly named Joy (multi) by Michael Miller!

And Riley Blake's Fancy Pinwheels on the back remind me of snowflakes (also available from Fabric Yard).  Don't they just shout 'Christmas Cheer'!

So if you need a quick and easy make that will 'wow' your Christmas guests, pop on over to the Fabric Yard Blog for the full tutorial.

Jude xo

Small Business Saturday!

Here in the UK, 5th December is Small Business Saturday, a day to encourage shoppers to get out to their local independent retailers and support small & unique businesses.

In keeping with this wonderful idea, I've restocked my shop with new Low Volume charm packs, and am offering 20% off everything until Monday, using coupon code SMALLBUS20!

So if you fancy some discounted fabric, a pattern for a quilt, Christmas stocking or handbag, or a rainbow or mini charm pack for a quick and easy make, then pop on over to Just Jude Designs and enter SMALLBUS20 at the checkout!

Happy Shopping!

Jude xo

Countdown to Christmas!

Well the advent calendar is up, the Christmas cactus is in full bloom, and the yarn bombed lampost outside my house received new attire today!

That can only mean one thing!  The countdown to Christmas has begun! Eeek!

My roundup for November looks a little scant, but once again there are projects I've been beavering away on which can't be revealed just yet!

2 Ollie Owls were made and sent on their way for Siblings Together Bee 2.  And check out the brand spanking new Siblings Together Quilt Group blog! What a fab idea, a place where all contributors and supporters of Siblings Together Quilts can meet to chat, inspire and support one another. You can also read all about the wonderful charity that is Siblings Together.

So that's my roundup for November.  I've quite a few deadlines in December, so there'll be no slacking until Santa's almost ready to come down my chimney!!

Keeeeeeep Sewing!

Jude xo