Photo Fun!

I love taking photos in my parents' garden!

And the outakes.......

Jude xo

Hoooked Zpagetti!

Today I get to tell you about something totally cool!

This is Hoooked Zpagetti (not a spelling mistake!).  This stuff is made from ....... T-shirts! How cool is that!

And if you're wondering what on earth can you knit or crochet with it, just take a look at this for inspiration!

Source - Pinterest

And there's more!

This is Hoooked Ribbon, made from .............. recycled yarn!!  Super duper cool!

If you love recycling as much as me, and also enjoy crochet and knitting, then check out all the wonderful Hoooked Yarns over at Fabric Yard!

And to tempt you even further, Fabric Yard are having a Spring Sale! 

You've got until 1st March to bag yourself a bargain!  And remember, only £1 shipping on all UK orders.

Happy Shopping!

Jude xo

Hedgehogs!

The theme this month in the Siblings Together Bee 2 is Hedgehogs!

My blocks

These cute little fellas are the brain child of Melly and Me!

This is the original pattern by Melly and Me, which you can purchase here.

(As you can see, in Siblings Together we are going for a more 'brights and scrappy' look with our blocks!)

I know some people adore hedgehogs, so get ready for some cuteness overload!

Meet Hollie!  Isn't she a cutie (and also made and designed by Melly and Me)!  

To make your very own Hollie the Hedgehog go here to get the Melly and Me pattern. 

Now if you know me well, you may know that I haven't always had such positive encounters with said 'hogs'!  Suffice to say, several early morning experiences involving my dog, a large mixing bowl, and airborne hogs into the local school grounds will just about cover it!  'Nuff said! 

(No hedgehogs were injured in said relocation - I know because THEY KEPT COMING BACK INTO MY GARDEN!)

And breathe!

Jude xo

My Favourite Bag!

Also in Popular Patchwork (March issue) is one of my most favourite bags!

It's my favourite bag because the 'quilt as you go' technique is one of my favourite quilting techniques and I get to continue my love affair with scraps!

I love the texture QAYG creates, and it's perfect for projects where you need a little more structure.

My pattern will show you how to 'quilt as you go' and also how to insert a recessed zipper, perfect for keeping all your fabric purchases essentials secure!

Hmmm, all this talk about QAYG makes me want to make something else using this fun technique! It's not like I don't have plenty of scraps to choose from after all!

Do you have a favourite quilting technique?

Jude xo

Spring Greens!

It was a beautiful Spring day here in Belfast.

The perfect day to show you my Spring Greens quilt.

I've used different sized 'geese' in Sandi Henderson's 'Secret Garden' fabrics.

This was a lot of fun to make!

My mind starting thinking about our migratory Brent Geese (who occupy Strangford Lough during our winter months), which inspired me to quilt arcs across the geese. My thinking here was to give some 'movement' to the geese!  Do you think it works?

More Sandi Henderson in the back.

The quilt finishes up at 67" x 72" and if you fancy making your own version, you can find the pattern in the March edition of Popular Patchwork.

Our Brent geese will fly away again in April!  So glad I've got my own resident geese, all year round!

Jude xo

Love Is In The Air!

Spread a little love this week!

Jude xo

Spring Walk!

This is Spring Walk by Sarah Betz/Little Cube. Aren't they gorgeous!  I particularly love the cute umbrellas and swans!

I'll be working on these this weekend for a magazine commission.

There was plenty of the wet stuff about today, but isn't it lovely to see spring winning out!

And walking of a different kind happened yesterday!

I took my family to Gaol!!

We have long been wanting to visit the historic and Victorian Crumlin Road Gaol in Belfast.

An informative and engaging tour, and well worth a visit.  

But don't worry, they let you out again!!

Have a great weekend!

Jude xo

Back to it!

On Saturday I returned to Bee Blessed, after a 7 month break!

It was wonderful sewing with old and new friends again, and seeing all the wonderful in-progress quilts.

This month we are working on reverse churn dash blocks, to compliment last month's churn dashes.

I got these 3 made, and there's a lovely collection of others growing too.

We would love it if you could make us a block or two. You can find the tutorial here, and check out more wonderful pics of donated quilts and blocks on the Bee Blessed blog.

Jude xo

Cushion Love!

Continuing the 'Love' theme this month, here are the 2 cushions I submitted for publication:

Quilt Now (Feb issue):

Similar to my 'Drunken Hearts' quilt, this cushion is made using drunken path units to form the curved tops of the heart (Katy the editor named it 'Dunk Your Heart' because it reminded her of Jammie Dodger biscuits!).

I chose the sweetest red Lecien 30's Fabric Collection with Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Flax for the background.

Frumble sell a wonderful range of pom pom trim and I couldn't resist going for giant red pom poms to finish off this round cushion.

Sewing World (Feb issue):

This is my Chenille Heart Cushion, with a positive and negative front and back.

Chenille is a 'layering and slashing' technique, creating raw edges which turn fluffy when washed. It's a wonderfully tactile finish, perfect for a snuggly cushion don't you think!

So if you are looking for a valentines gift idea for that someone special, grab yourself one of these magazines and get cracking!  You've still got time!

Jude xo

Feeling the Love!

February is the month of Luuuurrrrrvvvv! (so I'm told!)

So I submitted a few 'heart related' projects to magazines!

This is my 'Drunken Hearts' quilt in British Patchwork & Quilting (Feb), so called because I used 'drunkards path' units to make the heart blocks. 

I have to say I 'fell in love' with this quilt as I was making it, and can't wait to get it back from the magazine. 

I used Art Gallery's 'Bijou' and 'Dreaming in French' for the hearts and Essex Yarn Dyed Linen in Black for the background.

My sweet Trudi did a beautiful job quilting this for me on her long arm machine (you can just about see the hearts quilting pattern).

Tune in again for another 'Luuuuurrrrrvvvvv' installment!

Jude xo

Leaping Into February!

How wonderful to leave January!

Storm 'Henry' decided to usher in February here, very kindly sending the contents of my recycling bin up and down the length of my street!!

On a happier note, it's nice to see at a glance my makes & bee blocks for January.

Technically, not everything here was made in January, but if they are published in January then I've decided to include them! The usual clues are in there for future reveals.

L-R: Brit Bee; Siblings Together Bee 2; Bee Blessed

It was a good month for bee blocks too.

So what will February bring?  2 family birthdays, a trip to prison (!!), guests and lots more running and sewing!

Another regular month then!!

Stay safe!

Jude xo