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