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