Blue & Green Scrappy Quilt

Blue & Green Scrappy Quilt, a set on Flickr.

This quilt has bought together some of my favourite scraps I've been saving. The blue and green strips and square detail on the back includes Liberty, Amy Butler & Kaffe Fassett fabrics. The hand sewn blue lines and vintage white fabric create the softest most snuggly quilt - perfect for a little baby boy! The quilt measures 85x120cm - just right for a pram, cot, play mat or wall hanging. All it needs is a new home! If you'd like it for yourself or as a gift just get in touch!

I've been a bit quiet recently - mainly due to a broken bobbin winder! Luckily all is fixed now and my trusty sewing machine looks set to last another 20+ years! I have managed to finish off two more Sleep Tight baby quilts for Nina's imminent arrival and my cousin Anna's new boy Jack. Hope both enjoy!

Framed Foxy Felt!

Framed Fox!, a set on Flickr.

This foxy lady is a gift for Holly who is one tomorrow! Made from felt and Liberty scraps, i've framed it to make a present that's a bit different to the usual pink plastic!

A Bag for Wilf

Wilf is starting a new nursery - and to make a good impression he's having a new bag!

The front uses some lovely material from American designer Heather Ross's latest range.

And the back has more Heather Ross prints with some spots and gingham!

I hope he likes!

Tea Dance For Little People

Can't wait to try this new cafe over the weekend...


"This is a café with a difference. Enjoy good food and drink whilst specialist dancers, musicians and artists encourage physical and creative development with your little ones through play, exploration and interaction."


This Saturday they are hosting a new sale with a difference - 0-5's kids clothes, toys, books & more! 11am - 2pm
http://www.tdlp.co.uk/

The Crafty Fox Pop Up Market: Preview: Crafty Fox Night School

The Crafty Fox Pop Up Market: Preview: Crafty Fox Night School: Don't miss 'Night School' at the Crafty Fox Market this Thursday. You will find all the action on the 1st floor of the Dogstar from 6-10pm. ...

Once Upon A Time... Quilt

Once Upon A Time... Quilt, a set on Flickr.

This quilt is an adaptation of the Storytelling Quilt I made for Nina. This version is for lovely Mila and her mum Heba, a way to say thank you for work being done to create a look for Two Madels. Each panel uses the log cabin pattern and Heather Ross fabric. The back is made of donated fabrics, including a recent addition from Central St Martin's fashion department! The edging is made from gorgeous green & white polka dots picked up at The Festival of Quilts earlier this month!

Summer Sun Picnic Blanket

Summer Sun Picnic Blanket, a set on Flickr.

This small quilt uses beautiful yellow, red, grey and black fabrics to create this sunshine patchwork blanket, perfect for summer picnics. The backing is a piece of vintage fabric picked up at an antique market.

Commission for Christopher

Commission for Christopher, a set on Flickr.

My second commission and first from a stranger! Christopher is an extra-special baby as he is being adopted. New mum and dad wanted something unique, that would keep him warm and be something to treasure forever. This 'Building Block' baby quilt is cot bed size (120x150cm) and has 140 blocks! As mum provided me with some fabric she has collected I was able to add an extra bit of detail on the back. I do hope they enjoy it!

Storytelling Quilt for Nina and her swannettes!

Storytelling Quilt for Nina and her swannettes!, a set on Flickr.

This was a birthday gift for my good friend Nina - to say thanks for all the support and laughs she has given me in the short time we've known each other.

Each panel is made of complimenting fabric scraps framed in white cotton. The quilt can be used at bedtime to snuggle into and inspire storytelling and beautiful dreams!

Mama's New Bag!

At last year's Festival of Quilts my Mum was temporarily 'inspired' to have a go at making a bag. Nearly a year later and no nearer her new creation I was handed the challenge and this is what the finished product looks like! My first time with some rather unwieldy interfacing so there are some less than perfect bits, but all-in-all a perfectly serviceable, useful and gorgeous fabric bag! Hope she likes it when I give it to her this weekend...

The pattern is Amy Butler's 'Birdie Sling' and fabric is from the wonderful Fabrics Galore on Lavender Hill, London.

We're both going to this year's Festival in August so who know's what Mum will be inspired by this time! ;)

Make do and Mend Quilt for Sarah

Make do and Mend Quilt for Sarah, a set on Flickr.

This was a very special quilt made for my bestfriend to celebrate a - uhum - special birthday!

Made from scraps collected and donated it comes together to make a wonderful bright and cheerful quilt to throw over a bed or chair.

A big thank you to Beccy for the wonderful photographs!

Quilting is good for you - fact!!

Why quilting improves your health in ways even exercise can't manage

By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 10:36 AM on 13th June 2011

As devotees of a quiet and contemplative pastime, they would be the last to make a fuss about it. But quilters, it seems, have every right to celebrate their craft after researchers found that it is ‘uniquely’ good for you. A study found quilting improved well-being in ways that physical and outdoor activities could not, and offered a creativity that had been ‘stifled’ in the modern world.

The University of Glasgow team concluded that all hobbies – ‘from reading to train spotting’ – should be looked at for their mental and physical benefits. They interviewed quilters and found the activity helped their cognitive, creative and emotional well-being, particularly among older people. The use of bright colours was ‘uplifting’, the activity distracted  from the stress of work, and quilting offered challenges such as maths and geometry. It also increased confidence and had an important social side.

Professor Jacqueline Atkinson, co-author of the study and a quilter herself for five decades, said: ‘Doing something that engages you and that you enjoy is key. As adults, we don’t often do enough that includes fun and play.  ‘We put a lot into studying the use of green spaces and that’s useful to individuals and communities.
'But maybe we need to say there are other things too.’

Graduate student Emily Burt interviewed 29 members of the group and the transcripts were analysed for the study, published in the Journal of Public Health last week.
It concluded that: 'Whether it is growing vegetables, knitting a jumper or discovering a new scientific formula creativity may be fundamental for wellbeing and has received little attention so far within public health. 'Exploring creativity and what people do in their everyday lives, which they deem creative, may be an important avenue for wellbeing promoters.  'Additionally, more consideration needs to be given to all hobbies, from reading to train spotting, and their potential for enhancing wellbeing.'

Craft Scotland said interest in quilting amongst younger Scots was increasing but there was no measure for how many people take up the hobby individually or in clubs. Emma Walker, chief executive of Craft Scotland, said the research backs up what they are seeing on the ground. She said: 'We’ve definitely seen an increase in groups doing quilting socially but also individuals.  'There’s an emotive connection as well as financial need to recycle.  'Historically older groups of women did quilting but women in their early 20s are getting together and children's groups are also taking it up. 'People are investing in quality pieces of quilting, but also looking to make items themselves and re-use materials they have in their homes. 'I can only see the popularity increasing.'

The craft industry contributes around £3 billion a year to the UK economy.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2002862/Why-quilting-uniquely-good-us.html#ixzz1REU7Elrp

The Make Lounge

The Make Lounge

Upholstery for beginners!

This is my first attempt at some 're-upholstering' ! I visited the wonderful Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Race Course today. Alongside some vintage fabric and cotton, two new children's chairs (for bedside tables!) I picked up this battered old stool. I stripped the old bits and pieces off and used some foam and wadding to make a cushion, then covered in this lovely Ikea fabric. Perfect for putting my feet up after a long day bargain hunting!

New stash!

Random!, a set on Flickr.

I managed to sneak in the acquisition of some lovely new fabrics over a hectic but fabulous weekend. My new stash includes the four Liberty prints at the front at a bargain price! Not sure what I shall do with these, maybe a new bag for my mum!!

Red Pepper Quilts: Picnics and Fairgrounds Giveaway!

Red Pepper Quilts: Picnics and Fairgrounds Giveaway!: "Here's your chance to win a Fat Quarter bundle of the down-under prints from the Picnics and Fairgrounds fabric collection by Denyse Schmidt..."

First Quilt

First Quilt, a set on Flickr.

This is the first quilt I ever made! Under the patient guidance of Alison (the other 'madel') It was started in January 2009 and finished nearly 18 months later - with the arrival of Finn mid way through!

The quilt is made up of 7 rows of 5 panels. Each panel has 7 fabrics cut randomly to create a starburst effect. I used one of the squares to make a strip that runs up the back. The binding is made from brown and pink spot fabric. The quilting is a combination of machine and hand sewing in random lines in a mix of brown, green and pink cottons.

I had enough squares to make a cushion cover and both quilt and cushion have pride of place on a comfy chair in our living room, adding a splash of colour and a warmth on a cold evening!

Zig-Zag Quilt

Zig-Zag Quilt, a set on Flickr.

I thought I'd show some of the quilts I've made for myself! This Zig-Zag quilt was made for my bedroom and its fabric was chosen to match and complement the lovely teal wallpaper (Ferm Living). I collected the fabrics over 8 months and they include Liberty, Heather Ross and rare Denise Schmidt 'Flea Market Fancy' fabric generously donated by Madel 2! Each 'strip' has been hand stitched in white and the occasional teal pearl thread. The back was kept simple with another donated fabric strip and zig-zag.