Sewing update

I have been sewing a lot and loving it.
I have a new block keeper with zips down both sides so it opens out flat but zips up to make a secure tote bag if you want to pop some sewing gear in.

I also made a little shell purse. I put a seagull on it in felt. I have been wanting to use this seagull for a  while. It is from a Bustle and Sew magazine.

I started a bag from a book I got from the quilting group library. I used 2 inch strips and the centre piece is 6 1/2 inches x 8  inches. All seams are 1/4 inch. I don't want to publish the pattern but if you are keen I can give better instructions. Just let me know.

Phone and lipstick pockets

I finished block three of the Who Knows BoM at Fat Cat Patterns. (See my side bar.)

I have been working on my Debbie Mumm sampler from 2012. I have been really enjoying making the cute pieced blocks. The fabrics are nearly all scraps so between this and the owls I am using quite a lot of scraps.

I made a cardboard curve ruler for doing curved corners. It will make do til I can buy the plastic one that I can use the rotary cutter with. I love gadgets.

I worked on Nanna's farm a bit doing the applique on the next column. I have already sewn the other columns ready for applique.

I bought two new books and have made friends with Shirley at Colours of a Butterfly  who wants to try making the quilt with the watering cans on it to match the pillow on the front cover of Country Cottage Quilting.

Shirley is great at cross stitch but hasn't done any patchwork so we are starting with the sewing set that has the drawstring bag from the same book. We are going to start the needle book in May and do the bag and scissor keep over a month or two. Then we will do the pillow then the quilt. If anyone wants to join in or post pictures of what you have already made I will have a go at setting up a flickr group. This is a first call. I will post about it again.

Happy Quilting,
Val

Not too early for bunnies?

The beautiful mild morning and the promise of beginnings gave me the urge to make something Spring related. I have made several scissor keeps and thought it wouldn't take much to make a carrot one.
The pattern for this little one is the original. I had to make it a slightly different shape to make it more carroty.

The original pattern

Transformed into a carrot

You can download and print out the pattern below. If you would like some explanation I have done a basic tutorial that you can download from Google docs.

I made the carrot today but over the past week I have practiced my free motion quilting and played with the cake design I got from the Fresh magazine. I made a kitchen counter mat and a wool wadded hot mat. This is the hot mat.

I also finished an owly sewing kit that I started when I was making birdie tree decorations.  The idea for the kit is from a magazine. It has a thimble pouch, a pin wheel, a needle book and a scissor keep.

I did little free motion flowers behind the owl.

The little bird design is from Wee Folk Art

While looking for the link to the little bird pattern I saw this cute pattern for a cat door stop.

I haven't given up on quilts. I plan to buy quilt fabric on my overseas trips. At present I only have small amounts to make small things. I have big plans to make at least two big quilts after July.

Have just found a great giveaway at Just One More Stitch. The Fort Worth Fabric shop is great too.

Happy Quilting,
Val